Symbion and Guild Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarship Initiative

Symbion and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia are excited to announce the call for applications for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarship Initiative for 2024, which aims to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake studies in Certificate III in Community Pharmacy to facilitate growth in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.

Through a strengthened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy workforce, there will be increased provision of and access to improved culturally appropriate pharmacy services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Symbion and Guild Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarship, it is proposed that students must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
  • Be enrolled, or about to be enrolled to study a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy.
Apply Now

Apply Now

Applications are now open.

Applications close mightnight 26th May 2024.

Benefits & Opportunities

Scholarship holders will have access to ongoing employment and career support and opportunities through TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies.

This support includes but not be limited to:

  • providing employment support and opportunities to enable scholarship holders to enter and be part the pharmacy workforce through a supported career pathway.

Download Terms & Conditions

About the Scholarship

Purpose

  • The aim of the Symbion and Guild Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Student Scholarship Initiative is to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertaker studies in Certificate III in Community Pharmacy to facilitate growth in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.
  • Through a strengthened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy workforce, there will be increased provision of and access to improved culturally appropriate pharmacy services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
  • To be eligible to apply for the Symbion and Guild Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Student Scholarship, students must:
    • Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident.
    • Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
    • Be enrolled as a full-time student in a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy at an Australian accredited education provider.
  • Where two or more eligible applications are received for the available scholarship, interviews may be held to determine the most suitable candidate.
  • Scholarship holders may be required to write a report at the end of their scholarship period to reflect on their participation in the Initiative.

Pharmacy Assistant Scholarship

  • The Certificate III in Community Pharmacy is a recognised qualification for a pharmacy assistant working in a community pharmacy.
  • Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled to study a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy.

Pharmacy Assistant Scholarship

  • There will be two (2) pharmacy assistant scholarships available.
  • It is proposed payments to the scholarship holders will be made by the Guild in monthly instalments for 10 months (February – November) of the calendar year via direct Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the students nominated bank account.
  • Scholarship payments for the year only commence once all required documents are received and ongoing eligibility is confirmed at the beginning of each year. This will include proof of enrolment of study.
  • The final monthly instalment each year will only be paid once all required documents are received at the end of each academic year. This may include a report which reflects on the student’s participation and experience in the Scholarship Initiative.
  • Scholarship holders are also required to meet core unit requirements to continue receiving payments.
  • Scholarship holders who withdraw from the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy will waive their scholarship. There will be no requirement to return any scholarship funds paid prior to the date of withdrawal from university.
  • Scholarship applications will be submitted through an official electronic application form through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia website.
  • As part of the application process, applicants may be asked to provide supporting information which includes certified copies of their birth certificate, evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, confirmation of enrolment in their Certificate III and a declaration that all supporting evidence provided in the application is true and correct.
  • Applications will be received from 29 April 2024 and close midnight 26 May 2024.
  • All eligible applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel which will include but not be limited to, official representatives from Symbion and the Guild.
  • Successful scholarship applicants will be advised from June 2024.
  • Scholarship holders will have support and guidance from a Mentor, who will ideally be a practising pharmacist.
  • The Mentor may be a TWC pharmacy owner and/or a pharmacist who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Mentor guidance and support may include engagement and support via email, telephone and video sessions between the scholarship holders and the mentor.
  • It is anticipated there would be at least four (4) video mentor/student sessions each academic year.
  • The Scholarship Initiative is designed to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce through education and career support.
  • Scholarship holders will have access to ongoing employment and career support and opportunities through TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies.
  • This support will include but not be limited to:
    • providing scholarship holders with support and options for employment throughout their degree or course, to enable them to fully prepare for their career in pharmacy.
Page last updated on: 29 April 2024