Yes, 100% scholarships in Australia exist for international students including from Nepal, but they are rare and only go to very strong applicants.
You can get a 100% scholarship in Australia, but it is not easy. These scholarships are very competitive and most of them go to students with strong grades, good English scores, and clear career goals. Only a small number of students get them each year.
That said, they are real. The Australian government and several universities offer fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees and sometimes living costs too. If you plan well and meet the right requirements, it is possible.
Many Nepali students ask about this topic because studying in Australia is expensive. This guide explains which scholarships exist, which university accepts the most students, whether a 2.5 GPA works, and whether you need IELTS to apply.
What Is a 100% Scholarship in Australia?
A 100% scholarship in Australia means the scholarship covers your full tuition fees. Some scholarships also include living expenses, flight tickets, and health insurance on top of that.
Not every full scholarship covers everything. Some only cover tuition while you still need to handle your living costs yourself. Others, like the Australia Awards Scholarship, cover almost everything including your return flight and a monthly living allowance.
So when people say 100% scholarship, it can mean different things depending on which scholarship you are talking about. Always check what the scholarship actually covers before applying.
Which Scholarships Give 100% Funding in Australia?
There are a few scholarships in Australia that can give you full or near full funding as an international student.
The Australia Awards Scholarship is the most well known option for Nepali students. It is funded by the Australian government and covers full tuition fees, return air travel, monthly living expenses, health cover, and sometimes a pre course English program. This is as close to a true 100% scholarship as you can get.
The Research Training Program scholarship is for students doing a Master’s by research or a PhD. It covers full tuition and also gives a living stipend of around AUD 30,000 per year. This is one of the best options if you want to do research in Australia.
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and gives a living allowance of around AUD 39,500 per year. It is for research students and is considered automatically when you apply for a research degree.
Monash University International Leadership Scholarship covers 100% of undergraduate tuition. It is given automatically when you get a full offer from Monash and does not need a separate application.
Deakin University Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship can cover 50% to 100% of tuition depending on your academic record. It requires around 85% or higher in your previous studies.
La Trobe University Vice Chancellor Scholarship is another option that can give up to 100% tuition reduction for high achieving students in select programs.
University of Technology Sydney Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship covers 100% of undergraduate tuition for students with very high academic marks, usually 85% or above in high school.
All of these scholarships are competitive. Only a small number of students receive them each year.
Australia Awards Scholarship for Nepali Students
Australia Awards is the best option for Nepali students who want a truly full scholarship. It is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and it covers almost everything.
This scholarship is mainly for Master’s level study, though some options exist for other levels. Priority fields for Nepal include education, health, climate change, governance, and sustainable development.
For 2026 intake, around 19 Nepali scholars received this scholarship. Applications for 2027 are typically open from February to April each year.
To be eligible as a Nepali student, you need to be a Nepali citizen living in Nepal at the time of applying. You need to have a four year bachelor’s degree plus at least three years of full time work experience. You also need to show leadership potential and a commitment to returning to Nepal for at least two years after finishing your studies.
For English, you need IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Some groups like women, people with disability, and government employees may qualify with IELTS 6.0. You apply through australiaawardsnepal.org and there is no separate scholarship form. It is one combined process.
Which University in Australia Has a 100% Acceptance Rate?
La Trobe University is the university most often listed as having a 100% acceptance rate for international students. This means that any student who meets the minimum academic and English requirements will be accepted.
La Trobe admits thousands of international students every year from over 100 countries. It is known for being more flexible than many other Australian universities when it comes to entry requirements.
Other universities with high acceptance rates include University of Canberra and University of Newcastle. These universities also admit students more easily compared to top Group of Eight universities like Melbourne, Sydney, or ANU.
However, it is very important to understand what 100% acceptance rate actually means. It means that if you meet the published minimum requirements, you can get in. It does not mean you automatically get a scholarship. Admission and scholarships are two very different things.
Is 2.5 GPA Accepted in Australia?
For admission, yes. Many Australian universities and pathway programs accept a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
A 2.5 GPA is roughly equal to 62 to 65 percent in many grading systems. Universities like La Trobe, University of Canberra, and some other non Group of Eight institutions may accept this for bachelor’s degree programs or pathway courses.
For master’s programs, most universities prefer a GPA of 3.0 or above. Top universities in the Group of Eight usually want even higher than that.
For scholarships, a 2.5 GPA will not be enough for most competitive awards. Scholarships like Australia Awards and university merit scholarships usually need 80 to 85 percent or higher academic results. A 2.5 GPA would make you ineligible for most of the big scholarship programs.
