Swinburne University Welcome Scholarships 2026 in Australia

Swinburne University Welcome Scholarships 2026 offer a valuable pathway for eligible visa holders to begin or continue their studies at Swinburne University in Australia. These scholarships are designed to support students from humanitarian and protection backgrounds, including those holding Bridging Visa E (subclass 050), Temporary Protection Visas (subclass 785), Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (subclass 790), and Temporary Humanitarian Concern visas (subclass 786). To be considered, applicants must also apply for an eligible course at Swinburne University alongside the scholarship application.

For students currently completing Year 12 and applying through VTAC, it is essential to include your VTAC ID in your scholarship personal statement. Applicants who are not Year 12 students can apply directly to Swinburne University by following the specific course application guidelines for asylum seekers and refugees. Completing both the course and scholarship applications correctly will help ensure your eligibility for this opportunity.

Benefits

• All Welcome Scholarships comprise a full fee waiver.
• Those undertaking an approved Vocational Education program will also have their materials fees paid for by the University and where relevant may have their concession fees covered if they are studying a Certificate course under the ASVET program.
• Those on a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) may be eligible for a payment of up to $7,500 per annum if their course is longer than 12 months.

IMPORTANT:

• Be advised that if you enrol in any course (whether that be full time or part time), you may lose any Government income support. You must have an alternative source of income to support yourself throughout your study – for most people this will be in the form of part-time work.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Swinburne University Welcome Scholarships 2026, applicants must:

1. be a holder of either a Bridging Visa ‘E’ (V050), a Temporary Protection Visa (V785), Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (V790) or Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa (V786).
   Note: Holders of Bridging Visa ‘A’ and those who have entered Australia on a Student Visa are not eligible for these Scholarships.
2. submit a course application through VTAC or directly to Swinburne
3. be a commencing first year full-time student in 2026.

Note: Part time enrolment will be considered under special circumstances

Documents Required

You must attach the following to your online scholarship application:

• A personal statement (300 words) that details your involvement in the community*, and how you intend to contribute to your community and society in the future. This might include any volunteer work, and any demonstration of leadership potential you have accomplished in any setting including:
  • school
  • community
  • any member group of the Refugee Council of Australia
  • church
  • youth groups
  • sporting clubs etc.*This could have taken place in your home country or in any part of your journey in coming to and living in Australia. Please be sure to also tell us how you intend to contribute to community and society in the future.
• Provide evidence of financial hardship. Examples include (but not limited to):
  • Health Care Card
  • Youth Allowance
  • Newstart Allowance
  • Austudy
  • Abstudy
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Carer’s Payment
  • Bank statements and payslips can be used if an explanation is provided in a personal statement
• Submit a reference (written in the past twelve months). This must support what you say in your personal statement. This is not a character reference. The reference must include the date, name, position and contact details of the person providing the reference, and your permission for the University to contact them for further information if required.

Please make sure you have all of these documents together prior to starting your online scholarship application. We would also like to remind you that the completion of this online Swinburne Welcome Scholarship form is only one half of what you need to do; you must also apply for a course at Swinburne; either directly to Swinburne or through VTAC.

How to Apply?

• Check the application deadline and start early. Applications for 2026 close on 31 January 2026, so prepare your documents in advance.
• Gather all required documents, including a 300-word personal statement, proof of financial hardship, and at least one reference letter written within the last 12 months.
• Complete the online scholarship application form on the official Swinburne portal and upload all supporting documents.
• Apply for your chosen course:
• Current Year 12 students should apply through VTAC and include their VTAC ID in the scholarship personal statement.
• Non-Year 12 students should apply directly to Swinburne University following the admissions instructions for asylum seekers and refugees.
• Book a support appointment if needed, especially for direct applicants, and bring your Immi card and ID documents for guidance.
• Submit both the scholarship and course applications correctly before the closing date to ensure eligibility.
• Wait for the outcome. Successful candidates will be contacted directly by Swinburne University.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Swinburne University Welcome Scholarships 2026 provide tuition waivers and some allowances for humanitarian visa holders. Applicants must apply for a course, submit required documents, and follow specific instructions for Year 12 or non-Year 12 students to be considered.