Can I Study for Free in Australia?

Australia has always been among the most popular destinations for international students. With its world-class universities, excellent quality of life, multicultural society, and bright prospects for a career, students from all over the globe, including India, wish to pursue their higher studies in the Land Down Under. But a seemingly common and significant question comes to mind among many: “Can I study for free in Australia?”

Understanding the Possibility

Pursuing free studies in Australia might not be a totally zero-budget education, but it is definitely possible to cut or even fully fund your tuition fees and living costs through grants, scholarships, and sponsorships. Various Australian universities and the Australian government both provide bountiful scholarships to entice exceptional foreign students.

Government-Funded Scholarships

Australia provides an extensive assortment of government-funded scholarships to international students:

• Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS):

These are highly regarded, fully-funded awards offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They pay full fees, living costs, travel allowance, and even health cover.

• Destination Australia Program (DAP):

It funds both local and international students to pursue education in regional Australia. Scholarships are available for a maximum of AUD $15,000 annually.

• Research Training Program (RTP):

If you are considering postgraduate study, this is an excellent chance. RTP scholarships offer full scholarships for master’s by research or Ph.D. degrees.

• University-Specific Scholarships

Most Australian universities award merit-based and needs-based scholarships to international students. Some of the most prominent ones are:

• University of Sydney International Research Scholarships (USydIS)
• Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)
• ANU Global Diversity Scholarship
• Monash International Leadership Scholarship

These scholarships even pay up to 100% of your tuition costs and sometimes even provide a living allowance and health insurance.

At Davesar Consultants, we locate and get you an opportunity to apply for such scholarships suited to your career ambitions and academic background. Our Managing Director and Founder, Mr. Hardesh Davesar, makes sure that each student gets the most suitable scholarship opportunity.

Scholarships from External Organizations

Apart from universities and the government, several international organizations and private entities also offer scholarships for students planning to study in Australia. Some of them include:

• The Fulbright Program
• The Rotary Peace Fellowship
• Commonwealth Scholarships

These may not always cover 100% of the expenses, but they do make studying in Australia much more affordable.

How to Increase Your Chances

To maximize your chances of studying for free in Australia, here are some tips:

• Have high academic grades: Most scholarships are merit-based.
• Apply early: Scholarship deadlines tend to be different from admission deadlines.
• Have a strong SOP and LORs: These tend to be tested by scholarship committees.
• Portray leadership, volunteering, or social work: These may be considered in holistic scholarship reviews.

The professional staff at Davesar Consultants is highly skilled in helping students with scholarship applications. Being proud members of AAERI (Association of Australian Education Representatives in India) and listed with ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs), we adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards in student counselling.

Other Means to Save Costs

Even if you are not able to receive a full scholarship, you can still lower your cost of study by quite a degree using:

Part-time employment: Foreign students in Australia are entitled to work legally a maximum of 48 hours fortnightly during semesters and full-time during holidays.

• On-campus employment and assistantships
• Lifestyle in regional regions, which are generally less expensive and also confer migration advantages

Last Thoughts

So can it be done to study for free in Australia? The answer is yes – with the proper assistance, scholarship, and advance planning, many students have already accomplished it. While tuition-free for everyone cannot be assured, there are plenty of opportunities to study with little or no cost.
If you dream of an Australian education of international standard without the burden of heavy costs, reach out to Davesar Consultants now. Let the guiding voice of Mr. Hardesh Davesar, a renowned expert in global education consultancy, chart your course towards achievement.