Indigenous RISE Scholarship

This scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in a course at Swinburne University or Swinburne Online to realise their potential and engage in their studies with success.

This scholarship payment aims to help students to purchase initial resources such as IT equipment, course-specific equipment including tools, textbooks, journals, stationery or public transport passes, to ensure students have everything they need to reach their full potential.

Please note that students who have previously received the Indigenous Laptop Scholarship or the Indigenous Technology and Engagement Scholarship are not eligible for this scholarship.

Applicant must:

• be  an Australian citizen
• be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Applicant must be:

• be a commencing first year or continuing second year and above Swinburne student in 2026
• enrolled full-time in any Vocational Education (Certificate, Diploma, UniLink) course, Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree offered by Swinburne University of Technology or Swinburne Online.
• studying on campus or online.

Applications will be assessed based on: 

• financial difficulty or low-socio economic status
• disability or medical condition
• relocation from a rural or regional area in order to undertake tertiary study
• first in family to attend university

Also, applicants are required to schedule an appointment and connect with an Indigenous Student Advisor through the Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) at the commencement of your studies to explore your learning needs.. To book a time please email indigenousstudents@swinburne.edu.au

This scholarship is related to the following study areas:

Personal Statement

Submit a personal statement of up to 500 words addressing:

• your passion and commitment to study
• how this scholarship will help you achieve your educational goals.

Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage

Provide evidence to confirm you are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage by submitting:

• a Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage certificate (COA), or 
• a certified Statutory Declaration declaring that the individual applying for the scholarship is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and/or is accepted as such by the community in which you live, or formerly lived.

Evidence of hardship

• financial difficulty or low-socio economic status
• disability or medical condition
• relocation from a rural or regional area in order to undertake tertiary study
• first in family to attend university

Appointment

• provide evidence they have connected (or have an appintment booked) with an Indigenous Student Advisor through the Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC). 

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

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