Scholarships to Study in Australia

Three main sources of funding

Scholarships for international students in Australia come from three broad sources: the universities themselves, the Australian Government, and external organisations. Each has its own eligibility rules, application process, and deadlines, and these change every year.

The value, number, and criteria of any scholarship are set by the body offering it and are revised annually. We deliberately do not state amounts or deadlines here, because publishing figures that change would mislead you. For every award you consider, confirm the current value, eligibility, and closing date on the official provider's website before relying on it.

• University scholarships — offered by each institution
• Australian Government scholarships — e.g. Australia Awards, Destination Australia
• External scholarships — from organisations, foundations, and bodies

University scholarships

Most Australian universities offer their own scholarships for international students, which may be merit-based, need-based, or tied to a specific faculty, course, or country of origin. Some reduce tuition by a set portion; others are fixed awards. Many are applied for as part of, or alongside, your admission application.

Because every university runs its own scheme with its own criteria and timelines, the most reliable approach is to check the official scholarships page of each university you are applying to. Eligibility is set by secular, academic, and financial criteria defined by the institution.

Australian Government scholarships

The Australian Government funds scholarship programs that international students may be eligible for, depending on the program's rules and the applicant's country and circumstances. Two well-known examples are Australia Awards (administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and the Destination Australia program (administered through the Department of Education), which supported study at regional campuses. Note that, per the Department of Education, Destination Australia has had no further funding rounds since 1 July 2024 (existing recipients continue to be supported), so check its official page for the current position.

These programs have specific, secular eligibility criteria and official application channels, and their rules and availability change over time. Detailed guides to both appear elsewhere in this set. For current rules, status, and deadlines, always use the official government program pages.

• Australia Awards — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
• Destination Australia — Department of Education (education.gov.au)
• Eligibility and deadlines set officially each round

External and country-specific scholarships

Beyond universities and the Australian Government, some external organisations, foundations, professional bodies, and home-country agencies offer scholarships that can be used to study in Australia. Eligibility is defined by each provider on secular, academic, or financial grounds.

The key is to apply only through the provider's official channel. Search systematically, note each program's deadline and criteria, and never pay a third party who claims to "arrange" a government or university scholarship for a fee.

No guarantees — and how to avoid scams

No website, agent, or service can guarantee you a scholarship. Awards are competitive and decided by the official body against published criteria. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed funding or asking for payment to "secure" a government or university scholarship — legitimate scholarships are applied for free through official channels, and selection is never sold.

Protect yourself by applying directly on official university and government websites, verifying every figure and deadline on the official source, and keeping copies of your applications. This is general guidance, not financial advice — confirm all current details officially before you apply.

• No service can guarantee a scholarship — selection is competitive
• Never pay a third party to "secure" a government/university award
• Apply only through official university and government channels