Indigenous Scholarship & Cadetship Programmes 

Our Indigenous Scholarship programme is aimed at supporting Indigenous people who are studying at a tertiary level. The programme is a direct result of the shared commitment between Rio Tinto and Indigenous groups across the Pilbara.

The programme aims to:

• Benefit Indigenous people, in particular those belonging to Traditional Owner groups in area of operations within the Pilbara
• Support Indigenous people in successfully completing tertiary studies
• Provide a pipeline opportunity of tertiary-qualified Indigenous people for employment at Rio Tinto
• Contribute towards the sustainable development of the Pilbara region

Indigenous people recognised outside of the Pilbara area are also eligible to apply.

To be eligible for a Rio Tinto Indigenous Scholarship you must:

• Be an Australian resident
• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent
• Be able to provide evidence of your Indigenous identity by means of recognition with a ‘common seal’ from the relevant Indigenous group
• Meet Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements ensuring the funds provided are tax exempt by:
  • The individual must be a full-time student
  • The individual must be enrolled at a university in Western Australia
  • The individual must not be required to be an employee as a condition of their scholarship
  • The individual must not be contracted wholly or principally for their labour
  • The individual must not be required to provide personal services now or in the future
  • The scholarship must be principally for educational purposes
• If a scholar does not meet the ATO requirements they are responsible for ensuring appropriate individual taxation advice is sought on their behalf
• Demonstrate strong academic achievement and potential

Contact RioTinto.CommunitiesScholarships@riotinto.com to find out more.