APREF Scholarships

The Australian Property Research and Education Fund offers tertiary education scholarships to support students in accessing and completing their desired property economics, property valuation and other API Accredited Courses

Together with a financial bursary, awardees are supported by an Associate of the Australia Property Institute (AAPI) member who guides and mentors the student to complete their studies. 

Currently, APREF offers five scholarships. Applications to the scholarship programs will open in April 2025.

Hear from our 2024 Regional/Rural APREF Scholarship recipient, Fynn Hatfield about the impact this scholarship as has on him.

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Congratulations to the APREF Scholarship Winners

    • Rural/Regional Education Scholarship: Kasey Armitage, resides in Falls Creek, NSW, and has been accepted to study the Bachelor of Property Valuation with TAFE NSW to commence in 2025.
    • Advancing Women in Property Education Scholarship: Jenna Paynter, resides in Benalla, VIC, and has commenced her Bachelor of Property and Real Estate at Deakin University. She has had breaks from studies due to parental responsibilities.
    • Tasmanian Education Scholarship: Bernadette Proemse, resides in Sandy Bay, TAS, and has been accepted to study the Graduate Diploma of Property at Deakin University, to commence in 2025.
    • Preston Rowe Paterson Regional Scholarship (this scholarship is for students commencing their final year of study in 2025, from a regional background and intending to work in a regional area): James Kealy, resides in Bendigo, VIC, and he is studying the Bachelor of Property Development, Investment and Valuation (Honours) at RMIT, he is due to graduate by the end of 2025.
    • Robert Hecek Scholarship (this scholarship is for students commencing their final year of study in 2025): Hayley Best, resides in Australind, WA, and is studying the Bachelor of Commerce (Property Development and Valuation) at Curtin University, she is due to graduate by the end of 2025.Hear from our 2025 Robert Hecek Scholarship recipient Hayley best on how the scholarship has assisted her.

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Regional/Rural Scholarship

The Regional/Rural Education scholarship financially supports a regional or rurally located student to pursue their study of an API accredited degree, specialising in the valuation field.

Tasmanian Scholarship

The Tasmanian Education Scholarship supports a student residing in Tasmania to purse their study of an API accredited degree, specialising in the valuation field, to attend a mainland University.

Advancing Women in Property

The Advancing Women in Property scholarship promotes engaging and advancing women in the property industry through education, training, and development to ensure the property profession is a thriving option for women following a career break, who are looking to progress their career through studying an accredited degree.

Robert Hecek Scholarship

The Robert Hecek Scholarship supports one final-year student studying an API accredited property valuation degree.

Preston Rowe Paterson Regional Scholarship

The Preston Rowe Paterson Regional Scholarship supports a final-year student from regional Australia who is enrolled in an API-accredited property valuation degree. The scholarship is intended for students planning to work in regional Australia after graduation.

Impact of the APREF Education Scholarships

Education scholarships can have a profound impact on students, in providing students with financial assistance to be able to focus on their studies. Scholarships also open doors to higher education for those who might not otherwise afford it, promoting diversity and inclusion within universities.

Launched in 2020, The Australian Property Research and Education Fund (APREF) is a charitable arm of the API and has provided $195k in scholarships in that time. APREF offers tertiary education scholarships to support students in accessing and completing their property and valuation course. APREF offers a range of scholarships supporting rural/regional students, women returning to the workforce, students living in Tasmania and two named scholarships supporting final year students: the Robert Hecek Scholarship and the newly formed Preston Rowe Paterson Regional Scholarship.

Hear directly from our current scholarship recipients about how these scholarships have transformed their lives:

“Being a single mother and changing careers at this late stage, it is hard at the best of times financially, but adding text books and university fees, and extra daycare days, it adds up extremely quickly. This money has helped to relieve some of that financial pain and is getting me to my goal so I can secure the best future for me and my little one. Thank you API.”
– Jessica Dixon, Advancing Women in Property scholarship recipient

“Included in the scholarship was a mentor in the property industry. This has given me guidance and further opportunities to meet people in the industry and attend important events. Since connecting to various people in the industry I have been fortunate to do some work experience, confirming that I’d like to work in the valuation field. I hope that this scholarship can continue to allow people like me to pursue a career in the property sector.”
– Sarah Wake, Tasmanian Scholarship recipient

“Looking back over my first year, the most impactful element of the scholarship has been the mentorship program. Upon our first meeting, I felt comfortable as my mentor made me feel like a peer and not a student. Sharing her experiences but also expressing an interest in my personal and professional goals, my mentor’s guidance and support has improved my confidence and opened the door to work experience opportunities. It is very comforting to know that I have financial support and access to the expertise of a professional.”
– Claire Rackemann, Rural and Regional Scholarship recipient

“It has removed the stress of me thinking I need to work a fulltime job as well as be a fulltime uni student. Allowing me to fully focus on my studies, getting the best out of myself and the course.”
– Fynn Hatfield, Rural and Regional Scholarship recipient

 


 Act Now:

Create a Lasting Legacy with a Named Scholarship – Make a Difference Today!

Establish a named scholarship and create a lasting legacy for yourself, your family or your business. Your contribution will have a profound impact on the property profession or your business.

Invest in education. Inspire futures. Leave a legacy.

Contact us to learn how [email protected]

Awarded 2020 - Commenced 2021

Regional/Rural Scholarship
Meg Eishold,VIC

Tasmanian Scholarship
Will Lonergan, Hobart, TAS

Awarded 2021 - Commenced 2022

Regional/Rural Scholarship
Chelsea White,Narromine, NSW

Tasmanian Scholarship
Bernadette Savy,Launceston,TAS

Awarded 2022 - Commenced 2023

Robert Hecek Scholarship
Sam Johnston – NSW (Forbes)

Advancing Women in Property
Nicole Churchette, NT (Darwin)

Regional/Rural Scholarship
Kimberley Newman, NSW (Hunter Valley)

Awarded 2023 - Commenced 2024

Regional/Rural Scholarship
Claire Rakemann QLD (Gympie)

Regional/Rural Scholarship
Fynn Hatfield VIC (Echua)

Advancing Women in Property Scholarship
Jessica Dixon NSW (Maitland)

Tasmanian Scholarship
Sarah Wake TAS (Coningham)

Robert Hecek Scholarship
Suhaib Gessey NSW

Research Grants

APREF Research Grants supports vital statistical research that future-proofs the property industry.

Awards

The Peter Barrington Gold Medal Award encourages research and excellence in the study of land economy