Commonwealth Scholarships for
Current Students
Commonwealth Scholarships aim to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas. Special consideration is given to Indigenous students.
Number
Benefits
Eligibility
Commonwealth Accomodation Scholarships
Commonwealth Indigneous Access Scholarships
Selection
Application Process
Timeline
Outcome
Deferring
More information
Number
The number of scholarships available is decided by the Commonwealth Government in November each year. In 2008, approximately 350 new Commonwealth Scholarships were awarded.
Benefits
The exact figure for Commonwealth Scholarship benefits is determined by the Government towards the end of each year. The amounts shown are approximate with 2008 payments below. All Commonwealth Scholarships are paid in two, biannual instalments and are indexed each year.
| Scholarship | Annual Payment | Maximum duration |
| Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships | $2000 (in 2008, $2162) |
4 years |
| Commonwealth Associate Degree Education Costs Scholarships | $2000 (in 2008, $2162) |
2 years |
| Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships | $4000 (in 2008, $4324) |
4 years |
| Commonwealth Associate Degree Accommodation Scholarships | $4000 (in 2008, $4324) |
2 years |
Eligibility
To be eligible for any Commonwealth Scholarship applicants must:
Citizenship
- be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa. Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are not eligible.
Means-tested Commonwealth Income
- be in receipt of or eligible to receive a means-tested Commonwealth income support payment such as Abstudy, Austudy or
Youth Allowance.
For the purpose of the CAS-Indigenous Payment, when assessing for low socio-economic status, we will have regard to the range of disadvantages which may affect the immediate financial status of Indigenous students accessing higher education, including geographical isolation, stability of financial status, and family circumstances, such as illness or bereavement which affect the level of family financial support.
Cut off for Proof of Means-tested Commonwealth Income
- be in receipt of the Centrelink income assessed benefit by the application closing date.
In the past, many students have experienced delays in receiving a Centrelink benefit so it is very important that you apply immediately to Centrelink if you want to be considered for a scholarship as it may take some time before benefits are granted.
As we cannot accept any forms after the closing date, you can fill out a Centrelink consent form (PDF : 10KB) so that we can check with Centrelink on your behalf but you still must be in receipt of benefits by the closing date to be considered.
Qualifications
- not already have a bachelor degree or higher level award unless that award is a prerequisite for your current undergraduate course and there is no alternative pathway into that course at this institution.
Type of course place
- be enrolled full-time in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in an eligible course. If exceptional circumstances such as a disability prevent you from enrolling full-time, your eligibility for a scholarship will be determined based on the documentary evidence you provide to us.
Honours
- if you are enrolled in an Honours year, not have completed another degree which is not a pre-requisite for the Honours course.
ie. if you have completed a BA, you can apply if you are enrolled in a BA(Hons). If you have completed a BA/BSci and you are enrolled in a BA(Hons) or a BSci(Hons) you are not eligible to apply.
Other Scholarships
- not hold another University of Melbourne scholarship which provides a cash allowance such as a National. Melbourne Access scholars can apply to upgrade the allowance component of the scholarship.
*National Priority Areas
Students enrolled in an area of 'National Priority' such as a Graduate Diploma in Nursing or Education which
is 'required for initial registration' are eligible to apply. Students enrolled in Graduate Entry Medicine are not eligible
to apply.
Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS)
In addition to the eligibility requirements defined above, Commonwealth Accomodation Scholarship applicants must:
(a) within the four years immediately preceding the commencement of your current course of study;
(i) have lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least three years; or
(ii) have completed the final two years of schooling in a high school or college in a regional or remote area; or
(iii)need to have lived away from your regional or remote home to complete the whole or the majority of your secondary schooling at a high school or college in a major city; or
(iv) have lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least two years, and have relocated from the regional or remote area of Australia to undertake vocational education and training (eg TAFE) for a maximum of two years duration immediately preceding the commencement of your undergraduate course; and
(b) need to move from the regional or remote area in order to undertake higher education study; and
(c) as a result of (b), incur additional accommodation costs; and
(d) be enrolled as an internal student in units of study that form part of the course of study you are undertaking.
Commonwealth Indigenous Access Scholarships:
In addition to the eligibility requirements defined above, Commonwealth Indigenous Access Scholarship applicants must:
(a) be an Australian citizen; and
(b) be an Indigenous person. A person will be considered to be an Indigenous person for the purpose of a CS where the person:
(i) is of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
(ii) identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
(iii) is accepted as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community in which he/she lives or has lived. A student’s declaration of their Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status will be verified by the University's Centre for Indigenous Education.
(c) be a commencing student enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place in an undergraduate course of study; and
(d) meet the low socio-economic status requirements; and
(e) meet, or intend to meet, the full-time student requirements; and
(f) not already have completed the requirements of a course of study (with any provider) which is equivalent to or higher than an Australian bachelor’s award; and
(g) in exceptional circumstances, if a continuing student, be required, as part of your course, to undertake study in a location distant from your previous place of study.
Selection
Selection is based on the eligibility criteria and academic merit, taking into account ENTER or equivalent for first-year students, or, academic achievement in tertiary studies. If you have transferred from another tertiary institution, you must submit a transcript of your results to the Melbourne Scholarships Office.
Application process
Applicants apply online in March. A link will be posted here when applications open in February.
Outcome
Applicants are notified of the outcome by email in April. Successsful candidates are mailed an offer pack.
Timeline
March - applications open. Ensure you are in receipt of Centrelink benfits by the closing date.
April - successful applicants are notified of the outcome.
Payments are made each semester in the first pay period which follows the Census dates of 31 March and 31 August.
In 2008 successful candidates receive their:
- first payment on 2nd May 2008
- second payment on 5th September 2008.
Deferring your scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarships and Melbourne Access
Scholarships linked to a Commonwealth Scholarship
cannot be deferred.
For further information
If you have any questions, please send an email from: www.undergradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query