Indigenous Commonwealth Education Scholarship

This scholarship provides:

• up to $6,000 per year for full-time enrolled students (for the standard duration of program)
• up to $3,000 per year for part-time enrolled students (for the standard duration of program)

The continuation of the scholarship is based on meeting the terms and conditions each semester.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

• be an Australian Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander student
• be an Australian citizen
• be enrolling in an associate or bachelor degree, or a postgraduate by coursework program at RMIT in Semester 1 2025
• be able to provide proof of your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent to the Ngarara Willim Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples if selected as an eligible recipient
• meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • be able to demonstrate financial hardship such as 
    • receiving a government tested low income benefit or having a Centrelink Health Care Card
  • are relocating or have relocated from a rural/regional area to study in Melbourne within the last four years.

Preference will be given to students who are able to demonstrate financial hardship and who have relocated from a rural/regional area to study at RMIT.

It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.

Direct to RMIT applications

The link to the application form will be provided here once applications open.

VTAC applications

Apply online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website (www.vtac.edu.au).

Supporting documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you will need to provide different types of evidence and material to support your scholarship application. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.

Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.

Find out more about applying for scholarships.

Applications are now closed.

Applications for Semester 1 2025 are now closed.

This scholarship will next be offered for Semester 2 2025, with applications opening May 2025.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).

Some of the terms and conditions include:

• must demonstrate continued commitment and participation with the RMIT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by either attending one social or one cultural activity through Ngarara Willim Centre per semester
• must complete a survey at the beginning of each semester that includes providing continued financial eligibility
• must maintain satisfactory academic performance, which will be viewed at the completion of each semester
• must engage an Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) tutor in the commencing year of study for your scholarship to continue into the second year
• must participate in the Gamadji 2 Day Orientation program including the How to Manage your Scholarship session in the commencing year of study.

If eligible, you can also apply for ongoing accommodation support via the Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship. Additional services and financial support may be available through the Ngarara Willim Centre. Please contact them for further information.

Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.