To be eligible for a Music Scholarship at Newington College, applicants may be students entering into Years 7, 9, or 11. Both current and new students may apply. Students must be Australian citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa.

For students with demonstrable musical ability, practical standards are expected to be obtained prior to application for a Music Scholarship. This includes completion of the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) level or its equivalent on one of the instruments shown below by the end of the year prior to entry:

* Pianists presenting for scholarship on piano must also be fluent on a second instrument.

^ Pipe organ pianists may audition on piano.

Student selection is based on the following:

• demonstrated performance in the Newington College scholarship examination
• review of application
• outstanding achievement or potential in strings, choral, brass/woodwind, percussion, piano, organ, and/or contemporary music.

Students applying for this opportunity must demonstrate musical and academic excellence through a range of supporting documentation. This includes:

• recent school reports showcasing academic performance
• AMEB certificates or equivalent music qualifications
• awards or certificates from external competitions
• NAPLAN results as evidence of academic aptitude
• a video submission featuring two contrasting musical performances – one instrumental and one choral – performed by the student
• if required, any other documentation requested by the College.

Successful students will need to demonstrate a willingness to participate in the wide range of opportunities available at Newington, respect for our values and heritage, and other qualities that contribute positively to the College.

Music Scholarships cover full or partial remission of academic tuition fees. In addition, the scholarship includes music tuition subsidies for an individual instrument.

Scholarship Testing is held at Newington College, Stanmore Senior Campus, 200 Stanmore Road, Stanmore.

For students who live in regional areas or overseas, you may elect to undertake online testing. When you register online to sit the test, you will need to choose from the Rural, Regional, or Interstate scholarship options, or select the Overseas scholarship option. Our external provider, which administers the Scholarship Testing on our behalf, will contact your school to arrange for the test to be conducted with supervision.

Please note the key dates for Scholarship Testing below. Regrettably, there are no make-up tests for those unable to attend testing on the given days.

Student applicants will receive an email from our external provider of Scholarship Testing prior to taking the test. The email will contain information about start and finish times and what to bring. Students are required to wear their school uniform for the Scholarship Testing.

2027 Music Scholarships:

• Applications open: Monday 24 November 2025
• Applications close: Friday 16 January 2026
• Scholarship testing:
  • Year 7: Monday 2 February 2026
  • Years 9–11: Tuesday 3 February 2026
• Shortlisted student interviews: March/April 2026
• Outcomes: Communicated to successful students during May 2026

Following the Scholarship Testing, shortlisted students will be invited to an interview with a senior member of the academic team and the Head of Music.

Interviews will occur during March/April. Shortlisted students will be contacted to advise progress.

Successful students will then receive a Scholarship Agreement.