All scholarships and grants that are listed on this page are open only to students who identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander.
We have three different categories of scholarships that are specific to students who identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander. Further information about the scholarship categories can be found by clicking on the below headings:
We also the following information to help you with your application:
If you need any additional support with your application, please contact an Aboriginal Student (and Community) Engagement Officer from Wirringka Student Services.
When you apply for one of the following scholarships, you will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria for all of the scholarships listed within the table.
Please click on the scholarship name for more information about the scholarship, including the eligibility and selection criteria.
Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by the Scholarships team within 5-7 business days and advised supporting documentation you are required to provide.
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education and Training.
It aims to assist students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders who are experiencing financial need, particularly those from remote and regional areas. Commonwealth Scholarships are available through all Australian universities.
When you apply for one of the following scholarships, you will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria for all of the scholarships listed within the table.
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of grants available, the grants will be awarded in order of application submission.
Please click on the scholarship name for more information about the scholarship, including the eligibility and selection criteria.
For students who currently have ongoing receipt of a Commonwealth Scholarship, please see our Ongoing Recipient section below for general information, ongoing eligibility requirements and payment information.
Scholarship Name |
Value |
Career |
When / Where to apply |
$2,755 per annum up to 4 years(payment is made four times a year in SP2 and SP5) |
Undergraduate |
Applications via my Scholarships from 20 January to 14 March 2025 | |
Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship Indigenous (CAS-Indigenous) |
$5,512 per annum up to 4 years (payment is made four times a year in SP2 and SP5) |
Undergraduate |
|
Commonwealth Education Costs Indigenous Enabling (CECS-Indigenous Enabling) |
$2,755 per annum up to 1 year(payment is made four times a year in SP2 and SP5) |
UniSA College |
|
Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship Indigenous Enabling (CAS-Indigenous Enabling) |
$5,512 per annum up to 1 year(payment is made four times a year in SP2 and SP5) |
UniSA College |
|
Commonwealth Education Costs Postgraduate Scholarship (CECS-PG) |
$2,755 per annum up to 2 years(payment is made four times a year in SP2 and SP5) |
Postgraduate |
CECS Indigenous provide students with A$2,755 a year for up to four years to assist with general study costs.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
How to apply: my Scholarships
CACS Indigenous provide students who have moved from regional or remote areas to undertake their university studies with A$5,512 a year for up to four years to assist with accommodation and study costs.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
How to apply: my Scholarships
CECS Indigenous Enabling provides A$2,755 a year for up to one year to assist with the costs of studying an eligible enabling course.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
How to apply: my Scholarships
CAS Indigenous Enabling provides A$5,512 a year for up to one year to assist with the costs of rural/remote students who must relocate to access an eligible enabling course.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
Please note, some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
How to apply: my Scholarships
CECS-PG provides students with A$2,755 a year for up to two years to assist with general study costs.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
Priority will be given to students who have moved from regional or remote areas for the purpose of study.
How to apply: my Scholarships
In addition to the basic eligibility requirements and specific eligibility requirements described above for a student to be eligible for CAS-Indigenous, and CAS-Indigenous Enabling scholarship UniSA must be satisfied that:
In determining a student's eligibility for a CAS, UniSA will determine whether the student has lived in a rural or regional area consistent with the Australian Bureau of Statistic's ASGC Remoteness Areas classification. The classifications are:
Check the classification of your home postcode
A student who has come from a locality classed as belonging to the Major Cities of Australia class will be deemed ineligible for a CAS.
The following scholarships are open only to students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and who are enrolled in a program within a relevant discipline.
Please click on the scholarship name for more information about the scholarship, including the eligibility and selection criteria.
Scheme Name | Discipline | Value | Career |
UniSA College |
$5,000 |
Undergraduate (following completion of UniSA College Studies) |
|
ACER Aboriginal Student Undergraduate Grant
|
Education |
$9,000 |
Undergraduate |
Education |
$4,000 |
Postgraduate |
|
Arun Thomas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Scholarship |
All |
Up to $1,000 |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
BAE Systems Australia First Nations Scholarship in Engineering |
Engineering |
Up to $40,000 |
Undergraduate |
Shirley Harper Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship in Education |
Education |
$4,000 per annum (up to 4 years) |
Undergraduate |
Business, Commerce, Law |
$6,000 per annum (up to 5 years) |
Undergraduate |
|
Business Administration |
refer to scholarship details |
Postgraduate |
|
Dr Alitya Rigney High-Achieving Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarship |
Justice & Society |
Up to $16,000 |
Undergraduate |
All |
Up to $24,000 |
Undergraduate |
|
Health Science |
$5,000 |
Undergraduate |
|
National Pharmacies Aboriginal Student Community Pharmacy Placement Scholarship
|
Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacy |
$15,000 |
Undergraduate |
Architectural Studies, Architecture (Master), Interior Architecture |
Up to $15,000 |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
|
Contemporary Art, Art and Design |
Up to $8,000 |
Undergraduate |
|
UniSA College |
$1000 |
UniSA College Studies |
|
All |
$TBD |
All |
The Aboriginal Transition Grant recognises and encourages students who have completed UniSA’s Aboriginal Pathway Program (APP) to transition to undergraduate studies in UniSA.
This grant is open to all Aboriginal Pathway Program (APP) students either full-time or part-time who will complete APP in the current year and enrol in an undergraduate program in UniSA in the immediate subsequent year. The grant is also open to students who have completed APP in the current year and commenced study in an undergraduate program.
Students are not required to apply for the grant. UniSA College will identify the eligible students and advise the Scholarships Office. The Scholarships Office will offer the grant if there is proven current or future enrolment.
Value: Once off payment of $5‚000