Table of Contents
- Top 15 Scholarships for International Students to Study in Australia
- Overview Table for International Scholarships in Australia
- Detailed Breakdown of the Top 15 Australia Scholarships for International Students
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarships for international students in Australia help many deserving students achieve their dreams. The top scholarships for international students in Australia are offered by the government, universities, and private organizations. In this blog, let’s explore the details of the top scholarships in Australia for international students.
Top 15 Scholarships for International Students to Study in Australia
Australia welcomes international students with scholarships and grants offered by the government, universities, and private organizations. Let’s explore them in detail.
Overview Table for International Scholarships in Australia
International students can explore various scholarships in Australia based on their level of study, course, and needs. See the table below for an overview of the top Australian scholarships.
Scholarship | Amount or Expenses Covered | Level of Study |
Australia Awards Scholarship | Academic and living expenses | Undergaraduate and Postgraduate |
Destination Australia Scholarships | AUD 15,000 | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, or PhD |
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship | A stipend and a grant | Master’s research or PhD |
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships | AUD 500,000 – AUD 1,000,000 | PhD |
Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Scholarships | USD 23,500 | PhD |
John Allwright Fellowship program | Academic costs, living expenses | Postgraduate or PhD research |
Maitri Scholarship | AUD 115,000 to AUD 236,000 for postgraduate, PhDs can receive AUD 220,000 to AUD 439,000. | Postgraduate or PhD |
CSIRO Scholarships | AUD 40,000 | Postgraduate or PhD |
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships | 50% scholarship, 50% loan | Postgraduate or PhD |
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Up to INR 20 Lakhs interest-free loan | Postgraduate |
Global Citizens Scholarship – The University of Adelaide | 15% – 30% tuition fee rebate | Undergraduate or Postgraduate |
Melbourne Research Scholarship – The University of Melbourne | Tuition and living costs | Postgraduate |
Global Excellence Scholarship – Australian Universities | 15% – 30% tuition fee rebate | Undergraduate or Postgraduate |
Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS) – Flinders University | Tuition and living costs | Postgraduate or PhD |
Monash University International Merit Scholarship – Monash University | AUD 10,000 – AUD 50,000 | Undergraduate or Postgraduate |
Detailed Breakdown of the Top 15 Australia Scholarships for International Students
Generally, scholarships cover 80% of the total expenses in Australia for international students. The speciality of scholarships for international students in Australia is, each category of funding has specific objectives. Scholarship objectives in Australia include the advancement of research, inviting international participation to Australia, and the development of regional Australia.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships support Australia’s partner nations by offering research collaboration for development. The lucrative scholarships can easily cover your tuition fee, living expenses, travel costs, and food, almost 80% of your total cost to study in Australia.
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of a participating country
- Submit academic certificates
- Proficiency in English
- Have sufficient work experience
Deadline:
30 April 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
- Full tuition fee
- Round-trip air fare
- One-time establishment allowance
- Overseas students’ health cover
- Supplimentary academic support
Destination Australia Scholarships
If you choose a regional institution in Australia to study in, you can apply for Destination Australia Scholarships. They target the academic empowerment of Australia’s unsung universities. You can apply for these funding options only if your college of study is participating in the Destination Australia Scholarship program.
Eligibility:
- Enrol in a regional Australian institution of higher education
- Have academic excellence
- Reside in a regional area
Deadline:
17 January 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
AUD 15,000 per year
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
The Australian government offers Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships to foster research at the master’s or PhD level. Funding is provided for up to 2 years for master’s and 3.5 years for doctoral students.
Eligibility:
- Be a commencing or enrolled international postgraduate research student at a participating Australian university
- Have an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled in a Master’s by Research or PhD program
- Demonstrate outstanding academic merit and research potential.
Deadline:
9 March 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
- A stipend of AUD 37,207 per annum
- A relocation allowance of AUD 1,250
- Potential reimbursements for master’s and doctoral applicants
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships
Science students must explore the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Scholarships. This prestigious funding is managed by the Indian and Australian governments. Only students with a strong focus on advanced research are chosen for this scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Be an Indian or Australian citizen
- Choose a participating institution for research
Deadline:
11 April 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
AUD 500,000 – AUD 1,000,000
Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Fellowship
Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) Fellowship is exclusive for Indian students. Only 2 are chosen every year for a generous funding of AUD 23,500 for research activities. The focus is on science, and the research topic must align with any of the AIEC themes.
Eligibility:
- Be an Indian student
- Participate in the collaboration with AIEC-funded programs
Deadline:
22 April 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
USD 23,500
John Allwright Fellowship program
The John Allwright Fellowship (JAF) is sponsored by ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research). The program aims to support the capacities of partner countries through joint research projects on agriculture and development.
