International Scholarships in Australia (for 2026 intakes)

Looking for scholarships for your bachelor’s? Or maybe funding for your Master’s research or PhD? 

If you’ve been on a rabbit hole on the internet looking for scholarships and found none, this page will save you.

Contrary to popular belief, there are, in fact, many scholarship options for international students in Australia. 

This guide will focus on scholarships offered by universities. Below, you’ll find an in-depth list and description of each.

As trusted partners of many universities in Australia, IDP is often the first to know when universities open their scholarship applications—sometimes, even before they are available on other online resources. 

This page is updated regularly when universities open their scholarship applications.

Here are the different types of scholarships you can apply for if you are an international student in Australia:

This guide focuses on university scholarships you can apply for. 

University scholarships for 2026 intake - Applications opened from October 2025 

Below are some of the new scholarships that have opened in October. These are for commencing students in the 2026 intake.

Victoria University (VU)

Notes:

• This scholarship is for students applying to a research course at Victoria University, including:

  • Master of Applied Research and PhD (Integrated) — designed for students without a research background.

  • Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — for applicants who already have research experience.

• If you are applying for a Master of Research or PHD program, you need to submit a research proposal as a part of your application.

Check your eligibility with our IDP counsellors

University of Melbourne  - NEW scholarships for design programs

University scholarships for 2026 intake - Applications opened from September 2025

Below are some of the scholarships that have opened their applications or have revised their eligibility in September 2025 for the 2026 intake.

University of Canberra

Notes: 

• These scholarships are available for students undertaking CRICOS-registered programs at the University of Canberra’s Australian campuses, excluding:

  • Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs

  • Standalone (1 Year) Honours degrees

  • Non-award courses

  • Programs delivered at offshore campuses

• The Bachelor of Nursing is eligible for a 10% scholarship only.

Check your eligibility with our IDP counsellors

University of Melbourne

University of Melbourne - NEW scholarships for New Business and Economics courses

Check your eligibility with our IDP counsellors

Western Sydney University - NEW regional scholarships for SEA & NA students

All of these scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate applicants from Southeast Asia (SEA) and North Asia (NA) regions. 

WSU – NEW scholarships for students from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, LATAM, and the rest of the world

Notes:

• Scholarships are automatically assessed during your application. No separate application is required.

• All these scholarships are offered on a multi-year basis. If you’re eligible, you can receive tuition fee support for up to three years for undergraduate and two years for postgraduate study.

Check your eligibility with our IDP counsellors

University scholarships for 2026 intake - Applications opened from August 2025

Below are some of the scholarships that have opened their applications in August 2025 for the 2026 intake.

As of September, some applications are still open, while some have ended.

Western Sydney University

Notre Dame University

Note: To qualify for both these scholarships from Notre Dame University, you must be a new full-fee paying international student starting in 2026. Students already enrolled in a postgraduate course at Notre Dame, and those with more than 200 units of credit/advanced standing are not eligible.

Applying for scholarships can be complex. If you’re unsure whether you qualify or if you want to explore your scholarship options, don’t hesitate to talk to our education experts at IDP.

We can assess your eligibility and match you with scholarships. 

University of Tasmania (UTAS)

University of Adelaide

University of Queensland (UQ)

Note: To qualify for the UQ International Excellence Scholarship, you must have and accept an offer to study a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at UQ (minimum 16 units). Your course must be included in their list of relevant programs. 

Torrens University

University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)

Griffith University

Below, you’ll find other university-specific scholarships that you can apply for if you are an incoming student for intake dates: 2026 onwards. 

Deakin University 

Victoria University 

Note: This scholarship is only for full-fee paying international students starting a Master's by Research or PhD at VU in 2026, and you can’t combine it with other tuition scholarships or defer it without reassessment. 

If you change courses, delay your start, or fall behind on fees or visa conditions, you could lose the award entirely. With the scholarship granted at VU’s sole discretion and no right of appeal if withdrawn, it’s vital to understand the fine print.

Scholarship terms can be tough to navigate. IDP can help you check if you qualify and guide you through the application process so you don’t risk missing out on this opportunity.

RMIT University 

La Trobe University

The application process varies per university. Here are the two ways you can be considered: 

No Application Needed – Automatic Consideration

At many Australian universities, you don’t need to apply separately for certain scholarships. Once you submit your application for admission, the university will automatically check if you meet the criteria for available awards. 

These are often academic merit scholarships, where your grades, English test scores, or qualifications are assessed at the same time as your course application. 

If you’re eligible, the scholarship details will usually be included in your Letter of Offer.

Submitting an Application

Other scholarships do require a separate application. These usually involve:

1. Checking eligibility – Read the conditions carefully (e.g., citizenship, course type, GPA, or English requirements).

2. Preparing documents – You may need to submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, references, or proof of achievements.

3. Submitting an application form – This is often through the university’s online portal or scholarship office, by a strict deadline.

4. Awaiting results – Some scholarships are decided quickly, while others may involve interviews or longer assessments.

Important to Know

• Deadlines vary – Some scholarships close months before the semester starts.

• Restrictions apply – Certain programs (like Medicine or Nursing) may not be covered.

• Scholarships are competitive – Meeting the minimum criteria doesn’t guarantee an award.

You can get scholarships in Australia by applying directly through your chosen university, government-funded programs, or private organisations.

Many universities also offer merit-based or regional scholarships for international students.  

Yes, international students can get full scholarships in Australia. Australia Awards Scholarships, for example, cover full tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses.

Each year, more than 1000 students receive the Australia Awards Scholarships. 

In 2023, here are some of the recipients of the Australia Awards Scholarships:

• 31 students from Pakistan

• 21 students from Nepal

• 59 students from the Philippines

Some universities also offer full scholarships, such as the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship from Deakin University.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the full scholarships in Australia:

Australia Awards Scholarships

These scholarships are funded by the Australian Government for students from developing countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific. They aim to help students build skills and knowledge that contribute to development back home.

Benefits:

• Full tuition fees

• Return economy airfare to and from Australia

• Establishment allowance for accommodation, textbooks, and study materials

• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) paid fortnightly

• Introductory Academic Program (IAP) before studies begin

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the award holder

• Pre-course English (if required)

• Academic support services

• Fieldwork allowance for eligible research students

Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship

Awarded to high-achieving international students with at least an 85% average, this scholarship recognises academic excellence and leadership potential.

Benefits:

• 100% or 50% of tuition fees (depending on outcome)

• Participation in the Vice-Chancellor's Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP)

• Priority access to on-campus accommodation (at own cost, subject to availability)

• Available for the full duration of the degree

Melbourne Research Scholarship

A competitive research scholarship for outstanding international students undertaking a Master’s by Research or Doctoral degree at the University of Melbourne.

Benefits:

• Full fee offset (up to 2 years for Masters, 4 years for Doctoral)

• Fortnightly stipend of AUD $38,500 per year (2025 rate)

• Relocation allowance ($2,000 from within Australia, $3,000 from overseas)

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students on a student visa

• Paid sick, parental, and partner leave (within stipend duration)

Sources: Melbourne Research Scholarship, Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, Australia Awards Scholarships; Year in Review 2023 Australia Awards - Pakistan; Australia Awards Nepal, The Daily Tribune

Enquire about full scholarship opportunities

Applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming because every university has different rules, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. 

Many international students unintentionally lose these opportunities because they applied too late, didn’t submit the right documents, or simply didn’t know they were qualified.

That’s where IDP can make a difference. 

When you enrol with us, we can help you:

• Check which scholarships you can apply for (in the university you’re enrolling to). 

• Guide you through applications and required documents.

• Ensure you never miss a critical deadline.

• Find scholarships by state

• Scholarships in Western Australia for International Students

• Scholarships in Victoria for International Students

• Scholarships in NSW for International Students

• Scholarships in Queensland for International Students

• Scholarships In NT

Looking for a specific scholarship by university or study level?

Use IDP's Find a Scholarship Tool