Scholarships play a pivotal role in fostering international education, promoting cultural exchange, and empowering students to pursue their academic dreams. Among the various opportunities, the Australian government has taken significant strides to attract talented minds from around the world.
Australia offers an array of prestigious scholarships, making it a sought-after destination for students from eligible countries in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. This article will delve into some of the most notable scholarships available to international students in Australia, providing a glimpse of the remarkable opportunities that await aspiring scholars.
Why Do You Need Scholarships?
Scholarships not only recognize your academic prowess but also provide financial support that can make a significant difference in your student life. From bulk payments to educational subsidies and living allowances, these scholarships are designed to ease your financial burdens, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – your studies and personal growth.
Australian University Scholarships
The Australian Government proudly invests approximately $200 million each year in scholarship programs at various universities and tertiary institutions across the country. Some of Australia’s top-notch institutions, including The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, and the Australian National University (ANU), generously offer scholarships with exciting add-ons, such as health cover, to enhance your overall experience.
1. VU International Excellence Scholarship at Victoria University
The VU International Excellence Scholarship is here to recognize and reward your exceptional achievements. This scholarship is based on academic merit, and to qualify, students must have achieved results higher than VU’s academic entrance requirements.
Easy Application Process
Applying for the VU International Excellence Scholarship is a breeze! No separate application is required. As a commencing international student, you will be automatically assessed for eligibility when you submit your application for an eligible qualification at VU. If you meet the criteria and are selected, the scholarship will be reflected in your final Letter of Offer.
Scholarship Value
The VU International Excellence Scholarship offers significant financial support to help you pursue your dreams. Here are the scholarship values for different study levels:
Vocational Education and Training (VET): Receive $750 per semester, with a total value of up to $3,000 towards the total tuition fees for a two-year VET degree.
Undergraduate: Enjoy $3,000 for the first two study periods, amounting to a total value of up to $12,000 towards the total tuition fees for a four-year undergraduate degree.
Postgraduate (Coursework): Get $3,000 for the first two study periods, with a total value of up to $6,000 towards tuition fees for a two-year postgraduate (coursework) degree.
VU College Diploma Merit Scholarship
Who Can Apply?
Open to students with outstanding academic performance in their first semester at VU College, achieving at least a distinction in each unit of their diploma program.
Exclusions Apply
Students with scholarships or sponsorships from other organizations are ineligible.
Simple Assessment
No separate application needed! Your eligibility will be automatically assessed after completing your first semester.
Scholarship Value
Receive a generous $2,000 grant for your second semester of studies.
2. Swinburne University Scholarship Opportunities
Swinburne University offers scholarships up to 75% off tuition fees, based on academic performance and course entry requirements for 4-year Bachelor’s Degree students.
| WAM/GPA | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
| 60-69% / 6-6.99 | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| 70-79% / 7-7.99 | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| 80-89% / 8-8.99 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| 90-94% / 9-9.49 | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| 95%+ / 9.5+ | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% |
3. Deakin University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is open to all students commencing their studies at Deakin University. To maximize your chances, it is recommended to submit your scholarship application at least one month before starting your program at Deakin.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Prospective international student enrolling in a coursework degree at Deakin University.
- Eligible to study at Deakin University.
- Achieved an impressive 85% average (or equivalent) in previous studies.
Scholarship Value:
You have two options for the scholarship value:
- Covering all of your tuition fees.
- Covering 50% of your tuition fees.
Additional Benefits:
- Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP): Scholarship recipients are required to participate in this program as part of the DVCIS scholarship.
- Priority Place for On-Campus Accommodation: Enjoy the convenience of priority consideration for on-campus accommodation (subject to availability and at your own cost).
Deakin International Scholarship
The Deakin International Scholarship welcomes all students who are beginning their studies at Deakin University. To ensure ample time for processing, it is advisable to submit scholarship applications at least one month before commencing your studies at the university.
Scholarship Details:
The scholarship covers 25% of your student contributions towards tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Prospective international students applying for a coursework degree at Deakin University are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must meet the necessary requirements for admission to Deakin University.
- A minimum average of 65% (or equivalent) in previous academic studies is required.
4. University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle offers Academic Excellence Scholarships to recognize exceptional performance in undergraduate studies. These scholarships are available through the five academic Faculties:
- Faculty of Business and Law
- Faculty of Education and Arts
- Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
- Faculty of Health and Medicine
- Faculty of Science
Scholarship Value:
The scholarships are open to both domestic and international students and are awarded in three stages: from year 1 to year 2, from year 2 to year 3, and from year 3 to year 4 (applicable to four-year degree programs). Each scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is granted based on outstanding academic achievements.
5. Western Sydney University
Vice Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships:
The Vice Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships at Western Sydney University are open to new international students commencing their studies in 2023, pursuing any CRICOS registered undergraduate degree (except for the Doctor of Medicine). These scholarships are automatically considered for all eligible international applicants without the need for a separate scholarship application.
Scholarship Value:
Recipients of the Vice Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships will receive a fifty percent (50%) reduction in tuition fees per session for full-time enrollment throughout the duration of their degree, up to a maximum of three years.
Western Sydney International Scholarships – Undergraduate
For new commencing international students enrolling in undergraduate degree coursework programs at Western Sydney University in 2023, Western Sydney International is offering multi-year scholarships of $6,000 and $3,000.
Scholarship Eligibility:
All new applications for admission to the university will be automatically considered for these scholarships. Successful candidates will be notified of their scholarship offer in their Offer of Admission letter. The scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements in a completed Year 12 qualification or an equivalent qualification recognized by Western Sydney University for admission.
Scholarship Value:
$6,000 per year contribution towards tuition fees, applicable for up to a maximum of three years. or $3,000 per year contribution towards tuition fees, applicable for up to a maximum of three years.
Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships
The Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships are available to new international students who are commencing their studies in any of the 2023 intakes for all CRICOS registered postgraduate coursework degrees. These scholarships are applicable to programs with a minimum duration of one year and a maximum duration of two years. However, postgraduate research degrees are not included in this scholarship opportunity.
Scholarship Eligibility:
All international applicants will be automatically considered for these scholarships, and there is no need for a separate scholarship application.
Scholarship Value:
Recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships will be granted a fifty percent (50%) reduction in tuition fees per session for full-time enrollment throughout the entire duration of their degree, not exceeding two years.
6. The UNSW Global Academic Award
The UNSW Global Academic Award has been established to provide support to high-achieving students at UNSW Global who are embarking on their undergraduate studies at UNSW. This scholarship is specifically aimed at students who successfully complete a UNSW Global Foundation Studies program and plan to continue their education with a UNSW bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility:
The UNSW Global Academic Award is open to international students who are commencing their studies at UNSW in either Term 1, Term 2, or Term 3 of the year 2023.
Scholarship Value:
There are two offers available for the UNSW Global Academic Award:
- Offer 1: $5,000 for a duration of one year.
- Offer 2: $10,000 for a duration of one year.
Payment of the scholarship amount will be made towards the recipient’s tuition fees in the second term of their first year of study at UNSW.
7. TAFE NSW
Destination Australia Scholarships:
The Destination Australia Scholarships at TAFE NSW are funded by the Commonwealth Government and are aimed at attracting and assisting students who opt to reside and pursue their studies in regional communities. These scholarships are specifically available for certain courses and designated locations, as indicated below. Recipients of the scholarships are required to maintain full-time class attendance, with a minimum of 20 hours of study per week.
Scholarship Value:
Each individual scholarship grants $15,000 per student for each year of their course enrollment. This financial support is intended to cover the living and studying expenses incurred while residing in regional Australia.
8. Griffith University
International Student Academic Merit Scholarship:
Griffith University extends the International Student Academic Merit Scholarship to eligible students enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship encompasses a 20% reduction in tuition fees. This deduction will be applied to the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework tuition fees for the entire duration of the program. Each deduction will take effect on the Griffith University census date of each relevant trimester within the program.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the scholarship deduction, students must be enrolled full-time (equivalent to 40 credit points) unless credit from previous studies prevents full-time enrolment. Additionally, they must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 throughout the course of their studies.
International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship
Griffith University presents the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship to eligible students enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship encompasses a 25% reduction in tuition fees, which will be deducted from the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework tuition fees throughout the entirety of the program. The deduction will be applied on or before the Griffith University census date of each relevant trimester within the program.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the scholarship deduction, students must be enrolled full-time (equivalent to 40 credit points) unless credit from previous studies prevents full-time enrolment. Additionally, they must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 during the course of their studies.
9. University of Southern Queensland
International Student Support Scholarship:
During Semester 1 and Semester 2 of 2023, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will provide scholarships to new international students who plan to study on-campus once the Australian Government travel restrictions are lifted. Applicants who wish to begin their studies in online mode before transitioning to on-campus learning must apply for the on-campus offering and go through the USQ admissions processes for acceptance.
Scholarship Eligibility:
This scholarship is contingent upon meeting the entry requirements for the chosen program of study and successfully completing all courses within the program. It is open to international students applying to various award programs, excluding the Bachelor of Nursing, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Scholarship Value:
Each scholarship has a maximum value equivalent to 25% of the tuition fees for the approved study program. The scholarship amount will be implemented as a 25% deduction from the tuition fees. However, students are responsible for paying the remaining fees as specified in their offer letter. Continuation of the scholarship is subject to the recipient achieving passing grades in completed courses.
Additional Accommodation/Food Package:
In Semester 1 and Semester 2 of 2023, the scholarship includes the cost of accommodation at the USQ Toowoomba Residential Colleges for the first semester of on-campus study. If the Australian government imposes a self-isolation period for incoming travelers during 2023, the scholarship will also cover an accommodation food package for the duration of that self-isolation period.
International Student Support Nursing Scholarship
During Semester 1 and Semester 2 of 2023, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will extend scholarships to new international students who have the intention of studying the Bachelor of Nursing on-campus at USQ, once the Australian Government travel restrictions are lifted. Applicants who prefer to commence their studies in online mode before transitioning to on-campus learning must apply for the on-campus offering and go through the USQ admissions processes for acceptance.
Scholarship Eligibility:
This scholarship is contingent upon meeting the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing program and successfully completing all courses within the program. It is exclusively available to international students enrolling in the Bachelor of Nursing program at USQ.
Scholarship Value:
Each scholarship has a maximum value of 10% of the tuition fees for the entire duration of the approved study program. The scholarship amount will be implemented as a 10% reduction in the tuition fees. However, students are responsible for paying the remaining fees as specified in their offer letter. Continuation of the scholarship is subject to the recipient achieving passing grades in completed courses.
Additional Accommodation/Food Package:
In Semester 1 and Semester 2 of 2023, the scholarship includes the cost of accommodation at the USQ Toowoomba Residential Colleges for the first semester of on-campus study. If the Australian government imposes a self-isolation period for incoming travelers during 2023, the scholarship will also cover an accommodation food package for the duration of that self-isolation period.
10. Murdoch University
International Welcome Scholarships:
The Murdoch University International Welcome Scholarships offer financial assistance of up to $12,000 for Business and Nursing degrees, and up to $11,000 for all other degrees. The scholarship is designed as a partial fee-reduction, with the actual amount awarded based on the duration of your course. The following categories of students are eligible to apply:
- Undergraduate – 3-year degree
- Undergraduate – 4-year degree
- Undergraduate – 1 to 2 years if you have received advanced standing
- All combinations of 6 months to 2 years for Masters
Scholarship Eligibility:
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be an international student with full fee-paying status
- Commence your studies at one of Murdoch’s Western Australian campuses during the 2020 to 2024 intakes
- Enroll in a coursework degree at Murdoch University, which includes bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, and masters-by-coursework degrees.
- Eligible Courses:
The scholarship is applicable to all bachelor degrees available to international students and delivered at one of Murdoch’s Western Australian campuses. Additionally, it includes all graduate certificates, graduate diploma, and masters by coursework degrees available to international students and delivered at one of Murdoch’s Western Australian campuses.
11. Edith Cowan University
Executive Dean’s 2023 Master of Engineering Scholarship:
The Executive Dean’s 2023 Master of Engineering Scholarship at Edith Cowan University is available for international students who can exhibit outstanding academic performance in their prior studies. All applicants who meet the specified criteria are automatically considered eligible for this scholarship when they apply for a designated postgraduate course within the School of Engineering.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship grants a 10% reduction in tuition fees for the entire duration of the course at Edith Cowan University.
International Australian Alumni Scholarship
The International Australian Alumni Scholarship acknowledges the strong bond that international students have with Australian education. This scholarship is available to students of all nationalities who have previously completed an educational program in Australia.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship provides a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the entire duration of your course at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
International Undergraduate Scholarship:
The International Undergraduate Scholarship is designed for international students from specific countries who are applying for a Bachelor’s degree at ECU.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship offers a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the entire duration of your course at ECU. It is open to prospective international students seeking enrollment in a Bachelor’s degree at Edith Cowan University.
