Featured in the Age’s Scholarships Guide on Saturday 22 November 2025 – Principal, Susan Just highlights that the path to a scholarship is not as daunting as some families think, responding to journalist Elissa Doherty’s series of commonly asked questions. An excerpt from the article is below.

From budding Beethovens and Picassos to female STEM stars and refugees making a fresh start, modern scholarships cater for a broad mix of students. The subsidies on offer can be comparable to a small lottery win, opening the door to schools that might otherwise remain out of reach.

But the process can be overwhelming for families, with only a limited number of spots available. As interest in scholarships surges amid budget pressures, experts say there are simple steps families can take to navigate the maze more easily.

When should parents start to think about scholarships?
Scholarships are typically available to students entering years 5-10, but can be offered as early as Year 4. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) says parents should start by researching the websites of the schools they are interested in, noting the timelines for applications, testing, and auditions.

Dr Jarrod Hingston, ACER’s Head of Student, Learning and Progress, says some schools schedule the scholarship tests up to 18 months in advance of the school year for which the student is applying. “For example, a Year 5 student may sit a scholarship test in October 2025 for entry into Year 7 in 2027,” he says.

Lauriston Girls’ School Principal Susan Just advises families to start exploring schools of interest at least a year before applying. Parents are urged to bring their daughters to an Experience Lauriston session and take a tour to help inform a written piece about why they want to attend the school. “It is important for the girl to feel excited about the school and that she would like to attend,” she says.

What are schools looking for in scholarship recipients?
Acing the academic test alone isn’t the key to a scholarship, as schools look for students who will be an asset to their communities. Interviews with the principal, personal statements from students, portfolios of work, video submissions and records of community service are among the different ways schools can dig deeper. Just says Lauriston rewards students who want to make “a broad contribution to the school”.

“We would like to make a positive impact on the growth and development of each student,” she says. “These are generally well-rounded young people who have varied interests which they want to pursue. They demonstrate perseverance and adaptability. They are articulate and use their voices to offer opinions and their ideas.”