Western Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year of the Year: Category information and application documents

Information you need to take the leap and apply for Western Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year in the WA Training Awards.

Last updated: 5 December 2024

This award recognises the achievements of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who is outstanding in all aspects of their training and demonstrates the importance of lifelong learning for themselves and their community.

Please note

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, keep in mind this award is not the only category you may be eligible to apply for. You may find one of the other award categories more applicable to you. Please check the eligibility for other award categories before applying. Remember — you can only apply for one category in total.

If you'd like to talk to the awards team about which category you should apply for, phone us on 08 6551 5155 or email watrainingawards@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

Check the eligibility criteria

To be eligible to enter this category you must:

be a permanent resident of Australia and be undertaking training in Western Australia;
identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
meet the eligibility criteria for any of the other student categories: WA Apprentice of the Year; WA Trainee of the Year; WA Vocational Student of the Year; or WA School-based Apprentice of the Year. You can find out more about these categories here.

We are here to help

Talk to us

Contact the WA Training Awards team if you are unsure about the application process, require support with your application, or if you would like further information about the awards program.

E: watrainingawards@dtwd.wa.gov.au

P: 08 6551 5155

View our webinars

We have produced webinars to provide you with an opportunity to hear from previous WA Training Awards individual category winners about their experience. Get a run down on what to expect throughout the awards process, and learn what the judges are looking for in an award winning application.

Note: These webinars were recorded in 2023, and feature award winners from previous years.

Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions or are unsure about the criteria, eligibility or application process please take a look at our answers to frequently asked questions.

View the frequently asked questions

Ready to take the leap?

Follow these steps

Please read the information in each of the steps below carefully, to ensure that your application can be accepted.

Applications must be submitted online via the WA Training Awards application portal by 5:00 pm on the closing date. All applicable sections of the portal must be completed, including all required attachments.
Each category requires supporting documentation and references, and these must be uploaded and attached to the online application under the 'Attachments' section.
Applicants can apply for one category only, and must meet the eligibility criteria for that category.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have selected the correct category.
Application responses must be no longer than the maximum word limit allowed.
The WA Training Awards is a self-nomination process. Applicants must personally prepare and submit their own applications. However, it is recommended that applicants get a friend, coworker or family member to review their application before submitting.
In addition to the required attachments, applicants may attach additional relevant supporting evidence (individual applicants may attach no more than five A4 pages and organisation applicants no more than ten A4 pages).
Applicants acknowledge that the information submitted in the 'overview' will be summarised and used as a profile should they be selected as a finalist.
Applicants must supply factually correct information with the understanding that this will be checked and confirmed before the application is progressed to the judging panel.
Applicants must agree to abide by the decision of the selection panel, as no appeals will be entered into.
By entering, finalists and winners agree for their photographs, profiles, video footage, training details and suburbs to be used for promotional purposes by the �� and Commonwealth of Australia. The check box in the application portal must be ticked to substantiate this.
Applicants must comply with Department of Training and Workforce Development standards in regards to training, workplace health and safety, and industrial relations matters.
Applicants agree to notify the Awards team immediately, should there be a change in an applicant’s circumstances with regard to their training or employment.
Applicants must advise the Awards team of changes to their contact details.
Individual finalists must participate in the judging day, which includes attending an interview, to remain eligible.
Eligible category winners* in individual categories must attend a two-day professional development workshop, before the Australian Training Awards finalist week and presentation dinner.
Applicants acknowledge that, should they win their WA Training Award category, their original application will be submitted to the Australian Training Awards if their category is eligible. The Australian Training Awards will allow State winners to update content only where there is new information or information has changed between nominated dates.

* Does not include the Cultural Diversity Training Award or International Student of the Year Award.

To understand the process and what's required for your application in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award category, please read through the application guide available below.

Be sure to check the eligibility requirements and the conditions of entry for the category that you are applying for.

The application guide also has hints and useful tips on how to submit a great application.

View the individual award category application guide

As part of your application, you will be asked to respond to four selection criteria. This is where you have the opportunity to tell us about yourself and your achievements. Each criterion has a limit of 400 words.

Criterion 1: Career and study achievements

Consider things such as:

why did you choose your course?
how has it changed or impacted you?
what have you gained from it?
what have you been able to bring to your workplace?

Criterion 2: Team and communication skills

Consider any skills you have developed through your training, such as:

what have you been able to tell others, work mates, employers etc. about your training?
what do you like about working in a team setting?
what traits do you think are important to positively influence others?

Criterion 3: Ability to be an ambassador (representative) for training in Australia

Tell us about:

examples where you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work.
what other activities you have been involved in where you have been a representative?
how you would describe the quality of your training experience.

Criterion 4: Community engagement

You may wish to include information about the following.

How are you connected with your community/ extended family?
How has the training impacted your community?
What qualities do you have or activities you have been involved in that you feel would be useful as Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year?
What are your achievements in areas other than study and work?

Templates to help with your application

You may also like to look at our example draft application templates, as a guide to helping you respond to the selection criteria and complete your application.

View the individual awards draft application templates

Make sure you have completed the following documents required for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year applicants. A template for each document is available via the links below.

A signed talent release form, (to enable WA Training Awards to use your photo and information if you are a finalist or winner).

View the talent release form

At least one written reference from either an employer, host employer or your trainer/lecturer.

View the employer/host employer or lecturer reference template

If employed at the time of applying, applicants must provide an employer endorsement. This confirms your employer is aware of time off you may need and supports this. It is not a reference.

View the employer endorsement template

If currently studying at school, applicants must submit a school endorsement.

View the school contact endorsement template

If under 18 years of age, applicants must submit a parent/guardian declaration.

View the parent/guardian declaration template

If you meet all of the eligibility criteria; once you have prepared your responses to the selection criteria for the category and have all of the required documents signed and completed, you are ready to submit your application via our online portal.

Key dates

Please be sure to check the key dates for this year's awards programs, for the closing date and time to submit your application.

Information about lodging your application online is available here

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