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Where to find scholarships

Scholarships are offered by many different organisations. The four places we suggest you search for scholarships are:

  • Scholarships available through VTAC 
  • Scholarships available through institutions 
  • Scholarships offered by government, community and business organisations.  For example, scholarships for teaching offered by the Victorian or Commonwealth government. To find other opportunities, search online.

You should spend some time exploring all these opportunities and apply for any scholarships you think you might be eligible for.

Additional support from Centrelink

If you receive Centrelink benefits and need to move for study, you may be eligible for a Centrelink Relocation Scholarship.  Centrelink also offer a repayable Student Start-Up Loan.

 

 Equity schemes (SEAS) & scholarships application dates

ScholarshipsOpenClose
Equity schemes (SEAS) & scholarships applications and supporting documentation 4 August 13 October (5pm)
Applying for scholarships through VTAC without a course application (scholarship-only application) 3 September 13 October (5pm)

 Find all VTAC dates on the Dates and fees page.  

Who can apply for equity schemes (SEAS) & scholarships through VTAC

VTAC accepts equity schemes (SEAS) & scholarships applications from:

  • individuals who lodge a VTAC course application, and
  • some individuals who are not applying for courses through VTAC.

To be eligible for institutional access and equity scholarships, you must:

  • Meet any institutional specific requirements
  • Have an appropriate type of residency status for the institution(s) you are applying to. See table below.

For more information about scholarship eligibility, download the Applying for scholarships factsheet.

Applying for scholarships through VTAC with a course application (equity schemes & scholarship application)

The institutions that provide VTAC applicants with the opportunity to submit a VTAC scholarship application are listed in the following table. To be considered, in addition to submitting a course application through VTAC, you need to meet the citizenship requirements listed for the relevant institution/s you have applied for courses at.

Institutions

Citizenship requirements
Deakin University Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency or humanitarian visa. Will not accept holders of an Australian temporary/student residency visa.
Federation University Australia Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency or humanitarian visa. Will not accept holders of an Australian temporary/student residency visa.
La Trobe University Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa. 
RMIT University Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa. Will not accept holders of an Australian temporary/student residency visa.
Swinburne University of Technology Accepts Australian citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa or humanitarian visa. Will not accept New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian temporary/student residency visa.
Victoria University Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa or humanitarian visa or temporary visa. Will not accept holders of an Australian student residency visa.

Applying for scholarships through VTAC without a course application (scholarship-only application)

Examples of individuals not applying for courses through VTAC, who may wish to submit a scholarships application, include those:

  • applying for Victorian courses through UAC (the Universities Admissions Centre in New South Wales)
  • already enrolled in a tertiary course
  • deferred
  • who want to transfer between tertiary courses, or
  • who are applying for courses directly to the institution.

The institutions that accept VTAC scholarship application from those not submitting a VTAC course application are listed in the following table. To be considered, you need to meet the citizenship requirements listed for the relevant institution/s. 

Institutions

Citizenship requirements

For further information

La Trobe University

Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa. 

www.latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships

Swinburne University of Technology

Accepts Australian citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa or humanitarian visa. 

www.swinburne.edu.au/scholarships

Victoria University

Accepts Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent residency visa or humanitarian visa or temporary visa. 

www.vu.edu.au/study-with-us/scholarships

How to apply

Applying for scholarships through VTAC without a course application can be completed via our application portal from 3 September. In preparation, you can register for your account, create your profile and prepare any evidence required. If you are currently studying at one of the universities above, make sure you've added your studies in the post-secondary education section of your account.

Click on the ‘Login’ button at the top left of the webpage to start creating an create an account.

Types of scholarships through VTAC

Access and equity scholarships

Access and equity scholarships applied for through VTAC are awarded for:

  • financial disadvantage
  • being the first in your immediate family to attend university
  • being an Indigenous Australian
  • being a refugee or asylum seeker
  • having to relocate to attend tertiary study
  • intending to live on campus
  • having been in formal out-of-home care
  • having a disability or medical condition that affects your education
  • having experienced difficult circumstances that have affected your education
  • community service
  • leadership

For what is offered at each institution, see the list of scholarships through VTAC.

How to apply

To apply you must complete and submit a complete a VTAC scholarship application and submit any required evidence.

Indigenous Commonwealth scholarships 

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants, who meet eligibility requirements, are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Commonwealth scholarships.  There are several types of Indigenous Commonwealth scholarships covering access, education and accommodation costs.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants are also encouraged to contact institutions about other scholarship opportunities and support programs.

How to apply

Check to see which universities offer these scholarships through the VTAC scholarship application. Others require applications to the institution. 

If the university you are applying to requires you to apply through VTAC, complete a VTAC scholarship application.

Academic merit scholarships

Merit scholarships for 2026 may be awarded to students for academic achievement if they have completed an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2025.

How to apply

To be considered, applicants must apply for courses through VTAC but do not need to lodge a VTAC scholarship application.

Where an institution offers merit scholarships, students who have listed that institution on their course preference list and met any additional course or institutional eligibility requirements will automatically be assessed by that institution.  See the list of scholarships offered through VTAC for more information on academic merit scholarships available through VTAC.

For merit scholarships that require you to apply directly to the institution, visit the list of scholarships through institutions. 

Did I get a scholarship?

Most institutions notify successful scholarship applicant via the VTAC user account. For information about when scholarships are offered and the offer process, see the Scholarship offers page.