Scholarships for International Students in Australia 2026: Your Curated Deadline Calendar
Australia remains one of the top study destinations for international students, offering world-class education across its Group of Eight universities and beyond. For 2026, a robust suite of scholarships is available, ranging from fully funded government awards to merit-based university grants. This article provides a curated deadline calendar for Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese applicants, covering eligibility, amounts in AUD, and step-by-step application instructions. Whether you are from Beijing, Mumbai, or Ho Chi Minh City, understanding these opportunities can significantly reduce your financial burden. Note that full scholarships often include tuition and living costs, but partially funded students must still cover remaining fees. For convenient international payments, use Flywire, a trusted platform for secure tuition transfers.
Top 5 Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Funding Type | Amount (AUD) | Deadline (2026) | Key Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards Scholarship | Full (tuition + living) | Up to $60,000/year | Apr 2026 (varies by country) | Citizens of eligible countries (India, Vietnam, not China) |
| Endeavour Leadership Program | Full (tuition + stipend) | Up to $50,000/year | Jun 2026 | All nationalities, high academic merit |
| University of Melbourne International Scholarship | Partial to Full | $10,000–$50,000/year | Rolling (apply by Oct 2025 for Feb 2026 intake) | Excellent academic record |
| UNSW International Scientia Scholarship | Full (tuition + $40k stipend) | $60,000+/year | Nov 2025 (for 2026 start) | Research-focused, strong GPA |
| ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship | Partial (50% tuition) | Up to $25,000/year | May 2026 | High-achieving students from Asia |
Australia Awards Scholarship
Eligibility: This prestigious government-funded scholarship targets students from developing countries, including India and Vietnam. Chinese nationals are generally not eligible due to Australia’s bilateral aid priorities. Applicants must have at least two years of professional work experience and meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent). Priority is given to fields like health, education, and climate resilience.
Amount: Full tuition fees, return airfare, establishment allowance (~$5,000), and a living stipend of approximately $35,000–$40,000 per year. Total package can exceed $60,000 AUD annually.
Deadline: Applications open in February 2026 and close in April 2026, but exact dates vary by participating country. Indian and Vietnamese applicants should check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website for country-specific deadlines.
How to Apply: Submit an online application via the Australia Awards website. You must provide academic transcripts, a personal statement, two references, and a development impact plan. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. For Vietnamese applicants, additional language proficiency tests may be required.
Endeavour Leadership Program
Eligibility: Open to all nationalities, including Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese students. Applicants must be commencing a master’s or PhD program at an Australian university. A strong academic record (minimum 80% average) and a clear research proposal are essential. Preference is given to candidates in STEM, health, and sustainability.
Amount: Full tuition fees plus a $40,000 annual living stipend, travel allowance ($3,000), and establishment allowance ($2,000). Total value can reach $50,000 per year.
Deadline: Applications typically close in June 2026. Early submission is recommended as the program is highly competitive.
How to Apply: Apply directly through the Endeavour website. You need a letter of offer from an Australian university, a research proposal (2,000 words), and academic references. Indian applicants should highlight previous research experience; Vietnamese candidates may need to provide additional English test scores.
University-Specific Merit Scholarships
University of Melbourne International Scholarship
Eligibility: Open to all international students, including Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese. Based on academic merit (minimum 85% average in previous degree). No separate application required—eligible candidates are automatically considered when applying for admission.
Amount: Partial scholarships range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. Full scholarships covering tuition and living costs are rare but available for exceptional students.
Deadline: Rolling for most programs, but to secure funding for February 2026 intake, apply by October 2025. For July 2026 intake, apply by March 2026.
How to Apply: Submit your course application through the University of Melbourne portal. The scholarship committee will review your academic history and personal statement. Chinese students may need to provide Gaokao or university transcript translations.
UNSW International Scientia Scholarship
Eligibility: Targeted at high-achieving students pursuing research degrees (PhD or research master’s). Open to all nationalities, with strong preference for candidates with published research. Chinese applicants from top universities (e.g., Tsinghua, Peking) are especially encouraged.
Amount: Full tuition fees plus a $40,000 stipend per year. Total package exceeds $60,000 AUD annually.
Deadline: November 2025 for programs starting in 2026. Late applications may be considered if funding remains.
How to Apply: You must first secure a supervisor at UNSW. Then submit a research proposal, CV, and academic transcripts through the UNSW scholarship portal. Indian and Vietnamese students should provide evidence of prior research projects.
ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship
Eligibility: Open to international students from Asia, including China, India, and Vietnam. Requires a minimum 75% average in previous studies. Priority is given to students in arts, social sciences, and engineering.
Amount: 50% tuition fee reduction, worth up to $25,000 per year.
Deadline: May 2026 for semester 2 (July) intake. For semester 1 (February) 2026, apply by December 2025.
How to Apply: Automatic consideration upon application to ANU. No separate scholarship form needed. However, Chinese applicants should ensure their transcripts are notarized and translated.
State Government Scholarships
Queensland International Student Scholarship
Eligibility: Open to students from India, Vietnam, and select Asian countries. Chinese nationals may apply but face heavier competition. Requires enrollment at a Queensland institution (e.g., University of Queensland, Griffith).
Amount: $5,000–$15,000 per year (partial tuition).
Deadline: March 2026 for semester 1; August 2026 for semester 2.
How to Apply: Apply via the Queensland Government website. Provide proof of enrollment and a statement of purpose.
Victoria State Government Scholarship
Eligibility: Indian and Vietnamese students are prioritized; Chinese students with strong ties to Victoria may also qualify. Must study at a Victorian university (e.g., University of Melbourne, Monash).
Amount: $10,000–$20,000 per year.
Deadline: April 2026.
How to Apply: Submit through the Study Victoria portal. Include a personal statement explaining your connection to Victoria.
Important Notes for Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese Applicants
- Chinese Nationals: Australia Awards are generally not available, but university-specific scholarships (Melbourne, UNSW) are highly accessible. Ensure Gaokao scores or university transcripts are translated by an accredited service.
- Indian Applicants: You are eligible for Australia Awards and Endeavour. Highlight work experience and community impact in your application. IELTS scores above 7.0 strengthen your profile.
- Vietnamese Students: Australia Awards are a strong option. Prepare a detailed development impact plan. For university scholarships, provide English test scores (IELTS 6.5 minimum).
Managing Remaining Fees
While full scholarships cover tuition and living costs, partially funded students must pay the balance. For secure, fast international payments, use Flywire. Flywire supports multiple currencies, including CNY, INR, and VND, with transparent exchange rates and no hidden fees. It also offers 24/7 tracking, ensuring your payment reaches the university on time.
Final Tips
- Start applications 6–8 months before deadlines.
- Tailor your personal statement to each scholarship’s focus (e.g., development impact for Australia Awards, research for Endeavour).
- Keep digital copies of all documents, including notarized translations.
- For Chinese applicants, consider applying to multiple universities to increase chances.
This curated calendar ensures you never miss a deadline. With careful planning and strategic applications, the dream of studying in Australia in 2026 is within reach. Good luck!