Accommodation financial support

To assist with the cost of accommodation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can access financial support through the University and government.

When exploring your accommodation options, it is important to consider the associated financial costs including any application fees, bond, rent and/or college fees.

Although there are scholarships, grants, bursaries and government financial supports available to subsidise accommodation costs, it is important to understand that you will have to financially contribute in some way.

To be eligible for Indigenous-specific scholarships, you need to confirm your eligibility by providing Murrup Barak with an appropriate document.

ABSTUDY is an Australian Government program that gives financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices.

Prior to commencing your studies, you should check your ABSTUDY eligibility. If eligible, you can claim ABSTUDY up to 13 weeks before starting your course.

For eligible students, the ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option can fund your University Accommodation or College compulsory costs.

If you are living with family, friends or in a share house, you will not be eligible for Residential Costs Option. However, you may be eligible for other ABSTUDY payments.

We do not provide assistance about ABSTUDY applications or queries. For more information and advice, call ABSTUDY on 1800 132 317.

University Accommodation and colleges may offer scholarships. These scholarships vary in amount, and each have their own eligibility requirements.

Contact the accommodation directly for information about scholarships.

Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship

The Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) assists with relocation and/or accommodation costs.

ICAS provides an allowance of either:

  • $2,000 per year for 4 years for students who relocate to Melbourne from within Victoria
  • $4,000 per year for 4 years for student who relocate to Melbourne from outside Victoria.

There is no application for ICAS. You will automatically be considered for this scholarship when you apply for undergraduate study. Once enrolled, you will be contacted by the Scholarship Team to complete a Commonwealth Financial Declaration.

Unfortunately, this scholarship is not available to graduate students.

You cannot be awarded an Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship if you are in receipt of other Commonwealth assistance given for the same purpose. For example, you cannot be awarded ICAS if you receive ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option as they are both Commonwealth financial supports for accommodation.

For more information, visit: Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships.

The Indigenous Accommodation Grant is a one-off $10,000 payment available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students residing in Student Accommodation who are not eligible for ABSTUDY.

You can only receive the Indigenous Accommodation Grant once per year but may receive it multiple years by re-applying.

Once enrolled, you can apply for this Grant by completing a Student Financial Assessment.

For more information, visit: Indigenous Accommodation Grant.

Wondering how you might use financial supports? Read through the example case studies below which show how students may utilise financial supports to assist with accommodation costs.

Taylah from Yidinji Country

Taylah just completed Year 12 with an ATAR of 92.00 and is now moving from Yidinji Country (Cairns) to study an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Taylah researched her options and determined that college aligns with her interests and aspirations. Taylah applied and was accepted into an Affiliated Residential College.

Taylah contacted Services Australia and confirmed she is ineligible for ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option based on her parent’s income. Although her parental income means she is not eligible for ABSTUDY, Taylah’s family are unable to financially support her to attend College.

Taylah discussed her circumstances with the college, and they awarded her a $5,000 scholarship. As a Torres Strait Islander student who achieved an ATAR over 90, she was also awarded the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Once enrolled, Taylah applied for and was awarded the Indigenous Accommodation Grant. She also completed the Commonwealth Financial Declaration emailed to her by the Scholarships Team and was awarded the Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship.

After deducting these scholarships, Taylah still had a balance less than $10,000 which she was responsible for paying. Taylah used her savings to cover part of the fees and negotiated a payment plan with the college for the remaining amount.

Jakob from Gadigal Country

Jakob completed his undergraduate studies on Wiradjuri Country (Dubbo) and is now moving to complete a graduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Jakob wants a more independent lifestyle so applied and has been accepted to a University Accommodation option.

Jakob contacted ABSTUDY who confirmed he is eligible for ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option as he is considered independent with income and assets within the eligibility threshold.

ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option will cover all the compulsory costs of Jakob’s accommodation including rent and amenities, however it will not cover the $2,000 bond. To pay the bond, Jakob applies for an interest-free student loan.

As an Aboriginal graduate student, Jakob will also be receiving the Melbourne Graduate Access Bursary and Indigenous Commonwealth Education Scholarship which he uses for additional study and living costs including buying groceries.

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