At the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA), we are committed to empowering individuals to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the community.

Building on the success of previous years, the 2026 AVWA Scholarship Program continues to support eligible community members in pursuing education and careers in the health and wellbeing sectors across Australia.

Scholarship Overview

In 2026, AVWA is offering:

• Total scholarship value: $10,000
• Number of scholarships: 1 recipient

This scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and enable students to focus on their academic and professional development.

Fields of Study

Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or planning to enrol in, one of the following disciplines in Australia:

• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Nursing
• Mental Health
• Other related health and wellbeing fields

Funding Structure

The scholarship will be awarded in three instalments:

• $2,000 – Upon confirmation of enrolment
• $4,000 – After completion of the first 6 months of study
• $4,000 – Upon successful course completion

Funds may be used for:

• Tuition fees
• Books and learning materials
• Equipment
• Accommodation
• Other education-related expenses

Successful recipients may also be offered opportunities for paid work placement or vacation employment with AVWA, where available.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in an eligible course in Australia
• Provide the following supporting documents:
  • At least two (2) recommendation letters
  • ATAR (or equivalent) results
  • Confirmation of course enrolment
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing to the community
• Be one of the following:
  • An Australian citizen
  • A permanent resident
  • A holder of a humanitarian or temporary residency visa

Selection Preference

Preference will be given to applicants who:

• Are AVWA members, employees, volunteers, clients, or their relatives
• Demonstrate resilience and the ability to overcome challenges
• Show a strong commitment to creating positive community impact

Key Dates

• 20 April 2026 – Applications open
• 22 May 2026 – Applications close
• 25 May – 31 May 2026 – Interview period
• June 2026 – Outcome notification

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted by:

• 2026 AVWA Scholarship, or
• Scanning the QR code provided

The application process takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.

Dear Valued Client,

AVWA is pleased to invite you to participate in our Consumer Survey 2026.

Your feedback is very important to us. By sharing your experience, you help us understand what we are doing well and how we can improve our services to better support you and our community.

The survey is short and will take approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.

The survey is open from Tuesday, 7 April 2026 to Friday, 8 May 2026.

Your participation is completely voluntary. All responses are confidential and will not affect the services you receive.

You can complete the survey by:

• Clicking the link: 2026 AVWA Consumer Survey – Fill out form
• Scanning the QR code provided

If you need assistance completing the survey, please contact our staff, or reach us via:

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Phone: (03) 7065 8233, (03) 7065 9423, or (03) 7065 9426

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your voice helps us grow and continue improving our services.

For Immediate Release 
2 April 2026

Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) Recognised as a Silver Finalist in the Government, Education & Not for Profit Category of the 2026 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work List

MELBOURNE, Thursday 2 April 2026 – The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) has officially been awarded the Silver Finalist honour in the Government, Education & Not for Profit category of the prestigious 2026 Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work list. This historic milestone recognises AVWA as one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading organisations pioneering innovative workplace policies, flexibility, and employee experience.

At a time when workforce retention, wellbeing, and sustainability are critical challenges across the care and not-for-profit sectors, this recognition highlights the growing importance of investing in people-first workplace cultures. 

This matters because in the care sector, a supported and stable workforce directly translates to higher quality support for vulnerable communities. By prioritising a people-first culture, we're not just retaining essential staff, but setting a benchmark for sustainable care. 

Standing out in the not-for-profit sector, AVWA was shortlisted for its commitment to offering private-sector competitive benefits while maintaining a deeply purpose-driven, community-first environment. The recognition follows a rigorous assessment process, largely driven by direct feedback from the organisation’s own staff. 

With over 450 staff, supporting more than 3,000 clients across Melbourne, and more than 43 years of service to the community, AVWA operates across multiple locations including Sunshine, St Albans, Springvale, Thomastown, and Richmond, among others. 

"To each and every one of our 450 staff and 95 volunteers, this award belongs to you. Thank you for bringing your heart and soul to the Victorian community every day," said Nicky Chung, AVWA CEO. "We have a saying in Vietnamese, ‘Một cây làm chẳng nên non, ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao.’, roughly translating to ‘One tree cannot make a forest, three trees together can make a high mountain.’ Our strength is in our shared mindset of togetherness when it comes to caring for the community."

