About

The QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme is an application-based scheme offered to students who may be experiencing financial difficulty. It is funded by significant contributions from the QUT Learning Potential Fund.

Applications are open twice a year and you only need to submit one application to be considered for all scholarships and bursaries under the scheme (except the Asylum Seeker Tuition Fee Scholarship).

You are encouraged to read all the information on this web page before submitting your application.

Applications closed

We are no longer calling applications for the QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme. Should you have any questions, contact us via scholarships@qut.edu.au.

Applications open

June 2025

Applications close

July 2025

Reach your goals

'I had to move from Townsville to Brisbane to study my course which was a major financial decision and my biggest concern in coming to university. I did not apply for any equity scholarships in my first semester as I did not think I would be eligible, as a result my studies suffered as I prioritised work. Applying for Equity Scholarships was one of the best decisions I made as an Indigenous student who has relocated to study, I have received multiple scholarships allowing me to focus on my studies and achieve my goals.'

Sarah Evans
Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Paramedic Science student

What you need to know

There are several scholarships and bursaries that fall under the QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme.

Students can only receive on scholarship or bursary under the scheme in any given academic year. If you are eligible for two or more scholarships or bursaries under the scheme, you will be awarded the higher valued scholarship or bursary.

Domestic students may be eligible for:

International students may be eligible for:

Only one application is required to be considered for all the above scholarships.

A separate application is required for:

You must be either a current or future:

  • domestic student, undertaking an undergraduate, postgraduate or research qualification
  • international student undertaking an undergraduate, postgraduate or research qualification
  • domestic QUT College student studying a diploma program or the University Preparation Program (UPP).

You must also be:

  • from a low-income household
  • experiencing financial hardship.

Personal hardship will also be taken into consideration when assessing applications. Examples of these include:

  • personal medical conditions
  • disabilities
  • dependents with special needs.

These scholarships are not available to:

  • single-unit study students - studying an individual unit at QUT, but not enrolled in a QUT award course
  • cross-institutional students - enrolled in an award course at another university, but studying specific units at QUT and receiving credit towards your award course at the other university
  • international QUT College students
  • students in foundation, undergraduate certificates, or English language courses.

Financial hardship documentation

You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re experiencing financial hardship and come from a low-income background.  Below is a list of documents we’ll need from you.

Bank statements and individual transaction histories

You’ll need to supply individual transaction histories/bank statements for all bank accounts, covering a period of at least the last two months, backdated from your application submission date.

Bank statements and individual transaction histories must:

  • include your full name, current balance, and show all incoming and outgoing transactions made in to and out of the account
  • cover the period of at least the last two months, backdated from the time of submitting your application
  • include all bank accounts, including everyday accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, loan accounts, joint accounts, and online payment platform statements (e.g. PayPal, Buy Now Pay Later services, etc)
  • include both onshore (Australian) and overseas bank accounts
  • not be in an amendable file format, such as DOCX, XLSM, or CSV.

Income

You must supply proof of all income sources.

This may include:

  • employment income
  • government payments and allowances
  • family assistance and allowances
  • investment income
  • foreign and worldwide income
  • superannuation pensions and annuities
  • business partnership and trust income
  • compensation and insurance payments
  • scholarships/prizes/awards.

Examples may include pay slips, Australian Taxation Office notice of assessments for the most recent financial year, or Centrelink Income Statements.

If you’re partnered, or you’re financially supported by your parent(s)/caregiver(s), you will need to provide proof of their income, covering the last two months from application submission date.

Significant expenses, debts, or missed payments

You’ll need to supply evidence of any significant expenses, debts (including education loans), or missed payments, if applicable.

Additional documentation

You may also be required to supply additional documentation to support your eligibility.  Below is a non-exhaustive list of documents we may request from you.

Medical conditions or disability

If you have a health condition or live with a disability (physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), you’ll need to provide a certificate or letter from a registered health practitioner or relevant professional. This document should detail the duration and severity of your condition or disability, based on their professional opinion.

