Symbion and Guild Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarship Initiative

To apply for the Scholarship Initiative, students must:

• Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Be enrolled, or about to enrol, full‑time in:
  • a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy at an Australian accredited provider; or
  • a Bachelor of Pharmacy at an Australian accredited education provider.

Additional notes:

• If multiple eligible applications are received, interviews may be held to determine the most suitable candidate
• Scholarship holders may be asked to complete a short end‑of‑year report reflecting on their participation.

Pharmacy Assistant Scholarships

• Certificate III is the recognised qualification for community pharmacy assistants
• Two (2) Pharmacy Assistant Scholarships are available
• Open to students enrolled in, or commencing, Certificate III studies

University Student Scholarships

• The Bachelor of Pharmacy is the standard qualification leading to pharmacist registration in Australia
• Four (4) University Student Scholarships are available
• Open to students enrolled in, or commencing, a Bachelor of Pharmacy

A total of six scholarships will be awarded:

• 2 x Pharmacy Assistant Scholarships
• 4 x Pharmacy Student Scholarships 
• Payments are made in 10 monthly instalments (February–November) via EFT
• Payments begin only once all required documents—including proof of enrolment—are submitted and eligibility is confirmed
• Final instalment is released upon receipt of end‑of‑year requirements (e.g., reflection report)
• Scholarship holders must maintain active enrolment and progress in their course
• Withdrawal from studies stops future payments; previous payments do not need to be returned

Applications must be submitted via the official online form on the Pharmacy Guild of Australia website.

Applicants may need to provide:

• Certified copy of their birth certificate
• Evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Confirmation of enrolment
• A declaration that all information is true and correct

Applications open: 9 January 2026
Applications close: Midnight, 9 February 2026
Successful applicants notified from: 14 March 2026

All eligible applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel, including representatives from the Guild and Symbion.

• Each scholarship holder will be supported by a dedicated Mentor, ideally a practising pharmacist
• Mentors may include TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy owners or pharmacists who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Mentor support may include email, phone and video check‑ins
• At least four (4) mentor sessions are anticipated per academic year

The Scholarship Initiative provides practical workforce pathways, including:

• Part‑time or casual work opportunities during study
• Exposure to community pharmacy practice
• Support to prepare for future roles as pharmacy assistants or registered pharmacists