"To be named a finalist on such a prestigious national stage is a profound honour, but what makes it truly special is that it stems from the voices of our own people," said Nicky Chung. "We have worked tirelessly to ensure our staff feel valued, heard, and supported. From our employer-funded paid parental leave and flexible working arrangements to our extra paid days for the Vietnamese New Year, we believe that taking care of our team is the most effective way to take care of our community." 

The 2026 list highlights top-tier workplaces that emphasise visible leadership, flexibility, and a purpose-driven culture. AVWA has consistently demonstrated excellence across these dimensions by providing extensive personal development programmes, a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a workplace culture anchored by respect, inclusion, and innovation. 

AVWA President, Bich Cam Nguyen OAM, noted that the recognition validates the organisation’s long-term strategic vision and stable governance. 

"AVWA has grown rapidly yet steadily over the years, and we have always prioritised translating that stability into peace of mind for our staff," said Bich Cam Nguyen OAM.  "Our frontline workers, support staff, and leadership team bring exceptional heart and passion to the Victorian community every single day. We are incredibly proud to see their dedication, and our shared 'People-First' culture, recognised by the Australian Financial Review." 

For AVWA, the finalist status is more than an award; it is a testament to an environment where staff do not just serve a community - they are a community. 

-ENDS-

Media Contact

Nicky Chung

CEO

Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 0475 871 589

For more information about AVWA please visit https://avwa.org.au/en/

AVWA

The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the health, wellbeing, and empowerment of Vietnamese community members. AVWA has 450 employees, 4 offices in Victoria, and five program areas – Family and Children Services, Training and Vocational Services, Aged and Disability Services, Health and Community Wellbeing and Cultural and Language Services. AVWA strives to address the unique needs and challenges faced by Vietnamese Australians and foster a supportive community environment.

For Immediate Release
23 March 2026

Prime Minister commemorates 50 Years of Vietnamese Australian Contributions at "Culture Connects Us All"

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – 23 March 2026 – On Sunday, 22 March 2026, federal and state leaders joined the community at the Immigration Museum to celebrate the success of 'Culture Connects Us All', an event marking the official 50-year commemoration of Vietnamese Australian contributions.

Presented in partnership with the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) as part of Cultural Diversity Week, the event drew strong crowds across its two stages. The attendance and an official address from the Prime Minister highlighted the national significance of the 50-year commemoration and the strength of multicultural Australia.

"For half a century, Vietnamese Australians have made an immeasurable contribution to our nation," the Prime Minister said. "From those early days of settlement to the vibrant community we see today, your story is one of resilience, hard work, and profound success. It is an honour to join the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association in marking this 50-year milestone and celebrating the rich culture that makes our multicultural nation so strong."

The weekend was highlighted by a vibrant showcase of traditional performances, including a lion dance, as well as family-friendly activities such as nón lá hat decorating and the creation of a community-driven Hoa Mai Flower Wall.
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"Seeing our community and the broader public come together to honour 50 years of Vietnamese Australian history was a profoundly moving experience," said Nicky Chung, CEO of AVWA. "This milestone is a testament to the resilience of our pioneers and a beautiful celebration of the diverse, multicultural future we continue to build together."

"It has been an absolute privilege for the Immigration Museum to host this 50-year commemoration alongside the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association," said Mary Stuart, President of Museums Victoria. "Seeing such a vibrant turnout to share stories, celebrate cultural heritage, and reflect on half a century of contributions is a powerful reminder of the strength and unity within our diverse communities."

The event successfully highlighted the rich, continuing legacy of the Vietnamese community in Victoria and across the country.

Media Note:

Please use AVWA-supplied images and b-roll. Avoid generic Vietnam stock footage or flag graphics. Neutral event/location visuals are preferred.

Media Contact

Nicky Chung

CEO

Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone number 0475 871 589

For more information about AVWA please visit https://www.avwa.org.au/en/

AVWA

The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the health, wellbeing, and empowerment of Vietnamese community members. AVWA has 435 employees, 4 offices in Victoria, and five program areas – Family and Children Services, Training and Vocational Services, Aged and Disability Services, Health and Community Wellbeing and Cultural and Language Services. AVWA strives to address the unique needs and challenges faced by Vietnamese Australians and foster a supportive community environment.