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Scholarships to grow the mental health peer workforce
The Mental Health Peer Work Scholarship Program is now taking applications from people with lived mental health experience and is open until 23 June 2023. Successful applicants will receive funding to undertake a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work in 2023.
A new scholarship program will support Canberrans with lived mental health experience to undertake nationally recognised vocational training in mental health peer work.
The Mental Health Peer Work Scholarship Program is now taking applications from people with lived mental health experience and is open until 23 June 2023. Successful applicants will receive funding to undertake a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work in 2023.
Funding is available for up to six scholarships in the ACT. The scholarship consists of up to a $4,000 course fee and $1,000 stipend per successful scholarship recipient. Additional costs may be incurred by the recipient depending on the course they enrol in.
The scholarship aims to aid the development of an experienced, skilled and engaged workforce that delivers high-quality services and support for people experiencing mental health issues, their families and their carers.
Creating and growing a skilled mental health peer workforce is supported through the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy, the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategic Approach to Mental Health in the ACT, and the ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
To be eligible for a scholarship applicants must:
be 17 years or older and/or a school leaver
be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a holder of a permanent residence visa, or a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker holding a temporary or bridging visa providing work and/or study rights
have lived experience of mental distress/ill-health and/or suicide as a consumer, carer or family member
meet the attendance and study requirements to complete your chosen course
be seeking to enter the Peer Workforce or are currently working in the peer mental health workforce
have access to the internet and somewhere suitable to study
have well developed self-care strategies and access to support networks you will use to complete the course
agree to enrol in a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work and commence study with the Registered Training Organisations (RTO) of their choice by 31 December 2023
be willing to participate in the evaluation of the scholarship program.
All applicants will need to complete and submit a Mental Health Peer Work Scholarship application in line with the application guidelines via the online SmartyGrants grant management system here.
Applications open from 15 May to 23 June 2023.
The scholarship program is funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
For more information on local mental health and wellbeing services, visit here
