Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026 – Full Fee Waiver for Asylum Seekers & Refugees in Australia

Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026: Overview

The Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026 at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, are designed to support students from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds. The scholarship provides full tuition fee waivers (and additional financial support in some cases) for eligible visa holders beginning undergraduate, UniLink Diploma, or select Vocational Education programs in Semester 1, 2026.

Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026: Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Hold one of the following visas:

  • Bridging Visa ‘E’ (V050)

  • Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) (V785)

  • Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) (V790)

  • Temporary Humanitarian Concern (V786)

• Apply for a course through VTAC (if current Year 12) or directly to Swinburne (if not Year 12).

• Be a commencing first-year student in 2026 (full-time; part-time may be considered under special circumstances).

• Demonstrate community involvement and commitment to contributing to society.

• Show financial hardship through supporting documents (e.g., Health Care Card, Youth Allowance, bank statements).

• Provide a reference (written in the last 12 months, supporting your community contributions).

Not eligible:

• Holders of Bridging Visa ‘A’

• International students on a Student Visa

Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026: Benefits

• Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the eligible program.

• For Vocational Education students: materials fees and concession fees (if under ASVET program) also covered.

• Additional financial support of up to $7,500 per year for TPV and SHEV holders if enrolled in courses longer than 12 months.

⚠️ Important: Students may lose Government income support upon enrolment and should arrange alternative income (e.g., part-time work).

Fellowship/Program Components

Covers a limited number of places in:

• Undergraduate programs

• UniLink Diploma programs

• Select Vocational Education Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas

Exclusions: Swinburne Online courses, professional degrees, and the Bachelor of Aviation.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. Personal statement (300 words) detailing:

   • Past or ongoing community involvement (school, volunteer work, church, youth groups, sports clubs, Refugee Council activities, etc.).

   • Future plans to contribute to society/community.

2. Evidence of financial hardship (e.g., welfare benefits, bank statements, payslips with explanation).

3. Reference letter (dated within 12 months, signed, including name, position, contact details, and permission to be contacted).

4. Proof of course application (via VTAC or Swinburne direct entry).

Selection Criteria

• Visa eligibility.

• Strong evidence of community involvement and leadership potential.

• Clear commitment to contributing positively to society.

• Financial hardship demonstrated.

• Admission into an eligible course at Swinburne.

Application Process

1. Stage One: Complete and submit the online scholarship application form with all required documents.

2. Stage Two: Apply for a course at Swinburne:

   • Via VTAC if you are a current Year 12 student (include VTAC ID in your application).

   • Via direct application to Swinburne if not Year 12.

   • Attend the University for guidance and assistance with the application process (if applying directly).

Deadline: Friday, 14 November 2025

Location: Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2026 – Full Fee Waiver for Asylum Seekers & Refugees in Australia