Destination Australia Scholarship
Australian Government · All India
| Scheme Name | Destination Australia Scholarship |
| Provided By | Australian Government |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Destination Australia Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
AUD 15,000 (approx. ₹45.0 Lakh+)
The Destination Australia Scholarship provides a value of AUD 15,000 per year (approximately INR 822,000, based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD = 54.8 INR). This amount is intended to assist with living expenses and study costs. Payments are typically made directly to the scholarship recipient in two instalments per year, usually after the census date of each semester or term by the awarding Australian institution. This scholarship is not disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, as it is an Australian Government-funded scholarship for study in Australia.
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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 |
| Minimum Marks | 75% |
| 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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Candidates are selected based on several criteria, primarily academic merit
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While specific requirements can vary between participating institutions, international students are often expected to have a minimum of 75% in their previous level of education or a CGPA of at least 5.0 out of 7.0
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Applicants are generally required to submit a personal statement (around 500 words) demonstrating their commitment to studying and residing in a regional Australian community, and explaining how the scholarship would benefit their studies
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Selection committees at each institution assess eligible applications, considering academic achievements (transcripts, awards), the quality of the personal statement, and other supporting documentation
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Shortlisted candidates may also undergo interviews.
Renewal Policy
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The Destination Australia Scholarship is typically awarded for one academic year but can be renewed annually for the minimum duration required to complete the course, up to a maximum of four years
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Renewal is contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and continuing to reside in a regional area of Australia for the entire duration of the study program
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Students must remain enrolled full-time at the regional campus of their tertiary education provider.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Research Eligible Institutions and Courses
Identify Australian universities or vocational institutions located in regional areas that participate in the Destination Australia program for the 2025-26 or 2026 academic year. Look for courses from Certificate IV up to Doctorate level.
- 2Apply for Course Admission
First, apply for admission to your chosen course at a participating regional Australian institution. Ensure you meet their academic and English language proficiency requirements.
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Check Institution-Specific Scholarship Application: Once you have an offer of admission, or sometimes concurrently with your course application, check the institution's scholarships page for the Destination Australia Scholarship. Each institution will have its own application form and specific deadlines.
- 4Prepare Required Documents
Gather necessary documents, which typically include academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL), a resume/CV, reference letters, and a personal statement addressing the scholarship criteria.
- 5Submit Scholarship Application
Complete and submit the scholarship application form via the institution's online scholarship portal or as instructed. Indicate your interest in the Destination Australia Scholarship if prompted during the course application process.
- 6Track Application Status
Institutions generally notify applicants of the outcome via email or their student application portal. Follow their specific instructions for tracking your application status.
- 7Accept Offer
If successful, formally accept the scholarship offer by the specified deadline and complete any further enrollment or visa procedures.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the Destination Australia Scholarship from India?
International students from India, holding a valid student visa, are eligible to apply. You must be enrolled or intending to enrol full-time in an eligible course (Certificate IV to Doctorate level) at a regional campus of an Australian tertiary education provider and maintain ongoing residency in a regional area of Australia throughout your study.
How do I apply for the Destination Australia Scholarship, and what are the deadlines?
You must apply directly to an eligible Australian tertiary education provider that offers the Destination Australia Scholarship. There is no central application portal. Application processes and deadlines vary significantly by institution, so it is crucial to check the specific university or TAFE website for their scholarship opening and closing dates for the 2025-26 or 2026 academic years.
What expenses does the Destination Australia Scholarship cover?
The scholarship provides AUD 15,000 per year (approx. INR 822,000) to help cover the costs associated with studying and living in regional Australia. This can include tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, and general living expenses. The funds are paid directly to the student by the awarding institution.
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Legal Disclaimer
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.