Destination Australia Scholarship
Australian Government · All India
| Scheme Name | Destination Australia Scholarship |
| Provided By | Australian Government |
| Eligibility Summary | Undergraduate, Masters, PhD · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Destination Australia Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
AUD 15,000/mo (approx. ₹45.0 Lakh+)
The Destination Australia Scholarship, when offered by participating institutions, provides up to AUD 15,000 per year (approximately INR 1,005,000, based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD = 67 INR) to support study and living expenses in regional Australia. The scholarship amount is typically paid in two instalments per year (e.g., AUD 7,500 per semester or in 6-monthly intervals) directly into the successful applicant's nominated Australian bank account by the education provider. These payments are not disbursed via India's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, as this is an Australian Government-funded initiative administered by Australian education providers. The Australian Government announced that there would be no further direct federal funding rounds for new Destination Australia Scholarships from July 1, 2024. However, some universities may continue to offer scholarships under the Destination Australia name, potentially using their own funding or previously allocated grants.
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Age Limit:Minimum 18 years of age on 1 February of the year commencing the scholarship (i.e., February 1, 2027).
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Nationality & Residency:Citizen and current resident of a participating country (primarily in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East) and applying from their country of citizenship.
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Australian Status:Must not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia, or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently.
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Relationship Status:Must not be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone who holds or is entitled to hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency during key phases of the scholarship.
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Return Home:Committed to returning to their home country for a minimum of two years after completing the scholarship. Failure to do so will result in incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of the scholarship.
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Work Experience:Most countries require at least two years of relevant work experience. People with disability may be exempt from this requirement. Fresh graduates with less than one year of work experience are rarely selected unless they demonstrate extraordinary credentials or are from priority demographic groups.
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Study Level:Must be applying for a progressive or higher-level tertiary qualification (e.g., a Master's degree if already holding a Bachelor's; another Master's in a different subject area if having a Master's from a home country institution). Not applying for a course of study at an academic level the same or lower than already achieved.
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English Proficiency:Must meet minimum English language proficiency requirements. Generally, an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0), or a TOEFL iBT minimum 84 (with a minimum of 21 in all sub-tests), or a PTE Academic overall score of 58 (with no communicative skill score less than 50). Scores must be valid on January 1, 2027.
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Course Alignment:The study program must relate to the applicant's country's priority areas for development.
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Previous Scholarships:Not currently holding or have previously received a long-term Australia Award or another Australian Government-funded scholarship.
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Admission & Visa:Must meet Australian institution course requirements and all visa requirements.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate, Masters, PhD |
| Course / Stream | Undergraduate, Masters, PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Completed Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) application form
- ✓Certified copy of Bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcripts
- ✓Certified valid photo identification (e.g., passport, national ID card, birth certificate)
- ✓Development Impact and Linkages Plan (DILP) or Reintegration Plan (country-specific template may be required)
- ✓Academic Referee Report(s) (country-specific template may be required)
- ✓Professional Referee Report(s) (country-specific template may be required; if graduated more than 4 years ago, two professional references can be submitted)
- ✓Curriculum Vitae (CV) (country-specific template may be required)
- ✓English language proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic) with valid scores by January 1, 2027
- ✓Research proposal (for Master's by Research or PhD applicants, outlining title, objectives, methodology, and development relevance)
- ✓Letter of endorsement from relevant senior government official (for public servants, country-specific)
- ✓Proof of employment/work experience
Selection Process
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The selection process for the Destination Australia Scholarship is primarily based on academic merit and a personal statement
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Applicants are generally required to demonstrate a commitment to studying in regional Australia and supporting the local community
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Institutions review applications for eligibility, academic achievements (including transcripts and grades), and personal statements that articulate motivation, goals, leadership qualities, and community involvement
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English language proficiency is also a key requirement
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Some institutions may conduct interviews for shortlisted applicants.
Renewal Policy
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Scholarships are generally awarded for the minimum period necessary to complete the academic program, up to four years, provided the student continues to meet eligibility criteria
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To maintain the scholarship, recipients must typically maintain satisfactory academic progress, remain enrolled full-time in an eligible course at a regional campus, and continue to reside in a regional area of Australia for the duration of the scholarship period
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Renewal beyond the initial awarded duration is not typically part of the scholarship conditions as it is designed to cover the full program length.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Research Participating Institutions
Identify Australian universities and other tertiary education providers located in regional areas that are offering the Destination Australia Scholarship for the academic year you intend to study (e.g., 2025-26 or 2026). Look for their official scholarship pages.
- 2Check Eligibility Criteria
Each institution will have specific eligibility requirements, which typically include: * Being an international student with a valid student visa. * Accepting an offer of a full-time course of study at an eligible regional campus. * Commencing as a new student (for some institutions). * Maintaining ongoing residency in a regional area for the duration of the study period. * Meeting the academic and English language proficiency requirements of the institution and chosen course. Generally, an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or equivalent and a minimum CGPA of 5.0 out of 7.0 may be required.
- 3Prepare Required Documents
Gather all necessary supporting documents, which typically include: * Academic transcripts and certificates. * Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE scores). * A personal statement (often 500 words) addressing why you chose your course, how the scholarship would benefit you, and your commitment to studying and contributing to the regional community. * Resume/CV and reference letters (if specified by the institution). * Any other supporting documentation for academic merit or equity considerations.
- 4Complete the Application
Apply for your chosen course at the institution. During the course application or as a separate process, you will typically need to complete the Destination Australia Scholarship application form provided by the institution. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
- 5Submit Application
Submit your application through the institution's online application portal or as per their specified submission method.
- 6Track Application Status
You will usually be notified of your application status and outcome through the institution's online system or via email. Important: Application deadlines vary significantly by institution. Check the specific deadlines for your preferred university and academic year.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the Destination Australia Scholarship still available for new applicants for 2025-26 or 2026?
The Australian Government announced that there would be no further funding rounds for the Destination Australia Program (DAP) from July 1, 2024, meaning new scholarships are not directly offered by the federal government for these periods. However, individual universities that previously participated may still offer scholarships under the Destination Australia name, potentially using their own funding or previously allocated grants for specific academic years like 2026 or 2027. Students must check directly with participating institutions for current opportunities.
How will the scholarship payments be disbursed to students?
Scholarship payments, typically AUD 15,000 per year, are usually paid in two instalments per year directly into the successful applicant's nominated Australian bank account by the education provider. These payments are intended to assist with study and living expenses in regional Australia and are not disbursed via India's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts.
What are the key eligibility requirements for international students from India?
Key eligibility requirements for international students, including those from India, typically involve holding a valid student visa, being enrolled or intending to enroll full-time in an eligible course at a tertiary education provider in a regional area of Australia, and maintaining ongoing residency in that regional area for the duration of the study period. Additionally, applicants must meet the specific academic and English language proficiency requirements set by the individual education institution, which may include a minimum CGPA of 5.0 out of 7.0 and an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or equivalent.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Australian Government website before final submission.