If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student thinking about university, this might be exactly the aid you were waiting for. Curtin University has announced that the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships for 2025 are officially open. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial load—specifically with accommodation and education costs—for Indigenous students, especially those from regional, rural, or remote parts of Australia.
Program at a glance:
Program: Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships
Coverage: Partially funded (Accommodation & Education Costs)
Nationality: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Australia)
Degree Level: Enabling, Associate, or Bachelor’s
Duration: per semester / ongoing during degree
Host University: Curtin University
Deadline: 12 December 2025
If you’re eligible, this is one of the more generous supports currently available. Let’s unpack all the details so you can confidently apply.
What Is the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships Program?
Curtin University administers two streams under the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships umbrella:
- Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS)
- Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS)
These are funded by the Australian Federal Government with the express goal of helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who face financial hardship. The support is especially focused on students from remote or regional areas who might otherwise struggle to balance living expenses and educational needs.
Check out: SilverChef Community Grants Scholarship Program 2025 ($5,000 Grants)
What the Scholarships Provide
Understanding exactly what you get is crucial—this is more than symbolic, it’s real financial help.
Education Costs Support (ICECS)
- Valuation: AUD 1,500 per semester
- Purpose: Helps with general study-related expenses—textbooks, materials, fees, and other costs tied to being a student.
- Applicability: You may be eligible whether you enroll full-time or part-time (subject to meeting credit minimums).
Accommodation Support (ICAS)
- Valuation: AUD 3,000 per semester
- Purpose: Eases the burden of housing, whether you’ve relocated or face additional accommodation costs due to your study location.
- Special Conditions: Particularly aimed at students who have to move or live away from home to attend courses.
Together, if eligible for both, you could receive AUD 4,500 per semester. Over a full academic year, that’s substantial relief—especially for those coming from remote parts of Australia.
Check out: CERN Theoretical Physics Fellowship 2025 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To make sure you’re not applying blind, here are the key requirements. You’ll need to satisfy most, if not all, of them:
General Eligibility for Both Scholarships:
- You must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- You must be enrolled (or intending to enroll) in an enabling course, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree at Curtin University.
- You must be able to demonstrate financial hardship (for example, by receiving a means-tested government income support payment or via an income assessment by Curtin’s Scholarships Office).
- You must not already hold a bachelor’s degree (unless that degree is a prerequisite for your enrolled course).
- You must not already receive overlapping support, such as other Commonwealth scholarships or certain Centrelink/ABSTUDY support tied to the same costs.
- Priority is given to applicants from regional or remote areas of Australia.
Additional Criteria for ICAS (Accommodation Scholarship):
- You must have relocated from a regional or remote area or be required to live on campus or move out of your family home for your study.
- You must be an “internal student,” meaning you’ll attend units/courses on campus, unless there are approved exceptions.
- You must not currently receive a scholarship or support covering relocation or accommodation (such as ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option).
Important Note: You can apply for both ICECS and ICAS if you meet each respective eligibility. But you can’t hold them in conjunction with certain other government supports.
Fields of Study & Allowed Courses
These scholarships don’t restrict you to a narrow list of majors—you have flexibility. You’re eligible if your study lies within:
- Any enabling course (to help you bridge into higher study)
- Any associate degree
- Any bachelor’s degree at Curtin
So whether you plan to do business, health sciences, humanities, engineering, or another area, you can apply—so long as the above eligibility is satisfied.
How to Apply & Important Dates
Key Deadline
- Applications close: 12 December 2025
That gives you a window to gather documents, write any personal statements, and submit the form.
Application Steps
- Visit Curtin’s Indigenous Scholarships Portal
Go to their official scholarship page and locate the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships section. - Fill out the application form
You’ll likely provide personal details, your study plan, evidence of Indigenous identity, proof of financial hardship, and any relocation information. - Provide supporting documents
Things like income statements, proof of address, evidence of relocation (if applicable), transcripts, and identity documents. - Submit before the deadline
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered. - Wait for assessment & outcome
Curtin’s scholarship office will review all applicants, give priority to remote/regional candidates, and announce decisions.
Throughout the process, make sure your documentation is clear and your story (why you need this support) is persuasive—these programs want to help those who need it most.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Let’s be honest—university is expensive. Between rent, utilities, course materials, and transport, the financial burden can feel overwhelming. Add in the challenges of leaving home, adjusting to campus life, and moving away from family, and it’s a lot. Programs like the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships don’t just offer money—they offer peace of mind.
For Indigenous students from remote or regional areas, this funding can mean the difference between being able to enroll or having to delay or abandon plans. It helps level the field, empower communities, and genuinely support students who are already battling systemic challenges.
If you’ve ever felt that you deserve this chance but finances are the barrier, this might be your moment.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Tell your story clearly: Explain your background, challenges, and reasons for needing support.
- Show commitment: Even if your academic record isn’t perfect, show clear motivation, plans, and potential.
- Gather solid documents early: Identity, relocation evidence, financial statements—don’t leave this to the last minute.
- Reach out for help: Curtin’s scholarship office may assist you in preparing your application—use that resource.
- Submit early: Avoid technical issues or missing documents by not waiting until the deadline.
Final Thoughts & Encouragement
If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student with ambition, but income constraints are casting doubt, don’t let that stop you. This Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships opportunity is real, tangible, and crafted to support exactly students like you. Whether you’re relocating, juggling costs, or trying to make university possible, this can make a huge difference.
Take the time now to put together a strong application. Make sure you meet eligibility, get your materials in order, and submit before 12 December 2025. This could be the step that opens doors for your future education and career.
Wishing you all the best—go for it, and may your application succeed!