First Nations health student scholarships now open

Dechlan Brennan Published November 26, 2025 at 9.00am (AWST)

health

This year marks the first time the Indigenous Health Scholarship Program has been run by Indigenous Allied Health Australia. (Image: IAHA)

Applications are now open for the 2026 Indigenous Health Scholarship Program (IHSP), with the federal government committing $1 million over two years to support up to 80 scholarships annually.

The program will be managed by an Indigenous organisation for the first time — Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) — and will provide both financial assistance and mentoring to First Nations students pursuing careers in the health sector.

Students can receive up to $5000 to help cover everyday study costs such as books, equipment and other essential expenses.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the government is committed to strengthening the First Nations health workforce to "deliver care in our communities."

"I'm particularly pleased the First Nations-led IAHA is now managing this scholarship program, delivering financial support and mentoring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students," Senator McCarthy said.

IAHA provides culturally safe and responsive support for students, mentoring scholarship recipients to help improve retention and graduation rates.

Transferring the program to an Indigenous-led organisation aligns with Closing the Gap reforms 1 and 2 — shared decision-making and strengthening the community-controlled sector — as well as targets 5 and 6, which focus on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reach their full learning potential.

"IAHA's leadership in delivering this program ensures students receive the support they need in a culturally safe environment," Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White said.

"Growing the First Nations health workforce is essential to improving health outcomes and care in both community-controlled and mainstream services across the country."

Health Minister Mark Butler said the scholarship program is a "practical investment in the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and the communities they serve".

"By supporting students with financial and cultural mentoring, we're helping to close the gap in health outcomes and workforce representation," he said.

Applications open 26 November and close on 15 February 2026.

Applications can be made online.