Did you know that eligible overseas students can be auto‑assessed for awards that cut tuition by up to half without a separate form?
This guide gives you a clear, step‑by‑step start so you can press the Apply now button for your degree and be considered automatically.
Assessment happens across nine citizenship categories and is based on academic merit, with most fee reductions at 25% and some at 50%. You’ll see which study areas are open and which are excluded so you pick an eligible program with confidence.
We’ll explain how your qualifications are converted to a common scale to form the merit list, how offers of admission interact with fee benefits, and when to expect key steps as you plan to commence university in 2026.
For wider context on scholarships and funding options, see this useful overview of fully funded schemes in Australia: fully funded scholarships in Australia.
Understand the ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship at a glance
Nine category groupings determine how applicants are considered, with at least one open to students worldwide. You are automatically assessed into the correct category based on your citizenship, and the system prioritises the highest‑value award available to you.
Typical award values are 25% of tuition fees, with selected categories offering 50% reductions (for example, South East Asia, Europe, Central & South Americas, Indonesia and Vietnam). The benefit applies to tuition fees only.
Who is eligible: overseas students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels who are available commencing anu and ready to admission commence university. Note two exclusions: the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) and the Master of Military and Defence Studies.
Narrowing how you’re ranked
Selection is competitive and driven by academic merit. Your qualifications are converted to a common scale so an applicant place is created on the place merit list.
- You’re considered automatically; no separate form is needed.
- Eligible applicants multiple categories are handled so you’re assessed for the best fit.
- Use this snapshot to choose an eligible program and plan costs before you commence university.
Check if you’re eligible and how you’ll be ranked
Start by checking a few simple eligibility facts that will determine whether you can be assessed for a fee reduction.
Eligibility essentials for overseas students and commencing at the University
To be eligible you must be an overseas student under the ESOS Act 2000 and hold an offer of admission to commence at ANU in an eligible program.
Do not hold a 995 visa unless you meet the postgraduate exception. You must also be able to meet any onshore components and not have previous receipt of the same award level or external tuition sponsorship.
Selection by academic merit: qualifications converted to a common scale
Selection is purely on academic merit. Your qualifications submitted admission are mapped to a common scale so the university converted outcomes can determine your applicant place merit.
«If you present multiple documents, ranking is based on the qualification used as the basis admission.«
- Your submitted admission university documents are reviewed, but the basis admission sets your rank.
- University converted common marks and the converted common scale ensure fair comparison across systems.
- Early, official transcripts help determine applicant and determine applicant place promptly.
ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship apply: your step‑by‑step for 2026
Start here: begin by lodging an admissions application for a qualifying degree and upload your official transcripts early. The process is automatic there’s no separate scholarship form so prompt, complete documents speed up assessment for the chancellor international benefit and for your anu chancellor ranking.
How your records are handled: qualifications submitted for admission are converted to a common scale so your qualifications ranked outcome can be prepared. If you have multiple qualifications, applicants multiple qualifications are assessed and multiple qualifications ranked fairly; applicants are ranked according to the qualification used as the basis admission.
Keep timing in mind. Lodge a full application, respond quickly to requests and watch for an offer admission email. If you received offer admission, you may later receive a scholarship offer in parallel.
Finally, confirm visa steps and any onshore components so you can admission commence university without delay. Missing compliance or changing your used basis admission can change how you’re ranked according, so notify admissions promptly of any changes.
From offer of admission to scholarship offer
Receiving an offer of admission starts a second, automatic assessment that can lead to a separate scholarship offer. After you have an academic offer, the university finalises rankings and confirms whether you are among the eligible applicants for a tuition reduction.
What happens after you’ve received an offer of admission
If successful, you’ll get a distinct scholarship offer that states the fee reduction and any conditions. Selection is based on academic merit and your position on the place merit list.
Accepting your academic offer and your scholarship offer separately
You must accept both offers separately. Missing either acceptance can put your status as a commencing anu student at risk.
- Check that your qualifications submitted and submitted admission match; these were university converted to determine rank.
- Your outcome is ranked according qualification and ranked according against peers using the common scale.
- Review conditions, deadlines and any onshore requirements before you commence anu.
«Keep all offer letters and correspondence these are essential for visa steps and activating your student status.«
Boost your chances on academic merit
Choosing the right qualification to present can significantly improve your ranking for fee reductions. If you have multiple qualifications, the qualification used basis you nominate becomes the used basis admission that determines where you sit on the place merit.
Make sure your qualifications submitted admission include full transcripts, grading keys and completion statements so the admission university converted process can map marks to the converted common scale. A clean submission reduces queries and speeds a university converted common outcome.
Presenting multiple qualifications: which basis of admission helps most
If you hold multiple qualifications, you will be ranked according qualification used as your basis. Think strategically about which credential best reflects your strength.
Ensuring your documents can be converted to the common scale
- Provide official grading keys so the converted common process can determine applicant place accurately.
- Submit clear scans and consistent names to avoid delays that affect your applicant place merit.
- Where systems differ, add explanations of credit points and GPA conversions to support qualifications ranked according context.
Avoiding ineligible programs and sponsorship conflicts
Do not choose excluded programs (for example, the MChD or the Master of Military and Defence Studies). Also check that you have no external sponsorship covering tuition; that conflict will rule you out.
«Careful document preparation and a smart choice of basis admission will protect your place merit and speed decision-making.«
Ready to commence your ANU journey
Lock in both offers: accept your offer admission and your scholarship offer separately to guarantee your place and fee benefit.
Check onshore requirements and avoid conflicts with any external tuition sponsorship. Meet compliance steps early so nothing delays your start.
Plan practical tasks: sort visa, health cover, housing and travel, and activate your student accounts to enrol and access resources.
Keep passport, offer letters, CoE and your scholarship letter handy. If you received offer admission and a scholarship offer at different times, note both deadlines.
For a quick checklist and eligibility details, see this eligibility checklist to help you commence anu as a commencing anu student with confidence.