Scholarship applications are now closed.
AusRAIL 2026 is offering a number of scholarships to support attendance at this year’s conference. Please read through the following information carefully to ensure you have everything ready to submit your application.
Please note: Only one application per individual will be accepted. If you are eligible for both scholarships, please apply for the one that is most appropriate to you.
5 opportunities
Young Rail Professional Scholarship
Proudly supported by Loram
Scholarship inclusion
- Full two day registration for AusRAIL 2026 and inclusive networking functions (daily tea breaks and lunches, welcome drinks and exhibition networking drinks)
- 1 x ticket to the Women in Rail Forum on Monday 23 November 2026 OR South Bank Sundowners on Tuesday 24 November 2026
- 1 x ticket to the Yellow Dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2026
Conditions
- Applicants must be aged 35 years and under as of the start day of AusRAIL 2026
- You will need to upload a copy of a valid photo ID that clearly shows your date of birth
- You will need to provide a statement of 300 words or less explaining how you would benefit from receiving a Young Rail Professional scholarship
- All other costs associated with your attendance will be met by you
10 opportunities
Women in Rail Scholarship
Scholarship inclusions
- Full two day registration for AusRAIL 2026 and inclusive networking functions (daily tea breaks and lunches, welcome drinks and exhibition networking drinks)
- 1 x ticket to the Women in Rail Forum on Monday 23 November 2026
- 1 x ticket to the Yellow Dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2026
Conditions
- You will need to provide a statement of 300 words or less explaining how you would benefit from receiving a Women in Rail Scholarship
- All other costs associated with your attendance will be met by you
5 opportunities
First Nations Scholarship
Proudly supported by Alstom
Scholarship inclusion
- Full two day registration for AusRAIL 2026 and inclusive networking functions (daily tea breaks and lunches, welcome drinks and exhibition networking drinks)
- 1 x ticket to the Women in Rail Forum on Monday 23 November 2026 OR South Bank Sundowners on Tuesday 24 November 2026
- 1 x ticket to the Yellow Dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2026
Conditions
Applicants must:
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- Be working in or have a business connection with the Australian rail industry or its supply chain.
- Be based in Australia.
- Be available to attend AusRAIL for the relevant scholarship period.
- Agree that, if successful, they may be asked to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity before the scholarship is finalised.
- Not have attended AusRAIL previously.
Confirmation of identity
ARA recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity is personal and may be confirmed in different ways.
Successful applicants may provide one of the following:
- A confirmation letter from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation.
- A letter from an Elder, Traditional Owner group, land council, cultural organisation, Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, or other relevant organisation that knows the person or their family connection.
- A statutory declaration confirming that the applicant identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, together with supporting information where available.
ARA will treat all identity-related information as confidential and will only use it for the purpose of confirming scholarship eligibility.
Key dates
-
Submissions open
Mid February -
Submissions close
31 MarchExtended to 10 April Closed
-
Author notifications
Early June Sent
-
Applications open
16 June
-
Applications close
17 August -
Scholarship notifications
8 September
-
Registration open, Priority access for social function tickets*
June
-
Standard registration deadline, Social function tickets available to non-registered ARA members
(if still available)
23 October
-
Free exhibition visitor registration opens, Social function tickets available to non-registered non members
(if still available)
9 November
*registered delegates and AusRAIL sponsors/exhibitors
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AusRAIL 2026
23-25 November 2026
