Studying abroad can stretch the average student’s budget. Luckily, international students planning to study Down Under can take advantage of many scholarships, grants, and bursaries to assist them financially while they study. Today, we’ll spotlight some outstanding saving opportunities offered by different organizations, including education providers, the Australian Government, and other public and private organizations.
Please note that the information provided below is subject to change. Ensure you review your options with your institution’s international office or admissions team.
Destination Australia
The Destination Australia Program was announced in 2019 as part of the Australian Government’s Planning for Australia’s Future Population plan. This program offers international and domestic students the opportunity to live and study in regional Australia by providing scholarships to eligible post-secondary institutions.
The Destination Australia Program:
- Provides funding of A$15,000 per year for approximately 380 students who are commencing their studies in 2022
- Offers students the opportunity to pursue high-quality research, training, and education while experiencing life in remote and regional Australia
- Provides a list of education providers with scholarships to offer to international and domestic students
Check out the program guidelines to learn about application, eligibility, and other requirements for the grant round.
Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program
The Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group offer the Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program as a joint funding initiative. The program provides funding to eligible Australian academic institutions to help pay for short-term mobility opportunities. It’s available for incoming Asian students and outgoing Australian students between Australia and the following countries:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- China (including Hong Kong)
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Republic of the Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
The Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program supports approximately 180 students each year.
Note: To qualify, a student’s short-term mobility experience must be between two weeks and one semester in length.
Research Training Program
Domestic and overseas students studying at an accredited academic institution in Australia are eligible for the Research Training Program (RTP). Every year, the program provides block grants to post-secondary institutions for students who are enrolled in research doctorate and research master’s degrees.
The Research Training Program (RTP) helps students by:
- Helping provide students with the knowledge and skills to have successful careers in academia and other sectors
- Offering flexible funding options to assist both domestic and overseas students
- Contributing to the collaboration between post-secondary institutions and industry, as well as other research end-users
- Supporting overseas students in pursuing research doctorate and research master’s degrees at Australian institutions
Students may receive the RTP Scholarships for one or more of the following:
- Cost of living expenses
- Tuition fees offset
- Additional costs of research degrees
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Australia Awards
The Australia Awards are reputable international scholarships and short courses, providing opportunities for future leaders to pursue professional development, study, and research in Australia. These scholarships are run by the Australian Government and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 2022, they provided 2,075 Australia Awards scholarships and short courses to students from 27 countries at a cost of approximately $200 million.
These include:
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
- Short Courses
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Recipients of Australia Awards automatically become part of the Australia Global Alumni. This union is a major benefit to students for a variety of reasons. It allows international students to stay connected to Australia and other alumni, and helps students build an influential and engaged global network of advocates and leaders. Recipients can look forward to establishing a network of ambassadors for Australia and its renowned education system.
Don’t let the cost of studying abroad stop you from embarking on this life-changing journey. Make the most of these scholarships, grants, and bursaries to help you accomplish your study abroad dreams!
