Australia guide · Scholarships · 4 min read
Scholarships in Australia for Nepali students: what's realistic, and how to get one.
Most Nepali students who get a scholarship in Australia get a university merit scholarship: usually 10% to 30% off tuition, often automatic with a good GPA. Destination Australia pays AUD 15,000 a year at participating regional campuses. Australia Awards fully fund master's degrees for people who'll use them in Nepal, and research degrees can be funded through university research scholarships. Full scholarships for coursework degrees are rare.
The short version
- The realistic one: a university merit scholarship, 10% to 30% off tuition, often renewed each year if your grades hold.
- Destination Australia: AUD 15,000 a year (about Rs 15.9 lakh) at participating regional campuses, through the university.
- Australia Awards fund the whole master's for Nepal's priority sectors, but you must return to Nepal after. The 2027 round ran 2 February to 30 April 2026.
- A tuition scholarship lowers the bank balance you show: the money rule counts first-year tuition after the discount.
- Ask for the renewal rule in writing. A 25% award that ends after year 1 is worth far less than it looks.
The four routes, compared
| Scholarship | Worth | Who gets it | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| University merit scholarship | 10% to 30% off tuition, sometimes a flat AUD 5,000 to 10,000 | Students with grades well above the entry minimum | Often automatic with your application; some need an essay |
| Destination Australia | AUD 15,000 a year | Students at participating regional campuses | Through the university |
| Australia Awards | Full tuition, return flights, a living contribution, health cover | Master’s applicants in Nepal’s priority sectors who commit to return | Once a year, through Australia Awards Nepal |
| Research scholarships | Tuition and a living stipend | Research master’s and PhD applicants with research experience | Through the university’s research office, usually with a supervisor’s support |
What a scholarship is worth in rupees
At Rs 105.97 per AUD (18 Oct 2026), on a tuition fee of AUD 36,000 a year:
| Award | Year 1 saving | Whole 2-year master’s |
|---|---|---|
| 10% merit, renewed | AUD 3,600 (about Rs 3.8 lakh) | AUD 7,200 (about Rs 7.6 lakh) |
| 25% merit, renewed | AUD 9,000 (about Rs 9.5 lakh) | AUD 18,000 (about Rs 19.1 lakh) |
| 25% merit, year 1 only | AUD 9,000 (about Rs 9.5 lakh) | AUD 9,000 (about Rs 9.5 lakh) |
| Destination Australia | AUD 15,000 (about Rs 15.9 lakh) | AUD 30,000 (about Rs 31.8 lakh) |
The third row is the trap. Two offers that both say “25% scholarship” can differ by Rs 9.5 lakh over the course.
University merit scholarships: the realistic one
Most awards our students win come from the university. They’re usually a percentage off tuition, assessed on your +2 GPA or bachelor’s CGPA. What we see on our shortlists, as a rough guide:
| Your marks | What’s realistic |
|---|---|
| +2 GPA 3.6 or above, or CGPA 3.6 or above | 20% to 30% at many universities |
| GPA or CGPA 3.2 to 3.6 | 10% to 20% at many universities |
| GPA or CGPA below 3.0 | Few merit awards; look at regional campuses and fee levels instead |
Ask three questions about every award, and get the answers in writing:
- Is it renewed each year? If so, what average do you have to keep?
- Is it off the full fee, or off one semester?
- Does it need a separate application, and by when?
Destination Australia: worth it if regional suits you
Destination Australia is government-funded and paid through participating regional universities and campuses. AUD 15,000 a year is about Rs 15.9 lakh. Regional campuses also tend to have lower rent, and studying and living regionally can add time on your post-study visa. If you’re open to Hobart, Toowoomba, Wollongong or another regional city, put two of these campuses on your shortlist. Regional study benefits explains the visa side.
Australia Awards: fully funded, and hard to win
Australia Awards fund master’s degrees for people who will use them in Nepal. For the 2027 intake, applications ran from 2 February to 30 April 2026. Applicants are judged on leadership potential and the impact they could make in a priority sector, and must return to Nepal after the degree for a set period.
Don’t get this confused: Australia Awards are not for students who want to stay in Australia. If your plan is to work there after study, apply for a merit scholarship instead.
Research degrees: where full funding exists
Research master’s and PhD students can win scholarships that cover tuition and pay a living stipend. They’re competitive and depend on research experience: publications, a strong thesis, and a supervisor who agrees to take you. Research degree applicants are also exempt from the October 2026 family rule, so this is the route for a Nepali student who wants to study and bring a spouse.
How a scholarship changes the money you show
A tuition scholarship lowers the tuition part of the visa money rule. With a 25% award on AUD 36,000:
| At a glance | Without scholarship | With 25% |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, year 1 | AUD 36,000 | AUD 27,000 |
| Living costs | AUD 29,710 | AUD 29,710 |
| Travel | about AUD 1,500 | about AUD 1,500 |
| To show | AUD 67,210 (about Rs 71.2 lakh) | AUD 58,210 (about Rs 61.7 lakh) |
The scholarship letter goes in the visa file.
A student who chose the scholarship over the city
Prakash Tamang from Chitwan wanted Sydney because his cousins were there. His goal was nursing and, long term, permanent residence. We showed him the numbers: Adelaide’s rent was about AUD 120 a week lower, and studying regionally adds post-study time that Sydney doesn’t. He chose Adelaide, finished his Bachelor of Nursing in 2024, worked in aged care while studying, and now works in a hospital there.
Your scholarship checklist
- Your best English score before you apply (some awards ask for more than entry)
- Two regional campuses on the shortlist
- Each award’s renewal rule, in writing
- Separate scholarship deadlines in your calendar
- The scholarship letter added to your visa money file