If you’re on a Disability Support Pension (DSP) with Centrelink, you can provide a Centrelink Income Statement confirming your DSP instead of a certificate or letter from a registered health practitioner or relevant professional.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you must complete the Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent (CATSID) process.

Documents need to be submitted directly to the Oodgeroo Unit or Carumba Institute for assessment. If you require assistance, contact the Oodgeroo Unit or Carumba Institute.

Regional, rural, or remote

If you're from a regional, rural, or remote area in Australia, you must:

  • show evidence of having resided in a regional, rural, or remote area, according to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) at the time of your admissions application (QTAC or direct application to QUT), or show evidence of having attended a school in a regional, rural, or remote area, according to the ASGS
  • show evidence of being a recent school leaver (i.e. have graduated school in the last two years and have done no further study since graduating).

For example, you may provide an official bill, tax return, senior year school report cards/certificates, or letter from a local official which shows evidence of you having resided, or attended a school, in a regional, rural, or remote area in Australia.

Australian South Sea Islanders

If you identify as an Australian South Sea Islander (i.e. a direct descendant of the South Sea Islanders who were brought into Queensland or New South Wales from the Pacific Islands between 1863 and 1904 and worked as long-term indentured labourers), you must provide a letter of verification from a recognised Australian South Sea Islander organisation.

The Smith Family Learning for Life program

If you’re a member of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, you must provide a letter of verification on official company letterhead from The Smith Family, or your Learning for Life program worker, dated within the last 12 months verifying your program participation.

Parent or carer

If you are a parent or carer to a dependent(s) under the age of 18 years old, you must provide evidence to demonstrate your parenting situation. Example documentation may include birth certificates, passports, Medicare cards, concession and health care cards, school enrolment letters, report cards, a Centrelink Income Statement showing the number of assessed children and the percentage of care, or childcare documents (e.g. tax invoice, Complying Written Arrangement (CWA)).

Caring for dependents over 18 years

If you are a carer to a dependent(s) over the age of 18 years old, you must provide evidence to demonstrate your carer situation. Examples may include a Centrelink Income Statement confirming your receipt of Carer Allowance and/or Carer’s Payment, or a certificate or letter from a registered health practitioner or relevant professional.

Dependents with additional support requirements or special needs

If you are a parent or carer to a dependent(s) under the age of 18 years old with additional support requirements or special needs (either physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), you must provide evidence to demonstrate your situation. Examples may include, a certificate or letter from a registered health practitioner, relevant professional, or school official (e.g., registered teacher or school guidance counsellor).

Refugee or asylum seeker

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, you must provide evidence to demonstrate your refugee or asylum seeker status. Examples include a letter of verification from a recognised organisation, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or government entity/company, or evidence of your humanitarian visa (either current or expired).

Difficult or disrupted family or personal circumstances

If you’re experiencing difficult or disrupted family circumstances, you may need to provide evidence. We handle these situations on a case-by-case basis. If there’s any risk associated with this request, please discuss it with a staff member. We’re here to support you.

    You only need to submit one application form to be considered for all scholarships and bursaries under the QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme.

    Your application will be assessed and scored against criteria, such as:

    • income
    • assets and liabilities
    • expenditure
    • personal hardship.

    The outcome of your application typically takes a month after you’ve submitted all the necessary supporting documentation. If further information is requested from you, this will delay the outcome of your application.

    Scholarships and bursaries are paid after Semester 1 and Semester 2 census date each year. You must be enrolled at QUT by this date to be eligible to receive a payment.

    Applications for Semester 2, 2025 open in June and close in July.

    Supporting documentation

    Do I have to provide every document on the required and additional documentation list?

    You only need to provide documentation that applies to your personal circumstances.

    All applicants must supply:

    • proof of income
    • individual transaction histories for all your bank accounts, covering the last two months.

    In addition, provide any other documentation that applies to your circumstances e.g. evidence of caring responsibilities, health issues, disabilities, significant expenses, residence in a rural/regional area etc.

    How do I provide individual transaction histories for all my bank accounts, covering the last two months?

