Lead the charge for change with a Westpac Social Change Fellowship. Apply before Tuesday 16 June 2026.

Applications for the 2027 Westpac Social Change Fellowship are open now. Apply before Tuesday 16 June 2026.

The Westpac Social Change Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for social change leaders to spend time investing in their skills, leadership capabilities and networks. Each year, up to 10 Fellowships are awarded to purpose-driven individuals committed to improving the wellbeing of Australians — each worth up to $50,000.

The Fellowship is completely tailored to the individual. Whether you're looking to expand your networks, explore global best practices or build your leadership capacity, the program will help you curate a development plan that supports you. That might mean study tours, short courses, coaching, conferences, overseas learning experiences — or something else entirely. The aim is to give you the time and space to invest in yourself and become an even more effective social change leader.

What you receive

•       Up to $50,000 to invest in your personal development — study tours, short courses, conferences, coaching, overseas learning experiences and more

•       A bespoke leadership program including a 4-day residential experience, plus online group coaching and capacity building sessions throughout the year

•       Lifelong membership of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network — connecting you with game-changers, achievers and believers across all five Westpac scholarship streams

•       An invitation to the annual Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney

Who can apply?

The Fellowship is open to individuals across any sector who are leading an existing initiative to address a social issue in an Australian community. You don't need to work for a not-for-profit — a leader from any organisation is eligible to apply. You do need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, over 18, and in a leadership role with an existing initiative that can evidence its social impact.

You don't have to be the founder or CEO either. As long as you are in a leadership position and can evidence your contribution to the social impact goals, you're encouraged to apply.

Key dates

•       Applications open: Thursday 14 May 2026

•       Online Information Session: Wednesday 27 May 2026, 12–1pm AEST

•       Applications close: Tuesday 16 June 2026, 5pm AEST

Applications are submitted through the Westpac Scholars online portal (SmartyGrants). Westpac Scholars Trust recommends starting early — a strong application takes time to develop.

Past Fellows

The impact of the Fellowship is best understood through the people who have held it.

Carla Raynes spent nearly two decades working in homelessness services before founding Bridge It — a charity providing homes to young women and gender-diverse people who have experienced the out-of-home care system or homelessness. She built The Cocoon, a semi-supported home in Melbourne for young women and gender-diverse people aged 16 to 21, where residents finish Year 12, get their driver's licence, start university, and buy their first cars. The Westpac Social Change Fellowship provided Carla with a $50,000 investment in her professional development, allowing her to visit services in the UK and undergo mindset training, which she then funded for her entire team. Read her story: scholars.westpac.com.au/OneThousand/It-is-possible-to-end-homelessness

Danny Hui is a 2020 Social Change Fellow and the founder of sameview — a platform designed to help families, clinicians and carers collaborate more effectively around shared goals for people with disability. Danny's journey began when his youngest son Monty was born with a rare condition, and he found himself navigating a fragmented care system with no adequate support. Today, sameview supports a community of over 18,000 users. The Fellowship gave Danny the flexibility to grow his impact across multiple avenues — from individual families to national policy — recognising that leadership doesn't have to be singular. Read his story: scholars.westpac.com.au/OneThousand/Building-confidence-not-just-platforms

Don’t miss out – Apply Now