About SSI Allianz Scholarship Program
People with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds can face considerable barriers to participating in Australia’s education system. Supported by financial services company Allianz and other donors, the SSI Allianz Scholarship program aims to make things a little easier.
Through the program we provide one-off scholarships of up to $5000 to students preparing to undertake study or have their existing skills recognised in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria.
How we help
Applications for the 2025 academic year are now closed.
Key dates
Applications open: October 18th 2024
Applications close: November 25th 2024
Successful applicants notified: Applicants notified mid – late January 2025
Applicants receive funding: Mid-January – mid February 2025
Eligibility criteria
To be successful for support, applicants must:
- Be from a refugee or asylum seeker background on the listed visa numbers: 117, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 449, 786, 790, 842, 851, 866. Applicants on bridging, SHEV 790 or TPV 785 are also eligible to apply but must consider individual circumstances regarding visa obligations and any potential impact to other sources of income.
- Have been living in Australia for five years or less, (from and including 2019). Except for eligible bridging visa holders and 851 visas who now have no time in country limit
- Reside and study in NSW, QLD or VIC.
- Meet eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship category (see application forms for more details).
- Not have previously received an SSI Allianz scholarship.
*No more than one scholarship will be awarded in each immediate family in the same household per year.
*People living with disability that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.
The Educational categories available and the amounts awarded are as follows:
* Secondary Education – $1500
* Vocational Education and Training – $3000
* University – $5000
* Skills & Qualification Recognition – $5000
Persecution, war, political instability and displacement are all factors that lead individuals and families to leave their homes to seek permanent protection elsewhere, including Australia. Refugees who come to Australia face many challenges during settlement, such as financial hardship, dealing with experiences of torture and trauma, and family separation.
Australia is a nation built on immigration. We have a long history of providing safe asylum to refugees, many of whom have gone on to make great civil, social and economic contributions to Australian society.
SSI and Allianz aim to continue that tradition by providing targeted scholarships to those who are most in need and willing to overcome social and economic challenges.
In response to the various needs of refugee communities, SSI and Allianz offer scholarships to individuals across a range of education categories, including secondary, vocational education and training, university, and skills qualification and recognition.
Applications for scholarships for the 2025 academic year will open and be available here in October 2024.
Applicants must:
– Be from a refugee background or asylum seeker background on the listed visa numbers: 117, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 449, 786, 790, 842, 851, 866. Applicants on SHEV 790, TPV 785 and bridging visas with an asylum seeker background are also eligible to apply but must consider individual circumstances, visa obligations and any potential impact to other sources of income.
– Have been living in Australia for five years or less, (from 2018 this year). Except for eligible bridging visa holders and 851 visas who now have no time in country limit
– Reside and study in NSW, QLD or VIC.
– Meet eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship category (see individual application form for more details).
– People with a disability who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.
No, scholarships are open to those mentioned above. If you are unsure, please contact
scholarships@ssi.org.au
Yes, you are eligible to apply but due to the variable and changing visa requirements we advise applicants to consider the scholarships one off payment’s potential, to impact any existing payments as well as any reporting obligations you may have, particularly regarding full-time study.
The websites below may assist but it is advised to speak to an expert to understand any impact to your individual circumstance.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/income/30376#a4 https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/special-benefit-income-support-tpv-shev-holders/
Please see the key dates listed on this webpage for details on application opening, closing and announcements.
We have no restrictions on you receiving scholarships from other providers but we do advise that
you to check the other scholarship provider’s restrictions.
You will find a document on this webpage called ‘Alternatives to SSI Allianz Scholarships’ that lists other scholarship and education opportunities that you can explore.
Multiple members of a family household are invited to apply in the same academic year; however, no more than one scholarship will be granted per immediate family household in a single academic year.
The scholarship applications are only available in English and must be completed in English.
You can receive assistance, but the application answers must be the applicant’s own words. Applications may also be submitted by an authorised representative (e.g., Teacher or Case Manager).
No, however documentation will be requested to demonstrate your effort in gaining skills and qualification recognition. It will be assessed by the Review Committee.
No, SSI employees are not eligible for the scholarships.
No. These scholarships are only for applicants living and studying in NSW, VIC, or QLD. Please the see the ‘Alternatives to SSI scholarship’ on this webpage.
