Auto Women opens first national scholarship round for women across Australia's automotive industry

First national round opens

Auto Women has opened its first national round of scholarships for women working in the automotive industry anywhere in Australia, funded by the Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA). According to AutoTalk Australia's report, applications close on Monday, 30 November, and two scholarships are on offer in the national round according to the Auto Women website. ¹

Successful applicants will go through one of two Leaders Unleashed leadership programs run by Performastery Leadership Facilitation. Both programs are delivered online, combining live workshops with self-paced modules, so applicants in any state or territory can participate. ¹

AUSMASA chief executive Dr Gavin Lind said the funding forms part of the skills council's work on workforce capability and diversity. 'Through our support of the Auto Women Scholarships, we're helping to remove barriers to professional development and supporting women to realise their leadership potential, regardless of where they live or work,' Lind said, according to AutoTalk Australia. Applications and details are available at autowomen.com.au/scholarships. ¹

Two leadership programs on offer

The first program, Sprint Hurdles, is a 16-week course for emerging leaders, supervisors and people stepping into leadership for the first time, valued at $3795. Applicants need to be at least a fourth-year apprentice or have two years' automotive experience, as reported by AutoTalk Australia. ¹

The second, Ascension, runs for 11 weeks and is aimed at experienced managers preparing for senior or executive roles. It is valued at $6875, and applicants need at least five years in automotive and two years in leadership. ¹

Auto Women's own professional development pages describe the two Leaders Unleashed offerings along the same lines: Sprint Hurdles as a leadership development program for emerging leaders building confidence, communication skills and leadership foundations, and Ascension as an executive leadership development program for experienced leaders looking to strengthen strategic capability and prepare for senior roles. ³

Performastery Leadership Facilitation, founded by Fiona Cullen, is profiled on the Auto Women partnerships page as a leadership development and coaching provider that has trained and coached more than 2500 individuals across the commercial, not-for-profit and public sectors. ⁵

From Queensland initiative to national body

Auto Women was set up by MTA Queensland in 2022 and expanded nationally last year, when MTA WA and the VACC joined, according to AutoTalk Australia. Australasian Paint & Panel reported the national expansion in December 2025, describing the shift from a Queensland-based program to a nationwide initiative, with new events, resources and partnerships planned across multiple states and territories. ¹⁴

Co-founder Kellie Dewar, who is also deputy chief executive of MTA Queensland, told AutoTalk Australia a national round had been in the works for some time. 'Women are making an enormous contribution to our industry, from apprentices and technicians through to business owners and senior leaders. However, we know there is still work to be done to ensure women have access to the same opportunities for professional development and career progression,' Dewar said. ¹

The Auto Women media releases page lists an announcement in November 2025 titled 'Auto Women Expands Nationally, Accelerating Support for Women Across Australia's Automotive Industry', consistent with the timeline reported by the two trade outlets. ²⁴

Earlier scholarship rounds and ongoing programs

The organisation's earlier professional development scholarships were backed by MTA Queensland, Care Super and Women & Leadership Australia, with two recipients named last December, AutoTalk Australia reports. A separate Queensland scholarship, supported by Care Super and MTA Queensland, continues alongside the new national round. ¹

Auto Women's media releases page separately lists rounds of scholarship recipients announced in December 2025 (Round 2, 2025) and May 2026 (Round 1, 2026), as well as a September 2026 release announcing the partnership with Performastery to deliver the leadership pathways now being offered through the national round. ²

Beyond the scholarships, Auto Women's professional development hub lists other programs including MTA Queensland's Women in Trades Apprenticeship Mentoring Program, a vet trainer scholarship with four places offered annually, and a 'women rising' career empowerment program for women, male allies and organisations. ³

What applicants need to know

Eligibility differs between the two funded programs. For Sprint Hurdles, applicants need to be at least a fourth-year apprentice or hold two years of automotive experience, while Ascension requires at least five years in the industry and two years in a leadership role. Both programs are delivered entirely online. ¹

Applications close on Monday, 30 November, and details are available through the Auto Women website. The scholarships cover the full value of one of the two Leaders Unleashed programs, meaning recipients receive professional development support that would otherwise cost between $3795 and $6875 at the published values. ¹