For more than a century, Legacy has done something that no other veteran support organisation in Australia does. It doesn't just write cheques. It sends a person to your door.
Legacy operates through a national network of volunteers - called Legatees - who provide ongoing, personal mentorship and practical support to the families of veterans who have died or been injured in service. More than 28,000 people are currently supported. And in February 2026, Legacy made the most significant change in its 100+ year history: it removed the operational service requirement, opening its doors to a much larger group of veteran families.
This guide covers Legacy's education support - tertiary scholarships, VET funding, school-level assistance, and the mentorship model that makes Legacy different from every other program in this space.
What changed in February 2026
In February 2026, Legacy Australia expanded its eligibility criteria. The operational service requirement was removed.
Previously, Legacy support was primarily available to families where the veteran had operational service - a deployment to a conflict, peacekeeping operation, or designated area. This excluded families where the veteran had served in the ADF for years without deploying to an operational zone.
Under the new criteria, Legacy support is available to families where the veteran parent or partner:
- Has passed away, or
- Has been wounded, ill, or injured as a result of service
AND the veteran served at least one year of continuous service as a permanent ADF member.
The removal of the operational service requirement is significant. It means families of veterans who served for years in non-operational roles - training, logistics, administration, base operations - are now eligible for Legacy support, provided the service and injury/death criteria are met.
This is the broadest Legacy eligibility has ever been.
Who else is covered
Legacy also supports:
- Direct descendants or adopted children of Allied veterans with operational service
- Descendants of Australian Mariners with operational service
What Legacy education support includes
Legacy's education support is more comprehensive than most scholarship programs. It isn't limited to tertiary study. It covers the full education journey from primary school through university.
Tertiary scholarships
Legacy offers tertiary scholarships on an escalating scale:
| Year of study | Scholarship value |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,000 |
| Year 2 | $5,500 |
| Year 3 | $6,000 |
| Year 4 | $6,000 |
| Total (4-year degree) | $22,500 |
These are among the most generous education scholarships available to veteran families in Australia. The escalating model is designed to keep pace with the increasing costs that come later in a degree - textbooks, placements, research materials, and reduced capacity for part-time work.
At $22,500 over four years, Legacy's tertiary scholarship is the highest total-value descendant scholarship in the Australian veteran education landscape.
VET scholarships
Legacy also provides scholarships for vocational education and training (TAFE, VET diplomas, advanced diplomas, and apprenticeships). Values vary by program and Legacy club. Contact your local Legacy club for details.
School-level support
This is where Legacy goes beyond what any scholarship program offers. For families in the Legacy system, education support isn't limited to tertiary. It can include:
- School fees and costs - tuition, levies, and enrolment fees
- Uniforms - school uniforms and sports uniforms
- Technology - laptops, tablets, and internet access for study
- After-school activities - music lessons, art classes, sports registration, and equipment
- Emergency funds - for unexpected education-related costs
- Tutoring - additional academic support when needed
This level of support recognises that educational disadvantage doesn't start at university. For families where a veteran parent has died or been severely injured, the financial pressure can affect a child's entire educational journey. Legacy's model addresses this from the ground up.
The mentorship model
Legacy's most distinctive feature is its volunteer mentorship program.
When a family comes into Legacy's care, they're assigned a Legatee - a dedicated volunteer who provides ongoing personal support. This isn't a one-off meeting. It's a sustained relationship. Legatees check in, provide friendship, help navigate bureaucracy, advocate for the family's needs, and act as a consistent point of support.
For children, this can mean having a stable, trusted adult who shows up regularly, takes an interest in their education, celebrates their achievements, and helps problem-solve when things get difficult.
More than 28,000 people are currently supported through this model across Australia.
How Legacy differs from AVCAT and the GSF
Legacy operates fundamentally differently from AVCAT and the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund. Understanding the differences helps you work out where to apply.
| Feature | Legacy | AVCAT Sponsored | GSF |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it provides | Scholarships + school costs + mentorship | Scholarships only | Scholarships only |
| Tertiary value | $5,000-$6,000/year escalating (up to $22,500 total) | $4,000-$6,000/year (up to $18,000 total) | $8,000 (first year only) |
| Covers school-level costs | Yes (uniforms, laptops, activities, tutoring) | No | No |
| Mentorship | Yes (dedicated Legatee volunteer) | No | No |
| Veteran requirement | Died or injured in service, 1+ year continuous service | Operational or 3+ years FT service | Any service, any conflict |
| Who it covers | Families of the veteran | Children and grandchildren | Direct descendants |
| Application method | Contact local Legacy club directly | Online form at avcat.org.au | Online form at gallipolischolarship.com.au |
| Application deadline | Varies by club (often year-round) | 18 Aug - 31 Oct | 1 Jan - 28 Feb |
The key distinction: AVCAT and the GSF provide financial scholarships through a centralised application. Legacy provides financial support plus a human being who walks alongside the family. The scholarship is one part of a broader support package.