No, you must be living in NSW, QLD or Victoria at the time the application is received.
No, you must be studying in the 2025 academic year.
No late submission will be accepted for any reason.
It is strongly encouraged that all successful recipients attend the ceremony. It is also strongly encouraged that you invite your family, friends, and referees to help celebrate your achievement. Most importantly this is a chance to celebrate your success and to thank those that made your scholarship possible. The exact date will be advertised by February 2025.
Alternatives to SSI Allianz Refugee Scholarships
New South Wales Universities
ACU Refugee Scholarship (also in QLD and ACT)
https://acu.smapply.io/prog/acu_refugee_scholarship/
Australian National University
https://www.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/find-a-scholarship
Ben Williams Student Support Grant – ANU
https://www.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/ben-williams-student-support-grant
University of Canberra
https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/study-at-uc/scholarships
UC Foundation Refugee Scholarships – University of Canberra
https://www.canberra.edu.au/scholarship/uc-foundation-refugee.html
Lorna May Award – University of Canberra
https://www.canberra.edu.au/scholarship/lorna-may.html
Marjorie and Bruce Sinclair Scholarship – University of Canberra
https://www.canberra.edu.au/scholarship/marjorie-and-bruce-sinclair.html
La Trobe University,Tracey Banivanua Mar Scholarship
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships/other/tracey-banivanua-mar-scholarship
Placement Travel Bursary, La Trobe University
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships/other/placement-travel-bursary
Joss Family Fellowship for Future Researchers
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships/other/joss-family-fellowship-for-future-researchers
Macquarie University
Scholarships general information
https://www.mq.edu.au/study/why-study-here/scholarships
University of New South Wales
https://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/
University of Sydney
https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/
University of Technology Sydney
https://www.uts.edu.au/scholarship/uts-humanitarian-scholarship
Victoria Universities
Deakin University
General scholarship information:
https://www.deakin.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships
Vice Chancellors academic excellence scholarship
Applications for Trimester/Semester 1 2025 open 5 September 2024, close 7 January 2025 at 5pm.
Deakin sanctuary scholarship
Applications for Trimester/Semester 1 2025 open 5 September 2024, close 7 January 2025 at 5pm.
SEW-EURODRIVE scholarship in mechatronics engineering
Applications for Trimester/Semester 1 2025 open 5 September 2024, close 9 January 2025 at 5pm.
Monash University
General scholarship information:
https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships
Harold Carroll Memorial Scholarship
Applications to open in 2024-2025, date TBC
Achieving Potential Support Scholarship
Applications to open in 2024, date TBC
Swinburne University
General scholarship information:
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/options/scholarships/
Access Scholarships for Refugees
Applications to open in 2024 – 2025 round, date TBC
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/options/scholarships/45/access-scholarship-for-refugees/
Swinburne Welcome Scholarships 2025
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/options/scholarships/334/swinburne-welcome-scholarships-2025/
Victoria University
General scholarship information:
https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/fees-scholarships/scholarships
Asylum seekers scholarship
Applications to open in 2025, date TBC
VU Access scholarships
Applications to open in 2025, date TBC
https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/fees-scholarships/scholarships/vu-access-scholarships
Queensland Universities
James Cook University
https://www.jcu.edu.au/scholarships
QUT Asylum Seeker Tuition Fee scholarship https://www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/
Rachel Hunter Refugee Scholarship https://www.griffith.edu.au/scholarships/scholarship-listings/rachel-hunter-refugee-scholarship
Kaplan Business School scholarship https://www.kbs.edu.au/documents/scholarship-asylum-seekers
UniSC Asylum Seeker Scholarship
Applications for Semester 1, 2025, close on Friday, 3 January 2025.
