CPA Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships

CPA Australia and the Australian Leadership Hub, offers up to five (5) scholarships annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The scholarship will assist recipients with financial support to assist them in meeting the educational requirements needed to attain CPA status.

Scholarship Timeline

Scholarship applications are open 1 January and close 31 December, or once annual allocation is exhausted for the year.

Scholarship inclusions

There are five scholarships available annually. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary enrolment for CPA Program subjects not yet undertaken, and one waived CPA Australia Associate (ASA) membership fee for three (3) years of membership, valued at up to AUD$9,585.00 (incl. GST). All other fees and expenses are the responsibility of the recipient.

Scholarship recipients must activate their ASA membership and start the CPA Program within one (1) year of the date of Acceptance Notification. Where a recipient fails to do so, including as a result of any subject cancellation or deferral, CPA Australia may terminate the recipient’s scholarship with no further payments from the date of termination. The CPA Program must be completed by scholarship recipients within six years of becoming an ASA member.

The scholarship does not require the recipient to render any service to CPA Australia or the Australian Leadership Hub.

About the CPA Program

The scholarship aims to help recipients to meet the educational requirements for CPA status, and demonstrate their commitment to learning to potential employers. To complete the CPA Program, you’ll need to complete six subjects: four compulsory and two elective subjects*. The four compulsory subjects are Ethics and Governance, Strategic Management Accounting, Financial Reporting, Global Strategy and Leadership.

* If you’ve already completed recognised studies in tax and auditing, you’re free to choose any elective. However, if you haven’t completed recognised studies in tax and audit this will be a compulsory subject in your CPA Program and you must sit Australia Taxation, and/or Advanced Audit and Assurance.

Each CPA Program subject is undertaken over a single semester – or half a year – with an exam at the end.

Semester dates

Scholarships are effective from the date of Acceptance Notification and are redeemable for one (1) year. A Recipient must activate their ASA membership and start the CPA Program within one (1) year of the date of Acceptance Notification, by enrolling in and sitting the exam for at least one subject.

Please view Importance date and fees page here to see the CPA Program exact Semester enrolment dates, exam scheduling dates, exam periods etc.

Study mode

The CPA Program was designed to support those who prefer the freedom of studying whenever and wherever they like at their own pace, to make juggling your work, life and study commitments more manageable by studying via distance learning.

The CPA Australia guided learning supports our Associate members to achieve great results in their CPA Program exams. A range of guided learning and a range of tools and resources for all subjects enables those studying the CPA Program to excel whatever their learning style.

Program duration

From the time you are accepted into the CPA Program*, you’ll have six years to complete the CPA Program which includes the Your Experience requirement to advance to CPA status.

When you complete the CPA Program and achieve CPA status, you’ll be equipped with the technical and leadership skills required of today’s accounting professionals.

*See eligibility requirements below for details on how to gain entry into the CPA Program.

Eligibility requirements and Supporting documentation 

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be aged 18 years or over; and

• Be assessed or have been assessed as eligible to join CPA Australia at Associate level. To be eligible to join as Associate member, you must have completed a CPA Australia-accredited course or be assessed as meeting all of the Foundation competency requirements; and

• Be residing in Australia and an Australian resident for tax purposes for the duration of the scholarship.

Applicants must submit:

• A completed and signed application form.
• Evidence of recognition as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander i.e., Confirmation of Identity – Verification for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people form, or a statutory declaration stating their identity as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Evidence of their Australian residency i.e., a utility bill or bank statement displaying their residential address. Please remove all other personal information other than name and address.
• A high-quality scan or photo of their original degree award certificate and official itemised transcript, showing subjects passed by year and grades awarded.
• A written endorsement letter from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation or a member of such an organisation. (see #12 of the FAQs for guidance on what to include)
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• A one-page statement detailing their planned professional career and the reasons for wanting to be a CPA Australia member.

CPA Australia is pleased to have the support of the Australian Leadership Hub in administering these scholarships, to contribute to CPA Australia’s Reconciliation by committing to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for employees, members and their communities. As such, this scholarship is open to all who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and the general eligibility requirements of the Australian Scholarships Foundation not-for-profit scholarships do not apply. 

Only applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit a complete application package will be considered.

Application process

To apply for a scholarship, please complete the following steps:

1. Click ‘APPLY NOW’ above and follow the prompts
2. Complete an online Australian Leadership Hub scholarship application form, and upload the required supporting documentation.

*Please ensure you adhere to CPA Australia’s requirements for this supporting documentation HERE.

If you have any adjustment requests or accessibility requirements to complete this application form, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or call 1300 248 675.

Selection process

The scholarship will be awarded by CPA Australia solely based on merit, against the selection criteria set out in the CPA Australia ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship’ Terms and Conditions. CPA Australia’s decision will be final. A maximum of five scholarship recipients will be selected annually, however, CPA Australia is not obliged to award the scholarship.

CPA Australia membership application

In addition to the scholarship application, you are also required to apply for a membership assessment with CPA Australia. We recommend you attend an information session to learn more about the CPA Program and eligibility requirements. These sessions also include assistance with the CPA Australia Membership application process, and a promocode to waive your CPA Australia Membership application fee. Previously paid membership applications fees will not be refunded.

For any queries regarding the CPA Program or eligibility requirements, contact CPA Australia via [email protected].

If you need assistance with the scholarship application process, please contact Australian Leadership Hub via [email protected].