Applications open for 2026 AQ Foundation Bursary
5 Aug 2026
Applications have now opened for the 2026 AQ Foundation Bursary program, aiming to support students whose families are experiencing financial hardship, where school fees pose a barrier to being enrolled at AQ School.
This limited funding pool, funded by community, corporate, and philanthropic donations, is designed to provide partial assistance with tuition fees for Prep to Year 12 students across all AQ School campuses, including Distance Education. A financial contribution to school fees will be required. Successful applications in this bursary round are to be awarded towards 2027 enrolments.
Please note: Funding is limited. We expect to receive more applications than we can support and are continuing work to expand the program for future years.
Key bursary dates
| Date | Activity |
| Monday 3 August 2026 | Applications open for 2027 bursaries |
| Monday 24 August 2026 | Applications close at 5pm AEST |
| October 2026 | Outcomes emailed to applicants |
About the bursaries
Successful AQ Foundation Bursaries may:
- Cover part of AQ School tuition fees for a school term or toward the full school year.
- Be awarded to current or prospective students (an offer of enrolment is required).
- Only be awarded to successful student/s once per student, per school year.
AQ Foundation Bursaries do not cover:
- Transport, uniforms, enrolment deposits, or school supplies.
- Therapy, assessments, or other non-tuition services.
AQ Foundation Bursary Guidelines
Families must meet eligibility criteria, with priority given to those most in need, including low-income families, families in regional and remote communities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Before submitting an application, families must ensure they meet eligibility requirements, have appropriate supporting documentation, and have read and understood the AQ Foundation Bursary Guidelines.
Eligibility criteria
You may apply for the AQ Foundation Bursary if:
- Your child has a formal autism diagnosis (DSM-V) confirmed by a pediatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or clinical psychologist.
- Your child is currently enrolled or has an offer of enrolment from AQ School (valid at any Queensland campus, including Distance Education).
- You are a Queensland resident.
- Your family is experiencing financial hardship.
Priority may be given to:
- Applicants in regional or remote areas of Queensland (ASGS remoteness scale).
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Families without stable housing.
AQ Foundation Bursary recipient/s are expected to:
- Attend school regularly.
- Maintain engagement with the AQ School interdisciplinary team.
- Work in partnership with AQ School staff to support the student’s learning.
Bursary support may be withdrawn if these expectations and criteria are not met.
Supporting documentation checklist
In your AQ Foundation Bursary application, you will need to include:
- Autism diagnosis report (signed and dated).
- Health care card or Centrelink documentation (if applicable).
- Payslips, bank statements (past 90 days), and latest tax return.
- Personal statement explaining your situation.
- Housing status information.
- Letter of support from a teacher, community leader, or service provider (optional).
How to apply?
- Confirm you meet eligibility criteria.
- Read the AQ Foundation Bursary guidelines.
- Complete the application form and include required supporting documentation, evidence, and personal statement.
- Submit before the submission deadline.
What happens next?
- You’ll receive an auto email confirmation once your application is submitted.
- Your application will be reviewed by the AQ Foundation Bursary committee.
- All applicants will be notified of their outcome.
- Applicants may resubmit for future consideration if not funded in this round.
- All decisions are final, and no discussions or negotiations will be entered into.
- Names of bursary recipients will remain confidential, though we may publish the number and total value of bursaries distributed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
See below for frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, please email the AQ Foundation Bursary team at: [email protected]
What is the AQ Foundation Bursary?
The AQ Foundation Bursary provides partial financial assistance with tuition fees for eligible students whose families are experiencing financial hardship. It aims to make Autism Queensland (AQ) School more accessible for children who could not otherwise afford it.
How much funding is available?
Currently, partial bursaries of up to $3,000 will be awarded. This may contribute towards tuition fees for the upcoming school year, depending on available funds, applicant numbers, and eligibility. This is subject to change without notice and under the discretion of the AQ Foundation.
If I receive a bursary, will I still have to pay school fees?
Yes. The bursary only covers part of the tuition fees. Families are expected to pay the remaining tuition amount each term.
Who can apply?
You may apply for the AQ Foundation Bursary if:
- Your child has a formal autism diagnosis (DSM-V) confirmed by a pediatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or clinical psychologist.
- Your child is currently enrolled or has an offer of enrolment from AQ School (valid at any Queensland campus, including Distance Education).
- You are a Queensland resident.
- Your family is experiencing financial hardship.
Priority may be given to:
- Applicants in regional or remote areas of Queensland (ASGS remoteness scale).
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Families without stable housing.
What is evidence of financial hardship?
You must provide at least one of the following to support evidence of financial hardship:
- Proof of means tested government benefits (e.g. health care card in parent/legal guardian’s name).
- Evidence of below-average household income (e.g. recent payslips, bank statements, Services Australia statement of income, latest tax return etc).
- Documentation of unforeseen/exceptional expenses (e.g. medical bills, job loss etc).
- Housing status information (e.g. unstable housing or at risk of homelessness).
What if I do not have evidence of financial hardship?
Unfortunately, without documentation showing financial hardship, your application will be deemed ineligible. You may reapply if your circumstances change and you can provide the required evidence.
What doesn't the bursary cover?
AQ Foundation Bursaries do not cover:
- Transport to or from school
- Uniforms
- School supplies or resources
- Enrolment deposits
- Therapy or assessments
- Other non-tuition services.
How many times can I receive a bursary?
AQ Foundation Bursaries can only be awarded to successful student/s once per student, per school year. Families can re-apply in future years.
How will I know if my application is successful?
All applicants will be notified of their outcome. You will receive an automatic email confirming your application has been received and a follow-up notification after the AQ Foundation has assessed all applications.
How are applications assessed?
The AQ Foundation Bursary sub-committee reviews applications against the eligibility criteria, available funds, and priority categories. All decisions are final and no discussions or negotiations will be entered into.
Is my application information confidential?
Yes. All personal information is stored securely in accordance with AQ’s Privacy Policy and is only accessed by AQ Foundation members directly involved in processing your application.
