The Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation and Education Costs Scholarships 2025 are now open for applications!
Funded by the Australian Federal Government, these scholarships aim to provide crucial financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are facing financial hardship—particularly those relocating from regional, rural, or remote areas of Australia to pursue higher education.
These scholarships help ease the cost of accommodation and education, enabling students to stay focused on their studies and achieve academic success.
The program includes two key scholarship streams, both designed to support Indigenous students studying at Curtin University in Semester 2, 2025.
Value: Up to $3,000 per study period
Purpose: Assists students with relocation and housing costs when moving from regional or remote areas to attend university.
Value: Up to $1,500 per study period
Purpose: Covers study-related expenses such as books, technology, supplies, and other academic necessities.
Both scholarships are renewable for the duration of the student’s course, subject to continued eligibility and satisfactory academic performance.
To be eligible for the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships 2025, applicants must:
Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Be an Australian citizen.
Be enrolled in at least 50 credits in an eligible Curtin University course for Semester 2, 2025.
Demonstrate financial hardship and low socio-economic status.
Be enrolled in an enabling, pathway, or undergraduate course.
Have relocated from a regional or remote area of Australia to study.
Be enrolled as an internal (on-campus) student, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Not have previously completed a qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree (unless it’s a prerequisite for the current program).
You are not eligible if you currently receive any of the following:
Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation or Education Costs Scholarship
Student Start-up Scholarship or Loan (Services Australia / Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
Relocation Scholarship (Services Australia)
ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option (RCO)
Any other accommodation scholarship
⚠️ Important:
Applicants receiving Services Australia or DVA scholarships must cancel them before applying.
Students currently receiving ABSTUDY RCO should compare benefits before applying, as the two cannot be held concurrently.
This scholarship cannot be deferred.
The scholarships are available for students enrolled in the following Curtin University programs:
Enabling Programs
Pathway and Associate Degrees
Bachelor Degrees
Eligible faculties and centres include:
Centre for Aboriginal Studies
Faculty of Business and Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)
Follow these steps to apply for the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships 2025:
Apply through Curtin University’s Online Scholarships Portal.
Fill out all required sections carefully.
You can save and return to your application later.
Refer to Curtin’s “Applying for Scholarships” guide for helpful tips.
Deadline: 12 December 2025
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email via your Curtin student email account.
Applications will be assessed based on:
Responses to scholarship questions
Evidence of financial hardship
Proof of low socio-economic background
Notifications begin: 15 September 2025
Processing time: 4–6 weeks
Offers are made on a rolling basis until the deadline or until available funds are fully allocated.
Successful applicants must accept their offer through the Scholarship Channel (Student OASIS) before the specified deadline.
Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic eligibility, and fund availability.
Recipients must:
Remain enrolled in an eligible Curtin University course.
Maintain at least 50 credits of enrolment per study period.
Achieve a Course Weighted Average (CWA) of 50 or higher each semester.
Failure to meet these conditions may result in the withdrawal of the scholarship.
Event | Date |
---|---|
Applications Open | Currently Open |
Notification of Outcomes | From 15 September 2025 |
Application Deadline | 12 December 2025 |
Curtin University Scholarships Office
📧 Email: scholarships@curtin.edu.au
📞 Phone: 1300 222 888
For more information, visit the Applying for Scholarships page on Curtin University’s official website.
1. Who funds the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships?
The scholarships are funded by the Australian Federal Government to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students facing financial hardship.
2. What is the difference between the Accommodation and Education Costs Scholarships?
The Accommodation Scholarship assists with relocation and housing costs.
The Education Costs Scholarship supports general study-related expenses such as textbooks, technology, and learning materials.
3. Can I apply for both scholarships?
Yes. Students may be eligible for both, as long as they meet all criteria and are not receiving conflicting awards.
4. Are postgraduate students eligible?
No. Only students enrolled in enabling, pathway, associate degree, or bachelor degree programs are eligible.
5. Can I defer my scholarship?
No, the scholarship cannot be deferred.
6. What if I already receive ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option (RCO)?
You cannot hold both benefits. You’ll need to decide which option is more suitable for your situation.
7. When will I be notified about my application?
Notifications begin on 15 September 2025, and results are released progressively.
8. What happens if I fail a unit?
You must maintain a CWA of at least 50 to retain your scholarship. Poor performance may affect continuation.
9. Can international students apply?
No. Applicants must be Australian citizens.
10. Where can I get help with my application?
You can reach out to the Curtin Scholarships Office at scholarships@curtin.edu.au or call 1300 222 888 for assistance.
Confirm your eligibility and read the full guidelines.
Gather supporting documents that demonstrate financial hardship.
Apply early to avoid technical delays.
Review your application carefully before submission.