Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students: University Tuition Awards, India-Only Schemes and PhD Funding
For Indian students, Australian scholarship money comes almost entirely from universities. India is not a participating country in the Australia Awards, and the federal Destination Australia programme has had no new funding rounds since 1 July 2024. What remains is generous in its own way: most universities cut tuition automatically by 15–30% for international students, a few run schemes only for India, and research students can win full funding.
By Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked
Schemes for Indian or South Asian applicants: Sydney Scholars India, Monash International Study Grants, RMIT Future Leaders, UTS South Asia; see India-specific scholarships.
Research funding: Research Training Program scholarships for PhD and research master's students; see PhD scholarships.
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Tuition and the visa living funds, counted in rupees
Australia Awards are for listed countries in the Indo-Pacific and Africa; India is not one of them. Destination Australia, which funded study at regional campuses, stopped new rounds on 1 July 2024; existing recipients continue for up to four years.
How much it changes the bill
A 20% award on a A$50,000 master's saves A$10,000 a year, about ₹6.7 lakh, or ₹13.4 lakh over two years. A 30% award at a regional university on a A$40,000 fee brings tuition to A$28,000, under ₹19 lakh a year. Read how to apply for the details that decide whether you get it.
Questions from Indian students: Scholarships in Australia
Can Indian students get scholarships in Australia?
Yes, from universities. UNSW gives every Indian applicant 20% off; ANU, Sydney and RMIT give 20% on conditions; UQ up to 25%; regional universities up to 50%. Sydney runs an India-only programme worth up to A$40,000, and Monash gives Indian applicants grants of A$5,000–15,000.
Is the Australia Awards scholarship available for Indians?
No. India is not on DFAT's list of participating countries.
Are there fully funded scholarships in Australia for Indian students?
For research degrees, yes: Research Training Program scholarships can cover tuition and a stipend. For coursework, full-tuition awards are rare: two a year in Sydney's India programme, UNSW's Scientia scholarship and UTS's Vice-Chancellor's scholarships, all competitive.
Do I need to apply separately for scholarships?
Usually not. Most percentage awards are assessed automatically with the application or the offer. Separate applications are needed for Adelaide's Academic Excellence Scholarship, Sydney Scholars India and the top competitive awards.
Can I combine scholarships?
Often not. RMIT's Future Leaders Scholarship, for example, cannot be combined with another RMIT-funded award. Read the terms of each.
