You are not the only student who scrolled through universities at 2 am or saved Instagram reels on your dream campus in Australia, or imagined your weekends in Australia surfing at Bondi Beach. But when you look at the tuition fees thats when you suddenly feel nervous and rethink this decision. According to Australian universities’ research in 2017, around 23.5% to 29.8% of international undergraduate students receive scholarships to reduce financial stress.
Whether it’s a fully funded government program or a university merit award, these scholarships for international students in Australia can turn your dream into reality. In this blog, we’ve covered the top 10 scholarships for International students in Australia, what they cover, and the application deadlines for 2026-27.
Top 10 Scholarships for International Students in Australia: Quick Overview
| Scholarship Name | Offered by | Amount / Coverage | Application Deadline |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Australian Government (DFAT) | Fully funded – tuition fees, airfare, living allowance, health insurance | Usually April 30 |
| Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) | Australian Government / Universities | Tuition fees + stipend (~AUD 34,000/year) + health insurance | Varies by university |
| Destination Australia Scholarship | Australian Government | Up to AUD 15,000 per year | Depends on participating universities |
| Deakin STEM Scholarship | Deakin University | 20% tuition fee discount for the full course duration | Usually up to Trimester 3, 2026 (around 20 Jan 2026 in some cases) |
| University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship | University of Melbourne | Partial to full tuition fee remission | Rolling/university deadline |
| University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship | University of Sydney | Up to AUD 40,000 towards tuition | Multiple rounds annually |
| ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship | Australian National University | 25%–50% tuition fee reduction | Depends on the admission round |
| Monash International Merit Scholarship | Monash University | Up to AUD 50,000 total | Multiple rounds per year |
| Adelaide Global Academic Excellence Scholarship | University of Adelaide | Up to 50% tuition fee reduction | Rolling per intake |
| Bond University International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship | Bond University | Up to 50% tuition fee waiver | Typically May–June rounds |
Top 10 Scholarships for International Students in Australia
Australia Awards Scholarships
Picture yourself studying in Australia without worrying about tuition fees or living expenses. For many international students, this is a dream come true. The Australia Awards Scholarships, managed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are well-known government-funded scholarships that help make this possible. They support students from developing countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
This program lets you study full-time for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at selected Australian universities and TAFE institutions. It helps you gain skills and knowledge that you can use to make a difference back home. With benefits such as full tuition, travel expenses, a living allowance, and health insurance, it is one of the best fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Full tuition fees, return flight tickets, a setup allowance when you arrive, support for living expenses, health insurance for international students (OSHC), and academic support during your studies. |
| Eligibility Criteria | You must be from an eligible country (including India), meet the academic requirements for your course, meet English language requirements, and agree to return to your home country after finishing your studies. |
| Deadline | Applications usually close 30 April each year for the following year’s intake. |
| How to Apply | Check if your country is eligible on the official website Create an account on the Australia Awards portal Fill out the online application formUpload documents (transcripts, passport, references)Submit your application before the deadline |
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
Imagine spending years researching something you care about, like climate change, artificial intelligence, or medical breakthroughs, without having to worry all the time about tuition fees or living costs. This is what many research students hope for when they apply for a PhD or research master’s programs in other countries. This scholarship is more than just financial help. The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP), funded by the Australian Government, supports both domestic and international students.
Rather than having one national application, the government gives funding to eligible universities. These universities award RTP scholarships to selected students. The scholarships usually cover tuition, living expenses, and other research expenses, so students can focus on their research. The main goal of the RTP is to train skilled researchers who can build careers in universities, industry, and other fields. It also encourages universities to work together with real-world industries.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Full tuition fee coverage, a yearly stipend (about AUD 32,000–53,000) to help with living costs, and health insurance for postgraduate research students. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Open to international students applying for a Master’s by Research or PhD with strong academic results. Requirements may vary by university. |
| Deadline | Depends on the university, but applications usually close between August and October for the next academic year. |
| How to Apply | Choose an Australian university offering a Master’s by Research or PhD Apply for the research program at that universitySubmit your research proposal and academic documentsThe university reviews your application and considers you for RTP |
Destination Australia Scholarship
What if the best scholarships for international students in Australia aren’t in the big cities at all? Many international students first look at universities in places like Sydney or Melbourne, but some great scholarships are actually meant for students who choose regional universities. The Destination Australia Scholarship, funded by the Australian Government, supports students who want to study in regional and smaller areas of Australia. The goal is to help local communities grow and thrive.
