Table of Contents
- Scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia
- How to get a scholarship in Australia for Indian students?
- Government scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia
- Non-government scholarships in Australia for Indian students
- Australian university scholarships for Indian students
- Fully funded scholarships for Indian students in Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions
Studying in Australia is undoubtedly an expensive affair. A hefty tuition fee is complimented by the high cost of living which changes across locations. But don’t worry – you have scholarships to save your dreams. Explore the blog for comprehensive guidance on scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia and learn how to get a scholarship to support your education.
Scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia
In Australia, scholarships are available in various forms, including merit-based, need-based, and course-specific grants. These are offered by the government, non-government organizations, and private organizations. The value of these scholarships varies based on the student’s profile, ranging from 2,000 AUD to covering 100% of the tuition fees.
Eligibility
- Academic merit – You need at least an 85% score to apply for scholarships in Australia. However, it is not mandatory for need-based scholarships where your financial need is the prime eligibility component
- Admission to a recognized university – You must have an offer letter or any other proof of admission to an Australian university to apply for scholarships.
- Age limit – You must be under the eligible age category if the scholarship you are applying for specifies it.
- Work experience or extracurricular involvements – Work experience and extracurricular activities add points to your profile. Check if these are mandatory or not before you apply for a scholarship.
How to get a scholarship in Australia for Indian students?
Be attentive and smart to get a scholarship in Australia for your academic ambitions. What you need to do are:
- Research your scholarship options among government and private sources
- Choose the right academic institution with more scholarship options
- Understand the eligibility requirements
- Ensure you have a high academic score
- Prepare a winning application, including strong personal essays and letters of recommendation
- Keep track of deadlines and procedures to be followed
Government scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia
Australia has strong ties with India, and the bilateral agreements favor international student exchange. Accordingly, various scholarships and research grants are funded by Indo-Australian governments to support the education of Indians in Australia. Many of these scholarships are fully funded, meaning your complete cost of Australian education is taken care under the offerings.
| Scholarship | Amount or Expenses Covered | Level of Study |
| Australia Awards Scholarship | All Expenses – tuition fee, living costs, health insurance, flight ticket, & so on | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Destination Australia Scholarships | 15,000 USD | Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral |
| Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship | 40,109 USD (Tuition fee, living cost. & health insurance) | Doctoral |
| Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships | 500,000 – 1,000,000 USD | Doctoral |
| Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Scholarships | 23,500 USD | Doctoral |
| John Allwright Fellowship program | Study expenses & additional support | Master’s or Doctoral |
| Maitri Scholarship | Part of tuition fee, living costs, accommodation, health insurance & funds for attending seminars & conferences | Doctoral |
| CSIRO Scholarships | 42,000 USD | Master’s or Doctoral |
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Their objective is to support the development requirements of partner countries of Australia, aligning with the provisions outlined in bilateral and regional agreements. They are fully funded and cover full tuition fees, flight tickets, living expenses, field trips, and so on.
Destination Australia Scholarships
The aim of Destination Australia Scholarships is to empower regional institutions by inviting more international students. You can apply for these scholarships if you choose any of the regional universities or colleges that participate in the program.
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
Sponsored by the Australian Government, this scholarship offers tuition fees offset and stipend for exceptional international postgraduate students seeking to pursue a research degree at Australian universities. Evaluation of applications is based on academic excellence and research potential. Applications for 2025 must be submitted before 13 September 2024 for round 1 and 2, and, for round 3 and 4, before 17 December 2024.
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships
The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) serves as a framework for mutual collaboration in the field of science. It is co-managed and financed by the governments of both India and Australia. You must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and apply for advanced research in a corporate, agency, or government organization.
Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Fellowship
Indian students can apply for the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Fellowship to study in Australia. Two winners will benefit from 23,500 USD to do research on areas related to the AIEC themes, focusing on science subjects. Applications are invited from April for 2024.
John Allwright Fellowship program
The John Allwright Fellowship (JAF) offers scientists from partner countries who are presently or have recently participated in ACIAR research projects the chance to pursue postgraduate degrees at Australian institutions. Under the fellowship program, international researchers can get PhD and Masters scholarships for agricultural research, managed through the Australia Awards system.
Maitri Scholarship
The Maitri Scholars Program is designed to assist India’s outstanding students in pursuing their studies at Australia’s prestigious universities. These scholarships give preference to students engaged in postgraduate studies within STEM-related fields.
CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships
The CSIRO offers postgraduate and PhD scholarships for international students planning to study in Australia. The CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships are provided to international students only if there are less applications from Australian citizens or permanent residents. Provided for STEM degrees, the area of study must align with CSIRO themes. Beneficiaries will get financial benefits and the opportunity to collaborate with top mentors, scientists, and researchers.
Non-government scholarships in Australia for Indian students
The top non-government sources of scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia are non-profit organizations and charitable trusts. See the table for some prominent scholarship options in Australia that benefit Indian students:
| Scholarship | Amount or Expenses Covered | Level of Study |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships | 50% of the total expenses + 50% as loan component | Master’s or Doctoral |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Up to INR 20 Lakhs interest-free loan | Master’s |
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Established in 1969, the Aga Khan Foundation offers scholarships to international students can be helpful for Indian students to study in Australia. It covers your tuition and living expenses. To apply, one must have a very good GPA and a proven record of extracurricular activities and show the financial need for the scholarship. The application period is January to March 2024.
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation offers an interest-free loan of up to INR 20 Lakhs for eligible Indian students to pursue postgraduate courses in India and abroad, at reputed universities. You need to document your academic merit and financial need to get this scholarship.