    Follow these instructions to extract them from your Internet banking:

    • go to your online banking and open the list of transaction details (starting from today and going back two months or more)
    • click print and, in the box that appears, you will have the option to select a printer. Select “Adobe PDF”
    • click Ok and save the document
    • you can then upload this PDF document to your scholarship application.

    Remember we require transaction histories for all your bank accounts. If you have accounts that you have not provided, we will email you and ask you to provide them.

    Transaction histories should be provided as a PDF file. We cannot accept other formats such as Word, Excel or CSV.

    If you are having issues with downloading your individual transactions histories, contact your banking provider.

    What happens next?

    I have submitted my application and all of my supporting documentation. What next?

    We will assess your application and request further documentation if required. It is important to keep an eye on your email account (the one you provided in your application if you are a prospective student, or your QUT email account if you are a current student) in case we request further documentation. Once we have assessed your application, we will send you an email to let you know the outcome. We will do this by the date advised in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you applied.

    I have received a scholarship or bursary. How do I provide my bank account details in order to be paid?

    Follow these instructions to provide your bank account details:

    • login to QUT Forms on the HiQ website
    • search for 'Receive a payment'
    • select 'Receive a payment (Australian bank account)'
    • follow the prompts to verify or update your bank account details
    • click the 'Save' button.
    Do I have to be enrolled full-time in order to receive my scholarship or bursary?

    No. As long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you only need to be enrolled in a minimum of one unit at QUT, at degree or higher level, in the semester the payment is due.

    When will I receive my scholarship or bursary payment?

    Your scholarship payment will be made via electronic fund transfer (EFT) to the nominated bank account you have provided to QUT. We will begin assessing your eligibility for your payment after the census date each semester. From there, it can take up to 15 working days for payment to reach your bank account.

    I have received a scholarship or bursary, why haven't I been paid?

    Check that:

    • you are enrolled in at least one unit at QUT, at degree or higher level, in the semester the payment is due
    • you have provided your correct bank details (see above for instructions)
    • you are aware of the payment timelines (as outlined above).

    If you have checked all of the above and still believe you should have received your payment by now, contact us and we will follow up your payment.

    If you have provided incorrect bank details, contact us and we will let you know what to do next.

    Other scholarships and reapplying

    How do I apply for the higher valued scholarships I can see on the Equity Scholarships webpage such as the Tim Fairfax AC Learning Potential Fund Scholarships etc?

    You only need to submit one application to be considered for all of the scholarships that are listed on the QUT Equity Scholarships webpage. Students with the greatest need will receive the highest value scholarships. You may also wish to apply for other scholarships within QUT. Please visit our Scholarships page to see what is on offer. Remember, if a scholarship you are interested in does not appear on the QUT Equity Scholarships webpage you will have to apply for it separately. Follow the instructions on the scholarship webpage.

    I was unsuccessful in Semester 1. Can I reapply for Semester 2?

    If your circumstances have changed you can provide us with updated documentation and we will reassess your application. You do not need to complete the entire application process again. If you do not provide updated documentation you will not be reconsidered in Semester 2.

    I was successful in receiving a scholarship or bursary, do I have to reapply next year?

    Unless otherwise advised in your scholarship offer letter, scholarships and bursaries do not carry over to the next year. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship in the next year you will need to submit a fresh application. This also applies to students who received a QUT Equity Scholarship via the QTAC Educational Access Scheme on commencement at QUT.

    Other support options

    Other scholarships

    For QUT Excellence Scholarships, Dean's Scholars programs and faculty-based scholarships, you may need to lodge different application forms.

    Some QUT facilities may also offer Equity faculty scholarships or bursaries to students studying within their courses.

    Further information on scholarships

    Income support

    All students are encouraged to apply to Centrelink for assistance. You could be eligible for Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Austudy, a start-up loan, or a relocation scholarship.

    Centrelink payments for students

    Other financial assistance

    If you find yourself in need of financial assistance while you're studying with us, we offer a number of support services to help get you through.

    Financial help and support for current students

    Contact

    Get in touch with us to provide feedback on this web page.

    3138 7624

    Future students

    We ask you to provide some basic details before you start your Equity scholarships application. This is only intended for students not currently enrolled to study at QUT, and who don’t have a student account.