ACU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Accommodation Scholarship 2026

This scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are living away from home and community, with a particular emphasis on those from regional, rural, or remote areas, as well as those who have experienced financial disadvantage.

The scholarship contributes to the cost of accommodation so recipients can focus on their studies and make the most of their university experience.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 25, 2026
• ValueAccommodation
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorAustralian Catholic University (ACU)
• City to studyQueensland
• School to studyBond University
• Course to study
• Eligible CountryAustralia

Benefits

This scholarship will provide student accommodation in multi-share, ACU preferred accommodation for two years:

• Year 1 of the scholarship: 100% of accommodation costs will be covered.
• Year 2 of the scholarship: 50% of accommodation costs will be covered.

This scholarship only applies to ACU preferred student accommodation. The accommodation and rental agreements will be facilitated by ACU. This offer does not apply to any non-ACU accommodation.

Requirements

This scholarship is open to applicants who meet all the following criteria, or will do so by the application close date:

• Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students (Confirmation of Aboriginality will be required)
• Course: any ACU undergraduate degree
• Study load: full-time in Semester 1, 2026.
• Campus: Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, or Strathfield (must be on campus)
• Meet one or more of the following hardship criteria:
  • From a regional, rural or remote area of Australia (as classified by the Rural Remote and Metropolitan Area ASGS 2021) and/or
  • Experienced financial disadvantage

Selection Process

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a yarn. This is a 15-20 minute chat with an Indigenous Higher Education Unit Coordinator and a Project Officer from our First Peoples unit. This yarn is for applicants to get to know us and for us to get to know you! 
• Recipients will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the First Peoples Directorate.
• This scholarship may be awarded by the Scholarships Office prior to the close date.

Applications are assessed based on the strength of the following criteria:

• Written statement
• Hardships (preference will be given to applicants from RRR areas)
• Academic merit (applies to current students only - this will be assessed based on current ACU GPA) 

Application Documents

Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application:

• A written statement* of approximately 200 words outlining:
  • how this scholarship will benefit you
  • how you engage with the Indigenous community and how this reflects ACU's mission and values.
• Upload Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status (for more information on this requirement please visit, COA)
• (If applicable) upload evidence of your regional, rural or remote address.
• (If applicable) upload evidence of your financial hardship (for example: Centrelink Statement, Youth Allowance Income Statement, ABSTUDY Statement, Health Care Card, or a Statutory Declaration).

Check also:
ANU Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 2026
University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Applications are made via the Application portal.

For more information, kindly view the Scholarship webpage.