Australian university scholarships for Indian students
The big list of scholarships for Indian students in Australia is provided by Australian universities. They support Indian students under the international and Asia-Pacific categories for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research studies.
| Scholarship | Amount or Expenses Covered | Level of Study |
| Global Citizens Scholarship – The University of Adelaide | 15% – 30% reduction in tuition fee | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Melbourne Research Scholarship – The University of Melbourne | 100% tuition fee or up to 135,000 USD | Master’s |
| Global Excellence Scholarship – Australian Universities | 25% – 50% of tuition fee or an amount, depending on university & course | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS) – Flinders University | 33,000 USD | Master’s or Doctoral |
| Monash University International Merit Scholarship – Monash University | 10,000 USD | Bachelor’s or aster’s |
| Adelaide MBA Scholarship | Tuition fee coverage | Master’s (Executive MBA) |
| Curtin University Scholarships | 25% of the tuition fee | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| RMIT Funded scholarships – RMIT University | Tuition fee, accommodation & other living costs | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Early Acceptance Scholarships – Macquarie University | 10,000 USD | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| La Trobe International Scholarships – La Trobe University | Tuition fee | Master’s |
Global Citizens Scholarship – The University of Adelaide
This scholarship is offered to international students of any discipline who have scored well in their previous exams. Depending on academic merit, students may receive 15% – 30% reduction in their international tuition fee at the University of Adelaide.
Melbourne Research Scholarship – The University of Melbourne
High-achieving domestic and international students are awarded this scholarship at the University of Melbourne across different disciplines. Every year, approximately 350 such awards are distributed.
Global Excellence Scholarship – Australian Universities
This prestigious award is highly competitive and is granted to international students studying undergraduate or postgraduate in Australian universities. The amount or expenses covered varies depending on the university, course of admission, and scores.
Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS) – Flinders University
The Flinders International Research Scholarship (FIPRS) is designed to assist international students and covers their tuition fees and offers a stipend. Recipients of the FIPRS are chosen based on their exceptional capabilities in independent research, academic excellence, proficiency in academic research training, and demonstrated research indicators and performance.
Monash University International Merit Scholarship – Monash University
Based on your academic scores, you are rewarded 10,000 USD per year for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Melbourne University. International students must submit a personal scholarship essay within 500 words when applying for the Monash University International Merit Scholarship.
Adelaide MBA Scholarship
The University of Adelaide offers scholarships for the Executive MBA program for international students. Make sure your MBA program of study is eligible for the scholarship before applying.
Curtin University Scholarships
Curtin University offers undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to international students covering 25% of the first-year tuition fees. Beneficiaries are selected based on their academic excellence in previous exams.
RMIT Funded scholarships – RMIT University
RMIT University-funded scholarships are open for all fields of study. International students can explore many options and apply for the appropriate ones.
Early Acceptance Scholarships – Macquarie University
This scholarship is granted to international students from India to pursue a degree at Macquarie University. It covers approximately 25% of their annual tuition fees, making it one of the most generous scholarships in Australia. The scholarship is valued at AUD $10,000 per year throughout the duration of their Bachelor’s or Master’s.
La Trobe International Scholarships – La Trobe University
La Trobe University offers scholarships to international students for postgraduate study under different scholarship categories. Typically, the beneficiaries are selected based on their academic merit.
Apart from those mentioned above, there are many university-sponsored scholarships in Australia for Indian students. The universities offering scholarships and bursaries to support your studies include the following:
| The University of Sydney | The University of Western Australia | The Australian National University |
| The University of Queensland | University of Technology Sydney | University of Wollongong |
| Deakin University | Griffith University | Swinburne University of Technology |
| Charles Darwin University | University of Southern Queensland | Edith Cowan University |
Once you finalize your university, we advise you to go through the university website and research your scholarship options.
Fully funded scholarships for Indian students in Australia
Based on our research, the top fully funded scholarships in Australia can be individual scholarships and categories. Refer to the blog sections above to learn more about the names and categories listed below.
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Destination Australia Scholarships
- University-specific accommodation scholarships
- Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
- Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships
- Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Scholarships
- Maitri Scholarship
- Australia Global Alumni Scholarships – offered by universities
- Asia-Pacific Scholarships – offered by the government and universities
While the cost of studying in Australia is a concern, the country offers you scholarships to overcome the financial challenge. Currently, Australian universities are calling on international students to enrich their regional tertiary education sector. Motivated international students are encouraged to explore the scholarship details in detail and be informed to make a scholarship application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can an Indian student get a scholarship in Australia?
To get a scholarship in Australia, you need to research and shortlist the eligible options and apply timely with the right documents. Refer to the guidelines for detailed information on eligibility and the application process.
Can I get a full scholarship in Australia?
You can apply for fully funded scholarships in Australia that cover your tuition fees, living costs, traveling expenses, and more.
How much is the cost of living and traveling expenses for Australia?
According to the Australian government, an international student must budget at least 26,000 AUD as a yearly living cost. The average traveling expense to Australia will be around 1,100 – 1,500 AUD (INR 60,000 – 80,000).
How much GPA is required for scholarships in Australia?
Generally, for scholarships in Australia, you must have at least 85% scores in your previous qualifying exam. You may refer to the scholarship guidelines for clarity regarding the minimum GPA requirement.
Can I get multiple scholarships in Australia?
You can apply for multiple scholarships in Australia. However, most scholarships mandate that a student must receive only one scholarship at a time. You may go through the scholarship guidelines for clarity regarding getting more than one scholarship at a time.
Can I apply for scholarships in Australia if I have a backlog?
Typically, students having backlogs at the time of application can’t apply for a scholarship in Australia.
