Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Australia (2026–27)

Pakistani students can win scholarships in Australia through four main routes: Australia Awards, the Research Training Program (RTP), Destination Australia grants, and university awards from Sydney, Melbourne, Macquarie, ANU, UNSW and others.

The best of these cover tuition, return airfares, a living allowance and health cover. That means a master’s or PhD can cost you little or nothing.

Timing matters. The Australia Awards round for study starting in 2027 closed on 30 April 2026. The official Australia Awards Pakistan site says applications reopen in early 2027.

Rounds usually run from 1 February to 30 April. That leaves you a few months to sit IELTS or PTE, collect transcripts and employer letters, and draft your development plan.

This guide covers the main scholarships for Pakistani citizens, who is eligible, the documents you need and the key dates.

It also covers the costs once you accept an offer, including the AUD 2,500 subclass 500 Student visa fee and the Genuine Student requirement.

What scholarships are available for Pakistani students in Australia in 2026–27?

Pakistani students can apply for government-funded, university-funded and regional scholarships in Australia, from fully funded master’s and PhD places to partial tuition awards for undergraduates. Below are the most relevant programs. The Endeavour Leadership Program was discontinued in 2019, so any blog still listing it is out of date.

Australia Awards Scholarships (Government of Australia)

• Value: Fully funded. Full tuition, a return economy airfare, a one-off establishment allowance, a contribution to living expenses (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and pre-course English (PCE) where required.
• Level: Master’s degrees only (coursework or research).
• Eligibility: Pakistani citizens who have lived in Pakistan for at least the past 24 months, aged 45 or under when you apply, with 16 years of education and at least 5 years of work experience in your field. Internships and volunteer work don’t count.
• Dates: The round for study starting in 2027 ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026 and is now closed. Applications reopen in early 2027 for study starting in 2028.
• Apply: Online through the OASIS portal. See Australia Awards Pakistan for confirmed dates once the next round is announced.

Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

• Value: Tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend (most universities pay about AUD 35,000 to 40,000 a year in 2026) and OSHC.
• Level: Research master’s (up to 2 years) and PhD (up to 4 years).
• Eligibility: Strong undergraduate or honours research record and acceptance into a research program at an Australian university.
• Deadline: Varies by university. Most international rounds close between August and October for the following year.
• Apply: Directly through your chosen university’s research scholarships office.

Destination Australia Scholarship

• Value: Up to AUD 15,000 a year.
• Level: Certificate IV through to PhD at participating regional campuses.
• Eligibility: International students (including Pakistanis) studying full time at a participating regional institution.
• Deadline: Set by each institution. Not every provider still runs new rounds, so confirm with the university before you count on it. Start with the Study Australia portal.

Macquarie University Pakistan $10,000 Early Acceptance Scholarship

• Value: AUD 10,000 a year (AUD 5,000 credited each session) for the full degree.
• Level: Bachelor’s and master’s coursework degrees.
• Eligibility: Pakistani citizens who accept their Letter of Offer and pay the commencement fee by the acceptance deadline.
• Deadline: Rolling. It applies automatically when you accept your offer early.
• Apply: Auto-assessed, with no separate form. Details are on the Macquarie scholarships page.

University of Sydney International Scholarships

• Value: Includes the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS) at about AUD 42,754 a year for research degrees.
• Level: Bachelor’s, master’s by coursework, master’s by research and PhD.
• Eligibility: Strong academic record (usually First Class Honours or equivalent for research awards).
• Deadline: Two main rounds a year, in February and August.

University of Melbourne International Scholarships

• Value: The Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship offers up to 50% off tuition or AUD 10,000 one-off. The Melbourne Research Scholarship covers full tuition, a stipend (about AUD 37,000) and a relocation grant.
• Level: Undergraduate and graduate research.
• Eligibility: Top academic ranking among international applicants.
• Deadline: Automatic for undergraduates. Research awards close on 31 October each year.

UNSW Global Academic Award (Pakistan)

• Value: Up to 20% off tuition for the full degree.
• Level: Bachelor’s and master’s coursework programs.
• Eligibility: Pakistani students with a strong GPA who are admitted to UNSW Sydney.
• Deadline: Rolling, assessed at admission.

