2026/2027 Westpac Social Change Fellowship in Australia

Location: Australia

Program: Fellowship for Social Impact Leaders

Eligibility: Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Duration: 1 year

Deadline: July 3, 2026

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP & GET UPDATES ON SCHOLARSHIPS WORLDWIDE

The Westpac Social Change Fellowship is one of Australia’s most prestigious and transformative leadership programs, designed to accelerate positive social change by investing in individuals who have the vision, drive, and commitment to shape a better future for Australians. Established by the Westpac Scholars Trust as a gift to Australia in celebration of Westpac Group’s 200th anniversary, this fellowship represents a unique opportunity for purpose-driven social impact leaders to take time out from their initiatives to invest in their personal and professional growth.

Each year, up to 10 fellowships, valued at up to $50,000, are awarded to exceptional individuals who are leading innovative initiatives that tackle critical social issues affecting Australian communities at local, state, or national levels. Unlike traditional grants that fund organizations or projects, the Westpac Social Change Fellowship invests directly in the individual leader—providing funding for personal development experiences that will enhance their skills, leadership capabilities, and networks to accelerate their social impact.

Benefits of the Fellowship

Each Westpac Social Change Fellowship provides comprehensive support including:

Up to $50,000 total fellowship value for personal and professional development
$10,000 included for the Group Leadership Development Program
$20,000-$40,000 for your bespoke Development Plan
Overseas travel funding
Travel insurance coverage for approved Fellowship activities
Salary allowance
Childcare and disability support costs covered where relevant

Mentorship and coaching from previous Fellows and industry leaders
Development of strategic thinking and leadership capabilities
Enhanced communication and presentation skills
Training in driving sustainable social change
Opportunities to explore and refine your social impact initiative

Connection with inspiring, like-minded changemakers across all five Westpac scholarship streams
Access to exclusive Westpac Scholars events
Access to Westpac’s corporate networks and connections
Other benefits

Also Check:

United Nations University Postgraduate Scholarship (UNU) For Developing Countries

Florida State University Graduate Assistantship Scholarship in USA

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Westpac Social Change Fellowship, applicants must meet ALL of the following requirements:

Be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Be over the age of 18 (no upper age limit – Fellows range from early 20s to 60s)
Have demonstrable leadership experience

Be currently in a leadership position with an existing organization/initiative
Be leading an existing social change initiative that addresses a clearly defined social need in an Australian community
Your initiative must be operational and beyond the validation stage
Be able to provide evidence of your contribution to the social impact goals
Provide evidence of social impact and future potential impact
Demonstrate support from the community that your initiative is seeking to benefit
Be able to commit to and participate fully in the Fellowship program, including taking time out of your organization/initiative

Note: Kindly check the official website for complete and detailed requirements.

Also Check:

2026/2027 Westpac Future Leaders Postgraduate Scholarship in Australia

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley in USA

Selection Criteria

The selection process evaluates applicants based on leadership and impact (experience, commitment, and proven ability to drive social change with community support), innovation and approach (originality, clarity of social need, measurable impact, and effective partnerships), personal development and growth potential (readiness for the Fellowship, leadership growth, and a clear development plan), alignment with Westpac Scholar values (authenticity, vision, passion, and commitment to improving Australian communities), and overall application quality (clarity, completeness, strong writing, and referee support).