This is a clever demographic engineering tool used by the Australian government to pull international students away from the overcrowded mega-cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It explicitly funds students to study at universities and vocational colleges located in 'regional' Australia (like Darwin, Hobart, or rural NSW).
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Bachelors, Masters, PhD
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- No
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Min. 6.0
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Partial
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- AUD 1250/mo
- Tuition
- Partial
- Living Costs
- Partial
- Travel & Health
- No / No
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
It offers a flat grant of $15,000 AUD per year for the duration of your degree. While this is rarely enough to cover massive international tuition fees completely, it is a phenomenal subsidy. Furthermore, studying in regional Australia grants you massive bonus points if you eventually decide to apply for Australian permanent residency.
Application Process
You apply directly to the participating regional university (e.g., Charles Darwin University, University of Tasmania, or a regional campus of a larger university). Each university manages its own selection process and deadlines.
How to Win This Scholarship
The primary filter is location. You absolutely must agree to physically live and study in the designated regional area. In your application essay to the university, you should emphasize a genuine interest in regional community engagement, not just a desire for cheap funding.
Universities want to select students who won't drop out after a semester because they miss the big city nightlife.
Benefits After Completing Study
It essentially sets you up on the 'regional pathway' for Australian migration, offering extended post-study work visas.
Be warned: 'Regional Australia' can mean a booming coastal city like Gold Coast, or an incredibly isolated mining town. Research your specific campus location heavily. Rent will be cheaper, but part-time job opportunities (which you will need to supplement the $15,000 grant) are significantly scarcer than in Sydney.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source