Edith Cowan University (ECU) International Master’s Scholarship

• Value: 20% off tuition for the full master’s degree.
• Level: Master’s by coursework.
• Eligibility: International students (including Pakistanis) enrolling in eligible postgraduate programs at ECU.
• Deadline: Continuous intake (Trimesters 1, 2 and 3).

Australian National University (ANU) Chancellor’s International Scholarship

• Value: AUD 10,000 to AUD 25,000 towards tuition (one-off or recurring).
• Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework.
• Eligibility: High-achieving international students with a confirmed ANU offer.
• Deadline: Two rounds, 15 May and 31 October.

Who is eligible for Australian scholarships as a Pakistani student?

Eligibility rests on five things: Pakistani citizenship, academic merit, English ability, age and, for fully funded government awards, relevant work experience. Each scheme weighs these differently, but most Pakistani applicants need to meet the requirements below.

Citizenship and residency

• Hold a valid Pakistani passport and CNIC.
• Live in Pakistan when you apply. Australia Awards requires at least the past 24 months.
• Not hold, or be entitled to, Australian or New Zealand permanent residency or citizenship.
• Not be married or engaged to an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
• For Australia Awards, not hold another scholarship, or have held a foreign scholarship in the past 24 months.

Academic and merit thresholds

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or 60–70% at HEC-recognised universities).
• 16 years of formal education for postgraduate awards.
• FSc or A-Levels with strong grades for undergraduate scholarships.
• First Class Honours or equivalent for most research awards.

English language proficiency

• IELTS Academic: overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
• TOEFL iBT: overall 84 with at least 21 in each sub-test.
• PTE Academic: overall 58 with no skill below 50.
• For Australia Awards, your result must still be valid on 1 January of the year you start study.
• Some universities accept Duolingo (115+), and medicine, law and education often need higher scores.

Work experience and age

• Australia Awards: at least 5 years of work experience in your field. Internships and volunteer work don’t count.
• Maximum age 45 when you apply for Australia Awards.
• University awards generally have no work-experience requirement.

What documents do Pakistani students need for scholarship applications?

A complete application from Pakistan needs academic, identity, English test and supporting documents, all certified and uploaded as PDFs. Missing or expired documents are the most common reason applications fail at the first screening.

Academic documents

• Matric, FSc or A-Level, and bachelor’s transcripts (HEC-attested where possible).
• Degree certificates and provisional letters.
• Equivalence certificate from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), where required.

Identity and personal documents

• Valid Pakistani passport (with at least 18 months remaining).
• CNIC, or B-Form for applicants under 18.
• Recent passport-size photographs (white background).

Supporting documents

• IELTS, TOEFL or PTE score report (not older than two years).
• Updated CV showing education and work experience.
• Two academic or professional references on letterhead.
• Statement of Purpose or scholarship motivation essay.
• Development Impact and Linkages Plan (DILP), employer letter and salary slips (for Australia Awards).
• Research proposal (for RTP and other research scholarships).
• Police clearance certificate, needed later at the visa stage.

For the visa itself, our Student visa document checklist lists what Home Affairs asks for.

When are the scholarship deadlines for 2026–27?

The next major date is early 2027, when Australia Awards Pakistan reopens for study starting in 2028. University awards run on their own cycles, mostly in two rounds a year. Mark these dates early.

2026–27 timeline at a glance

• 30 April 2026: Australia Awards round for 2027 study closed.
• 31 October 2026: Melbourne Research Scholarship and ANU Round 2 close.
• Early 2027: Australia Awards reopens for 2028 study. Rounds usually run from 1 February to 30 April.
• 15 May 2027: ANU Chancellor’s Scholarship Round 1 usually closes.
• August to October 2027: Most university RTP rounds for 2028 entry.
• Rolling: Macquarie $10,000 Pakistan award, ECU and the UNSW Global Academic Award.

How can Pakistani students strengthen their scholarship applications?

Strong applications pair measurable results with a clear development impact, solid English scores and a tight personal statement that links your study back to Pakistan’s needs. Reviewers spend only minutes on a first read, so every line must earn its place.

