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.

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.

Any Vocational Education (Certificate, Diploma, UniLink) course, Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree offered by Swinburne University of Technology or Swinburne Online.

To be eligible for the Indigenous RISE Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the following criteria:
   • Australian citizen
   • 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) with your scholarship application 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.
2. Meet the following enrolment criteria:
   • a Swinburne student in 2026
   • enrolled in an eligible course (see courses eligible in section above)
   • studying on-campus or online
3. A written statement (max. 500 words) addressing the following points:
   • your passion and commitment to study
   • how this scholarship will help you achieve your educational goals
4. Provide evidence of educational disadvantage. Disadvantages may include:
   • financial difficulty or low-socio economic status (Centrelink statement, payslips)
   • disability or medical condition (letter from doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist)
   • relocation from a rural or regional area in order to undertake tertiary study
   • First in family to attend university (Statutory Declaration declaring this is the case)​
5. Applicants for the RISE scholarship are required to book 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@swin.edu.au

This scholarship is valued at $1,500 (made as a single payment)

Please note - It is the student’s responsibility to notify Centrelink or any other government body of any changes to personal income that might affect government payments received. 

Applicants should complete an online application form and submit with all supporting documentation.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. For assistance when completing your application, please contact the Moondani Toombadool Centre via indigenousstudents@swin.edu.au or view the Scholarship Application Help Guide.

Fees and Scholarships, Student Administration. 
scholarship@swin.edu.au