Blog
Scholarships for Indian Students in Australia: Top Universities & Funding Options
Australia is the second largest destination for Indian students globally. Over 100,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in Australian universities. That number is growing every year.
The cost of studying abroad stops most students before they start. Scholarships change that. Scholarships for Indian students in Australia are more accessible than most students realise. Government funding, university grants and course-specific awards exist across every major institution.
Knowing where to start is the first step.
Why Indian Students Choose Australia
In 2024, 122,202 Indian students enrolled in Australian universities. India is the second largest source of international students in the country. That figure keeps climbing.
Nine Australian universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026 global top 100. Degrees travel well. Employers in India, the UK, the US and the Middle East recognise them. Courses are built around practical skills, not academic theory alone.
Work Rights
Students work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester. During university breaks, there is no cap at all. Most students cover a significant portion of their living costs through part-time work.
Post-Study Work Rights
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) lets graduates live and work in Australia after completing their degree. No employer restrictions. No occupation limits. For Indian graduates building long-term careers abroad, no other destination comes close.
Study in Australia for Indian students has stopped being just an academic decision. Career planning and migration strategy come built in.
Top Scholarships for Indian Students in Australia:
Australia sets aside roughly AUD 200 million every year for international student scholarships. For Indian students, that money comes through three main channels government programs, university grants and research funding.
Scholarship | Funding Body | Coverage | Best For |
Australia Awards | Australian Government | Full tuition, airfare, living allowance, health insurance | Undergraduate and postgraduate students with leadership potential |
Maitri Scholarship | DFAT / Australia India Centre | Tuition, stipend, research costs | PhD students in STEM fields |
Destination Australia | Australian Government | Up to AUD 15,000 per year | Students open to studying outside the major cities |
Research Training Program (RTP) | Australian Government + Universities | Full tuition + living stipend | PhD and Masters by Research students |
University Merit Scholarships | Individual Universities | 10% to 50% tuition waiver | Strong academic performers at undergrad and postgrad level |
A lot of Indian students do not realise that university merit scholarships need no separate application. The admission form is the application. A score above 85% in Class 12 or a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 at undergraduate level puts most students in automatic consideration.
The one deadline worth circling early is the Australia Awards. It closes in April, a full year before the intake. Students who miss it do not get a second chance until the following year.
Top Universities in Australia Offering Scholarships
Most Australian universities consider you for a scholarship the moment you apply for admission. No separate form. A strong academic record does most of the work.
University of Melbourne
The Melbourne Graduate Scholarship covers 100% of tuition for research students. Automatic consideration at admission.
University of Sydney
The Sydney Scholars India Scholarship offers up to AUD 100,000 for postgraduate coursework students from India.
Monash University
The International Merit Scholarship pays AUD 15,000 per year, worth up to AUD 75,000 across a full degree. Assessed automatically for eligible undergraduates.
Australian National University
The Chancellor’s International Scholarship cuts fees by up to 50%. Strong academic records are the primary criteria.
UNSW Sydney
The International Scientia Coursework Scholarship covers full tuition or AUD 20,000 per year. Competitive and selective.
In 2026, a scholarship offer also carries weight with visa officers. For Indian applicants under the new Genuine Student requirements, that credibility counts.
Which Courses Are Most Popular Among Indian Students in Australia and Why?
Indian students choose courses for two reasons: the degree itself, and where it leads after graduation. In 2026, the popular choices do both.
Nursing and Healthcare
Australia faces a shortage of 70,000+ nurses. Registered Nurse sits on the MLTSSL, allowing a Subclass 189 visa without state sponsorship. Salaries: AUD 70,000–95,000. It’s the clearest study-to-PR pathway in healthcare, with institutions like IHM Australia offering programs geared toward registration and employment.
Information Technology
Australia’s cybersecurity gap alone exceeds 30,000 professionals. Software engineering and systems analysis grads sit on the MLTSSL, earning AUD 100,000–160,000. Sydney and Melbourne programs often include industry placements.
Engineering
AUD 120 billion is committed to infrastructure through 2030. Civil, mechanical and electrical engineering all sit on the MLTSSL and are assessed by Engineers Australia. Entry salaries start at AUD 70,000 and climb fast.
Accounting and Finance
Accounting is one of the most consistent PR pathways. Taxation accountant and finance analyst roles are in demand nationwide. A two-year Master of Accounting is the typical route after an Indian undergraduate degree.
Social Work and Education
Both face persistent shortages in regional Australia. AASW-accredited social work programs enable state nomination under Subclass 190 and 491. Early childhood education is in high demand outside major cities.
Course choice matters, but so does location. Regional universities add 5 bonus PR points, plus lower costs and less competition for nomination.
How to Apply for Scholarships in Australia
Scholarships lower the cost. Not the work involved.
Explore your options
Most universities offer merit-based scholarships. Government options like Destination Australia go further, supporting regional-campus students with up to AUD 15,000 per year.
Apply early with the right documents
Scholarship deadlines often land before course deadlines. Transcripts, a statement of purpose and reference letters should be ready well in advance.
Match the scholarship to your course
Nursing, engineering, IT and education all have field-specific scholarships. These are usually less competitive than general ones.
Get expert guidance
Terms vary by university. They change every year. Having someone track the right options for you makes the difference.
Conclusion
The best course isn’t just the one you’re interested in. It’s the one that lines up with demand, visa pathways and where you choose to study. Nursing, IT, engineering, accounting, social work and education all offer that alignment in 2026 — but the details around occupation lists, PR points and scholarships shift often enough to trip up even well-planned applications.
At MWT Study Abroad, we help you get the course, university and visa strategy right from the start. Talk to us.
