Digital Accessibility Scholarship

Eligibility and award

You can apply if you meet all of these requirements:

• You are 18 years or older when you apply.
• You are currently enrolled at an Australian university or TAFE.
• You study web, design, IT, marketing or a related field.
• Your written response is your own original work.

International students studying in Australia may apply. Contact Matt Bell if you have a question about your course or eligibility.

One financial award of A$1,000 is available, subject to the assessment and conditions below. This is the first round of the scholarship. Future rounds have not been announced.

There is no application fee or purchase requirement. You do not need to be an AWE client, provide a backlink, agree to advertising or complete work for a client.

Your written response

Respond to this prompt in 500 to 800 original words:

Explain a practical way to make small business websites more accessible.

Identify a barrier, explain who it affects and propose an improvement a small business could realistically make. Explain how you would check whether the change helped.

You might consider keyboard access, forms, colour contrast, captions, headings, image descriptions, zoom or plain language. Coding experience is not required, and you do not need to build software, create a portfolio or audit a client website.

Prepare your response before completing the form and keep a copy for your records.

Assessment and outcome

Australian Web Experts management reviews eligible applications against these criteria after applications close.

1. Submit by 31 December 2026 at 11:59 pm Melbourne time. Include your contact details, study details and written response in the form below.
2. AWE assesses the applications. We may contact an applicant if clarification is needed.
3. A finalist provides enrolment proof. AWE requests this only from a finalist, before confirming the award. No enrolment documents are required with the initial application.
4. Outcome notification is by 31 January 2027.

The award is at the discretion of AWE management, applying the published eligibility and assessment criteria. If no suitable applicant is identified, AWE may decide not to award the scholarship for this round.

Conditions and privacy

Award conditions

These conditions apply to the 2026 round of the Australian Web Experts Digital Accessibility Scholarship. The scholarship is a financial award, not employment or an internship. Eligibility, the response requirement, closing date, assessment weights and management discretion are set out above.

This is a scholarship administered by Australian Web Experts. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by a university or TAFE. An institution listing the opportunity does not become a partner in its administration.

Your work and your rights

You retain copyright in your response. Applying does not require advertising consent, a transfer of copyright or permission for AWE to publish your name or response.

How application details are used

AWE collects your name, email, institution, course and response through this form. Netlify Forms processes the submission for AWE. We use these details to assess applications, contact applicants, request enrolment proof from a finalist and administer the scholarship.

Do not include payment details, passwords, government identity documents, medical information or other sensitive information in your response. For questions about your application or its information, contact Matt Bell.

Scholarship administrator

Australian Web Experts is a Melbourne based business providing website development, SEO, advertising and hosting services. It funds and administers this scholarship.

Business

Australian Web Experts Pty Ltd

ABN

98 620 155 624

Scholarship

Australian Web Experts Digital Accessibility Scholarship, 2026 round

Download the 2026 institution information pack (PDF, 2 pages)

Matt Bell

Digital Strategy Director

Scholarship contact

Students and institution staff can contact Matt about eligibility, access needs, application details or the scholarship conditions.

Application form