Freya Rachael Sommerville Newman, 21, used her position as a part-time librarian at the Whitehouse Institute of Design to access information about the $60,000 director's scholarship awarded to Frances Abbott in 2011.

Ms Newman pleaded guilty earlier this year to accessing restricted data. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail.

On Tuesday at Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan imposed a two-year good behaviour bond on Ms Newman but elected not to record the conviction, meaning that Ms Newman will not have a permanent criminal record for the offence.

"I accept that Ms Newman was motivated by a sense of injustice rather than greed or personal gain," Ms O'Sullivan told a courtroom packed with Ms Newman's supporters and friends.

"While this helps explain the conduct it does not excuse it."

Magistrate O'Sullivan found that Ms Newman was a person of good character who was involved in a number of charitable pursuits, and that she had suffered as a result of the very wide publicity given to the case.

The court heard the incident had had a significant impact on the young woman's mental health.

Ms Newman had expressed contrition and remorse for her actions, and had refused to take part in any of the protests that followed the laying of charges against her.

The court also heard that Ms Newman was encouraged by more senior staff members at the Whitehouse Institute to log in to the student information system.

She then took screen shots of the information in the system and emailed two other institute employees, saying: " ... there's a bit about Frances meeting with Leanne J, the CEO of Whitehouse Institute on February 21, 2011 and then receiving a Managing Director's Scholarship three days later."

Soon after, she sent another email saying: "Got 'em - might go meet Chris now to talk tactics, see you tomorrow."

The police say this was a reference to Chris Graham, the editor and publisher of the New Matilda website, which published an article about Ms Abbott's scholarship the following day.

Ms Newman, who is studying at the University of Technology, Sydney, resigned from Whitehouse straight away.

Magistrate O'Sullivan said that, while accessing private information was a significant concern in the community, Ms Newman's crime was less serious then many other instances.

"For all the reasons stated, I find that this case is towards the lowest end of the scale," she said.

"I do feel that there is a need for denunciation ... but there are many mitigating factors."

Ms Newman smiled with relief when the decision was handed down.

Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne weighed in following the sentence, declaring on Twitter that "I'm not convinced the sentence in the Freya Newman case sends a clear message that breaching another's privacy is wrong".