The most common RMIT scholarship for Indian students is the Future Leaders Scholarship which saves you money on tuition. It does not pay for your rent, food, transport, or any other living expenses in Melbourne. This is the distinction that most scholarship guides fail to make clearly, and it is the one that matters most when you are planning your finances.
In 2025, RMIT University awarded 3,750 Future Leaders Scholarships to students from India and the subcontinent. That is a large number, and it reflects how accessible this scholarship is. But accessible does not mean sufficient. A 20% tuition reduction on a program costing AUD 44,160 per year saves you AUD 8,832 annually. Melbourne's annual living costs, including rent, run between AUD 35,000 and AUD 55,000 per year. The gap between what the scholarship saves and what living in Melbourne costs is significant.
Note: All AUD figures are converted at 1 AUD = ₹67.20 (rate as of April 26, 2026).
Every RMIT Scholarship Available to Indian Students: What Each One Actually Covers
RMIT offers five scholarships that are relevant to Indian students, and only one of them — the Australia Awards Scholarship covers living expenses. The rest are tuition-focused or provide a small one-time contribution. Understanding what each scholarship covers before you apply is essential for accurate financial planning.
| Scholarship | Value | Covers Tuition? | Covers Living Expenses? | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Future Leaders Scholarship | 20% tuition fee reduction for the full program duration | Partial (20% off) | No | Indian/subcontinent citizens, Bachelor's or Master's by coursework, commencing 2026+ |
| Medibank Student Success Grant | AUD 2,000 (₹1.34 lakh) — one-off payment | No | Partial contribution only (15 grants available) | All international students, Semester 2 2026 intake, Medibank OSHC holders |
| Foundation Academic Scholarship | AUD 5,000 (₹3.36 lakh) — one-off | Partial contribution | No | High-achieving Foundation Studies students |
| Fast Track Pathway Academic Scholarship | AUD 5,000 (₹3.36 lakh) — one-off | Partial contribution | No | High-achieving Fast Track Pathway students |
| Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) | Full tuition + return airfare + establishment allowance + fortnightly living allowance + OSHC | Yes — full tuition | Yes — fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) | Citizens of eligible developing countries (India included); apply through Australia Awards office in India |
| RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship | AUD 35,886 per year (₹24.1 lakh/year) | Separate from stipend | Yes — stipend covers living expenses for research students | Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students only |
Sources: RMIT Funded Scholarships page and individual scholarship pages (2026)
Check the RMIT Future Leaders Scholarship details on Collegedunia
The Future Leaders Scholarship for Indian Students
The Future Leaders Scholarship is the most widely awarded RMIT scholarship for Indian students, and it is automatic. No separate application is required. In 2025, RMIT awarded 3,750 of these scholarships. If you receive an offer for an eligible Bachelor’s or Master's by coursework program, the scholarship is included in your offer letter.
The scholarship provides a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the full duration of your program. The table below shows what this saves in real numbers across the most popular programs for Indian students.
| Program | Full Annual Fee (AUD) | After 20% Reduction (AUD) | Annual Saving (AUD) | Total Saving Over Program (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA (2 years) | AUD 50,880 | AUD 40,704 | AUD 10,176 (₹6.84 lakh) | AUD 20,352 (₹13.7 lakh) |
| MS Data Science (2 years) | AUD 44,160 | AUD 35,328 | AUD 8,832 (₹5.93 lakh) | AUD 17,664 (₹11.9 lakh) |
| MS Computer Science (2 years) | AUD 38,400 | AUD 30,720 | AUD 7,680 (₹5.16 lakh) | AUD 15,360 (₹10.3 lakh) |
| Master of IT (2 years) | AUD 44,160 | AUD 35,328 | AUD 8,832 (₹5.93 lakh) | AUD 17,664 (₹11.9 lakh) |
| Bachelor of Computer Science (3 years) | AUD 43,200 | AUD 34,560 | AUD 8,640 (₹5.81 lakh) | AUD 25,920 (₹17.4 lakh) |
Check out:
The Only RMIT Scholarship That Covers Living Expenses: Australia Awards
The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) is the only scholarship available at RMIT that covers both tuition and living expenses for Indian students. It is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), not by RMIT directly, and it is highly competitive.
