The Westpac Scholars Trust proposition is astoundingly simple, focused and impactful. To back Australians who can make a difference, by awarding 100 scholarships a year… forever.
The Trust pursues priorities that:
- Develop world-class leaders, through transformative leadership programs.
- Empower the scholar network, through lifelong access to inspiring communities.
- Foster long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with Australian universities.
- Deliver measurable impact, sustainable for the long-term.
Across five offerings, scholars invest time and energy into studies and research and leadership development, through Research Fellowships, Future Leaders, Young Technologists and now the Australia-Asia Fellowship (previously Asia Exchange).
Since 2015, the Westpac Asia Exchange Scholarship has enabled over 300 undergraduates to experience life and learning in Asia, through a Westpac investment of more than $4m in funding.
What’s new?
With success across more than a decade, the Trust has reviewed the Asia Exchange Scholarship in 2025 and also drew on the broader ‘Creating a Stronger Australia Together’ impact report (available here). The result is a redesigned program leveraging Westpac’s strengths, that complements the ecosystem of Asia-capability education in Australia.
The outcome was the launch of the Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship, with inaugural appointments to be made in 2026.
This evolution of the Asia Exchange Scholarship, to the Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship, marks a new approach and uplift in commitment to building Asia-capability in young Australians.
Ms Amy Lyden, CEO of the Westpac Foundation & Scholars Trust, says, “by investing in our newest scholars through education, research, cultural leadership and connections, we believe they will be at the forefront, driving positive change in Australia,” noting that, “as Australia’s engagement with the region evolves, so too must our approach”.
The Australian scene
Australia’s broad foreign policy architecture is on display through a raft of Free Trade Agreements and recent relationship upgrades across Asia. The maturation of the Asia Exchange program to the Fellowship program complements these relationships and is an investment in Australia’s regional prosperity.
The nations where Fellows will have already undertaken their education experience within the Asia Pacific (see the qualifying list here) represents a step change from the 6 priority countries within the Asia exchange program – to encompass 38 nations across the region.
These nations reflect our diverse key trade and investment markets, tourisms markets, represent influential diaspora populations and have deep and colourful geopolitical ties. They are all nations who partner with Australia bilaterally and multilaterally across government and through our entwined industry and communities share and address unique regional challenges… we are inextricably linked.
Australia-Asia Fellows
The program is a bold step towards shaping the next generation of leaders who will navigate the challenges of our region through cultural agility and connection beyond borders. It is designed to empower high-potential leaders already engaging with Asia to further their impact and collaborations through a culturally immersive, 9-month leadership development program.
In a further expansion that captures Australian talent, Westpac now seek interest from both undergraduate and postgraduate students who have completed a learning abroad program in the Asia-Pacific and are looking to build on that foundation through further engagement with the region.
Fellows will receive:
- 9-month bespoke leadership development experience co-designed with the University of Tasmania.
- 2x week-long residential programs, spanning four countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia & Vietnam.
- Candid access to thought-leaders working at the interface of Australia’s relationship with the Asia-Pacific.
- Lifelong access to the Westpac 100 Network (W100), including attendance at the 2026 Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney.
Fellows will also participate in several online workshops and modules that complement the Residential programs and enhance Asia-capability.
Ms Lyden notes “developing Asia-capable leaders, sharing ideas beyond borders and promoting people-to-people connections for emerging Australian leaders will ensure we are prepared for the future.”
Who will Australia-Asia Fellows be?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be studying full-time at one of the 14 participating Australian universities (undergraduate or postgraduate) during their Fellowship year.
- Currently hold, or have graduated, with a minimum of a credit average.
- Have completed a study abroad or internship program in the Asia-Pacific. Find out more about eligible Asia-Pacific experiences here.
- Be able to attend Westpac Scholars Summit and 2x Leadership Development Residentials.
The program accelerates each Fellows impact and leadership, propelling their career forward. The experience, valued at $16,000, enables participation for most aspects of the program, including airfares, accommodation, logistics, transportation, meals, and other expenses (Fellows may incur some minor expenses relating to travel and other incidentals).
There is much to learn and build on through Australian students continuing their collaboration with Asia. Our partners in the region reflect some of the globes most productive research clusters and host influential education and industry partnerships that lead to knowledge generation and commercialisation and market impact. By any measure Australia’s future is with Asia, it’s an exciting and kaleidoscopic ecosystem.
Building Asia capability
Investing in a new generation of leaders, this is not simply a leadership program. The immersion, global engagement and networking and mentoring will prepare a vibrant talent pool of Australians with the capability to uplift Australia in Asia.
The Westpac Scholars Trust CEO says, “Australia in Asia is a focus area of the Westpac Scholars Trust, as we believe that Australia’s future prosperity is integrally linked to Asia.” The Trust continues to “build a network of Asia-capable leaders, which is so crucial for Australia’s future prosperity and security.”
Sam Wall, Asian Exchange Program Lead & W100 Alumni Manager, says “Australia is a large and resourceful country sitting at the bottom of a continent that houses most of the world’s population and economic growth – including our very own trade. Ensuring tomorrow’s leaders are equipped with Asia-capability will be vitally important to Australia’s future.”
So, leadership development, building skills in the context of Asia and cross-cultural communication, are features of the residential experiences. Bringing Fellows together is a game changer. The experience will provide them with skills, knowledge and networks that contribute to them developing as Asia-capable leaders.
The W100 Network: A regional asset
The W100 network is a community of practice across the Trusts five programs. Mr Wall, who manages the Trusts W100 Alumni program notes “the journey empowers our scholars with Asia-capable leadership skills through a mix of cultural immersion and access to thought-leaders from across Australian and Asian societies”.
The opportunities for educational institutions, government and industry partners are elevated through this concentration of diverse talent. The network is bought together through a platform connecting scholars globally and displayed here.
So, what are the next steps on a Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship journey?
Find out more at the 25 Nov on line information session, register here.
Review eligibility requirements and FAQ’s here.
Apply for a Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship here.
Applications for students across 14 partnering Australian universities (#) close 5:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 9 December 2025.
# (Partner institutions) Australian National University, Monash University, Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology, RMIT University, The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, University of Tasmania, The University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University
