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Applications Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

Applications for 2027 are now OPEN

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) offers scholarships and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Australians, with a focus on Indigenous youth from communities in very remote areas of the country or regional communities.

IYLP is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and The Smith Family was selected to be an IYLP Partnership Broker.

The IYLP supports scholarships for Indigenous students to attend approved secondary schools – day and boarding, government and non–government.

In addition to helping Indigenous students achieve their educational aspirations, the IYLP supports the development of a pool of positive role models and future leaders, to inspire other Indigenous students and illustrate the successes that can be achieved through educational attainment.

See below for a full list of the current education providers The Smith Family has partnered with to deliver the IYLP.

Important information regarding 2027 Scholarship Applications

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) is funded by the Australian Government through the National Indigenous Australians Agency to provide a minimum of 227 scholarships for predominantly remote and regional based students.

The Smith Family partners with over 30 IYLP Education Partners and at the start of every year, we work with our partners to agree on the number of places that each school can offer.
The Smith Family was able to run a higher number of scholarships over the last few years but we are unable to continue this practice so we will be reducing the number of places being offered for 2027.

As always, it is important to make contact with the school first to ensure that they have space for your applicant in the year level they will be enrolling in 2026 and room for them in boarding if that is necessary.

a boy wearing a black gown and holding a pole

The application process

2027 Secondary Education Scholarship applications are now open.

Applications and all supporting documents must be received by close of business Friday 1st May 2026.

Applicants are required to complete all sections of the student application and personal statement.

The application for IYLP Scholarship is made to The Smith Family. You must apply for enrolment with your preferred Partner School.

Before you start the IYLP Scholarship Application contact the chosen school to confirm they have a place in the year level applying for and room in boarding (if necessary) for the applicant.

If the school has space for your applicant, inform the school you wish to begin the enrolment process and you will be applying for an IYLP Scholarship. You need to apply for enrolment with the school. This is separate to the IYLP application.

Complete the IYLP Application by completing all of the application documents below and submit them by the closing date.

Please note that the application is a long one and will take time to complete and to collect the paperwork you need. We recommend that you start the application early.

Applications will be assessed and applicants will be shortlisted for an interview at their chosen partner school.

We assess each application according to a number of criteria including:

Leadership
Academic Performance
Behaviour (including attendance)
Academic Effort
Family Support.

The Student Application and Personal Statement will be assessed for evidence of the student’s self-identity and awareness, knowledge of the school and program, independence and resilience, self-motivation, and desire to develop leadership potential.

While we accept applications from metropolitan areas, in keeping with the scope of our funding agreement, extra ranking points are given to applicants from rural and remote communities.

Please note that documents received after 1st May, 2026 will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be considered for ranking.

A requirement of the application process is that shortlisted applicants attend an interview with their parent or guardian. This interview is to establish whether or not you meet the requirements set out in the program guidelines.

an image of hands holding wood instruments while burning vegetation

Important note

Please note that this is our last year of funding from the Federal Government for the program and we have not been advised if we will receive continued funding beyond the 2026 school year. As we have done in previous years, we will proceed with the application process for 2027, however, we will not be in a position to make any offers until we receive confirmation from the funding body that we will have ongoing funding.

We appreciate that this is not an ideal position to be in but we cannot commit The Smith Family to the level of funding required to run the program and hope that you understand the situation that we are in at the moment.

Should we get confirmation earlier then we will naturally proceed with the application process as normal.

Before you get started

Application checklist

Your Completed application will include -

Student application form (all sections must be completed and the form must be signed by the applicant) (Link above)
Verification of enrolment at your current school (on school letterhead and signed by the principal/authorised school representative)
Your most recent school semester report (we require Semester 2, 2025 reports). Applications will only be considered on condition your results are satisfactory.
Verification of ABSTUDY eligibility from Centrelink. If you are not eligible for ABSTUDY, you must clearly state why you are educationally disadvantaged.
Written references from two referees on provided template (may be sent separately but must be received by 1st May 2026 and must be on the template provided)
Personal statement, written by you (in your own handwriting and 250 words)
Parent/Guardian support & consent form (all sections must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian). (Link above)
Recent school photo of the applicant.

Application forms

Click the link to complete each form

Once completed, the following attachments should be emailed to IYLP@thesmithfamily.com.au to complete your application.

Please use the Student’s Name as the subject heading.

Personal statement (handwritten by student)

Student Reference (2 Required)

We require these to be scanned – Photos of documents cannot be accepted due to the quality and difficulty reading information.

There are many apps that turn your smart phone into a scanner – Genius Scan is a great, free option.

Having trouble?

You can download, complete and scan the required forms below, if you are having trouble with the online form.

Please note that this is not our preferred option.

IYLP PG Support Consent 2027 (PDF)
IYLP PG Support Consent 2027 (Word)
IYLP Student Application 2027 (PDF)
IYLP Student Application 2027 (Word)

Who can apply for a secondary education scholarship?

To be eligible for an IYLP scholarship the applicant must be a young Indigenous Australian who has the motivation and high potential to complete Year 12, and be committed to succeeding. Scholarships are being offered for up to one year and student progress will be reviewed periodically.

IYLP scholarship applicants must also be:

• willing to attend an approved IYLP Education Partner School/College

• eligible for Abstudy or be able to demonstrate educational disadvantage

• able to meet the requirements set out in the program guidelines in relation to receipt of other Commonwealth scholarships

Questions

If you have any questions in relation to the scholarship application process please email IYLP@thesmithfamily.com.au.