Studying abroad can stretch many students’ budgets. Luckily, international students planning to study in Australia can find many scholarships, grants, and bursaries to make their education more affordable. Today, we’ll spotlight some financial assistance opportunties for international students which are offered by different organizations, including education providers and the Australian Government.

Note: The information below is current as of December 2025, but is subject to change. Always verify current scholarship and grant options with your institution’s international office or admissions team.

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Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program

If you’re planning to study abroad for a short period through a practicum or clinical placement, for research, or an in-country language study program, you might be eligible for support through the Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program. This joint initiative by the Australian government and the Cheung Kong Group supports both outbound Australian students and inbound (international) students from select Asian countries.

Students won’t receive aid directly from this program. Instead, it provides funding to eligible Australian academic institutions for short-term study opportunities. Every year, universities apply for grants, which they use to fund scholarships or other financial aid.

If you’re an international student from one of the following locations, and plan to study in Australia for at least two weeks and at most one semester, you could be eligible for one of these scholarships:

• Brunei Darussalam
• Cambodia
• China (including Hong Kong)
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan 
• Republic of Korea
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Republic of the Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand 
• Vietnam

If you’re from one of these nationalities, check with your international student office to see whether they offer scholarships funded by the Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program.

Australia has a lot to offer, so it’s important to find the community which best matches your study goals. Here are some tips on how to choose where to study in Australia.

Research Training Program (RTP)

Domestic and overseas students enrolled in a higher degree by research at an eligible higher education provider (or HEP) in Australia are eligible for the Research Training Program. Every year, this program provides block grants to post-secondary institutions to support students enrolled in research doctorate and research master’s degrees.

If you’re an international student who’d like to apply for an RTP scholarship, you must contact your HEP for more information and application details. 

The RTP aims to:

• Offer flexible funding options for eligible domestic and international students
• Contribute to cross-sector collaboration between HEPs, industry, and other research end-users
• Deliver graduates with the necessary skills to build diverse careers in academia and industry

The duration of these scholarships vary depending on your time commitment and level of study: 

• Full-time research doctoral students: RTP grants last a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years. 
• Part-time research doctoral students: RTP grants cover a minimum of six years and a maximum of eight years.
• Full-time research master’s students: RTP scholarships last for up to two years.
• Part-time research master’s students: RTP covers up to four years.

RTP scholarships may cover a combination of cost-of-living expenses, a tuition fee offset, and eligible additional costs related to pursuing a higher degree. For more information about these scholarships, check the official RTP Frequently Asked Questions list.

Did you know that as an international student in Australia, you must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover for your entire stay? Learn more about how international students can get health and travel insurance in Australia.

Australia Awards

The Australia Awards offer 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. Over the 2025 academic year, they provided 1,551 long-term Australia Awards scholarships to students from 55 countries.

These include:

• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
• Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership
• Australia Awards Fellowships

Australia Awards Scholarships are open to postgraduate and undergraduate international students. One of their key requirements is that these students leave Australia for at least two years after graduating. This is because one of the Australia Awards’ goals is for recipients to contribute to their home countries’ resilience, development, and prosperity.

Award recipients automatically become part of the Australia Awards Alumni. This group is an influential and engaged global community of advocates and supporters, and can open new doors to international students by helping them to stay connected to Australia and other alumni.

Don’t let the cost of studying abroad stop you from taking this life-changing journey. Make the most of these financial opportunities to help you accomplish your study dreams!

Are you thinking about studying in Australia? Find the institution and course that matches your study goals on the ApplyBoard platform!

Blog contributed by: Keaton Katic, Marketing Communications Specialist at ApplyBoard