Australia is making it easier than ever for international students to make their ambition a reality. If you want to study in Australia, there are thousands of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in subjects such as engineering, business, information technology, medicine, arts, law, and environmental sciences. Students can pursue almost any discipline.
What makes the opportunity even more appealing is the wide range of scholarships available to study in Australia for both the Spring (February/March 2026) and Fall (July/August 2026) cohorts, which range from full government-funded scholarships such as the Australia Awards to university-based tuition fee waivers, merit awards, and international student grants.
Whether you want to study in Australia and want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in technology, a master’s degree in public health, or a PhD in cutting-edge research, Australia’s education system is ready to welcome you with globally recognized degrees, great academic support, and simpler procedures for international candidates. Add to it the fact that colleges give clear avenues for scholarships, English bridging programs for those who require more assistance, and streamlined immigration processes, and you’ll see why Australia is one of the most student-friendly places in the world.
The Spring 2026 intake is your opportunity if you want to study in Australia—with early deadlines, valuable scholarships, and lots of time to prepare, now is the time to take action and secure your spot in an Australian classroom.
1.Understanding Australian Academic Intakes
Australia typically provides two major intakes for international students to study in Australia:
- Semester 1 (February/March 2026): This is the principal intake, with the most courses and scholarships offered.
- Semester 2 (July/August 2026): A mid-year intake with a variety of possibilities, but fewer than in Semester 1.
Some institutions also use Trimester systems, which allow for November start dates in some courses. Students seeking scholarships should prioritize Semester 1 (Spring 2026) to maximize their possibilities.
2. Australian Universities Welcome International Students in 2026
Almost all public universities in Australia admit international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the most popular are:
- University of Sydney
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney).
- University of Queensland (UQ)
- University of Western Australia (UWA
- University of Adelaide
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
RMIT University
Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Deakin University
University of Newcastle
Griffith University
James Cook University (JCU)
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
These universities are situated around Australia, with thousands of seats available for international applicants in Spring 2026.
3. Australian Universities' English Language Requirements in 2026
All of the aforesaid Australian universities require proof of competency because their spring and fall 2026 entry courses are taught in English. IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge English tests are typically accepted. Although they vary significantly, minimum needs often fall under these ranges:
- Undergraduate Courses:
IELTS: 6.0 overall (no band lower than 6.0)
Overall TOEFL iBT score: 60–78
Academic PTE: 50–58 - Graduate Courses:
IELTS: total score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
Overall TOEFL iBT score: 79–90
Academic PTE: 58–64 - Specialized courses in the fields of medicine, law, education, and health sciences:
IELTS: 7.0 overall (no band lower than 6.5)
If your score is just below the minimum, several universities also offer English Bridging Programs.
4. Australia's Top 10 Scholarships for 2026 Applications
If you want to study in Australia there are several Scholarships that lower tuition costs or pay for all expenses are available to international students. Ten scholarships are available for 2026.
- Griffith University Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Up to 50% tuition reduction.
- Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS): Full tuition, travel, and living assistance for undergraduate and graduate students.
- The University of Newcastle International Excellence Scholarship waives 20% of tuition.
- 4.20% off tuition is offered via the Murdoch University International Welcome Scholarship.
- The Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship waives 25% of the cost of tuition.
- The University of Western Australia Global Excellence Scholarship is available for undergraduate studies up to AUD 48,000.
- RMIT International Scholarships: UG and PG tuition assistance.
- 8.15% off tuition is the UNSW International Student Award.
- The Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship at the University of South Australia covers all or part of the cost of tuition.
- International scholarships from Charles Darwin University are given to undergraduate and graduate students based on merit.
5. Australia's Admission Requirements for Foreign Students
To study in Australia, be admitted and awarded a scholarship in Australia in 2026, candidates will need to prepare and submit:
- Academic records and diplomas (bachelor’s degree for postgraduate studies, secondary school for undergraduate studies).
- Results of English proficiency tests (PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS).
- A personal statement or Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining academic objectives.
- letters of recommendation (LORs) from instructors.
- CV or resume emphasizing research, internships, and accomplishments.
- copies of passports and other forms of identification.
- Scholarship statements or essays (for certain scholarships).
6. Timeline for the Application Process
Students who want to apply for scholarships and study in Australia in the spring of 2026 must stick to this schedule:
- April–June 2025: Prepare paperwork and look into colleges and scholarships.
- Take the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE English tests from July to September of 2025.
- Apply for admission to universities between August and October of 2025.
- Scholarship applications must be submitted between September and November of 2025 (some close as early as November 2025).
- Receive, accept, and set up funding from December 2025 to January 2026.
- January–February 2026: Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and apply for a student visa (Subclass 500).
- Go to Australia for orientation and classes starting in February 2026.
On the other hand, candidates aiming to apply for scholarships and study in Australia for the Fall 2026 intake should adhere to this schedule:
- July–September 2025: Prepare the necessary paperwork, shortlist programs, and investigate colleges and scholarships that accept students in Semester 2.
- Take English proficiency exams (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) from October to December 2025 and raise your results if needed.
- Apply to universities for admission in Semester 2 between November 2025 and February 2026.
- Apply for scholarships between December 2025 and March 2026 (some scholarships close as early as March 2026 for a July start).
- April–May 2026: Get scholarship results and admissions offers; accept them and make any necessary first deposits.
- May–June 2026: Prepare for departure, buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and apply for a student visa (Subclass 500).
- Go to Australia in time for orientation and the start of Semester 2 classes starting in July 2026.
7. Fulfilling Australia's Admission and Visa Requirements
To study in Australia and complete your 2026 enrollment in an Australian university:
- Accept your offer of admission and make any necessary deposit payments.
- Get your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).
- Subclass 500 student visa applications should be submitted with: CoE
- Evidence of funds (~AUD 29,710+ each year)
- OSHC health insurance
- English language proficiency
- A valid passport
- Make travel and lodging arrangements and go to the pre-departure briefings.
8.Conclusion
If you want to study in Australia, Australia offers internationally renowned universities and esteemed scholarships, Australia provides some of the greatest opportunities for international students. The competition for the Spring 2026 cohort will be intense, but you can join the thousands of students who successfully enroll every year if you prepare ahead of time, have good English scores, and submit a great scholarship application.
You will be prepared to begin your Study in Australia experience in February or July 2026, either completely paid or partially supported through scholarships, if you complete all admission and visa requirements on time.
Hello,
I am Anastasia Tsardidou, and I have a couple of questions.
Is it possible to start now the paperwork (step 1) if I want to start attending on July 2026?
Is there an age limit for the scholarships?
Thank you very much!
Regards,
Anastasia
Thank you very much for connecting with us Anastasia!
Yes you can still start your application for scholarship for July 2026. Due to high competition chances are moderate but still you can try, good luck from Immi. & Study Abroad team. For the age limit question there is no specific age limit criteria but preferences are given to young applicants. I hope this helps!
Best,
Komal
(Imm. & Study Abroad)