How to apply
Online application via myScholarships.
| Applications open | Monday 19 January 2026 |
| Applications close | Sunday 15 March 2026 |
| Total value | $10,000 |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Residency | Permanent Humanitarian visa holder, New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, Australian Citizen |
| What best describes me | Current student |
| Level of study | Undergraduate, Honours, Postgraduate |
| Degree | Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Master of Social Work |
| College | College of Education, Behavioural & Social Science |
The Elizabeth Tolhurst Memorial Social Work Grant is available to social work students from a migrant or refugee background who may have a recognised disability.
The Grant honours Elizabeth Tolhurst who migrated to Australia from Hungary as a child. Elizabeth had a close association with the Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide who established the Grant from her bequests, to honour her life.
Elizabeth suffered several disabilities, receiving persistent and insightful care from Pilgrim volunteers and Independent Advocacy SA.
The Grant targets students at a point in their program where they must complete 1,000 hours of supervised work placements. Grant funds may be used at the full discretion of the student to reduce the financial stress that comes from participating in block placements that are an integral part of social work programs.
Value:
$10,000 per recipient, paid in two installments.
Pro-rata payments will apply for part-time enrolment.
Ongoing payments are subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Grant recipients will be requested to submit a progress report in the year in which they receive the grant.
For more information, contact:
Student Assist
StudentAssist@study.adelaideuni.edu.au
Eligibility
⦁ Students from a refugee or humanitarian background – applicants may be Australian Citizens‚ Permanent Residents of Australia‚ Holders of Permanent Humanitarian Visa, Temporary Resident, or New Zealand Citizens.
⦁ Enrolled in an eligible social work program and year level (as outlined above).
⦁ Full-time (preferred) or part-time study load.
The eligible programs and year levels are:
⦁ Bachelor of Social Work (BSOCW) – third- and fourth- year students
⦁ Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) (HSOCW) – third- and fourth- year students
⦁ Master of Social Work (MASOW) – first- and second -year students
Social Work students enrolled through the Whyalla and Mount Gambier campuses are eligible to apply.
Selection criteria
⦁ Submission of a written statement.
⦁ Submission of a Curriculum Vitae.
⦁ Preference will be given to applicants expressing an interest in social work as it relates to older people and a willingness to engage with the Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide.
⦁ Preference may be given to applicants who have a recognised disability.
Applicants are required to provide a written statement (maximum 750 words) detailing:
⦁ Background (status as a person from a migrant or refugee background who may have a recognised disability);
⦁ Reasons for studying social work and how the degree supports their aspirations including future career goals;
⦁ Financial hardshipneed and the impact of receiving the Grant;
⦁ Academic achievements including results from previous undergraduate study;
⦁ Interest in social work concerning older people who may be experiencing duress from disablement; and
⦁ A willingness to engage with the Pilgri
Important information
International students are ineligible for the Grant.
The Grant includes the opportunity for recipients to engage with the Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide‚ for mutual learning.
The engagement with Pilgrim would be mutually agreed and vary each year according to the needs and commitments of both the recipient and the Church.
A student can receive the Grant on multiple occasions. Specifically‚ a student receiving the Grant in their third year is eligible to reapply and receive the Grant in their fourth year.
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