Scholarships
A.B. Paterson College offers the following scholarships and bursaries:
Academic and General Excellence Scholarship
Music Excellence Scholarship
Performing Arts Excellence Scholarship
Students, who have significant experience in either Dance, Musical Theatre, or Drama, are invited to apply for a scholarship in the above area. This scholarship is only offered in Year 10 and is for study in Years 11 and 12. Students awarded this scholarship must undertake study in their chosen field of excellence for both Year 11 and Year 12.
E.J. Klimowicz Voice Excellence Scholarship
The E.J. Klimowicz Voice Excellence Scholarship is named in honour and in recognition of Mr Edward J. Klimowicz, long-standing Member of the College Board, Chair of the A.B. Paterson College Foundation and past Board Chairman of the Early Childhood Centre. Mr Klimowicz has long-maintained an interest in the development of Music at the College and, in particular, that of Voice. Mr Klimowicz, a highly accomplished singer in his own right, is a member of internationally renowned Barbershop Quartet and the Gold Coast Blenders. Application for this scholarship is open to all current and future students in Years 6 - 11, and the duration for this scholarship is for one year.
Foundation and Sport Bursaries
The Alan Rickard Scholarship
The Alan Rickard Scholarship is named in honour and in recognition of Mr Alan Rickard, Foundation Chairman of the Board, highly respected Member of the Board of A.B. Paterson College from 1991- 2013, and College Patron from 2016. Application for this Scholarship is open to all students completing their Year 11 studies, who are maintaining their enrolment at the College and entering Year 12 in the subsequent year of study.
Students in Years 6, 9 and 10 are eligible to apply, according to the terms and conditions of the specific scholarship.
Scholarships are offered on a competitive basis and are based upon the results of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Scholarship Examination (for Academic and General Excellence Scholarships and Music Excellence Scholarships); the student’s application; and an interview with the Principal. Students applying for a Music Excellence Scholarship, must also participate in an audition on their instrument of choice.
For details, registration requirements and terms and conditions specific to each scholarship or bursary, please refer to the links above.
Scholarships awarded to successful students are offered, in general, to the completion of their studies i.e. Year 7 - 12; Years 10 - 12 or Years 11 - 12.
In 2026, A.B. Paterson College will offer ACER Scholarship testing in: Year 6 (Level 1), Year 9 (Level 2), Year 10 (Level 3) for 2027 scholarships in Years 7 - 12, Years 10 - 12 and Years 11 and 12 respectively. This is explained more fully in the table below. Students wishing to apply for scholarships in Years 10 - 12, who are already A.B. Paterson College scholarship holders for Years 7 - 9, are eligible as Year 9 students to apply/reapply for Scholarship in Years 10 - 12.
All students, regardless of their current school, are welcome to apply and sit for the scholarship test. Applicants who are unsuccessful are informed by letter.
Students, who have applied for enrolment at A.B. Paterson College in year levels eligible for scholarship consideration will be informed of the forthcoming examination.
All scholarships are reviewed each year and students must maintain their academic standing to retain their Scholarship.
Scholarships and Bursaries are subject to review at key stages. The Principal has the right to withdraw any Scholarship or Bursary at any time if behaviour, commitment and/or progress are not being maintained. The value of any award must remain strictly confidential between parents and the College. Please note that the Principal reserves the right to recover any financial assistance, Scholarship or Bursary provided for a student if the recipient leaves the College before completing Year 12.
Students holding a student visa (subclass 500) are not eligible to register.
2026 Scholarship Candidate Information
Scholarship registrations open on Monday, 3 November 2025 and will close on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
Scholarship exam will be held on Saturday, 14 February 2026 from 8.30am to 12pm.
For enquiries, please contact Karen Milburn, Head of Admissions on 07 5594 7947 or email kmilburn@abpat.qld.edu.au.
Year level of Application | Scholarship Awarded for Year Levels |
|---|---|
Year 6 (2026) ACER Level 1 | Year 7 (2027) |
Year 9 (2026) ACER Level 2 | Year 10 (2027) |
Year 10 (2026) ACER Level 3 | Year 11 (2027) |
A.B. Paterson College acknowledges the Kombumerri People as Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, waterways, and skies in which we learn and play. We also pay our respects to elders, past, present, and emerging, and recognise their continuing connection to country and ways of learning.