UAC equity scholarship Scholarship 2026

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) offers Equity Scholarships to students from low socio‑economic backgrounds, particularly those who receive Centrelink income support payments. These scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate the greatest level of financial need while studying at a participating Australian institution. If you are looking for similar funding opportunities in Australia, explore fully funded scholarships in Australia .

What Are Equity Scholarships?

Equity Scholarships are designed to help students who face financial challenges and other disadvantages that may affect their ability to succeed in higher education. There are two types of Equity Scholarships:

• Institution Equity Scholarships: Funded by individual universities and colleges. Their value, eligibility criteria, and duration vary between institutions.

• Indigenous Student Success Program: Funded by the Australian Government to support First Nations students.

Applications are highly competitive. Most successful applicants are receiving Centrelink income support payments.

Who Can Apply in Equity Scholarships?

To apply for an Equity Scholarship, you must be enrolled at, or applying for admission to, a participating institution. You can be applying:

• Through UAC for undergraduate or postgraduate study (only a very limited number of scholarships are open to international applicants)

• Directly to an institution

• Through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)

Key Dates – 2026 to 2027

Equity Scholarship applications open on 8 April 2026. Below are the offer rounds for 2026 and 2027. You must apply and provide documents by the specified date to be considered for that round.

2026 Offer Rounds:

• April – Round 1: Apply by Friday 10 April → Offers released Friday 24 April

• May – Round 1: Apply by Friday 24 April → Offers released Friday 8 May

• June – Round 2: Apply by Friday 5 June → Offers released Friday 19 June

• July – Round 2: Apply by Friday 10 July → Offers released Friday 24 July

• September – Round 2: Apply by Friday 11 September → Offers released Friday 25 September

• October – Round 1: Apply by Monday 28 September → Offers released Saturday 10 October

• November – Round 2: Apply by Friday 13 November → Offers released Friday 27 November

• December – Round 2: Apply by Thursday 10 December → Offers released Thursday 24 December

2027 Offer Rounds:

• January – Round 1: Apply by Monday 28 December → Offers released Saturday 9 January

• January – Round 2: Apply by Friday 8 January → Offers released Friday 22 January

• February – Round 2: Apply by Friday 29 January → Offers released Friday 12 February

• March – Round 1: Apply by Friday 5 February → Offers released Friday 5 March

For a full list of UAC dates and to check for changes, visit uac.edu.au/key-dates.

For students seeking other funded programs in Oceania, check scholarships in Australia for all nationalities.

How Equity Scholarships Work

Offers are emailed the day after each undergraduate offer round. Not all institutions participate in each round. Your scholarship offer is made on the condition that you are eligible on your first census date for the scholarship period. Institutions will confirm your eligibility before any payments are made.

If you are unsuccessful, it does not mean you are not in need – rather, there are other applicants with greater need. You do not need to reapply within the same admissions period; your application remains live for future offer rounds.

Circumstances You Can Claim

You can claim one or more of the following circumstances in your Equity Scholarship application. Each category has specific documentation requirements.

Carer Responsibilities

You care for another person who needs ongoing support due to a long‑term medical condition, mental illness, disability, frailty, or palliative care. Provide your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) if receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, or an independent statement from a responsible person.

Financial Challenges (Four Categories)

Category 1 – Receiving Centrelink Income Support: Provide your CRN (must be in your name).

Category 2 – Expecting to Receive Centrelink Income Support: No documents required at application, but you must provide evidence to your institution after enrolment.

Category 3 – Exceptional Financial Hardship: Provide comprehensive evidence demonstrating hardship beyond your control.

Category 4 – Dependent Year 12 Student with Parent on Family Tax Benefit Part A: Provide a recent Centrelink family assistance letter or income statement showing FTB Part A receipt.

Long‑Term Medical Condition/Disability or Ongoing Effects of Abuse

Provide both:

• A medical impact statement completed by a registered health professional

• An educational impact statement completed by a responsible person (school principal, counsellor, doctor, social worker, etc.)

Living in a Regional or Remote Area of Australia

Within the two years before your proposed study, you lived in a regional or remote area for at least 12 months. Provide documents showing your residential address (bank statements, school letters, utility bills, etc.). Postcodes classified as RA2 to RA5 (not RA1 – Major Cities) qualify.

Sole Parent Responsibilities

You are single with at least one dependent child under 18 in your care. Provide your CRN if receiving Parenting Payment (Single), or an independent statement from a responsible person.

First Nations Person

You identify as a First Nations person and are accepted as such in your community. Answer the relevant questions in the application.

Out‑of‑Home‑Care Status

You have been placed with an OOHC provider due to government agency intervention. Provide a letter from a caseworker or children’s court placement papers.

Refugee and Humanitarian Status

You hold or have held an Australian refugee or humanitarian visa (subclasses 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 449, 785, 786, 790, 851, 866). Provide a copy of your visa, UNHCR registration, or travel document.

For detailed information on each circumstance, visit uac.edu.au/es-categories.

How to Apply in Equity Scholarships:

Follow these steps to apply for Equity Scholarships:

Step 1: Go to the UAC website and select ‘Apply / log in’ at the top right of the screen.

Step 2: Select ‘Equity Scholarships application’ – a series of questions and prompts will guide you.

Step 3: Agree to the declaration and authority.

Step 4: Download and print your confirmation of application. If you need to provide supporting documents, a document package will also be generated. (No document package = no documents required.)

Step 5: Upload any documents specified in the document package.

Step 6: If your circumstances change after submission, log back in and add circumstances at least 10 working days before an offer round.

Your application will remain live until March 2027. Do not submit another application before then – it will be withdrawn.

Participating Institutions (2026–2027)

Equity Scholarships are available at the following institutions (partial list):

• Australian Catholic University

• Australian National University

• Charles Sturt University

• CQUniversity

• Griffith University

• La Trobe University

• Macquarie University

• Southern Cross University

• Torrens University Australia

• University of Canberra

• University of Newcastle

• University of New England

• University of Notre Dame Australia

• University of Sydney

• University of Technology Sydney

• University of Wollongong

• UNSW Sydney

• Western Sydney University

• And others (check UAC website for full list)

Important Notes

• No application fee for Equity Scholarships (but there is a fee for undergraduate admission through UAC).

• Use a private email address (not school‑based) to receive notifications.

• All information is treated as confidential.

• If you have a disability and need help with the application process, call UAC at (+61 2) 9752 0200.

For additional financial aid options across Oceania, explore aids for students in Oceania. And to see a complete list of open scholarships in Australia, visit  all open scholarships in Australia.

Final Thoughts

Equity Scholarships can make the difference between struggling to afford university and being able to focus fully on your studies. If you are facing financial challenges, have carer or sole parent responsibilities, live in a regional area, or have a medical condition or refugee background, you owe it to yourself to apply. The first offer round closes 10 April 2026 – act now.

Apply Now for Equity Scholarships