Public Health InTrain Scholarships

What is INTRAIN?

The Department of Human Services has implemented policies and programs to address the disadvantages experienced by Indigenous people in Victoria.

INTRAIN (Indigenous Training and Recruitment Initiatives Program) is a key initiative supported by the department's Indigenous Recruitment and Career Development Strategy. The Strategy was introduced to improve the diversity and responsiveness of the Victorian Public Sector to Indigenous issues by increasing employment opportunities for Victorian Indigenous people.

INTRAIN Postgraduate Scholarships are offered to Victorian Indigenous people to assist them to complete Postgraduate programs that have a major focus on public health issues such as Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, Graduate Diploma in Public and Community Health, Masters of Public Health, Masters in Health Services Research/Social Health or other equivalent courses.

Furthermore, the aim of the Scholarship is to also assist Victorian Indigenous people to contribute positively to the improvement of the general health of the Victorian Indigenous Community.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for an INTRAIN Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• Identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and
• Be accepted by the community in which he/she lives or has lived; and
• Reside in Victoria or will live in Victoria upon completion of their course; and
• Must want to work for the department or its funded agencies; and
• The course is relevant to a career within the department or its funded agencies; and
• Not have previously received an INTRAIN scholarship.

The Postgraduate Scholarships are only available for students enrolling in a postgraduate course with a major focus on public health issues such as Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, Graduate Diploma in Public and Community Health, Masters of Public Health, Masters in Health Services Research/Social Health or other equivalent courses.

What is the Scholarship entitlement?

The Scholarship currently provides an allowance of $12,735 (part-time students) to $25,470 (full-time students) per annum. This scholarship is paid fortnightly for the duration of the course.

How are Scholarships awarded?

Selection will be based on merit and consideration will be given to:

• The relevance of the course of study to employment within the department or its funded agencies.
• Referee reports.
• The ability to undertake and complete the course of study.
• Interest in working in the department or its funded agencies on completion of the course of study.
• Participation in the Victorian Indigenous community.

The Masters/Doctoral course must develop skills in:

• Research project planning, management and evaluation.
• Research design (qualitative and quantitative).
• Evidence based practice and its implementation.
• Research policy and project development.

What is involved in the Scholarship selection process?

A panel made up of representatives from the Indigenous Community and from the Department of Human Services will review the applications.

The panel will make a decision as to which applicants will receive a Scholarship. Successful applicants are required to sign an Agreement with the Department of Human Services. This Agreement outlines the department's and the recipient's obligations regarding the Scholarship.