For Indian students planning to study in Australia in 2026, the February intake is the main academic intake of the year. This is when the widest range of courses is open, including engineering, data science, business, health, IT, design, and research-focused master’s programs. Because demand is high, scholarship timelines are strict. Missing a scholarship deadline can mean paying full first-year tuition out of pocket, which can be ₹20–30 lakh or more depending on the university and program.
This guide explains the most important Australia February 2026 Scholarships, who they are for, typical award values, and how early you need to apply. All timelines and benefits below are based on official Australian government and university sources.
Australian Government: Australia Awards Scholarships
What it is:
Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term, fully funded awards offered by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). These scholarships are designed to support students from eligible partner countries to study full-time at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The program aims to build skills that support development in the student’s home country.
What it covers:
According to DFAT, Australia Awards Scholarships typically include full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses, and health cover.
Deadline pattern for 2026 entry:
For the 2026 commencement cycle, multiple country programs opened in early February 2025 and closed by the end of April 2025 (for example, applications for study commencing in 2026 were open from 1 February 2025 to 30 April 2025 in several participating countries).
Why this matters for February 2026 intake:
If you plan to start in Australia in February 2026, you cannot wait until late 2025. You generally need to submit your Australia Awards application around February–April of the previous year. That means serious preparation of documents (transcripts, English scores, work experience proof, statement of purpose) needs to start nearly 10–12 months before Semester 1 begins.
Who should consider this:
- High academic performers
- Applicants aiming at development fields (public health, infrastructure, energy, governance, education)
- Students who can demonstrate impact back in their home country after graduation
For Indian students: some cycles of Australia Awards focus on specific partner countries and priority sectors, so eligibility depends on the current DFAT country list and priority areas.
University-funded scholarships (example: Monash University)
Australian universities also offer direct funding to international students. These are extremely relevant if you are self-funded but still want partial fee relief.
Monash International Merit Scholarship (Monash University)
Monash University states that students from all countries who receive an offer to study at Monash may be considered for the Monash International Merit Scholarship. Monash lists that this scholarship is valued at up to AUD $15,000 per year, and can continue for the duration of the degree (up to $75,000 total across multiple years, depending on the program length).
Why this matters for February 2026 intake:
Semester 1 at many Australian universities begins in February. To be considered for scholarships like this, you usually must do two things early:
- Apply for admission and receive an offer.
- Either be automatically considered or submit a short scholarship statement (depending on scholarship type).
Monash notes that international students are assessed based on academic excellence and may be automatically considered once they hold an offer.
Action for Indian students:
Apply to Monash for Semester 1 (February) as early as possible. Universities in Australia generally encourage international students to complete applications several months ahead of the intake so that visa and financial documents can be processed on time.
University-funded scholarships (example: UNSW Sydney)
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) publicly states that it offers a range of scholarships to support international students beginning coursework degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate). These scholarships can include partial tuition fee reductions, fixed-value awards, and in some cases higher-value competitive awards.
UNSW also advertises intake-based scholarships for new international students commencing study in Term 1, which aligns with Australia’s main Semester 1 / February start. These scholarships typically require that the student has already received an offer to study at UNSW and that they apply by a specific cut-off date before the intake.
Why this matters for Australia February 2026 Scholarships:
If Term 1 / Semester 1 at UNSW begins around February, scholarship deadlines can fall in the preceding October–November window. That means Indian students targeting February 2026 should aim to secure a conditional or full offer well before the end of 2025, then submit scholarship materials before those internal cut-offs.
Action for Indian students:
Step 1: Apply for your course at UNSW for Term 1 / February start.
Step 2: As soon as you receive an offer, review active UNSW scholarships and lodge the scholarship application (if required) before the stated closing time.
Step 3: Keep copies of your offer letter and proof of funding for your student visa.
University Semester 1 (February) application deadlines
To receive scholarships, you must first be admitted. For reference, the University of Sydney states that international student applications for Semester 1 (February) generally close on 1 December of the year prior to commencement.
This matters for two reasons:
- If Semester 1 begins February 2026, you should not plan to apply in January 2026. You’re already late.
- Scholarship review often happens after you receive an offer. If you apply in October or November 2025, you give yourself enough time to (a) get an offer, (b) submit scholarship documents, and (c) arrange visa funds.
Many Australian universities follow a similar Semester 1 timeline, encouraging international applicants to complete their applications in the last quarter of the previous year.
Conclusion
If you are targeting the February 2026 intake in Australia, funding is available, but the timing is not flexible. The main sources of support are:
- Australian Government scholarships (like Australia Awards Scholarships), which can be fully funded and often close around April in the year before you start.
- University scholarships (for example, Monash International Merit Scholarship and UNSW international scholarships), which reward high academic performance and often require you to already have an offer.
- Semester 1 admission deadlines at universities such as the University of Sydney, where international applications for the February start typically close by 1 December of the previous year.
In simple terms: for Australia February 2026 Scholarships, you should be applying in 2025, not 2026. If you leave it to the last minute, you may still get admission but will almost certainly miss serious funding.
If you’re not sure which scholarships you qualify for, or how early you need to lodge, Go2West offers free consultation for Indian students planning for the February 2026 intake. We help match you to Australian universities, explain funding options, and align your timeline to real admission cut-offs.
Also read next:
Top Non-English Speaking Countries Where Indian Students Can Study in English in 2026.
That guide is useful if you’re cost-sensitive and open to studying in English in countries like Germany or the Netherlands, where tuition can be significantly lower than typical Australian fees.
FAQ
Q1. Can Indian students get full scholarships for the Australia February 2026 intake?
Full (tuition + living) funding is rare but possible mainly through Australia Awards Scholarships, which are administered by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and can cover tuition, living costs, flights, and more.
University scholarships (like Monash International Merit Scholarship) are more commonly partial (e.g. AUD $15,000 per year, renewable).
Q2. What is the last date to apply for February intake?
Example: The University of Sydney states that for Semester 1 (February), international student applications generally close 1 December of the year before you start.
Other universities will have similar late-year cut-offs for Semester 1 / February. Apply before October–November for best scholarship chances.
Q3. Is there any advantage to applying early for February 2026?
Yes. Many university scholarships require that you already hold an offer. UNSW, for example, lists scholarships for international students commencing in Term 1 (main intake), and these typically require an offer plus a completed scholarship application before the stated deadline.
Q4. Do I need a separate scholarship essay?
Some scholarships (like certain UNSW awards) require a short application. Others, such as the Monash International Merit Scholarship, may automatically assess high-achieving international students who have received an offer.