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of a participating country
- Work on agricultural research
- Be nominated by ACIAR
Deadline:
30 April 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
- Full tuition fee
- Return air travel
- Establishment allowance
Maitri Scholarship
The Maitri Scholars Program is another exclusive funding opportunity for Indian students. Postgraduate students in the field of STEM, who secure admission to prestigious universities in Australia, are eligible to apply.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be Indian citizens (or Australian citizens for outbound fellowships)
- Applicants should not hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency for the Australian program.
Deadline:
30 April 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
For Master’s degrees by research, the grant range is AUD 115,000 to AUD 236,000. PhDs can receive AUD 220,000 to AUD 439,000.
CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships
CSIRO scholarships are primarily for domestic students, but international students can also apply. Applicants are selected based on their research proposal and academic merit. Your research must align with one of the CSIRO goals.
Eligibility:
- Be a researcher
- Your research goal must align with CSIRO objectives
- Choose a participating Australian university
Deadline:
06 October 2025
Amount/ Benefits:
Up to AUD 40,000 per year, including stipends, tuition fees, and travel expenses.
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
The Aga Khan Foundation scholarship is a popular non-profit organization scholarship. It is a loan funding, where you don’t need to repay 50% of the funds. Those with a high GPA are selected from a pool of applicants every year.
Eligibility:
- Show financial need for the scholarship
- Have excellent academic record
- Secure admission foa an eligible course
Deadline:
31 March 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
50% grant and 50% loan to study abroad
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation scholarship is actually a loan offer. If you win, you get an interest-free loan of up to INR 20 Lakhs for postgraduate study in Australia. Eligible students get selected after an examination of academic merit and financial need.
Eligibility:
- Age must be under 30 years
- Must be awaiting to enroll in the Fall intake to a top-ranking university
Deadline:
23 March 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
Up to INR 20 Lakhs interest-free loan
Global Citizens Scholarship – The University of Adelaide
The Global Citizen Scholarship by the University of Adelaide is a merit-based financial aid for international students. Upon winning, they get a tuition fee rebate of 15% – 30%.
Eligibility:
- Have academic merit
- Secure full-time admission to the University of Adelaide
Deadline:
31 July 2025
Amount/ Benefits:
15% – 30% fee reduction
Melbourne Research Scholarship – The University of Melbourne
Melbourne University’s Research Scholarships support highly achieving students across diverse disciplines. Annually, around 350 meritorious students at Melbourne University receive this scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Have academic excellence
- Secure admission to a research program at the University of Melbourne
Deadline:
15 May 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
The stipend can be up to AUD 135,000, with a living allowance of AU38,500 per year (2025 rate), and includes fee remission for Masters (up to two years) or PhD (up to four years) studies.
Global Excellence Scholarship – Australian Universities
Global Excellence Scholarships benefit students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The scholarship coverage includes a tuition fee reduction of 15% – 30%.
Eligibility:
- Show academic achievement
- Secure admission to a participating university
Deadline:
December 2025 – January 2026
Amount/ Benefits:
15% to 30% fee reduction
Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS) – Flinders University
The Flinders International Research Scholarship (FIPRS) help international students to cover a significant amount of their tuition fee. Eligible candidates are chosen based on their academic achievements, research potential, and backgrounds.
Eligibility:
- Have academic merit
- Be a researcher with high academic achievements
Deadline:
18 August 2025
Amount/ Benefits:
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Establishment allowance
Monash University International Merit Scholarship – Monash University
Monash University offers International Merit Scholarships to recognize the academic excellence and curiosity of global students who choose to study in Monash. International students are chosen based on their academic record and a personal essay of 500 words.
Eligibility:
- Be a student of Monash University
- Choose a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course
Deadline:
30 June 2025
Amount/ Benefits:
AUD 10,000 – AUD 50,000
Conclusion
Scholarships in Australia help you study without financial concerns. Since Australia encourages students to enrich the tertiary education sector with a global presence, international students can take advantage of the scholarship opportunities and study in Australian universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Indian students get an Australian scholarship?
Research your options, check your eligibility, and apply online with proper documents. Indian students can explore scholarships in Australia exclusively for them.
Are there full scholarships in Australia?
Many Australian scholarships cover up to 80% of your expenses, including the tuition fees, academic costs, living expenses, and travel fares. You can apply for these scholarships to cover most of your study expenses.
How much does it cost to live and travel in Australia as a student?
26,000 AUD is the average living cost as per the government data. You can expect 1,100 – 1,500 AUD as the travel charges.
What is the minimum GPA for scholarships in Australia?
It depends on the scholarship options you apply to define the minimum GPA. On average, 85% of your academic scores are required.
Can students apply for multiple scholarships in Australia?
While there is no restriction on scholarship applications, many Australian scholarships specify not to receive other funding. If you get an offer for two scholarships, check the rules and regulations.