By supporting students who choose regional universities and institutions, the program also helps address skill shortages in important fields like teaching, nursing, engineering, and other high-demand professions. At the same time, it makes higher education more accessible for students from underrepresented groups and helps ensure regional Australia has a steady pipeline of skilled professionals in the future.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Up to AUD 15,000 per year to help with tuition fees and living costs while studying in regional Australia. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Open to international students studying eligible courses at participating regional Australian universities or institutions. |
| Deadline | Depends on the university, but usually between March and April each year. |
| How to Apply | Apply for a course at a regional Australian universitySubmit your admission application and required documentsSome universities may ask for a short statement or essayThe university reviews your eligibility and awards the scholarship |
What are some fully funded scholarships to study in Australia – r/Indians_StudyAbroad from r/Indians_StudyAbroad
Deakin STEM Scholarship
If you’re planning to study science, technology, engineering, or related fields in Australia, this is one of the scholarships for international students in Australia you should definitely know about. The Deakin STEM Scholarship at Deakin University is designed to support international students. To be eligible, you must be an international student applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree in this field.
If your qualification is based on ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), which is basically Australia’s version of a university entrance score, similar to percentage marks, GPA, or entrance exam ranks in other countries, in that case, you must score at least 5 points higher than the minimum entry rank required for the course in the previous year. For instance, if the course needed 80 points last year, then for this scholarship, you must get 5 more points, which means 85 or higher. If you completed an Australian Foundation Program, you usually need 70% or higher, even though the course itself may only require 65%. Also, you don’t need to apply separately. If you meet the requirements and apply for an eligible course at Deakin, the university will automatically consider you for the scholarship. You’ll be informed about the result once your course application has been reviewed.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Full funding for postgraduate studies, including tuition fees, living allowance, travel costs, and health insurance. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Open to researchers or scientists from eligible developing countries who are involved in projects with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). |
| Deadline | For the 2027 intake, applications close on 30 April 2026. |
| How to Apply | No separate application needed. Students are automatically considered when they apply for the course. |
University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship
Picture being accepted to one of Australia’s top universities and getting a big tuition fee discount without any extra steps. That’s what the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship gives to high-achieving international students. The University of Melbourne offers this scholarship to talented international students applying for a bachelor’s degree. It mainly helps students from countries where studying abroad is hard because of financial difficulties.
Students who get this scholarship can choose from many popular fields, like engineering, business, IT, health, law, science, arts, architecture, education, and creative arts. A great benefit is that there is no separate scholarship application. Eligible students are automatically considered when they apply to the university.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Tuition fee discount from AUD 10,000 up to full tuition fees, based on your academic performance. |
| Eligibility Criteria | International students with excellent academic results who are admitted into an undergraduate course at the University of Melbourne. |
| Deadline | The deadline is the same as the undergraduate course application deadline. |
| How to Apply | No separate application needed. Students are automatically considered when they apply for the course. |
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
This is one of those scholarships for International students in Australia that everyone should know about. Here’s why: this scholarship offers up to AUD 60,000 to support high-achieving international students who want to study in Australia. It is available for students applying to a bachelor’s degree or a coursework master’s program at the university. Unlike government scholarships such as Australia Awards, this one is offered directly by the University of Sydney itself.
To be eligible, you must be an simply be an international student, apply for an eligible course, and receive an unconditional offer of admission before the scholarship deadline. Eligible students are then considered for the scholarship.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Scholarship amount between AUD 5,000 and AUD 40,000, which is applied to your tuition fees. |
| Eligibility Criteria | International students with good academic results who are enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs. |
| Deadline | Round 1: 16 Feb 2026 (closed)Round 2: 23 Mar 2026Round 3: 4 May 2026 |
| How to Apply | No separate application is required. Eligible students who receive an unconditional offer of admission before these dates will be automatically considered. |
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If you thought life would be easier if tuition fees in top universities were lower, then you’re not alone. That’s exactly where the ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship at the Australian National University comes in. It is one of the scholarships for international students in Australia offered directly by the university to support talented students from around the world. The scholarship is open to international students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate courses at ANU.
