AusRAIL offers six small exhibition booth scholarships to support First Nations businesses to build visibility, networks and commercial opportunities in the rail industry.
Exhibition Scholarship stand inclusions:
Pod package
A thoughtfully designed exhibition solution providing a professional presence and visibility within the AusRAIL exhibition floor.
What’s included
- 1.9m (W) x 2.0m (D) exhibition pod
- Lockable storage cupboard
- 970mm x 1930mm digital print panel
- 1 x arm light
- 1 x 4amp power outlet
- 1 x stool
- 1 x bar table
Successful Exhibitor Scholarship applicants will also receive:
- 1 x ticket to the South Bank Sundowners on the evening of Tuesday 24 November 2026
- 1 x ticket to the Yellow Dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2026
The scholarship does not include travel and associated costs.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a First Nations owned, managed and controlled business operating in Australia.
- Be able to provide evidence of First Nations ownership, management and control. This may include certification or registration with Supply Nation, Kinaway, another state or territory Aboriginal chamber of commerce, ORIC registration, ASIC or governance documents, or other evidence accepted by ARA.
- Be registered in Australia and hold a valid ABN.
- Have been operating for at least 12 months at the time of application.
- Have annual turnover of less than $3 million, based on the most recently completed financial year. Applicants will be asked to nominate a turnover band rather than provide detailed financial information at the application stage.
- Provide goods or services that are relevant to the rail industry or its supply chain. This may include, but is not limited to, infrastructure, construction, transport, engineering, manufacturing, technology, professional services, workforce, training, cultural heritage, environment, facilities, safety, community engagement or other services relevant to rail.
- Have the capacity to attend and staff the exhibition booth for the full duration of AusRAIL, including all required exhibitor briefings, bump-in and bump-out arrangements.
- Agree to comply with AusRAIL exhibitor terms and conditions, including safety, conduct, and venue requirements.
- Have not previously exhibited at AusRAIL.
- Disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest, including any relationship with ARA staff, Board members, selection panel members, sponsors or AusRAIL partners.
Application requirements
Applicants need to provide:
- Business name, ABN, website or business profile, and primary contact details.
- Evidence of First Nations ownership, management and control.
- A short description of the business and its goods or services (no more than 200 words)
- A turnover band for the most recently completed financial year.
- Confirmation of whether the business has previously exhibited at AusRAIL.
- A short statement of motivation of up to 600 words, or a video of up to five minutes, explaining:
- why AusRAIL is relevant to the business;
- how the business would benefit from exhibiting; and
- what outcomes the business hopes to achieve.
- Two referee, testimonial or customer reference, where available.
Assessment criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Relevance of the business to the rail industry or rail supply chain.
- Potential benefit to the business from exhibiting at AusRAIL.
- Readiness to participate in the exhibition and engage with industry attendees.
- Strength and clarity of the applicant’s motivation.
- Potential to support First Nations economic participation in the rail sector.
- Diversity across business type, geography, maturity and service offering.
ARA may seek further information from applicants if required. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection.