Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students

Studying in Australia can be expensive, but there are plenty of scholarships that can significantly reduce your education costs. Indian students can apply for government-funded, university-specific, and private scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, research achievements, or chosen field of study.

While scholarships can significantly reduce tuition expenses, students should also plan for the cost of living in Australia, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other daily expenses.

In this guide, you’ll discover the best scholarships in Australia for Indian students in 2026, including eligibility criteria, funding details, and tips to improve your chances of securing financial support for your studies.

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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 study abroad scholarships varies based on the student’s profile, ranging from 2,000 AUD to covering 100% of the tuition fees.  

Eligibility

While eligibility varies by scholarship, most Australian scholarships require applicants to meet some or all of the following criteria:

• 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?

Getting a scholarship isn’t just about having good grades. A strong application can make all the difference. Follow these steps:

• Start researching scholarships as early as possible.
• Apply to universities that offer scholarships for international students.
• Check the eligibility criteria carefully.
• Maintain a strong academic record.
• Prepare an impressive SOP and recommendation letters.
• Submit all documents before the application deadline.
• Apply for multiple scholarships to improve your chances.

Want more expert tips? Read our complete guide on how to get a scholarship to study abroad to improve your chances of success.

Government Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students

The Australian Government offers several scholarships to help international students pursue higher education and research in Australia. Many of these scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, travel costs, or research funding.

Some are fully funded, while others provide partial financial assistance depending on the program. Since scholarship deadlines often align with university admissions, it’s important to stay updated on Australia university intakes and deadlines before submitting your applications.

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	AUD 15,000	Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship	Full tuition fee, living cost. & health insurance)	Doctoral
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships	AUD 17,500	Doctoral
Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Fellowship	AUD 23,500	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	AUD 45,000	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. If you’re awarded this scholarship, your next step is applying for an Australia student visa to begin your studies in Australia.

Destination Australia Scholarships

The Destination Australia Scholarship encourages international students to study at eligible regional Australian universities. The scholarship helps reduce study costs while promoting education in regional Australia. Funding, eligibility, and participating institutions may vary each year, so applicants should check the latest program details before applying.

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.

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 AUD 23,500 to do research on areas related to the AIEC themes, focusing on science subjects. 

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.

Apart from Australian funding, students can also explore Indian government scholarships for studying abroad to reduce their overall education expenses.

Non-Government Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students

The top non-government sources of scholarships for Indian students 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. 

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. Students who need additional financial support can also explore an education loan without collateral if they meet the lender’s eligibility criteria.

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.

Many of these scholarships are offered by the top universities in Australia, making it worthwhile to compare institutions before applying.

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	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	AUD 36,000	Master’s or Doctoral
Monash University International Merit Scholarship – Monash University	AUD 10,000	Bachelor’s or aster’s
Adelaide MBA Scholarship	Tuition fee coverage	Master’s (Executive MBA)
Curtin University Scholarships	AUD $10,000 to $12,500 or full tuition fees	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	AUD 10,000	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

The Monash University International Merit Scholarship recognises outstanding international students with an excellent academic record. Eligible students can receive financial support towards undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Monash University. Applicants are also required to submit a personal scholarship statement as part of the selection process.

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 AUD $10,000 to $12,500 or full 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:  

Universities Providing Scholarships
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.

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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 

Australia offers a wide range of scholarships that make studying abroad more affordable for Indian students. From fully funded government programs to university-specific and private scholarships, there are opportunities for students across different academic levels and fields of study.

Start researching early, prepare a strong application, and apply before the deadlines to maximise your chances of receiving financial support. Not every student secures a scholarship, and that’s completely okay. If you still need financial support, an education loan for Australia can help you cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs.

If you’re unsure which scholarships match your profile, Nomad Credit’s study abroad experts can help you shortlist universities, identify scholarship opportunities, and guide you through the entire application process.