One of the best parts about this scholarship is how simple the process is. You don’t need to submit a separate application. When you apply for admission to ANU, the university automatically checks if you qualify. Students are mainly selected based on their academic results, and they are placed into different scholarship categories depending on their country of citizenship. The scholarship is available for most courses at ANU, except the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery and the Master of Military and Defence Studies.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | 25%–50% tuition fee discount for the full duration of the program. Available for undergraduate (3–4 years) or postgraduate (1–2 years) courses. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must be an international student, have an offer for an eligible course, and maintain a high GPA (5.0 or above). |
| Deadline | Deadlines follow ANU admission rounds, usually around May and December. |
| How to Apply | No separate scholarship application is required. Eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. |
Monash International Merit Scholarship
All those late nights studying for exams might actually pay off one day. The Monash International Merit Scholarship is designed to reward students with strong academic results. Offered by Monash University, it is one of the well-known scholarships for international students in Australia. This merit-based scholarship recognises students with excellent academic results. Students are selected mainly based on their academic performance. To keep the scholarship, you must maintain a distinction average (70% or higher) each semester.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Up to AUD 50,000 scholarship (AUD 10,000 per year) for the duration of your degree. |
| Eligibility Criteria | You must be a new international student (not an Australian citizen or permanent resident) with very high academic results — usually equal to an ATAR of 98+ or around 95%+ in international qualifications. |
| Deadline | Semester 2, 2026 (July intake): Round 4 – 15 Mar 2026, Round 5 – 15 Apr 2026, Round 6 – 30 Jun 2026. Semester 1, 2027 (Feb intake): Round 1 – 15 Oct 2026, Round 2 – 15 Nov 2026, Round 3 – 15 Jan 2027. |
| How to Apply | Apply for a course at Monash UniversityAfter receiving an offer, complete the scholarship application formSubmit required documents (transcripts, references)Scholarship results are announced in rounds |
Adelaide Global Academic Excellence Scholarship
That report card you worked so hard for might actually do more than just impress your parents. It could help you get a 50% tuition scholarship in Australia. Doesn’t this make it one of the best scholarships for international students in Australia? This Global Academic Excellence Scholarship offered by Adelaide University supports international students with outstanding academic results who are starting undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degrees. Students are automatically considered when they apply for a course, so there’s no extra scholarship form to fill out.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Up to 50% tuition fee discount for eligible undergraduate or postgraduate programs. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Students must have very high academic results. This usually means an ATAR of 99.9 or equivalent, or a GPA around 6.8–6.9 out of 7.0 (or a similar score from another qualification). |
| Deadline | Semester 1, 2026: Late Nov 2025 (closed)Trimester 2, 2026: Late Feb 2026Semester 2, 2026: Late May 2026Trimester 3, 2026: Late May 2026 |
| How to Apply | No separate scholarship application is required. Eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. |
Bond University International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship
If you’ve got great grades and big study-abroad plans, this is one of the best scholarships for international students in Australia worth checking out. The International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship offered by Bond University supports high-achieving international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Australia.
The scholarship rewards strong academic performance and offers up to a 50% tuition fee, helping talented students from around the world make studying at Bond more affordable. There is no separate scholarship application. When you apply for a course at Bond University, your eligibility for the scholarship is automatically assessed during the application review process.
Scholarship Highlights
| Key Highlights | |
| What’s Covered | Up to 50% tuition fee discount for eligible undergraduate or postgraduate programs. |
| Eligibility Criteria | International students living outside Australia with excellent academic results (around ATAR 95+ or IB 38+). |
| Deadline | The deadline for the 2026 intake is March 20, 2026. |
| How to Apply | No separate scholarship application is required. Eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. |
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🏠 Find Accommodation Near Bond UniversityTop 5 Scholarship Application Tips for International Students in Australia
Pick the Right Scholarship
There are hundreds of scholarships for international students in Australia, but what matters is picking the right one for you. Take your time and read what each scholarship has to offer. Check the eligibility criteria, course requirements, and academic scores needed before applying. Keep in mind that the right scholarship for you is still out there, rather than picking the wrong one.
Start Sooner
Many Australian scholarships for overseas studies are open 6–12 months before your intake. If you wait until the last minute, you might miss deadlines or rush your application. Look at the universities’ scholarships mentioned above that automatically consider you when you apply for admission.
Show More Than Just Good Grades
Grades are important, but they’re not the only thing universities in Australia look at. They also like students who show leadership, achievements, projects, volunteering, or activities outside of studies. So if you’ve done something interesting or meaningful, make sure to mention it in your application.
Make Your Application Personal
Copy pasting answers from the internet won’t make your scholarship essay stand out. Be real, be you; it doesn’t get any simpler than this. Talk about your goals, what inspired you, why you chose Australia and how this scholarship will bring you closer to your dream.
Double-Check Everything Before Submitting
When you’re stressed, it’s easy to overlook simple errors. Before submitting your application, check everything carefully two or three times. It also helps to ask a family member or friend to review it, because they might spot mistakes you missed. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to overlook simple errors.
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🏠 Explore Student Housing in AustraliaConclusion
Living on a student budget in Australia means being mindful of expenses like tuition, accommodation, and daily costs. The good news is that there are many scholarships for international students in Australia that can help reduce financial pressure while you focus on your studies.
From fully funded government programs to merit-based university scholarships, these opportunities make studying in Australia more accessible for talented students worldwide. The key is to start early, check eligibility carefully, and apply strategically. And while you plan your academic journey, UniAcco can help you find the right student accommodation so you can settle into your new life in Australia with ease
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