Access Scholarship for First Year Undergraduates - Direct application | 2026
Scholarship focus
About the scholarship
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.
The Access Scholarships are open to students who are commencing their first year of study in 2026, and are able to demonstrate financial or personal hardship or low socio-economic status.
More benefits
$5,500 in the first year and $5,000 per year for the subsequent two years.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Applicants must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.
Applicants must be be a commencing first year Swinburne student in Semester 2, 2026 enrolled full-time or part-time in an eligible course.
Provide evidence of one of the following:
- experiencing financial or personal hardship or low socio-economic status (evidence may include Centrelink statements, Health Care Card or ATO Payment Summary)
- a current or previous permanent humanitarian visa holder
- Care Leavers from Australian State or Foster Care
- have relocated from a rural or regional area in order to study.
Here is a standard sentence above the study area bulleted list. Here is a standard sentence above the study area bulleted list.
- Aviation
- Built Environment and Architecture
- Business
- Design
- Education
- Engineering
- Film and Television
- Health
- Law
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Science
- Trades and Apprenticeships
- Games and Animation
- Media and Communication
- Information Technology
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Submit a personal statement (500 words) addressing personal and/or financial diasdavantage.
All scholarships offered by Swinburne are governed by a set of conditions. please visit our scholarship conditions page for further information.
How to apply
Complete the online application form
Submit the online application form with all supporting documentation by the closing date.
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“The scholarship is both a recognition of my achievements and an encouragement and incentive for my future studies.
I have been given a real opportunity to realise my ambitions and reach my full potential in my field of study.”
Lareina , Swinburne international student and scholarship recipient from China
Browse similar scholarships
Browse similar scholarships
Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
We encourage you to apply for multiple scholarships as you will be considered for other scholarships.
Questions? We’re here to help!
We're here to help answer any of your questions about Swinburne's scholarships programs.