Your guide to university scholarships in Australia
You don’t have to be an academic superstar to get a university scholarship in Australia. Find out more about the different opportunities that are out there, because you could be eligible
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a grant or payment that is given to you to support the cost of your university studies. Scholarships are generally awarded by universities directly, but they can also be offered by the government or sponsored by private donors.
You can use the payment to cover:
- part of your tuition fees
- living costs
- accommodation costs
- textbooks
- computer and software costs.
It’s a common misconception that you need to be an academic high achiever to get a scholarship, but that isn’t necessarily true. Scholarships are awarded to all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. For example, if you need support because you’re struggling financially, or you come from an underrepresented community, there are opportunities for you too.
You also don't need to be starting your course to apply for a scholarship. There are many scholarships available for current online and on-campus students. You just need to know where to look.
How will a scholarship benefit my studies?
Landing a scholarship can take a load off your mind if you’re worried about the cost of studying.
Having that extra money in the bank may mean you don’t have to work while studying, or you can work fewer hours, and focus more of your energy on learning.
Or it could mean you pay considerably less for your course, allowing you to start your career with less debt.
What scholarships are available in Australia?
According to the Good Universities Guide, there are over 3,000 higher education scholarships available in Australia.
You can find them by searching:
- The Good Universities Guide database
- University websites
- Tertiary admission centre websites (for example the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre has some fantastic links)
- Australian Government websites (like the Victorian Department of Education)
Here’s a quick overview of the main types of scholarships available.
By study level
Undergraduate scholarships
If you’re a current Year 12 student (or just a first-time university student), then it’s worth exploring what scholarships are available next year. There are undergraduate scholarships offered across most areas of study, which you can apply for based on things like your extracurricular activities, your end-of-year results, or your parents’ income.
Some scholarships are offered as once-off payments during your first year only, while others are paid in instalments during each year of your course. While it’s hard to name a ballpark figure, undergraduate scholarships can be valued between $500 and $8,000.
Closing dates vary, with key application deadlines coming up in September, October, March and April.
Postgraduate scholarships
Most postgraduate scholarships are intended to support students conducting research projects, which means you need to be enrolled in a masters degree or PhD to be eligible.
These scholarships can be used to fund overseas travel, an industry work placement or daily living costs.
In recognition of the fact that postgraduate research students take time off work to study, these scholarships are significantly higher than undergraduate scholarships, and valued anywhere between $1,000 and $70,000. Passion for your subject matter, the uniqueness of your project and your academic performance will all be considered by the scholarship panel, so keep that in mind when applying.
By student need
Academic merit scholarships
Academic scholarships are awarded to undergraduates or postgraduates who show immense promise in their field of study.
To be eligible as a commencing student, you’ll need to have a high ATAR (this varies across universities but think above 85) and provide evidence of outstanding achievements at school and in the community.
To be eligible as a current undergraduate or postgraduate student, you’ll need to have—and maintain—a high grade point average (GPA). The scholarship’s application instructions will specify what that GPA needs to be.
Access and equity scholarships
Access and equity scholarships are designed to level the playing field for those who have faced barriers in their academic and personal lives.
You can find equity scholarships that will support you if you:
- have experienced financial hardship.
- come from a non-English speaking background.
- are an asylum seeker, refugee or person from a refugee background.
- come from a regional or rural area.
- are the first person in your family to attend university.
- identify as a woman or non-binary student in a non-traditional field.
- have carer responsibilities.
- live with disability.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships
There are also equity scholarships available for those who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student.
These scholarships are often designed to help you excel in a particular study area. Examples include the Google Future Leaders in Tech Scholarships, which are awarded to engineering, science or mathematics students. Or the Griffith University QIC Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship, which is offered to full-time students studying an area like commerce, law, IT or psychology.
There are also pathway scholarships designed to give you a financial boost so you transition into university.
You can chat with your university’s Indigenous student services team to find out more about these. You can also search the Aurora Education Foundation for a list of opportunities.
Elite athlete scholarships
These scholarships cater to emerging and professional athletes who need to balance university around their training commitments. To be eligible, you need to demonstrate high achievement in your sport and be competing at a state, national or international level.
At Open Universities Australia, we offer 5 online study scholarships every year to athletes who train at the Victorian Institute of Sport. These scholarships cover the cost of one subject from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, free of charge. Past recipients include aerial skier Laura Peel and Olympic diver Anabelle Smith. You can contact the Victorian Institute of Sport’s performance lifestyle team for more information about this.
Visit the Australian Institute of Sport for a full list of athletic scholarships.
How to apply for a scholarship
The application process will vary depending on the scholarship. To give yourself the best chance of success, read the instructions carefully, make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria, and make sure you apply well before the deadline.
You'll generally need to:
- fill out an online application form.
- submit evidence to support your application (such as academic transcripts or confirmation of your enrolment at a university).
- answer questions or write a personal statement outlining your career aspirations, challenges you've faced, and how the scholarship will support your studies.
- provide a written reference or letter of recommendation.
It’s worth reading this helpful advice from La Trobe University, which can be applied to most scholarships.
Is it hard to get a scholarship in Australia?
While competition will be fierce for the big academic merit scholarships, you might be surprised by how few people apply for some of the lesser-known scholarships.
It’s worth putting your hat in the ring, especially if you fall into one of the access and equity categories. You’ll never know if you don’t try—and the effort could pay off big time.
While Open Universities Australia doesn't offer advice about scholarships, we can offer you advice about choosing a university course that's right for your circumstances. Take our course matching quiz to discover what's available with 27 leading universities.