If you have a 2.5 GPA, the best path is to first get admitted through a diploma or foundation program at a university like La Trobe. Work hard, improve your results there, and then you can move into a degree program and apply for smaller scholarships later.
If you want to understand how Nepali GPA is compared to Australian requirements in detail, you can read our guide on how much GPA is required to study in Australia from Nepal.
Is IELTS Required for a Scholarship in Australia?
Yes, IELTS or an equivalent English test is required for almost all scholarships in Australia.
For Australia Awards Scholarship, you need IELTS Academic with at least 6.5 overall and no band below 6.0. Priority groups may qualify with 6.0 overall and no band below 5.5. The scores must be valid at the time of your application.
For university scholarships like Deakin, Monash, La Trobe, and others, you need to meet the university’s English requirements first. This is usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall depending on the course. Without meeting this, you cannot get the scholarship even if your grades are good.
Some universities accept PTE Academic or TOEFL as alternatives to IELTS. A few may also accept a medium of instruction letter if you studied in English. But most competitive scholarships still want a proper test score.
If you are planning to apply for any scholarship, take your IELTS or PTE early. You will need it for both the scholarship application and your student visa.
How to Get a 100% Scholarship in Australia
Getting a 100% scholarship in Australia requires good planning and a strong profile. Here is how to approach it step by step.
First, identify the right scholarship for you. If you have work experience and want to do a Master’s, Australia Awards is the best target. If you are a top student applying for an undergraduate degree, look at Monash International Leadership, La Trobe Vice Chancellor, or Deakin Vice Chancellor scholarships. For research degrees, look at Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship or Research Training Program.
Second, make sure you meet all the requirements before applying. This includes your academic results, English scores, and any other conditions like work experience or leadership history. Applying without meeting the requirements is a waste of time.
Third, prepare your documents well in advance. You will usually need your transcripts, a personal statement or statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and your English test results. For Australia Awards, you also need to show how your study will help Nepal after you return.
Fourth, apply for university admission at the same time as the scholarship. Many scholarships like Monash Leadership are automatic when you receive a university offer. Others like Australia Awards have their own separate application process.
Fifth, meet all deadlines. Australia Awards applications open around February each year for Nepal. University scholarships have their own timelines, often six to twelve months before the study start date.
If you are an outstanding student with 85 percent or above academic results and a strong English score, your chances are much better. But even with a strong profile, these scholarships are competitive. Apply to more than one option to improve your chances.
What If Your GPA Is Low?
If your GPA is around 2.5 or lower, getting a 100% scholarship directly is very unlikely. But you still have options to study in Australia.
Start with a diploma or foundation program. Many universities in Australia have pathway programs that accept lower GPAs. You complete a diploma or foundation course for six to twelve months, do well in it, and then transfer into a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
During your pathway program, focus on improving your grades. If you finish with strong results like distinctions, your chances of getting smaller scholarships improve. Some universities also offer partial tuition discounts of 10 to 25 percent that are easier to get than full scholarships.
Build other parts of your profile too. Work experience, community involvement, and a well written personal statement can help offset a lower GPA in some programs.
Keep your IELTS score as high as possible. A strong English score like 7.0 or above can make your application more competitive even if your academic record is not perfect.
The honest advice is this. If your GPA is 2.5, do not apply for 100% scholarships right now. First get into Australia through a pathway, improve your results, and then aim for scholarships in your second or third year.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can get a 100% scholarship in Australia, but it is very competitive.
Australia Awards Scholarship is the best option for Nepali students and covers tuition, living costs, and flights. University scholarships from Monash, La Trobe, Deakin, UTS, and Melbourne can also cover 100% of tuition. For research degrees, the Research Training Program and Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship offer full tuition plus a living stipend.
La Trobe University is the most commonly mentioned university with a near 100% acceptance rate for students who meet minimum requirements. A 2.5 GPA can get you into some universities and pathway programs but is not enough for most scholarships. IELTS is required for almost all scholarships in Australia, and you need at least 6.5 for Australia Awards.
Getting a 100% scholarship needs serious preparation, good grades, strong English, and clear goals. It is not something you can get at the last minute with a weak profile. If you want Australia Awards, start preparing at least a year before applications open.
If your profile is not strong enough right now, that does not mean Australia is not possible. A pathway or diploma program can open the same door, just a little later. Start your research early, check official websites, and talk to a trusted education consultant who has real experience with Australia admissions.
