Scholarships in Australia for International Students
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Scholarship searches go almost hand in hand with program and university searches in our experience. We can all agree that in general, studying abroad isn’t exactly cheap. And international student fees tend to be much higher than domestic fees to begin with. While you likely have savings set aside specifically to make your study abroad dreams come true, a little funding assistance can go a long way. Perhaps you’re hoping for a scholarship option that makes these study abroad dreams possible. Perhaps you’re on the lookout for something that makes the price tag a bit easier to manage. Whatever the case, if you’re planning on studying in Australia and are looking for a little financial assistance, we’re here to get you going. Check out our guide on scholarships in Australia for international students!
How to Apply for Australian University Scholarships 2022
Where does one even begin when looking for scholarships in Australia? Well, let’s start with who exactly offers funding assistance for students. Universities typically have their own scholarship schemes, including specific awards for international students. But they’re not the only potential source of scholarships! You might qualify for partially or fully funded scholarships in Australia from:
- Australian colleges and universities
- The Australian government
- Private organisations
- Public organisations
- Home country sponsorship
Who qualifies for these scholarships may also vary depending on:
- Level of study
- Program or field of study
- Country of citizenship
- Academic merit
- Financial status
Looking at all this, there’s plenty of ground to cover in your research. But in our opinion, that’s a very good thing! Many students limit their scholarship search to the universities’ biggest and best awards. The thing to remember is – you’re not the only one doing this. The most prominent and generous scholarships are also the most competitive ones. Hundreds if not thousands of applicants may be vying for the same award. So, rather than putting your eggs in the same basket, considering all your scholarship options creates more opportunities for you. You may find you’re eligible for subject- or program-specific awards. There may be scholarships exclusive to your study level. Your home and host country may be offering scholarships to cover your tuition and living costs or fund your research. The only way to discover all these opportunities is knowing where to look!
Finding Scholarships for International Students
1. By University
This is usually the first place students will look for scholarships. Depending on the university, you could have generous fully-funded scholarships in Australia for international students. There may be tons of partially-funded ones as well.
Here’s just a few international student scholarships on offer by Australian universities:
University Name | Scholarship Name | Eligibility |
Sydney Scholars Award (AUD 6,000) |
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Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme (up to AUD 40,000) |
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Monash University International Merit Scholarship (AUD 10,000 per year) |
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Swinburne International Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship (10-75% reduction on course fees per year, for a maximum of five years) |
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| Swinburne University of Technology | Swinburne International Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship (10-75% reduction on course fees per year, for a maximum of two years) |
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University Excellence Scholarship (30% reduction of course fees) |
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UOW Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship (30% reduction of course fees) |
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Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship (50-100% tuition fee coverage) |
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Global Academic Excellence Scholarship (50% reduction of tuition fees) |
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International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship |
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Curtin International Scholarships – Merit Scholarship |
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VU Global Leaders Scholarship |
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These are just some of the scholarships on offer by some of the universities in Australia.
Consider the list an appetiser – because depending on the university, you can find dozens more options. While some are general, where any international student for any program or study level can qualify, there are plenty of options available by faculty and the student’s country of citizenship as well!
2. By Faculty
Each university can have dozens of scholarships, big and small, for its various faculties. Listing them all out in a single article would be an impossible task. To give you an idea of the variety and scope available, though, here are the types of scholarships some universities offer across different subject areas:
University Name | Scholarships for Medicine in Australia | Scholarships for Nursing in Australia | Scholarships for Arts and Social Sciences in Australia | Scholarships for Business in Australia | Scholarships for Engineering in Australia |
Blooms the Chemist – John Sidgreaves Scholarship | The Johnson Nursing Scholarship | The Jerome De Costa Memorial Awards | Business School International Scholarship | Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scholarship | |
Dean’s International Science Excellence Scholarship | ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences Honours Scholarship | ANU College of Business & Economics Honours Scholarship | ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship | ||
Biomedicine Discovery Scholarship | Faculty of Arts Honours Merit Scholarship | Accounting Honours Scholarship | Engineering International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship | ||
Bachelor of Medical Science Scholarship for High Achievement | Bachelor of Arts International Scholarship | Bachelor of Commerce Global Scholarship | Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Scholarship | ||
Deakin Global Health Leaders Scholarship | HDR Scholarship – Organisational change in the arts/cultural sector to diversify arts audiences | Business and Law International Partner Institutions Bursary | Deakin STEM Scholarship | ||
UNSW Faculty of Medicine Honours Scholarships | Mitchell History Award | UNSW Business School Honours Scholarship | Scientia Scholarship | ||
Master of Pharmaceutical Industry Practice International Student Scholarship | UQ International Excellence Scholarship | UQ School of Economics Scholarship (Undergraduate) | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Scholarships |
Again, remember that this is nowhere near a complete list.
