We welcome applications from students who believe they can make a positive contribution to our school community. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent upon the quality of the applicants and the availability of places.
Community philanthropy has been integral to The Friends’ School and its core values since the school was founded in 1887. This community philanthropy and generosity continues to this day. Scholarships and fee assistance packages are funded by generous donations from the School community.
If you have any questions about scholarships or bursaries, please contact the Enrolments Manager, Jen Scharkie, on either +61 3 6210 2224 or jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au
Visit The Mather Endowment Trust for more information about the history of the Trust and its benefactors.
Applications Open: now
Applications Close: 9am, 1 July 2025
APPLY HERE (if you are applying for more than one bursary, you only need to complete one application form, not separate submissions).
Students are selected based upon their demonstrated desire to learn and their involvement in their current school and community. Students entering Year 5 to 12 may be considered for assistance through the Mather Endowment Trust.
Students would need to be interviewed by the relevant Head of School and Principal.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
The Friends’ Fellowship is a two-to-three year bursary, available for a new student entering in Year 10 or 11 in 2026. Applications for this bursary are now open for new students entering in 2026.
Established in 2018, and funded entirely by community donations during annual giving, The Friends’ Fellowship provides financial assistance to families who can least afford a Friends’ education, and who will benefit greatly from attending the School. The value of the Bursary depends on funds raised. Recipients do not sit an exam, rather they demonstrate their commitment to academic achievement, service, community and the values of the School through an online application, interview and references from teachers and community members.
Term: Two-to-three years
Entry Level: a new student entering Year 10 or 11 in 2026. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen.
Value: up to 75% of school fees. Friends’ School bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on the individual family circumstances.
Applications Open: now
Applications Close: 9am, 1 July 2025
APPLY HERE (if you are applying for more than one bursary, you only need to complete one application form, not separate submissions).
There is no examination for bursaries but families will be expected to make available a range of financial information to allow assessment of their application. Applications are assessed by the Fees Assistance Committee of the Board of Governors and all details are held in confidence.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
This is a bursary available for a student from Years 7 to 12 from a rural area.
The Frances Parsons Bursary was created following the receipt of a bequest from Frances Parson’s estate in 2015. Frances had a passion for the education of women, particularly from rural areas, although the bursary is available to all rural students.
This bursary will be awarded to either an existing or prospective Friends’ School student entering into Years 7 – 12 from a rural area and will provide up to 50% of boarding costs for the tenure of the student’s enrolment.
Friends’ School bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on the individual family circumstances.
Applications Open: now
Applications Close: 9am, 1 July 2025
APPLY HERE (if you are applying for more than one bursary, you only need to complete one application form, not separate submissions).
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
A Merit Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
These scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate they have strong abilities across a range of the key areas of learning.
Examination papers are written by a team of Friends’ teachers, who represent a broad range of learning areas. A variety of questions invite students to present written responses intended to demonstrate both the breadth and depth of their academic proficiency. We seek students who are academically well-rounded and who also embody the values reflected in our Purpose and Concerns.
Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel. During this process, the panel will seek information on how the student might contribute to The Friends’ School beyond their academic capabilities.
Students who are offered a Merit Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Merit Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Merit Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Year 11 & 12 Merit Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.
Applications closed at 12.30pm Monday 24 February 2025.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
A Music Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
Music Scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate outstanding musicianship and the ability to make an ongoing, strong and varied contribution to the musical life of the School.
Students who are offered a Music Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Music Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Music Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Years 11 & 12 Music Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.
Applications closed at 12.30pm Monday 24 February 2025.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
A Boarding Scholarship provides a 25% reduction to tuition and boarding fees. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
Applications for Boarding Scholarships are invited from students who would otherwise be unable to attend the School because of their remote residential location or other circumstances related to their residential arrangements.
Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel.
Shortlisted boarding candidates will need to demonstrate a willingness to participate in school life and be a positive member of our Walker House residential community.
Students who are offered a Boarding Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Boarding Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Boarding Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Years 11 & 12 Boarding Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.
Applications closed at 12.30pm Monday 24 February 2025.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.
Shortly after the First World War, a group of Friends’ alumni set up a trust fund to support a student moving into Year 11, whose family had been adversely affected by war. This worthy cause has been modified over the years, extending the support to students who simply have an alumni connection in their extended family and omitting “War” from the title.
There is one grant of $4,000 for a Year 10 student continuing to Year 11 at The Friends’ School. The grant is paid in Term 1. Students with an alumni connection in the previous generation (such as parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts) are encouraged to apply.
The application form outlines the areas on which students will be evaluated. We are looking for a student who is academically sound, an active participant in the life of the School and strong in service.
A panel of Trustees and the Head of Senior School will shortlist the applicants and then conduct interviews.
Applications for the Old Scholars’ Memorial Grant closed on Monday 28 October at 4pm. For more information please contact Adam Chambers at achambers@friends.tas.edu.au
Applicants must be Australian Citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa (you will be required to upload a copy of your PR status, in the application process if this is the case).
Please submit your online application and accompanying documents by 12.30pm Monday 24 February 2025. Applications will not be considered after this date.
Applicants will be contacted about the scholarship exam and/or music audition closer to the audition and exam dates. All Merit and Boarding Scholarship applicants are required to sit an exam on Saturday 1 March 2025. Music Scholarship applicants will be shortlisted to audition. Applicants will be notified on Tuesday 25 February 2025 if they have been shortlisted so that an individual audition time can be arranged. All Music Scholarship auditions will be held on Friday 28 February 2025. We suggest families make tentative arrangements with an accompanist (if required) prior to knowing if their child has been shortlisted.
Those that have completed a merit or boarding scholarship application received an email outlining all the details of the exam. See below.
All scholarship papers and audition results will be reviewed by the School and further information from applicants may be sought.
Shortlisted Merit and Boarding applicants will be interviewed by the Principal and respective Head of School. Music applicants will be interviewed by the selection panel during their audition. Successful applicants will be awarded scholarships.
For any enquiries or to discuss with the School, please contact our Enrolments Office on either 6210 2286 or enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au
Subject to a range of factors, such as levels of funding and available spaces in relevant year groups, limited bursaries for boarding and tuition are occasionally available. These may be offered to exceptional students who demonstrate qualities that will enrich the entire school, and contribute to our ability to deliver the Purpose and Concerns statement. Bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on individual family circumstances.
There is no examination for bursaries but families will be expected to make available a range of financial information to allow assessment of their application. Applications are assessed by the Fees Assistance Committee of the Board of Governors and all details are held in confidence.
The Board may, from time to time, offer targeted bursaries to assist students from certain special groups. These are advertised in the local media and on this website.
For more information on scholarships and bursaries please contact the Enrolments Office.
