Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Rural and Regional Australia

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Rural and Regional Australia is a government programme with a specific purpose: closing the gap in higher-education attainment between the capital cities and everywhere else. It does that by funding tertiary providers to offer scholarships to students from rural and regional Australia.

Support is aimed at the costs that actually stop regional students enrolling — grants go towards tuition, accommodation and relocation for students studying in regional areas. Relocation and accommodation matter here as much as fees, because for many regional students the barrier is the cost of moving to study at all.

Who can apply

The programme is open to domestic students studying in participating regional locations. It is not an international scholarship.

How it is awarded

Each provider runs its own selection and sets its own deadlines, so there is no single national application. Identify the participating provider in the region you want to study in and apply through them. Confirm the current participating locations and requirements on the official page below before you plan around it.

• Residency: Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.
• Location: Typically must have lived in a regional, rural, or remote area as defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard.
• Enrolment: Must be commencing or enrolled in an eligible tertiary course (undergraduate or postgraduate) at an approved Australian institution.
• Financial need: Often prioritises students experiencing financial disadvantage or hardship.
• Additional criteria: May give priority to Indigenous Australians, first-in-family students, or those with a disability.
• Other requirements: Must meet any other provider-specific conditions, such as maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

• Financial support: Partial funding toward tuition fees or study-related costs such as textbooks, accommodation, or relocation expenses.
• Flexibility: Funding can be received as a one-off or ongoing payment, depending on provider and course duration.
• Support services: Access to mentoring or support programs where offered by the provider.
• Recognition: Enhanced professional and community recognition as a Commonwealth Scholarships recipient.
• Study access: Assistance that makes educational participation feasible for students who might otherwise face barriers due to geography or finances.

• Research: Review the official scholarship and university provider websites to confirm eligibility, fields of study, and application instructions.
• Prepare documents: Gather evidence of rural or regional residency, proof of citizenship or residency status, academic transcripts, and any financial need documentation as outlined by the provider.
• Complete application: Carefully fill in the online or paper application form via the provider or program portal, ensuring all sections are addressed thoroughly.
• Include supporting statements: Attach written statements or references if required, especially those addressing disadvantage, motivation, or leadership experience.
• Submit before deadlines: Ensure the full application is sent in by the provider's closing date. Late or incomplete submissions are typically not considered.
• Follow up: Track your application through any online portal or contact the scholarship office for notifications, and be ready to provide additional information if requested.
• Accept offer: If successful, formally accept the scholarship and comply with any formal requirements such as regular progress reports or updates to the provider.