Rio Tinto Indigenous Scholarship Program 2026

2026 Rio Tinto Indigenous Scholarship Program

Our Indigenous Scholarship Program in partnership with CareerTrackers is part of a shared commitment between Rio Tinto and signatory Traditional Owner groups in the Pilbara.

Scholarship value: Up to $16,500 annually

Year of study:  Any

Length of scholarship: For the duration of the undergraduate degree

There is also the opportunity to progress into employment with Rio Tinto through our Graduate and Intern Programs.

The program focuses on supporting Pilbara Traditional Owners who are part of the Regional Framework Deed. The scholarship candidates must meet the following criteria.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who:

• Studying a tertiary education degree full-time at an Australian university.

• A resident of Australia.

• Are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

• Fall into one of the three priority groups below:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students from Traditional Owner groups who are a member of the Regional Framework Deed (Banjima, Ngarlawangga, Ngarluma, Karlka Nyiyaparli, Puutu Kunti Kuruma Pinikura, Yindjibarndi, Yinhawangka including Robe River Kuruma and Muntulgura Guruma). Pilbara Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students (eligible students who are counted as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residing in location within the Pilbara region in the most recent Australia Bureau of Statistics Census data). Western Australian Aboriginal students.

Students must be able to demonstrate:

• Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage by means Confirmation of Aboriginality executed by the relevant Aboriginal community organisation.

• Confirmation of your university enrolment and provide a personal reference as part of the interview process.

• Meet Australian Taxation Office (ATO) criteria to ensure scholarship funds are tax-exempt.

• Alignment to Rio Tinto’s values of Courage, Care and Curiosity through a personal reflection.

Please note, in order to be considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions. Administration of the Rio Tinto Scholarships Program is managed through our partnership with CareerTrackers.

Next Steps:  Shortlisting, Interviews and Award of Scholarships. 

Applications close: 15 March 2026

#IndigenousAU #Australia #gts

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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