Applications open for Long Tan Bursary

Today we honour Vietnam veterans, by supporting the future of their children and grandchildren through the 2025 Long Tan Bursary.

Applications are now open to eligible children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans, who can apply for up to $12,000 over 3 years to assist with the cost of their education.

Each year, 37 Long Tan Bursaries are awarded. They provide education support to recipients, helping them to acquire qualifications in their chosen careers.

The Long Tan Bursary scheme is named after the Battle of Long Tan, the best-known battle fought by Australians during the Vietnam War.

Vietnam veterans were instrumental in setting up the Long Tan Bursary more than 20 years ago. The Bursary is funded by DVA and administered by the Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) on the Department’s behalf.

So far, the Bursary has supported 967 children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans. It has helped aspiring doctors, teachers, lawyers, artists, mechanics and many others succeed in their chosen professions.

Julia Clugston, whose father served in Vietnam, received a Long Tan Bursary in 2019.

‘Without [the Bursary], I would not have been here with a finished university degree, driving around national parks fighting fires and seeing a good vision for the future with my career,’ she said last year. ‘I have had the great opportunity of meeting people from AVCAT from all around and being mentored and supported by them. I feel like I could not be in safer hands.’

Leon Ross is multimedia composer who was awarded the Long Tan Bursary in 2018. The Bursary helped him complete a Bachelor of Applied Music before going on to study overseas.

‘[My] goals take extreme dedication, perseverance and quite possibly a lot of support in coping with rejections,’ said Leon. ‘AVCAT has provided me a mental stabiliser of sorts, allowing me to focus on my aspirations and act on them to bring them to fruition. Thank you, AVCAT, and all for the countless support throughout my growth as a composer.’

More information on the Long Tan Bursary, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found on the Long Tan Bursary page of the DVA website.

To apply, visit the AVCAT website. Applications close on 31 October 2024.