Some universities offer tens of scholarships across all their different faculties. You might find specific awards for a range of specific subject areas, from computer science and law to music and fine arts. Scholarships may be for every program under the faculty (e.g. social sciences) or for a specific subject (e.g. history). The breakdown above is simply to give you an idea of the range of scholarships a single university may be offering. We hope this encourages you to thoroughly look into what options are out there depending on what you’re studying!
The value of the award, the eligibility criteria, and more will vary depending on the education provider. There may be options offering scholarships specifically for certain groups, e.g. women, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing financial difficulties, etc. In turn, this means there are more opportunities for you to find an option catering to you!
Typically, the larger and higher ranking the university, the greater the range of scholarships it offers. Nonetheless, it helps to look into all the funding options your shortlisted universities offer!
3. By Study Level
You’ve probably noticed from the examples featured in this article that some scholarships are specific to study level. While a university may offer a specific award to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, others may be on offer specifically for bachelor’s programs, master’s by coursework degrees, or postgraduate research degrees. To give you an idea of the range of options that may be available if you kick off your scholarship search by study level, here are the types of options you might find when looking for scholarships for MBA in Australia:
University Name | Scholarships for MBA |
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MBA Director’s Scholarship | |
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MBA – Student Scholarships | |
UWA MBA Full Time International Achievement Scholarship | |
Research School of Management Master of Business Administration Scholarship | |
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As you can see, plenty of universities offer specific scholarships for a particular study level as well as program. It’s a good idea to look into award opportunities within your program field and study level! You’re likely to find a broader range of options to consider this way.
4. By Country of Citizenship
The scholarship names we shared up to this point are options typically open to all international students. However, you might find that some universities offer awards to students from specific countries. Country-specific scholarships give you a unique advantage compared to general awards. The latter have a far greater volume of applicants and are therefore more competitive. Because many Australian universities share a commitment to promote diversity and create equal opportunities, country-specific scholarships are worth looking into. Here are a few examples of the types of awards you may find if you’re from any of the following countries:
Scholarships in Australia for Malaysian Students
- Sydney International Student Award (Malaysia) – University of Sydney
- Faculty of Law International Asia Scholarship – Monash University
- UQ Economics Malaysia Scholarship – University of Queensland
Scholarships in Australia for Indonesian Students
- Sydney International Student Award (Indonesia) – University of Sydney
- Indonesian Women in STEM – Monash University
- Faculty of Law International Asia Scholarship – Monash University
- K.C. Kuok Scholarship – Monash University
- ANU-Study Canberra Indonesia Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Accounting Indonesia University Partner Scholarship – Australian National University
Scholarships in Australia for Sri Lankan Students
- Sydney International Student Award (Sri Lanka) – University of Sydney
- Research School of Accounting South Asia Merit Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics South Asia Merit Scholarships – Australian National University
- UQ Economics Sri Lanka Scholarship – University of Queensland
Scholarships in Australia for Bangladeshi Students
- Sydney International Student Award (Bangladesh) – University of Sydney
- Research School of Accounting South Asia Merit Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics South Asia Merit Scholarships – Australian National University
- International Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship – 100% – Deakin University
- Deakin International Merit Scholarship (South Asia – Onshore) – Deakin University
Scholarships in Australia for Pakistani Students
- Monash University-Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) Joint Scholarship – Monash University
- Research School of Accounting South Asia Merit Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics South Asia Merit Scholarships – Australian National University
Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students
- Sydney International Student Award (India) – University of Sydney
- Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program – University of Sydney
- Faculty of Law International Asia Scholarship – Monash University
- ANU-Study Canberra India Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Accounting South Asia Merit Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics India High Achievers Scholarship – Australian National University
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics South Asia Merit Scholarships – Australian National University
- India Global Leaders Scholarship – University of Queensland
- UQ Economics India Scholarship – University of Queensland
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious 100% Scholarship – Deakin University
- Deakin India 20% Postgraduate Bursary – Deakin University
Again, this is not a complete list of either scholarships or universities. You’ll definitely find plenty more options for your country of citizenship the more you research!
5. By the Government
Alongside education providers, the Australian government also offers attractive scholarship options for international students!
