Equity Scholarships
Equity Scholarships (ES) for university
Equity Scholarships help eligible students overcome financial barriers to higher education. You can apply for an Equity Scholarship through UAC if you're already at uni or are applying to study next year. Unlike merit scholarships, which are awarded for academic, sporting or other achievements, Equity Scholarships are awarded to tertiary students who demonstrate the greatest level of financial need. Most applicants who are awarded a scholarship are receiving Centrelink income support payments such as ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance, JobSeeker Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment (Single) or the Carer Payment.
There are two types of Equity Scholarships:
- Institution Equity Scholarships: funded by individual institutions and their value, eligibility criteria and duration differ between institutions
- Indigenous Student Success Program scholarships: funded by the Australian Government.
This page explains who can apply, how the application process works, eligibility requirements, and how scholarships are awarded. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you'll receive a scholarship, as applications are assessed competitively based on each institution's selection criteria.
Also read our quick guide to financial assistance for university.
Who can apply?
To apply for an Equity Scholarship, you must be enrolled at a UAC participating institution, or applying for admission to a UAC participating institution in one of the following ways:
- through UAC (for undergraduate or postgraduate study: only a very limited number of Equity Scholarships are open to international applicants)
- directly to an institution
- through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
Most applicants who receive a scholarship are receiving Centrelink income support payments and/or can demonstrate that they meet additional types of eligibility criteria specified by the institution.
Details of requirements for individual scholarships can be found on the institution websites.
Being eligible doesn't guarantee a scholarship
Meeting scholarship eligibility criteria doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be awarded a scholarship. There are more applicants than available scholarships. As part of a competitive application process, you are ranked against the eligibility criteria, and institutions award scholarships to applicants who best meet the eligibility criteria.
If you are unsuccessful it doesn’t mean that you’re not in need; rather, it means that there are other applicants who’ve been assessed as being in greater need.
Equity Scholarships FAQs
University scholarships are usually merit-based or needs-based. To find and apply for merit-based scholarships, search each university's website.
Many of UAC's participating universities award needs-based scholarships via the centralised Equity Scholarships application. To apply for an Equity Scholarship, you must be enrolled at a UAC participating institution, or applying for admission to a UAC participating institution in one of the following ways:
- through UAC (for undergraduate or postgraduate study: only a very limited number of Equity Scholarships are open to international applicants)
- directly to an institution
- through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
Most applicants who receive a scholarship are receiving Centrelink income support payments and/or can demonstrate that they meet additional types of eligibility criteria specified by the institution. Details of requirements for individual scholarships can be found on the institution websites.
University scholarships are usually merit-based or needs-based.
Institutions award merit-based scholarships to applicants based on a range of criteria such as:
- school examination results
- academic excellence
- ATAR
- course/faculty of study
- personal achievements such as leadership, creativity, self-motivation, communication skills, an outstanding ability in sport.
You need to apply directly to individual institutions for merit-based scholarships. To find out more, search for ‘scholarships’ on the institution websites.
Many of UAC's participating universities award needs-based scholarships via the centralised Equity Scholarships application. To apply for an Equity Scholarship, you must be enrolled at a UAC participating institution, or applying for admission to a UAC participating institution in one of the following ways:
- through UAC (for undergraduate or postgraduate study: only a very limited number of Equity Scholarships are open to international applicants)
- directly to an institution
- through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
Most applicants who receive a scholarship are receiving Centrelink income support payments and/or can demonstrate that they meet additional types of eligibility criteria specified by the institution. Details of requirements for individual scholarships can be found on the institution websites.
Merit scholarships are awarded in recognition of achievement, such as academic results, sporting excellence, leadership, creative talent or community involvement. Most merit scholarships are offered by individual universities, and you usually apply directly to the institution.
Equity scholarships are awarded to students who experience financial hardship or educational disadvantage. They aim to help reduce barriers to higher education by providing financial support. Eligibility is based on your personal circumstances rather than your academic performance, although you may still need to meet your course entry requirements.
A university equity scheme is a program that helps students who face financial hardship or other types of challenges access and succeed in higher education.
Equity schemes may include financial assistance, scholarships, accommodation support, mentoring, academic support and other services designed to reduce barriers to study.
At UAC participating institutions, Equity Scholarships are one type of equity initiative. They provide financial support to eligible students based on factors such as financial need and other eligibility criteria set by each institution. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee you'll receive a scholarship, however, as applications are assessed competitively.
Circumstances you can claim in your Equity Scholarships application through UAC
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Application and offer dates
11 Sept 2026
Equity Scholarships: September Round 2 application deadline
Apply and upload PDF documents by 11.59pm for consideration in September Round 2.
25 Sept 2026
Equity Scholarships: September Round 2 outcomes released
Equity Scholarships September Round 2 outcomes released at 9am.
28 Sept 2026
Equity Scholarships: October Round 1 application deadline
Apply and upload PDF documents by 11.59pm for consideration in October Round 1.
10 Oct 2026
Equity Scholarships: October Round 1 outcomes released
Equity Scholarships October Round 1 outcomes released at 9am.