2026 Lived and Living Experience Workforces - University Scholarship Program

The Collective at SHARC, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health are offering scholarships of up to $13,000 to lived and living experience workers for university level qualifications to build their management and leadership skills and capability. The initiative is open to lived and living experience leaders from early stage and aspiring leaders right through to experienced and senior leaders.  

This opportunity is available for lived and living experience workers employed in Victorian public mental health and wellbeing or AOD services. The scholarships are for workers with a lived or living experience of mental illness or psychological distress, substance use and addiction and families or carers employed in designated lived and living experience roles in a state-funded mental health or alcohol and other drug services, including peak bodies, training organisations and services delivered by non-government organisations.

Scholarships help build the capabilities required to support LLEW to confidently take on diverse leadership roles across the mental health and wellbeing system.