Legacy also sponsors through AVCAT
In addition to its own direct program, Legacy Australia sponsors a scholarship through the AVCAT network. This is a separate pathway - applied for through the AVCAT form, not through your local Legacy club. If you apply to both AVCAT and Legacy directly, you may be considered for Legacy support through both channels.
How to access Legacy support
Unlike AVCAT and the GSF, Legacy doesn't operate through a single national application form. Legacy is a federation of local clubs across Australia. Each club serves its community and may have its own intake process and specific programs.
Step 1: Contact your local Legacy club
Visit legacy.com.au/get-support to find your nearest Legacy club. Reach out to them directly. Explain your family's situation and ask what education support is available.
Step 2: Establish eligibility
Your local Legacy club will help you determine eligibility. Under the February 2026 expanded criteria, you need to demonstrate that:
- A veteran parent or partner has died, or been wounded, ill, or injured as a result of service
- The veteran had at least one year of continuous service as a permanent ADF member
Step 3: Gather documentation
You'll likely need:
- Proof of veteran service - service records, discharge papers, or DVA documentation showing the veteran's service history and the connection between service and death/injury. A decoded service record from Decode My Digger translates military records into plain language for $59, clearly showing service dates and operational history.
- Proof of relationship - birth certificates or other documents establishing your connection to the veteran
- Information about your circumstances - your current financial situation, educational needs, and what support would help
Step 4: Legacy assists with DVA
One of Legacy's less-known services is DVA paperwork assistance and claims advocacy. If you're navigating the DVA system - applying for VCES, MRCAETS, or other entitlements - your local Legacy club can help with the forms and the process. This is valuable. The DVA system can be complex, and having an experienced advocate makes a significant difference.
Legacy and DVA education schemes
Legacy and DVA operate in related spaces, and many families are eligible for both.
DVA's VCES and MRCAETS schemes provide government-funded education support for children of veterans who have died or been severely injured as a result of service. These are legislative entitlements, not scholarships. They cover education allowances, tutoring, counselling, special assistance up to $3,000, rent, fares, and relocation costs.
Legacy's support can sit alongside DVA schemes. They serve different purposes:
- DVA schemes provide structured financial entitlements with defined amounts and categories
- Legacy provides flexible support tailored to the family's specific needs, plus personal mentorship
If your family's circumstances fall within both eligibility criteria, you should access both. Your local Legacy club can help you navigate the DVA application process.
Who Legacy is best suited for
Legacy is the right fit if:
- A veteran parent or partner has died or been wounded, ill, or injured as a result of service
- The veteran had at least one year of continuous ADF service
- You need support that goes beyond just a scholarship - school costs, technology, activities, emergency funds, or ongoing mentorship
- Your children are at any stage of education, not just tertiary
- You would benefit from having a dedicated volunteer who provides personal, ongoing support
If you're a descendant of a veteran looking for a scholarship and the veteran is alive and well, Legacy's direct program isn't the right pathway. Look at the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund, AVCAT Sponsored Scholarships, or our complete application guide for the full range of options.
The numbers
- 28,000+ people currently supported by Legacy across Australia
- $22,500 maximum tertiary scholarship value over four years
- $5,000 first-year tertiary scholarship
- 100+ years of continuous operation
- February 2026 - the most significant eligibility expansion in Legacy's history
Next steps
- Visit legacy.com.au/get-support to find your local Legacy club
- Contact the club directly to discuss your family's situation and eligibility
- Gather your veteran's service records - get them decoded if you haven't already
- Ask your Legacy club about DVA scheme assistance if applicable
- Also apply to AVCAT (18 August to 31 October) and the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund (1 January to 28 February) for additional scholarship pathways
For the full picture of every scholarship available to veteran families, see our complete application guide and searchable scholarships database.
Data sourced from Legacy Australia. Last verified 8 June 2026. Legacy operates through local clubs, and specific programs and values may vary by club. Verify eligibility and available support directly with your nearest Legacy club at legacy.com.au.