How do I stand out in scholarship applications?

Highlight your Perth connection: Explain specifically why you chose Western Australia and how you'll contribute to the local community. Quantify your achievements: Use specific numbers and examples rather than general statements. Show financial context: Even merit-based scholarships value understanding your financial situation. Demonstrate future impact: Explain how the scholarship will help you achieve specific career goals.

What documents do I need for my scholarship application?

Most scholarship applications ask for the following documents: Academic transcript with certified English translations Personal statement (typically 500-1000 words) Letters of recommendation from academic or professional references English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL) Course acceptance letter or enrolment confirmation Financial documents (for need-based components)

International Student Scholarships in Perth: Your Complete 2025 Guide

Study in Perth

1st August 2025 • StudyPerth

Study in Perth

1st August 2025 • StudyPerth

Finding the right scholarship can transform your study experience in Western Australia. Discover how Perth's competitive scholarship landscape, combined with Australia's most affordable major city, creates exceptional value for international students.

Quick Answer: What scholarships are available?

Perth offers over 50 different scholarship opportunities for international students in 2025, ranging from $5,000 regional bursaries to $50,000 government awards. Major categories include:

Western Australian Government scholarships: $5,000 - $50,000
University scholarships: 15-40% tuition fee reductions
Pathway college scholarships: 10-25% fee reductions plus English support
Merit-based awards: Full tuition coverage available at select institutions

Why choose Perth for scholarship opportunities?

Perth stands out in Australia's scholarship landscape for three key reasons:

Maximum value: Your scholarship dollars stretch further in Perth, with accommodation costs 30-40% lower than Sydney or Melbourne. A $20,000 scholarship covers significantly more living expenses here.
Diverse options: With five universities, multiple pathway colleges, and government programs, Perth offers more scholarship variety per capita than any other Australian city.
Employment advantage: Perth's economy grow 8% above the national average, meaning scholarship recipients graduate into Australia's strongest job market.

Understanding Perth's scholarship ecosystem

Types of financial support available:

Scholarships vs Bursaries: Scholarships typically reward academic merit and reduce tuition fees, while bursaries focus on financial need and cover living expenses.
Application-based vs Automatic: Some scholarships require separate applications, while others automatically consider all qualified applicants during course enrolment.
Renewable vs One-off payments: Many Perth scholarships continue throughout your degree, while others provide a one-off payment for support.

Government Scholarships: Your best value options

In 2025, international student scholarships are offered by the Government of Western Australia and the Australian Government.

The Government of Western Australia

The Government of Western Australia offers three types of scholarships:

The Western Australian Premier's University Scholarship ($50,000)
This is a one-off $50,000 scholarship awarded to 10 high-achieving international students per semester (2 per university in Western Australia), to assist with their course fees and university costs.
The Western Australian Premier's WACE Bursary ($20,000)
This is a one-off $20,000 scholarship awarded to up to 50 WACE graduates (high school), to assist with their living, travel, and study expenses. Click here for more information.
Regional Bursary for TAFE International Students ($5,000)
For students starting at a TAFE regional campus in Western Australia in July 2025, there are 200 bursaries of $5,000 available for eligible students. Click here for more information.

The Australian Government

The Australian Government offers the Australia Awards Scholarship, which is a long-term award provided to emerging leaders from developing countries, particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region. The scholarship generally includes:

Full tuition fees
Return air travel
Establishment allowance towards accommodation expenses, text books, and study materials
A fortnightly contribution to living expenses
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award
And more

Find out more and apply here.

University Scholarships: Institutional excellence awards

All five of the universities in Perth offer scholarships for international students.

The University of Western Australia offers two types of scholarships:

Global Excellence Scholarship - awarded to high-achieving students, this scholarship provides up to AUD$48,000 over 4 years on eligible undergraduate courses, or up to AUD$24,000 over two years on eligible postgraduate courses.
International Student Award - a fee reduction of AUD$5,000 per year awarded to students from a range of select countries.

Curtin University offers three main scholarships:

Global Merit Scholarship - awarded to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.
Global Future Leaders Scholarship - awarded to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive a one-off credit of AUD$10,000 towards their tuition fees.
John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship - awarded to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive 40$ off their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Edith Cowan University offers two main scholarships:

International Undergraduate Scholarship - awarded to eligible students from select countries who are applying to study a Bachelor degree at ECU, recipients will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.
International Masters Scholarship - awarded to eligible students from select countries who are applying to study a Master degree at ECU, recipients will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Murdoch University offers a range of scholarships to international students, the main one being:

International Welcome Scholarship - awarded to eligible students from select countries, recipients will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

The University of Notre Dame offers a range of scholarships to international students, the main one being:

International Welcome Scholarship (Undergraduate) - awarded to eligible students from select countries, recipients will receive a 25% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course. However the Bachelor of Nursing is excluded.

