Empowering the next generation of skilled workers and industry leaders through education, training, and industry partnerships. Our vision is that every individual has the opportunity to succeed in our industry through equitable access to education.
By supporting the Building and Construction Foundation, you’re helping to nurture the next generation of skilled tradespeople and industry leaders. Together, we can create a more inclusive and diverse construction industry.
We provide scholarships to cover tuition, tools, and essential resources, ensuring financial barriers don’t stand in the way of your career in construction.
Our partnerships with leading educational institutions provide access to industry-relevant training programs, equipping you with the skills needed to succeed.
We connect you with apprenticeships, and job placements, offering direct pathways to employment in the construction industry.
The Building and Construction Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to fostering growth and excellence in the construction industry. We achieve this by bridging the gap between education and employment, creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, and ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled workers ready to contribute to the industry’s success.
We provide financial aid to individuals facing barriers to education and career opportunities, with ongoing support and monitoring to ensure their success.
We work with companies to create inclusive apprenticeship programs that provide career pathways for marginalised individuals while promoting diversity and inclusion and meeting the needs of the construction industry – get in touch to collaborate with us or to learn more.
We collaborate with local community organisations to develop programs which aim to equip people from diverse backgrounds, including those from a disadvantaged or low socio-economic background, those from underrepresented or marginalised communities, or experiencing barriers to equitable education opportunities with skills and opportunities.
1. Geographic Location: Applicants must reside in and be studying and/or working within the state of Victoria, Australia.
2. Residency: Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident or humanitarian visa holder.
3. Field of Study: Be enrolled in or seeking to enrol in a construction related field of study/ apprenticeship.
4. The Foundation supports individuals experiencing financial hardship that presents a barrier to accessing or completing education and training in the construction industry.
Applicants receiving an eligible means-tested income support payment meet the financial eligibility requirement.
Otherwise, the following gross annual income thresholds apply:
For applicants under 18 or over 18 but living with parents or guardians, the assessment will also consider their living arrangements, household financial circumstances and the family or guardian support reasonably available to them. Meeting the personal income threshold alone does not establish financial hardship.
A partnered applicant is assessed using combined household income, not only their personal income. Income includes wages and other income sources, including income-replacement payments such as WorkCover.
Unemployment alone does not necessarily establish financial hardship. The assessment may also consider savings, redundancy payments, available household support, and the applicant’s actual capacity to meet the relevant costs.
These thresholds support consistent assessment while allowing exceptional circumstances to be considered with proportionate supporting evidence.
Income is assessed alongside broader hardship indicators including:
All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Foundation retains discretion to consider exceptional circumstances outside these indicative thresholds.
In addition, we collect supplementary information on Social, Economic, and Intersectional Barriers/ Factors to support application consideration.
An interview will also be conducted.
Other sources of funding: Will applicant be receiving any other source of funding for the nominated course/program (e.g. Government subsidised training or additional scholarships)? Any alternative funding to be declared and will be considered as part of application but will not necessarily affect the outcome.
Conditions of Award: If successful, applicants must meet the following conditions:
What are the steps to applying?
Download a copy of the application form here
Required Documents:
Call us on 03 8583 4091 for support with your application or eligibility questions.
You can also reach us via our Contact Us form if you need additional assistance.
All applications must be submitted by the deadline via the online portal or email. Late or incomplete applications will be deferred to the next round. If applications are urgent in nature, special consideration for an expedited assessment can be made.
Eligible candidates are interviewed by the Foundation’s Scholarship Subcommittee.
Applications are reviewed by the subcommittee and approved by the Board for award.
Successful Applicants: Notified via email and letter, including details of the scholarship award and next steps.
Unsuccessful Applicants: Notified with constructive feedback and information on future opportunities.
Orientation Information: applicants are provided an orientation/ information package for scholarship recipients to outline expectations, support services, and reporting requirements.
Alumni Program: Enrol in alumni program to provide guidance and support throughout their studies and early career stages and build a Foundation community.
Monitoring and Reporting: Foundation’s support team will connect with recipients at periodic intervals to check-in to ensure ongoing success and address any challenges, and provide additional support.
By becoming a partner or donor, you’ll be empowering the next generation of skilled tradespeople and future industry leaders. Your support helps create opportunities, fosters diversity, and strengthens the foundation of the construction industry. Enquire today to make a lasting impact!