https://www.usc.edu.au/study/scholarships/equity-scholarships/unisc-asylum-seeker-scholarship
Western Australia Universities
University of Western Australia
https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships
Curtain University
General scholarship information:
Tasmania Universities
REFUGEE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINE
https://refugee-education.org/
Ukraine Scholarships
https://ukrainians.org.au/education-university-scholarships/
Federation University
Application to open on 6 January 2025 at 9:00 am (AEDT), close on 2 March 2025 at 5:00pm
https://federation.smapply.io/prog/2025_foundation_-_asylum_seeker_refugee_scholarship/
The Australian Ballet School
Applications to open in 2025, date TBC
https://www.australianballetschool.com.au/pages/abs-scholarships
Public Education Foundation
https://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au/scholarships/
Country Education Foundation of Australia
Applications for 2025 now open
https://cef.org.au/student-support/search-for-scholarships/
ANU Humanitarian Scholarship
Applications to open in 2025, date TBC
https://www.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/anu-humanitarian-scholarship
The Humanitarian High Achiever Scholarship
Applications to open in 20245, date TBC
https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/e/the-humanitarian-high-achiever-scholarship.html
Chief Executive Women Scholarships Program
Australia-wide
RJ Living Scholarship- Online
The RJ Living scholarship provides a one-time reward of $1,000 to pay for tuition, books, computers, room, and board, or any education-related expense.
https://www.rjliving.com.au/pages/scholarship
One Education
Deliver affordable laptops for education to primary school children.
https//www.one-education.org/pages/shop
Workventures
Affordable computers for educational institutions and non-profit organisation.
http://shop.workventures.com.au/
Bower reuse and repair centre
Provide affordable electronics, computers and books.
Equipment recycling network
Affordable computers for people with disabilities.
https://www.erni.asn.au/sale-of-computers-for-people-with-disabilities/
Canberra City Care
Affordable computers, repair and technical support to low-income earners.
https://canberracitycare.org/tech-shed/
Connecting Up
Affordable software and services, discounted computers online, online learning.
https://www.connectingup.org/products#
Werx foundation
Refurbished computers and phones online.
Computer Bank
Low-cost computers available to concession card holders, students and community
https://www.computerbank.org.au/stocklist/
Green collects
Affordable recycled computers
https://shop.greencollect.org/collections/electrical
Beyond disability
Support repairing or replacing laptops and offer subsidised internet access. Also provide special equipment for disabled people.
New South Wales organisations
STARTTS
http://www.startts.org.au/contact/
The Smith Family
https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/programs
The Asylum Seekers Centre
https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/education/
BSL
https://www.bsl.org.au/services/getting-a-job/given-the-chance/
Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/community-services/services-for-young-people
House of Welcome
JRS
https://aus.jrs.net/en/jesuit-refugee-service
The Salvation Army
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/youth-services/
Scarf Support
https://www.scarfsupport.org.au
SydWest
http://www.sydwestms.org.au/get-involved/student-placements
The Water Well Project
https://www.thewaterwellproject.org/about-the-project/
UN Refugees
Cool Australia
https://www.coolaustralia.org/student-toolbox/
Multicultural NSW
https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/settlement/
Education NSW
Victoria organisations
Eastern emergency relief network
Provide basic living support to people in need.
https://easternemergency.org.au/about-us/
Enable IT recycling
VIC employment training.
https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/business/25307
Foundation House
https://foundationhouse.org.au/specialised-programs/young-people/
Edmund Rice Community & Refugee Services
http://www.ercrs.com.au/homework_programs.php
The Bridge
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (VIC based but works across states)
https://www.asrc.org.au/education/
Queensland organisations
Refugee Council of Australia
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/services-qld/
Townsville Multicultural Support Group
https://www.tmsg.org.au/programs
St Vincent De Paul Society (Nationwide)
The Romero Centre
https://romero.mercycommunity.org.au/
The Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma
Pushing Barriers
https://pushingbarriers.org/players/
Centacare
https://www.centacarefnq.org/multicultural-services
Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
https://eccq.com.au/what-we-do/strengthening-communities/
Brisbane Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Network
https://www.facebook.com/brassnetwork/
Inala Community House
Multicultural Australia (nationwide)
https://www.multiculturalaustralia.org.au/employment_skills_and_training
Mercy Community
https://www.mercycommunity.org.au/
Multilink
Refugee Health Network Queensland
https://www.refugeehealthnetworkqld.org.au/
QPASTT
https://qpastt.org.au/what-we-do/children-and-youth-programs/homework-club/
Refugee Tutoring Club
https://www.uqu.com.au/club/refugee-tutoring-club-uqrtc
ARMIA
https://www.armia.com.au/academic-support-for-tafe-and-university-students/
Additional resources
Get in touch
NSW, QLD, VIC
For more information, please contact our Scholarships team at scholarships@ssi.org.au
Address: 2/158 Liverpool Road Ashfield NSW 2131
