India has grown into one of Australia’s largest sources of international students, supported by Australia Awards eligibility and a wide set of university scholarships that regularly admit strong Indian candidates.
The ten options below give Indian applicants a solid starting point, alongside the wider list of [fully funded scholarships in Australia](/fully-funded-scholarships-in-australia/).
1. Australia Awards Scholarships
India is among the eligible countries under the [Australia Awards Scholarships](/australia-awards-scholarships/) South Asia stream, covering tuition, living costs, and airfare for successful applicants.
2. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
This Indian foundation funds postgraduate study at top global universities, including several in Australia, covering tuition and living costs for exceptionally strong candidates.
3. University of Melbourne Research Training Program Scholarship
The [Melbourne Research Scholarship](/melbourne-research-scholarship/) has supported a number of strong Indian doctoral candidates with a living stipend and tuition offset.
4. Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship](/macquarie-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) reduces tuition for high-achieving international students, with Indian applicants forming one of the largest groups of recipients.
5. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship](/deakin-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) offers a tuition fee reduction to academically strong international students, including a large number of Indian applicants.
6. RMIT International Excellence Scholarship
The [RMIT International Excellence Scholarship](/rmit-international-excellence-scholarship/) provides a tuition fee reduction for high-achieving international students, including applicants from India.
7. UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship
The [UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship](/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarship/) supports outstanding doctoral candidates from any country with a higher-than-standard stipend and structured mentoring program.
8. Adelaide Scholarships International
The [Adelaide Scholarships International](/adelaide-scholarships-international/) program funds research-based master’s and doctoral candidates, open to Indian applicants alongside the rest of the world.
9. ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship](/anu-chancellors-international-scholarship/) offers a tuition fee reduction to high-achieving incoming international undergraduates at the Australian National University.
10. Monash Graduate Excellence Scholarship
Monash University’s graduate scholarship combines a living stipend with a full tuition fee offset, and has a strong representation of Indian doctoral candidates among recent recipients.
Because India is now one of the largest sources of student visa applications to Australia, preparing especially thorough financial and academic documentation alongside a scholarship offer helps keep the visa process moving smoothly.
Indian applicants should prepare detailed financial documentation well ahead of the student visa stage, since demonstrating a clear and consistent funding history alongside any scholarship offer strengthens the overall visa application.
Reaching out to Indian student associations already active at a target Australian university can provide practical, first-hand guidance on both the scholarship process and settling in after arrival.
Comparing the real cost of living across different Australian cities, rather than relying solely on a university.’s general estimate, helps Indian applicants judge how far a given scholarship stipend will realistically stretch.
Scheduling the student visa medical examination and biometrics appointment early, rather than waiting until a course start date approaches, also helps avoid unnecessary delays once a scholarship and university offer are both confirmed.
Indian applicants should also check whether their chosen scholarship requires a minimum full-time study load each semester, since falling below that threshold can affect both visa compliance and continued funding eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia Awards open to every Indian applicant?
No, it operates through specific eligibility criteria and priority sectors set for the South Asia region each cycle, so checking current requirements is essential.
How competitive are Australian university scholarships for Indian students?
Very competitive, since India sends a large volume of strong applicants to most major Australian universities every intake.
Are undergraduate Indian students eligible for these scholarships?
Most of the university scholarships listed here support both undergraduate and postgraduate study, though specific eligibility depends on each program’s rules.
Do Australian university scholarships require financial need documentation?
Most are merit-based rather than need-based, focusing primarily on academic achievement rather than financial circumstances.
Does the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation only fund postgraduate study?
Yes, it is specifically focused on postgraduate study at top-ranked global universities rather than undergraduate degrees.
How competitive is the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship for Indian applicants?
It is highly competitive globally, since it offers a higher stipend and additional mentoring, drawing strong applicants from many countries including India.
Can Indian students work part-time while studying in Australia?
Yes, under standard student visa conditions, international students in Australia can generally work a limited number of hours per week during the academic session.