Tips that move the needle

• Sit IELTS or PTE early so you can re-test if you miss a band.
• Quantify achievements (“led a 12-person team”, “raised PKR 4M”) rather than listing duties.
• Tie your study goal to a development priority in Pakistan, such as climate, health, gender equity, agriculture or governance.
• Choose referees who supervised you in the last three years, and brief them on the scholarship.
• Have your Statement of Purpose and DILP reviewed by an experienced editor before you submit.

Common rejection reasons

• Generic essays that don’t name Pakistan or a specific development outcome.
• English scores below the minimum in even one band.
• Late, unsigned or unattested transcripts.
• A weak link between the course and your past study or work.
• Eligibility breaches, such as the age cap, missing work experience or holding another scholarship.

How much does it cost to study in Australia without a scholarship?

Studying in Australia without funding usually costs Pakistani students AUD 50,000 to 80,000 a year once tuition, living costs and visa expenses are combined. A scholarship can cut that to a fraction of the out-of-pocket figure.

Tuition (per year)

• Undergraduate: AUD 30,000–45,000.
• Postgraduate coursework: AUD 35,000–50,000.
• Research degrees (PhD/MRes): AUD 38,000–55,000.
• Medicine and dentistry: AUD 65,000+.

Living and visa costs

• Living costs (Department of Home Affairs figure): AUD 29,710 a year.
• OSHC: AUD 700–900 a year (single).
• Student visa (subclass 500) application fee: AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, as at October 2026. Check the current amount on the Home Affairs visa pricing estimator.
• Return airfare Karachi/Islamabad to Sydney: AUD 1,800–2,800.

What changed for Student visas on 2 October 2026?

• Apply from Pakistan: most Student visa applications must now be lodged and granted outside Australia.
• Family members: most new students can’t include a partner or children. Exceptions include PhD students, DFAT-sponsored students (which covers Australia Awards scholars) and holders of a fully funded foreign government scholarship. A fully funded HEC award may qualify, so check its terms. See bringing family on a Student visa.
• Genuine Student requirement: the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old GTE test on 23 March 2024. You answer targeted questions about your study plans in the form, rather than writing a long statement.

A scholarship offer doesn’t guarantee a visa. If you want your GS answers and financial evidence checked before you lodge, a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 2518738) can review them with you.

How The Migration helps Pakistani students win Australian scholarships

The Migration is an Australian education and migration consultancy with an office in Harris Park (Sydney), supporting Pakistani students from shortlisting to landing. Visa advice comes from a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 2518738), and you can check that number on the MARA public register.

• University and scholarship shortlisting based on your GPA, English score, budget and field.
• Statement of Purpose, DILP and CV review tailored to Pakistani applicant profiles.
• OASIS and university portal support for Australia Awards and research rounds.
• Subclass 500 Student visa lodgement by a MARA-registered agent once you accept your offer.
• Genuine Student (GS) answers prepared in line with current Department of Home Affairs guidance, so you avoid the common Student visa refusal reasons.
• Pre-departure briefings on OSHC, accommodation in Sydney or Melbourne, and Pakistani student communities on campus.
• Post-study work planning, including the subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, after you finish your degree.

Students in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar can book a consultation with our team online, or meet us in person at our Sydney and Melbourne offices.

Conclusion

For most Pakistani students planning Australian study, a scholarship is now the deciding factor. The Australia Awards round for 2027 study has closed, but the next round reopens in early 2027. Until then, the Macquarie $10,000 Pakistan award, RTP research stipends, university merit awards and Destination Australia grants at participating regional campuses are still open to you on their own cycles.

The students who win are not always the ones with the highest GPA. They match the right scheme to their profile, submit clean documents, and tell a credible story about using their skills in Pakistan. Pick one or two realistic scholarships, lock in your IELTS or PTE result, and start your Statement of Purpose well before the deadline. When your offer arrives, book a consultation with The Migration and our MARA-registered agent (MARN 2518738) can guide you through your Student visa from start to grant.

Frequently asked questions