Australia Awards Scholarships
These fully-funded scholarships in Australia are on offer by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For 2022, the DFAT offered over 2,000 scholarships worth AUD 200 million to individuals from 27 countries! Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the scholarship:
Asia | Pacific |
Bangladesh | Federated States of Micronesia |
Bhutan | Fiji |
Cambodia | Kiribati |
Indonesia | Marshall Islands |
Laos | Nauru |
Maldives | Papua New Guinea |
Mongolia | Samoa |
Myanmar | Solomon Islands |
Nepal | Tonga |
Pakistan | Tuvalu |
Philippines | Vanuatu |
Sri Lanka | |
Thailand | Middle East |
Timor-Leste | Palestinian Territories |
Vietnam |
The scholarships are available for students in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at:
- Participating Australian universities
- Participating Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions
This full scholarship, alongside covering your tuition fees, also covers:
- A one-time payment to cover accommodation and study materials, including textbooks
- Your health insurance (the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC))
- Airfare for a single return trip (to and from Australia) in economy class
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – allowance for living expenses every two weeks
and more! Note, though, that a condition of accepting this scholarship is agreeing to return to your home country after your program wraps up. You can’t return to Australia for at least two years after completing your scholarship.
Destination Australia Program
Alongside scholarships for domestic students, this program also offers scholarships in Australia for international students! Destination Australia offers over 1,000 scholarships every year, to financially assist students enrolling with regional and remote education providers in Australia. Education providers in a regional area essentially refer to institutions with campuses outside of major Australian cities. These registered tertiary education providers apply to Destination Australia for grants. International students can then apply through approved institutions for the award.
The scholarships are applicable for students enrolling in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Each student receives AUD 15,000 per year as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
Participating institutions receive grants that go toward scholarships for postgraduate research degrees. These programs can be both at master’s and doctorate level, and the awards applicable for both domestic and international students! The scholarship involves tuition fee coverage as well as stipends to cover living costs and allowances for expenses involved in undertaking research. Eligible universities apply for the grant and manage the application on behalf of students if they receive it. There’s a 10% support cap in funding for international students!
The following are participating institutions in this program:
Australian Catholic University | Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education | Bond University | Central Queensland University | Charles Darwin University |
Charles Sturt University | Curtin University | Deakin University | Edith Cowan University | Federation University Australia |
Flinders University | Griffith University | James Cook University | La Trobe University | Macquarie University Monash University |
Murdoch University | Queensland University of Technology | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology | Southern Cross University | Swinburne University of Technology |
Australian National University | University of Adelaide | University of Melbourne | University of Notre Dame Australia | University of Queensland |
University of Sydney | University of Western Australia | Torrens University of Australia | University of Canberra | University of Divinity |
University of Newcastle | University of New England | UNSW | University of South Australia | University of Southern Queensland |
University of Tasmania | University of Technology Sydney | University of the Sunshine Coast | University of Wollongong | Victoria University |
Western Sydney University |
The scholarship is applicable for a maximum of two years for a research master’s program. For part-time master’s programs, the maximum duration is four years. For doctorate programs, the duration is between three and four years (full-time) or six to eight years (part-time).
6. By External Providers
Alongside Australian universities and government bodies, scholarships may also be on offer by private organisations and individuals, non-profit organisations, home country governments, and so on. Universities may offer lists of external scholarship opportunities you can consider on their websites. We also recommend looking into public and private organisation scholarship schemes in your host country! For instance, in Malaysia, corporations like Shell Malaysia and UEM Group offer their own scholarship schemes for Malaysian students. Such scholarships can cover your tuition fees, living costs, travel fares, and more. Government-affiliated organisations like Bank Negara and the Malaysian Ministry of Education also offer scholarships for students enrolling in Australian universities.
To cover all your bases, we highly recommend considering both host and home country scholarship options. While you might have to do a lot of research, it’ll be worth it when it makes the study abroad bill a little easier to foot.
Concluding Thoughts: Finding Scholarships in Australia for International Students
The key to finding the best scholarships in Australia for yourself is simple – research. While the biggest scholarships tend to be more competitive, many universities offer smaller but nonetheless attractive awards. These more course- or faculty-specific scholarships may even be easier to land, since fewer people apply for them compared to general awards. Alongside academic merit-based scholarships, there are awards catering to gender groups, minorities, specific geographic or demographic categories, and more! Plus, universities aren’t the only scholarship providers out there. Government bodies in both home and host countries and private providers might have schemes in place to fund your study abroad dreams. The more research you do, the more likely you are to find the right scholarship for you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Australia offer full scholarships for international students?
Scholarship schemes vary from university to university. While some offer partial scholarships – depending on courses, country of citizenship, academic merit, and so on – others offer full scholarships! And yes, these schemes do include scholarships exclusively for international students!
How can I get a full scholarship in Australia?
The entire process begins with research, to start narrowing your options down. Which scholarships are you eligible for? You can run scholarship searches based on your course, study level, country of citizenship, and more. How to apply for Australian university scholarships would depend on each university or scholarship provider. Some institutes consider you automatically when you apply for a specific program or school. Others might require a separate application for an individual scholarship. We also recommend not limiting your search to a fully-funded scholarship in Australia either. Lots of generous partial scholarships can make your study abroad expenses easier to bear too!