杏吧论坛

Studying in Australia sounds like a dream, right? 

Kangaroos, coastal campuses, top-ranked universities and weekend trips to the Great Barrier Reef. 

But then, what about the cost, fees, living expenses?

In 2024, the average cost of studying in Australia touched INR 30 to 35 lakhs per year for Indian students, depending on the university and lifestyle choices. 

That’s a lot, but you don’t always have to pay the full price. You can opt for scholarships in Australia.

Australian universities, the government, and even private bodies offer tons of scholarships that can help cover tuition, living costs, or both. And some are specifically for Indian students. 

In this blog, we’ll break it all down, from types of scholarships, how much you can get, how to apply, and the top awards worth aiming for in 2025.

To apply for scholarships in Australia, international students (including Indians) must typically meet three core criteria: academic performance, English proficiency, and admission to an eligible programme or university.

Most universities and government bodies assess your eligibility based on these:

• Academic Merit: A minimum GPA of 65-85% in your previous qualification is commonly required. Some top scholarships (like the Australia Awards) expect even higher scores or a strong academic record across years.

• English Language Proficiency: Almost all scholarships require valid English test scores. Minimum accepted scores usually are: IELTS: 6.5 or above, TOEFL iBT: 79-90, PTE: 58-65

• Admission Offer: You must hold an unconditional or conditional offer from a recognised Australian university. The course level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) should match the scholarship’s requirements.

Some scholarships may also consider Financial need or low-income background, Community involvement or leadership and specific country eligibility (many scholarships list India as a priority country)

The exact criteria depend on the scholarship, so it’s best to double-check the official university or government website before applying.

Suggested: Exams to Study in Australia

Most scholarships in Australia offer funding between INR 2 lakhs and INR 32 lakhs (around AUD 4,000 to AUD 60,000) depending on the course, university, and your profile.

Here’s how it usually works:

• Government-funded scholarships like the Australia Awards or Destination Australia can cover full tuition fees, living costs, travel, and even health insurance. These can go up to AUD 60,000 per year (INR 32 lakhs approx).

• University scholarships often range between 10% to 50% tuition fee waivers, depending on your academic merit or English proficiency scores. For example, Deakin University offers up to 100% tuition fee waivers for top performers, while University of Newcastle grants up to AUD 60,000 in total benefits.

• Some scholarships also provide bi-monthly living allowances (around AUD 2,000) or one-time relocation grants for students moving from India or other eligible countries.

There are countless university and government scholarships to study in Australia for Indian students and other students. These scholarships are designed to attract meritorious students and those who want to pursue work after graduation. Here is a list of government and universities in Australia for international students scholarships you can refer to:

• Australian Awards Scholarships
• Victoria University Scholarship
• Australian Government Research Training Program
• Destination Australia Scholarship
• Deakin University Scholarship
• University of Newcastle Excellence Scholarship
• Griffith University Academic Scholarship
• Edith Cowan University Scholarship
• Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
• University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
  

Let's discuss each of the scholarships in Australia for Indian students one by one below:

1. Australian Awards Scholarships

Australia Awards Scholarships is a long-term award offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It aims to contribute to developing partner universities' needs that align with the policies.

This scholarship opportunity in Australia is for people from developed countries, especially Indo-pacific ones, to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate study at the participating universities and TAFE institutions.

2. Victoria University Scholarship

Victoria University supports hundreds of international students annually through its scholarships. It provides a range of externally funded and university-specific scholarships to support students.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to students during their studies. Some offer a stipend to cover the tuition fees and living costs, while others provide only partial funding opportunities.

Some popular scholarships are VU Global leaders, Internationa