The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is funded by the Australian Federal Government. It aims to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students experiencing financial hardship, particularly those from remote and regional areas.

The Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (Scholarship) is available to students experiencing financial hardship to assist with the costs of studying.

• Current Students

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

• Pathways to undergraduate
• Undergraduate

• Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Students

• Australian Citizen

• Need Based

The Scholarship will provide the following support for the normal expected remaining duration of the course (based on a full-time enrolment of 100 credits per semester):

• A cash stipend of up to $1,500 per semester. 

The stipend may be used at the recipient's discretion to contribute towards education related costs.

• Enabling courses
• Associate Degree courses
• Bachelor Degree courses

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply for the Scholarship:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Enrolled minimum 50 credits in an eligible course at Curtin University in Semester 1, 2026
• Demonstrated financial hardship
• Demonstrated low socio-economic status
• Not already have completed a course of study that is equivalent to a bachelor degree at any university, unless such degree is a prerequisite to a current course of study
• Not already in receipt of an Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship
• Not in receipt of a Student Start-up Loan through Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Not in receipt of any Commonwealth Scholarship(s) that was awarded prior to 2026

Please note:

• If you are already in receipt of a Student Start-Up Loan you must contact Services Australia and cancel your Services Australia Loan first.
• This scholarship is not deferrable.

Step 1: Access application form

• Application form can be accessed via the ‘My Studies’ tab in OASIS or via the ‘Apply Online’ button on the top right-hand side of this page
• Please note that this link will direct you to the general "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Program" application form. Once you submit your application, you will then be considered for all scholarships that you are eligible for in this round.

Step 2: Complete

• Complete the application form online
• Application form can be saved at any point of the process
• Tips on how to complete your application can be found on the ‘Applying for scholarships’ link on the scholarships website

Step 3: Submit

• Closing date is listed at the top of the page and within the Scholarships Channel on OASIS
• Incomplete applications will not be assessed
• Once submitted, application status will change to submitted

Step 4: Receipt

• Application receipt will be sent to student email once application has been submitted

Step 5: Assessment

• Applications will be assessed by an assessment panel using the following criteria:
  • Responses to questions in application form
  • Demonstrated financial hardship
  • Low socio-economic background
  • Priority will be given to students from a regional or remote area of Australia (E.g. A student's permanent address is regional or remote). Proof of residency in regional or remote area of Australia is required (either current or previous address immediately prior to commencement of university study).

Step 6: Outcome

• All successful and unsuccessful applicants notified of their outcome via the Scholarships Channel (Student OASIS) within 9 weeks of the scholarship closing date

Step 7: Acceptance

• Successful applicants must accept the terms and conditions via the Scholarship Channel (Student OASIS) by the deadline

Please note:

• Scholarship will be awarded if there are applicants of sufficient need

Recipients must meet all of the following:

• Remain enrolled in an eligible course of study
• Maintain a full-time enrolment or part-time (at least 50 credits each semester) at Curtin University
• Maintain a course weighted average (CWA) of at least 50 each semester

Scholarships Office

E: scholarships@curtin.edu.au

T: 1300 222 888

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

For further information about applying for scholarships including important dates and tips for preparing your application, utilise the resources available on the Applying for Scholarships webpage.