The AAS provides the following benefits, per the RMIT Australia Awards Scholarships page:
- Full tuition fees for the duration of the program
- Return economy class airfare to and from Australia via the most direct route
- Establishment allowance: a one-time payment toward accommodation, textbooks, and study materials on arrival
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): a fortnightly payment to cover basic living costs, at a rate set by DFAT
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full duration of the award
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees if required
- Supplementary academic support where needed
India is eligible for the Australia Awards Scholarship, but applications are submitted through the Australia Awards office in India, not directly to RMIT University. The process and deadlines are managed by DFAT.
This scholarship is intended for students who plan to return to India after graduation and contribute to development, making it less suitable for those aiming to stay in Australia for PR.
Check popular scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia
How Indian Students at RMIT Actually Cover Living Expenses
Since RMIT scholarships do not cover living expenses for most students, the question becomes: how do Indian students actually manage the cost of living in Melbourne? The answer, based on official RMIT guidance and student experience, involves three main strategies used in combination.
| Strategy | How It Works | Realistic Annual Contribution (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work during the semester | A student visa (Subclass 500) allows 48 hours per fortnight during the semester. At Australia's minimum wage, this generates meaningful income. | AUD 12,000–18,000 (₹8.1–12.1 lakh) |
| Full-time work during semester breaks | Unlimited work hours during official semester breaks. Many students take on full-time casual or hospitality work during these periods. | AUD 5,000–10,000 (₹3.4–6.7 lakh) additional |
| Savings and family support from India | Most Indian students arrive with savings or family financial support to cover the gap between earnings and living costs, particularly in the first semester before work is established. | Varies — typically AUD 15,000–25,000 (₹10.1–16.8 lakh) per year |
Indian student insight from Collegedunia reviews: Multiple RMIT students noted that part-time work in hospitality, retail, and on-campus roles was the primary way they managed living costs. One student enrolled in MS Business Information Technology specifically mentioned that combining part-time work with the Future Leaders Scholarship made the overall cost manageable, though it required careful budgeting from day one.
RMIT's official Working in Australia page confirms that international students on a Subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during compulsory study periods and unlimited hours during semester breaks. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements that are part of your CRICOS-registered course do not count toward the 48-hour limit.
RMIT also provides career support through its Career Connect service and on-campus job listings, which makes finding part-time work more accessible for students who engage with these services early.
FAQs
Ques. Does the RMIT Future Leaders Scholarship cover living expenses?
Ans. No. The Future Leaders Scholarship provides a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the full duration of your program. It does not cover rent, food, transport, utilities, or any other living expense in Melbourne. For a 2-year Master's program, the scholarship saves between AUD 15,360 and AUD 20,352 in total tuition costs. Melbourne's annual living costs, including rent, range from AUD 35,000 to AUD 55,000 per year. These must be funded separately through savings, part-time work, family support, or an education loan.
Ques. Which RMIT scholarship covers both tuition and living expenses for Indian students?
Ans. The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) is the only scholarship available at RMIT that covers both full tuition and living expenses. It also includes return airfare, an establishment allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover, and a fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses. However, it is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, not RMIT. Indian students must apply through the Australia Awards office in India. The scholarship includes a condition requiring recipients to return to India for a period after completing their studies.
Ques. How much does the Future Leaders Scholarship save Indian students at RMIT?
Ans. The Future Leaders Scholarship saves 20% of your annual tuition fee for the full program duration. For an MS Data Science program at AUD 44,160 per year, the saving is AUD 8,832 per year, or AUD 17,664 over a 2-year program (approximately ₹11.9 lakh). For an MBA at AUD 50,880 per year, the savings are AUD 10,176 per year, or AUD 20,352 over 2 years (approximately ₹13.7 lakh). The scholarship is automatic; no separate application is needed. It is included in your offer letter if you are eligible.
Ques. Do I need to apply separately for the RMIT Future Leaders Scholarship?
Ans. No. The Future Leaders Scholarship does not require a separate application. If you are a citizen of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, or Pakistan and you receive an offer for an eligible Bachelor's or Master's by coursework program commencing from 2026 onwards, the scholarship is automatically included in your offer letter. You simply need to apply for your chosen program through the RMIT Application Portal. The scholarship continues as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress, which RMIT monitors at the end of Semester 2 each calendar year.
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