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:
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.
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.
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:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Meet the low socio-economic status criterion.
Students must be able to substantiate claims of financial hardship. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means-tested.
Be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an eligible UniSA undergraduate program as a Commonwealth supported student (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
Meet the full-time student requirements.
Students must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of the scholarship period to be eligible (minimum 75% load or minimum 13.5 units for the half year). There are two scholarship periods for Commonwealth Scholarship:
From 1 January to 30 June, and
July to 31 December
Some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
Students are not eligible for CECS-Indigenous or CAS-Indigenous if they have already received CECS, or CAS, or CECS-Indigenous, or CAS-Indigenous for the maximum duration (equivalent of eight scholarship periods).
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:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Meet the low socio-economic status criterion.
Students must be able to substantiate claims of financial hardship. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means-tested.
Be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an eligible UniSA undergraduate program as a Commonwealth supported student (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
Meet the full-time student requirements.
Students must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of the scholarship period to be eligible (minimum 75% load or minimum 13.5 units for the half year). There are two scholarship periods for Commonwealth Scholarship:
From 1 January to 30 June, and
July to 31 December
Some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
Students are not eligible for CECS-Indigenous or CAS-Indigenous if they have already received CECS, or CAS, or CECS-Indigenous, or CAS-Indigenous for the maximum duration (equivalent of eight scholarship periods).
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:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Meet the low socio-economic status criterion.
Students must be able to substantiate claims of financial hardship. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means-tested.
Be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an eligible UniSA College program, either full-time or part-time.
If part-time, if you wish to progress to another form of Commonwealth Scholarships, then students must meet the full-time requirement
Some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
Students are not eligible for CECS-Indigenous Enabling or CAS-Indigenous Enabling if they have already received a CECS-Indigenous Enabling or CAS-Indigenous Enabling for the maximum duration (equivalent of two scholarships periods).
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:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Meet the low socio-economic status criterion.
Students must be able to substantiate claims of financial hardship. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means-tested.
Be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an eligible UniSA College program, either full-time or part-time.
If part-time, if you wish to progress to another form of Commonwealth Scholarships, then students must meet the full-time requirement
Some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
Students are not eligible for CECS-Indigenous Enabling or CAS-Indigenous Enabling if they have already received a CECS-Indigenous Enabling or CAS-Indigenous Enabling for the maximum duration (equivalent of two scholarships periods).
Please note, some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
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:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Meet the low socio-economic status criterion.
Students must be able to substantiate claims of financial hardship. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means-tested.
Be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an eligible UniSA program (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003) or a graduate diploma (or equivalent postgraduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority.
Meet the full-time student requirements.
Students must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of the scholarship period to be eligible (minimum 75% load or minimum 13.5 units for the half year). There are two scholarship periods for Commonwealth Scholarship:
From 1 January to 30 June, and
July to 31 December
Some students may be deemed full-time in exceptional circumstances (e.g. students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities).
Students are not eligible for CECS-Indigenous or CAS-Indigenous if they have already received CECS, or CAS, or CECS-Indigenous, or CAS-Indigenous for the maximum duration (equivalent of eight scholarship periods).
Priority will be given to students who have moved from regional or remote areas for the purpose of study.
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:
within the four years immediately preceding the commencement of the current higher education program of study, the student:
has lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least three years OR
completed the final two years of schooling in a high school or college in a regional or remote area OR
moved away from a regional or remote home to complete the whole or the majority of their secondary schooling at a high school or college in a major city OR
has lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least two years and relocated from the regional or remote area to undertake vocational education and training (e.g. TAFE) for a maximum of two years duration immediately preceding commencement of their undergraduate course
it was necessary for the student to move from the regional or remote area in order to undertake their higher education study; or in the case of paragraph (a. iii) and iv)) above, it was necessary for the student to remain in a major city in order to undertake their higher education study
as a result of (b), the student will incur additional accommodation costs
the student is enrolled as an internal student in a unit of study that forms part of the program of study the student is undertaking. Some students may have exceptional circumstances preventing them from enrolling in any internal units. Some students enrolled externally may be deemed eligible in exceptional circumstances. For example, students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities.
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:
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.
Discipline Specific
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.
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.
