About
The Westpac Women & Girls Education Grant (WGEG) is one of Fiji’s flagship community initiatives, dedicated to empowering women and girls through education and opportunity. Established in 2010, the program reflects Westpac’s long-standing commitment to supporting the communities we serve and investing in Fiji’s future beyond banking.
For more than a decade, the grant has helped create opportunities for young women and girls to pursue their educational goals and aspirations. Since its inception, Westpac has supported over 400 women and girls, investing more than $300,000 to help recipients continue their academic and professional journeys.
Each year, the program awards 30 education grants across three categories: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary/Adult Learners. These grants aim to support promising individuals at different stages of their education, helping them take meaningful steps toward their future.
Launched annually on International Women’s Day, the program aligns with the global movement to advance gender equality. Each year’s theme and topics are inspired by UN Women Australia’s International Women’s Day theme, encouraging participants to share their ideas, experiences, and perspectives on how education can empower women and girls and create a more equal future.
2026 theme
Balance the Scales:
Empowering Fijian Women and Girls through Education
Across Fiji and around the world, women and girls continue to face barriers to education, safety and equal opportunities. This year’s theme challenges participants to reflect on these realities and explore how learning, awareness and action can help create balance.
We invite students and adult learners to share their perspectives, ideas and solutions for building a society where women and girls have equal opportunities to thrive.
Categories & requirements
Eligibility Checklist
You can apply if you are
- A female resident of Fiji
- In Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary education OR planning to enrol in adult education
- Able to submit an original essay, poster, or video based on the theme
- Able to provide the required identification documents
How to apply
Application Deadline
All applications for the Westpac Women & Girls Education Grant must be submitted by 1 June. We encourage applicants to prepare their submissions early and ensure all required documents are included before the deadline.
Terms & Conditions
Please review the full Terms & Conditions before applying. These outline more details on the eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, and important information about the selection process.
FAQ
The grant is open to female residents of Fiji who are currently enrolled in Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary education, or adult women who intend to enrol in a recognised adult education course in Fiji. Employees or contractors of Westpac and their immediate families are not eligible to apply.
There are three categories, with 10 grants awarded in each category:
- Primary School: FJ$500
- Secondary School: FJ$1,000
- Tertiary / Adult Learners: FJ$2,500
A total of 30 grants are awarded each year.
Each category has a different submission requirement:
Primary School
- A poster on A4 paper
- A short description (maximum 200 words)
Secondary School
- Essay (maximum 500 words), or
- A4 poster, or
- Video (maximum 3 minutes)
Tertiary / Adult Learners
- Essay (maximum 1,500 words)
You must also complete the application form and submit the required identification documents.
- Primary & Secondary applicants: A scanned copy of your birth certificate.
- Tertiary / Adult Learners: One valid ID such as:
- Student ID
- Electronic Voter ID
- Driver’s Licence
- Passport
- FNPF/FRCS Joint ID.
If selected, you may be asked to provide the original document for verification.
Yes, Secondary School applicants only can submit a video.
Requirements:
- Maximum 3 minutes
- File size less than 20MB
- Must include a 200–500 word explanation
- Must be submitted online only
Videos must be original and not copied from other sources.
Applications can be submitted through the following channels:
- Online: via the Westpac Fiji website
- Email: wgeg@westpac.com.au
- Hand Delivery: at any Westpac Branch in Fiji
- Post: Women & Girls Education Grant
Westpac Fiji, P.O. Box 238, Suva.
All applications must be submitted by 5pm on 1 June 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The grant is a skill-based competition. Entries are judged based on originality, creativity, and quality of ideas by a panel of judges appointed by Westpac. The judges’ decision is final.
Entries are reviewed between 1 June to 3 July, and successful applicants will be contacted using the details provided in their application. Winners will be announced externally in August/September 2026.
The grant amount will be deposited into a Westpac bank account in the winner’s name after the winners are announced.
The grant is intended to support education-related expenses, including:
- School or course fees
- Textbooks
- Stationery
- Uniforms
- Private tuition.
No. Only one entry per applicant is allowed. Multiple submissions will be disqualified.
No. Previous grant winners are not eligible to apply again.
No. All submissions must be original work. Entries that include plagiarism or AI-generated content may be disqualified to ensure fairness.
Yes. Winners may be asked to participate in media, promotional activities, or publicity events related to the grant.
If a winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the grant within 90 days, the grant may be forfeited.
If the grant is not used for education or the recipient stops their studies, the unused portion of the grant may be forfeited.
Yes. Parents or guardians can assist with the application for Primary or Secondary school students. However, the submission must reflect the student’s own ideas and work, and the parent or guardian will be required to sign the application form for minors.
No. You do not need to be a Westpac customer to apply for the grant. However, if you are selected as a winner, the grant funds will be deposited into a Westpac bank account in the winner’s name.
Yes. The Tertiary / Adult Learners category is open to women who are currently studying or planning to enrol in a recognised adult education course in Fiji. Evidence of enrolment will be required.
Successful applicants will be contacted using the phone number or email address provided in their application form.
No. Once your application has been submitted, changes or additional submissions are not allowed.
Entries may be used by Westpac for promotional or educational purposes, including publications, social media, or marketing related to the grant.
Schools can encourage students to apply and help coordinate submissions, but each application must be submitted in the student’s name and include their individual work.
Yes. We encourage families, teachers, and communities to support girls and women to apply and share their ideas.