Key information

Benefit amount

$15,500 (total value for up to 3 years)

Eligible citizenship

Australian citizen, Permanent resident
+1 more

Eligible student type

Current student, Non-school leaver

Eligible level of study

Undergraduate

Study area

Aviation, Built Environment and Architecture
+14 more

Scholarships available

10+

About the scholarship

Summary

Access Scholarships aim to ensure that Australians from low SES backgrounds who have the ability to study at university get the opportunity to do so.

Access Scholarship for Pathways students is open to students who have completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification immediately prior to commencing a full-time Undergraduate degree at Swinburne in Semester 2, 2026.

Value
First year value, paid bi-annually [AUD]
$5,500
Yearly value for subsequent 2 years, paid bi-annually [AUD]
$5,000
Total value for up to 3 years [AUD]
$15,500

Value details

  • The first year payment amounts to $5,500, which consists of a $500 one-off commencement payment and the yearly $5,000 amount
  • Funds are paid no later than Week 1 of each semester for up to 3 years.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be an Australian citizen,  Australian permanent resident or holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
  • have completed a vocational education and training (VET) qualification immediately prior to commencing your undergraduate degree at Swinburne in 2026 (includes Certificate I - IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and UniLink Diploma).
Enrolment criteria

Applicants must be:

  • a commencing first year Swinburne student in Semester 2, 2026
  • enrolled full-time or part-time in any Swinburne undergraduate course
  • studying on campus.
Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed based on financial hardship and/or personal hardship.

Study areas

This scholarship is related to the following study areas:

  • Aviation
  • Built Environment and Architecture
  • Business
  • Design
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Film and Television
  • Health
  • Law
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Science
  • Games and Animation
  • Media and Communication
  • Information Technology
  • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Supporting documentation

Personal statement

Submit a personal statement of up to 500 words addressing:

  • personal hardship and/or
  • financial disadvantage

Academic Documentation 

  • provide evidence of completion for any vocational education and training (VET) course undertaken immediately prior to commencing your undergraduate degree.

Financial Hardship

Provide evidence of financial hardship and/or personal hardship. Evidence can include, but is not limited to:

  • Centrelink statements
  • Health Care Card
  • ATO Payment Summary.
Conditions

All scholarships offered by Swinburne are governed by a set of conditions. Please visit our scholarship conditions page for further information.
 

How to apply

Opening date
Sunday 5 July 2026
Closing date
Sunday 9 August 2026
Complete application

Complete the online application form

Submit the online application form with all supporting documentation by the closing date. 

Apply now

Incomplete applications will not be considered. For assistance when completing your application, please visit the scholarship application help guide.

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Questions? We’re here to help!

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Scholarships and fees

Application help guide