Murdoch University’s Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship — High School Stream supports domestic Year 12 students in Western Australia who have demonstrated leadership and positive impact in Sustainability, First Nations, or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The scholarship is worth AUD 12,000, and schools are asked to submit on-time nominations by 30 October 2026.
Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship 2026
The High School Stream recognises Year 12 students who have already demonstrated leadership and positive impact in their school or wider community. The scholarship is not restricted to one academic discipline and can support an eligible student entering any Murdoch University undergraduate course at a Western Australian campus.
| Provider | Murdoch University |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship — High School Stream |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Student type | Domestic |
| Scholarship value | AUD 12,000 |
| Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Semester availability | Semester 1 |
| Application method | Nomination by secondary-school leadership |
| On-time closing date | 30 October 2026 |
Three Leadership Themes
Students may be nominated for leadership and impact in any one of Murdoch University’s three strategic themes:
| Sustainability | Leadership that raises awareness, motivates others to reduce waste, adopt sustainable practices, protect the environment or contribute to cleaner technologies and communities. |
|---|---|
| First Nations | Leadership by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student whose actions positively influence their school or community. |
| Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | Leadership or advocacy supporting underrepresented or marginalised groups, including students with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women in STEM, LGBTIQA+ students, refugee-background students, first-in-family students and others. |
Eligibility
Murdoch’s current scholarship page requires candidates to satisfy all of the core conditions below.
- Be nominated by the student’s secondary-school leadership team.
- Have demonstrated leadership and positive impact under one of the three scholarship themes.
- Be a domestic student: Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, New Zealand citizen or eligible humanitarian visa holder.
- Be a school-leaver commencing a Murdoch University bachelor-level course in Semester 1 immediately following Year 12, subject to the scholarship’s deferment provisions.
- Have a Murdoch bachelor-level course listed in the student’s TISC preferences.
- Commence and continue study at a Murdoch University Western Australian campus.
- Maintain full-time enrolment, normally 3–4 units or 9–12 credit points each semester.
Scholarship Value and Payment
| Total scholarship value | AUD 12,000 |
|---|---|
| Payment per semester | AUD 2,000 |
| Maximum payment period | Six semesters / up to three years |
| Payment method | Paid directly into the recipient’s nominated bank account |
| Typical processing | Murdoch states scholarship payments generally begin around week 7 of each semester, subject to compliance and processing conditions |
The scholarship also connects recipients with leadership and development opportunities during their university journey.
How the Nomination Process Works
Students do not submit a standard individual scholarship application. Eligible students should first discuss the opportunity with their Year 12 coordinator, careers counsellor, deputy principal, principal or other school leadership staff.
- The school identifies an eligible Year 12 student whose leadership fits one of the three scholarship themes.
- The student prepares the required 250–300 word statement supporting the nomination.
- The school prepares its supporting nomination material and submits through Murdoch’s nomination process.
- The student ensures a Murdoch University bachelor-level course is included in their TISC preferences.
- Schools should aim to submit by the on-time deadline of 30 October 2026.
Selection and Scholarship Offer
Murdoch’s Scholarships team checks that the nominated student meets the eligibility requirements and has a Murdoch course in their TISC preferences. It then assesses the nomination statements and leadership evidence.
Murdoch’s broader scholarship FAQ explains that, where a school submits two nominees, offers may be assessed in the school’s nominated preference order, with additional awards possible where funding remains available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship open?
Yes. Murdoch requests on-time High School Stream nominations by 30 October 2026 and says the portal may remain open for late nominations.
Is the scholarship only for Indigenous students?
No. First Nations leadership is one of three qualifying themes. Eligible domestic Year 12 students may also be nominated for leadership in Sustainability or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Can a student apply directly?
No. The High School Stream uses school nomination. Students should speak with their school leadership team if they want to be considered.
How much is the scholarship worth?
The total value is AUD 12,000, normally paid as AUD 2,000 per semester for up to six semesters.
What courses are eligible?
Murdoch states that eligible nominees may study any undergraduate course, provided they satisfy the scholarship and university-entry requirements.
Official Murdoch University Sources
| Current status | Nominations open |
|---|---|
| On-time closing date | 30 October 2026 |
| Scholarship value | AUD 12,000 |
| Application route | Secondary-school nomination |
| Last verified | 4 October 2026 |