Pathway College Scholarships: Your bridge to University

UWA College offers one main scholarship:

UWA College Success Scholarship - all students who receive an offer to study a Foundation or Diploma program will be considered for the scholarship to receive up to AUD$10,000 towards their tuition fees.

Curtin College offers five scholarships for international students. The two main scholarships are:

High Achiever Scholarship - awarded to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive a 15% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.
Curtin English Language Program Scholarship - awarded to international students who have received a conditional offer (subject to meeting English) to study at Curtin University. This scholarship is valued at up to AUD$7,008.

Edith Cowan College offers four scholarships for international students. The two main scholarships are:

Merit-Based Scholarship - awarded to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive a 25% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their Diploma or Foundation course.
Academic English Scholarship - a 10-week English scholarship awarded to international students who combine English with a Diploma or Foundation program at ECC, followed by a degree at ECU. Recipients will receive AUD$4,750 towards their studies.

Murdoch College offers a merit-based scholarship:

Merit-Based Scholarship - available to eligible high-achieving students, recipients will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Higher Education Provider scholarships

The following Higher Education institutions in Perth offer scholarships to international students.

Institute of Management and Commerce (IMC) offers a range of scholarships to international students, the main one being:

International Excellence Scholarship - available to eligible onshore students enrolled in a Law or Business program, recipients will receive a 15-25% reduction in their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Kaplan Business School offers a range of scholarships to international students, the main one being:

High Achievers Scholarship - available to eligible international students who can display a record of outstanding academic merit in business or a related field of study, recipients will receive a discount on their tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Sheridan Institute of Higher Education offers a merit-based, full-tuition scholarship:

Merit-Based Scholarship - available to prospective international students enrolling in the Bachelor of Business. Recipients will have the full cost of their tuition fees covered for the duration of the course. Click here to download the brochure for more information.

Canning College offers a number of scholarships to international students. Find the right one for you here.

Perth Scholarship Success Stories

StudyPerth Ambassador and UWA Agriculture student Shapagat Zholdykulova received two significant scholarships for her studies in Perth: the Bolashak International Scholarship from her home country Kazakhstan, and the UWA Global Excellence scholarship. Read more about how scholarships have impacted her education journey in Perth here.

Below are two students who received the $50,000 The Western Australian Premier's University Scholarship. Check out what they have to say.

*The information presented in this blog is correct and up to date as of 1st August 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, you cannot receive multiple scholarships from the same institution, but you can often combine scholarships from different sources (e.g. government + university). You can also receive a scholarship and a bursary at the same time.

Apply for your course first. Most scholarships require a course offer or enrolment, and some are automatically assessed during the admission process.

Many institutions offer mid-year scholarship rounds, and some scholarships become available when other students decline offers. Stay connected with your chosen institution's scholarship office.

Scholarships strengthen your visa application by demonstrating financial support and institutional endorsement of your academic abilities.

Yes, most scholarships don't restrict your existing part-time work rights on a student visa, which allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Perth's strong economy offers excellent part-time opportunities for international students. Find out more about working a part-time job in Perth here.

Begin your scholarship research 12 months before your intended start date. This give you time to understand requirements, prepare strong applications, and meet all deadlines. Popular scholarships like The Western Australian Premier's University Scholarship fill quickly.

Apply for 3-5 different scholarships to maximise your chances. Target a mix of high-value competitive scholarships and smaller, more accessible awards. Remember, you can often combine scholarships from different sources (government + university + private).

Not tailoring applications to each scholarship's specific criteria. Generic applications rarely succeed. Research each scholarship's values and priorities, then customise your personal statement to demonstrate how you align with their goals.

Highlight your Perth connection: Explain specifically why you chose Western Australia and how you'll contribute to the local community.
Quantify your achievements: Use specific numbers and examples rather than general statements.
Show financial context: Even merit-based scholarships value understanding your financial situation.
Demonstrate future impact: Explain how the scholarship will help you achieve specific career goals.

Most scholarship applications ask for the following documents:

Academic transcript with certified English translations
Personal statement (typically 500-1000 words)
Letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL)
Course acceptance letter or enrolment confirmation
Financial documents (for need-based components)

Extremely important - it's often the deciding factor between equally qualified candidates. Your personal statement should tell a compelling story about your academic journey, career aspirations, and why you're the ideal scholarship recipient. Avoid generic statements and focus on specific examples that demonstrate your potential.

Yes, many scholarships are available to continuing students, and some are specifically for students transferring between institutions. Check with your current institution about internal scholarships, and research external opportunities that accept current students.

Don't give up. Many institutions offer mid-year scholarship rounds, and opportunities become available when other students decline offers. Stay connected with scholarship offices, maintain strong academic performance, and consider reapplying in subsequent rounds with an improved application.