Studying in Australia is a genuine investment, and Indian students are one of the largest international student groups in the country. This guide breaks down the scholarship types actually available to Indian students in 2026, and flags a couple of older schemes worth knowing about only so you don’t waste time applying to something that’s no longer open.
Types of scholarships for studying in Australia
Scholarships for Australia broadly fall into a few categories:
- Merit-based: awarded for strong academic performance
- Subject-specific: for particular fields of study
- Background-based: for students from specific financial or social backgrounds
- Australian government scholarships: funded directly by the federal government
- Country-specific: for students from particular countries, including India
University scholarships
Most major Australian universities offer their own scholarships for international students. This is not an exhaustive list, and other scholarships from different universities may fit your profile:
|
Scholarship Program |
Awarded By |
Focus |
|
University of Melbourne Scholarships |
University of Melbourne |
Academic merit across various fields |
|
Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS) |
University of Melbourne |
Research programs (Master’s and PhD) |
|
Adelaide Global Excellence Scholarships |
University of Adelaide |
High-achieving international undergraduate students |
|
Macquarie University International Scholarships |
Macquarie University |
Academic merit, undergraduate and postgraduate |
|
Griffith Remarkable Scholarship |
Griffith University |
Academic excellence, undergraduate and postgraduate |
|
Monash University International Scholarships |
Monash University |
Merit-based, various programs |
Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines are reviewed each intake cycle, so confirm current details directly on each university’s own scholarships page before applying.
Australian government scholarships and schemes
Here’s an honest, current picture of government-backed options, including which older schemes are no longer accepting new applicants:
|
Scheme |
Current Status (2026) |
Description |
|
Research Training Program (RTP) |
Available |
Supports eligible international and domestic students undertaking research Master’s and research doctorate degrees. For 2026, the base stipend is AUD 34,315, with a maximum of AUD 53,608; actual benefits and selection are determined by the individual university. |
|
Australia Awards Scholarship |
Not currently available to Indian applicants |
Australian Government scholarships for citizens of participating countries; the current DFAT participating-country list does not include India. Eligibility and country lists are reviewed periodically, so check the official list before ruling it out for future cycles. |
|
OS-HELP Loan Program |
Not applicable to Indian students coming to Australia |
Designed for eligible Australian citizens/residents studying part of their course overseas, not for international students coming to Australia |
|
Destination Australia Program |
Closed to new applicants from 1 July 2024 |
Previously supported regional-campus study; existing recipients continue to be supported for the remainder of their studies, but new 2026 applicants cannot apply through this program |
|
Endeavour Leadership Program |
Discontinued |
Was a prestigious scholarship for postgraduate study; the Australian Government ceased the program some years ago, with access fully closed by mid-2023 |
If you’ve come across older guides listing Endeavour, Destination Australia, or Australia Awards as open options for India, don’t plan your funding around them; focus your search on RTP (for research degrees) and each university’s own scholarship page instead.
Also read: Australian Government Scholarships for Indian Students for a deeper dive into eligibility and how to apply for RTP.
Top courses and universities to study in Australia
Popular fields among Indian students include business and management, information technology, engineering, biomedical science, and environmental science.
Commonly cited top Australian universities include the University of Melbourne, Australian National University (ANU), University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, and Monash University; check current global rankings (QS or THE) for up-to-date positions, since these shift year to year.
Also read: Most Affordable Universities in Australia for International Students
Why choose Australia for higher studies?
- A highly regarded education system, with Australian universities featuring consistently in global rankings.
- A multicultural environment and significant experiential value, from beaches to the Outback to a large international student community.
- A meaningful number of scholarship options for Indian students, across university, government, and country-specific routes.
- Global recognition of Australian degrees, which can support employability beyond Australia itself.
- A generally high standard of living and welcoming environment for international students.
Also read: Canada or Australia: Which Is Better for Indian Students?
Combining scholarships with an education loan
Even a strong scholarship rarely covers everything. Most students combine a scholarship with an education loan for the remaining tuition, living costs, and visa expenses.
GradRight helps you compare education loan offers from 18+ lending partners, including Indian banks, NBFCs, and international lenders, in one place. Compare Education Loan Options for Australia
Also read: 485 Visa Australia Explained if you’re also planning your post-study work options.
Sources and methodology
This guide references the following for context, current as of the last-updated date above:
- Endeavour Leadership Program discontinuation: confirmed via the Australian Government’s own Endeavour program page, which states the program ceased and Endeavour Online access ended after 30 June 2023.
- Destination Australia Program funding status: confirmed via the Australian Government Department of Education’s own page, which states no further funding rounds from 1 July 2024, with existing recipients continuing to be supported.
Disclaimer: Scholarship names, eligibility criteria, and benefit amounts referenced in this guide are illustrative and reviewed periodically by the awarding bodies. This article is for general information only and is not financial or immigration advice. Verify current details directly on each scholarship’s or university’s official page before applying.
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