International Masters Scholarship
The International Masters Scholarship is available for international students from selected countries who are applying for certain Masters degrees at ECU.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship provides a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the first year of your Masters course at ECU. It is open to prospective international students seeking enrollment at Edith Cowan University.
12. Curtin University
Curtin International Scholarships – Merit Scholarship
Curtin University is dedicated to providing high-achieving students worldwide with the opportunity to pursue their aspirations and receive a world-class education. The Merit Scholarship is aimed at eligible students holding citizenship in any country other than Australia.
Scholarship Value:
The Merit scholarship offers eligible students a 25% reduction in their first-year tuition fees. Additionally, students who attain the required Course Weighted Average (CWA) during their first year will have the opportunity to receive an extension scholarship of 25% for their second year of studies as well. The table below provides a summary of the courses that offer extension scholarships beyond the first year of the program:
| Course Title | Criteria | Scholarship Value |
| Master of Management | Awarded CI Merit scholarship in 1st year and achieve 70% CWA in first year | 25% scholarship in 2nd year of studies |
| MBA | Awarded CI Merit scholarship in 1st year and achieve 70% CWA in first year | 25% scholarship in 2nd year of studies |
| Master of Commerce (Marketing) | Awarded CI Merit scholarship in 1st year and achieve 75% CWA in first year | 25% scholarship in 2nd year of studies |
| All undergraduate programs in Faculty of Science and Engineering | Awarded CI Merit scholarship in 1st year and achieve 80% CWA in first year | 25% scholarship for the subsequent year of study if they maintain the CWA requirement |
Curtin International Scholarships – Alumni & Family Scholarship:
Curtin University takes pride in its growing alumni community and is delighted to present the Alumni & Family Scholarship to students of any nationality, excluding Australians. This scholarship is open to students who can provide evidence of close personal connections to Curtin University. For instance, eligible students must demonstrate that they, their sibling, half-sibling, parent, or child are either alumni of Curtin University or currently enrolled as students at the university.
Scholarship Value:
The Alumni & Family Scholarship offers eligible students a 25% reduction in their first-year tuition fees.
Curtin International Scholarships – Destination Australia Scholarship
The Destination Australia Scholarship is currently open for students applying to the Master of Professional Engineering (Mining) or Master of Professional Engineering (Metallurgy) programs.
Scholarship Value:
This prestigious scholarship grants students a $15,000 cash stipend annually. Notably, the Course Weighted Average (CWA) requirement has been waived for the scholarship in the year 2023.
13. The Tasmanian International Scholarship (TIS)
The Tasmanian International Scholarship (TIS) is available for all international students who apply for an undergraduate degree (with the exception of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dementia Care, and AMC Seafaring courses). Students will be automatically considered for the TIS Scholarship upon submitting their International Student Application.
Scholarship Value:
The TIS Scholarship offers a significant 25% reduction in registered tuition fees for the entire duration of the chosen course, as long as the recipient maintains satisfactory grades throughout their studies.
Destination Australia Scholarship
The Destination Australia Scholarship is open to international students who are embarking on a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree at the University of Tasmania in 2023, at any of its campuses in Hobart, Launceston, or Cradle Coast. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be commencing their studies at the University for the first time and be studying on a valid student visa. The selection process will consider academic merit and the quality of the written application.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship provides a generous amount of $15,000 per year, with the opportunity to renew the scholarship for up to 4 years.
14. Charles Darwin University
Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships (VCIHAS):
Charles Darwin University (CDU) provides a select number of scholarships for international students who have demonstrated a remarkable academic record and achieved high levels of excellence.
Scholarship Value:
The VCIHAS scholarship is applicable to both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees, covering either 50% or 25% of the tuition fees for the entire duration of the chosen course.
CDU Global Excellence Award
CDU Global provides a restricted quantity of CDU Global Excellence Scholarships for international students who have demonstrated a remarkable academic record and attained high levels of achievement.
Scholarship Value:
The CDU Global Excellence Scholarships are applicable to both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees, covering 50% of the tuition fees for the first year of study and 10% for subsequent years.
