Warm weather, beautiful beaches, and leading universities, what’s not to love? Australia is a popular study destination, welcoming more than 758,000 international students to its institutions in 2019. So, if you like the sound of studying in Australia but need some financial support, you’ve come to the right place. There are many scholarships, grants and bursaries available for international students in Oz to help you afford your studies. These are offered by the Australian government, universities, and other organisations. Here, we take a look at some of the top funding options for international students in Australia.

Australian Government scholarships

Australia Awards

The Australia awards are intended for international students who live in Australia’s partner countries, based primarily in the Indo-Pacific region, Asia, and the Middle East. The aim is to provide opportunities for students living in developing countries who want to study full-time undergraduate or postgraduate courses at Australian universities and Technical and Further Education Institutions (TAFE). So, what does this scholarship cover?

• Full tuition fees
• Return flights to and from Australia
• Allowance for accommodation and textbooks
• Contribution to living expenses
• Health cover
• Pre-sessional English course (if necessary)
• Cost of completing fieldwork

*Refer to the Australian government website for further details.

Learn more about the Australian higher education system.

Destination Australia Awards

If you choose to study in regional Australia, you could be eligible for the Destination Australia scholarship. Successful applicants will receive USD 15,000 per year for a course starting in 2022. This scholarship is available for a total of 380 domestic and international students. To apply, you need to follow the process outlined by your university. The aim of this scholarship is to promote growth and diversity at universities in regional and remote parts of Australia.

Research Training Program

These scholarships are available for domestic and international students on research doctorate and research master’s degree programs in Australia. These scholarships seek to equip students with the skills needed to start careers in academia. Successful applicants can receive this scholarship to cover one or more of the following:

• Tuition fees
• General living costs
• Other costs associated with research degrees

This scholarship typically runs for a maximum of two years for research master’s students but due to the coronavirus pandemic, this has been extended to two years and sixth months. However, this is at the discretion of the institution.

For research doctorate students, these scholarships are available for a maximum of four years (depending on the university). To apply for this scholarship, you need to go through your university as they will have their own application and selection process.

University-funded scholarships

University of Sydney

Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program

If you are an Indian resident or citizen, you could be eligible for a University of Sydney scholarship. A total of 28 scholarships are awarded each year to eligible students who have received an unconditional offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree at the university. Several types of funding are available:

• 3 x AUD 40,000 per year for any undergraduate degree (up to four years)
• 10 x AUD 20,000 for first-year undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• 15 x AUD 10,000 for first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students

Other Australian universities to check out:

• University of Adelaide
• University of Western Australia
• La Trobe University
• Deakin University
• University of Canberra

Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme

Up to AUD 40,000 is available for high-achieving international students enrolled on a coursework degree. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and all international students will be considered upon applying to the university, so you don’t need to make a separate application. Several scholarship amounts are available:

• AUD 40,000 for one year (paid in two installments per semester)
• AUD 20,000 for one semester
• AUD 10,000 for one semester
• AUD 5,000 for one semester

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

International Scientia Coursework Scholarship

If you are passionate about leadership, have excellent academic grades and participate in extracurricular activities, you could be eligible for a UNSW scholarship. If you are successful, you could be entitled to full funding of your tuition fees or AUD 20,000 per year for the minimum duration of your degree. Eligible students must have received an offer of admission for an undergraduate or postgraduate course at the university. Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Academic merit
• Leadership skills
• Extracurricular activities
• Explanation of why you want to study at the university

Curtin University

Merit Scholarship

High-achieving students originating from countries outside of Australia could be eligible for a merit scholarship at Curtin University’s western Australia campuses. Successful applicants will receive a 25 per cent discount on their first-year tuition. You do not need to apply separately for this scholarship as all international students will be considered upon applying to the university.

Other scholarships

Australia-US Fulbright Scholarship

US citizens can receive scholarships to study in Australia as part of an academic and cultural exchange. There are different schemes depending on your study level:

• Postdoctoral scholarships for researchers who have finished their PhD in the past two to three years wanting to do postdoctoral research at an Australian university
• Doctorate and graduate students undertaking a PhD in Australia or to support student enrolment in an Australian master’s/PhD programme

Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship

This funding is available to eligible UK students who wish to study a master’s or PhD in Australia for up to three years. This scholarship is administered by the Britain-Australia Society on behalf of the Northcote Trust. You can apply for this award no matter what subject you choose for your degree.

Hopefully, you’ve found this article useful and are ready to apply for at least one of the above scholarships in Australia.

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