Learn more about Access Melbourne
What are the benefits of being a Narrm Scholar?
University shouldn’t feel out of reach. As a Narrm Scholar, you’ll have financial assistance, as well as an enrichment program that includes academic, career and wellbeing support, so you can thrive at university and beyond.
Financial
Living allowance
The cost of living can make it challenging to balance study with family and other extracurricular activities. To help you focus on your studies, you'll be given a living allowance of $6500 per year of undergraduate study (up to four years).
Relocation allowance
To assist you in settling into your new home and getting to your classes, you could receive a one-off relocation allowance of $3000. To be eligible, you must reside in a regional or remote area of Australia.
Accommodation allowance
Narrm Scholars from a regional or remote area, who apply and gain a place at a participating University Accommodation provider or residential college, will be considered for an additional accommodation allowance, reducing fees by $20,000 per year.
Wellbeing
Pre-orientation camp
Get to know your fellow Narrm Scholars at a three-day camp before studies begin. Build connections, explore campus, and start your degree feeling confident and prepared. You'll also receive a welcome pack of items to help your transition to uni.
Social events and discounted activities
Take part in regular social lunches and enjoy exclusive cultural experiences with our partners, including the National Gallery of Victoria, State Library Victoria, Melbourne International Film Festival, and Melbourne Recital Centre.
Common room access
Enjoy a dedicated space on campus where you can study, relax and socialise with fellow Narrm Scholars. Plus there's free coffee, tea and hot chocolate whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Academic
Skills workshops
Access the University's suite of Academic Skills services, workshops and resources to develop essential skills like essay writing, academic referencing and exam preparation.
Global experiences
Expand your horizons through global experiences, from campus cultural events to studying overseas. You'll explore new cultures, challenge your thinking and build global networks.
Study support
Get ongoing support from dedicated Student Inclusion Officers, who can assist you with registering with Student Equity and Disability Services, applying for Special Consideration and advising you on other supports available for your needs.
Career
Career expos and advice
Enhance your employability with tailored opportunities, from building your professional network to crafting an impressive resume and preparing for your next steps.
Industry Insights Program
Gain behind-the-scenes access to workplaces that match your career goals. Attend workplace visits where you can observe teams in action, ask questions and make valuable industry connections.
Work placement
Find flexible, convenient on-campus job opportunities with help from our Students@Work team. You can access roles exclusively for Narrm Scholars and receive support with job applications.
Am I eligible for a Narrm Scholarship?
If you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a holder of an Australian permanent visa and completed Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate in Australia, you'll be automatically considered for a Narrm Scholarship when you apply for Access Melbourne, our equity entry scheme. Submit an equity scheme and scholarships application (formerly SEAS) in VTAC alongside your course preferences to be considered.
Guaranteed offers
Scholarships will be guaranteed to all students who are eligible for Access Melbourne under these circumstances.
You meet one of the below criteria:
- You or your parent/guardian are in receipt of a means tested Commonwealth income support payment (such as Austudy, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance, etc), or
- Your parent/guardian is in receipt of Family Tax Benefit A or B, or
- You're able to demonstrate how financial hardship has affected you or your studies, or
- You reside in a low socioeconomic area according to government definition.
To apply for this Access Melbourne circumstance, ensure your personal information and location (if you reside in a low socioeconomic area and have no other financial circumstances to declare) and/or financial hardship categories are updated and correct in your equity scheme and scholarship application in your VTAC profile. You will be scored based on the evidence you provide, as well as the impact the circumstances have had on your education.
You meet the below criteria:
- You're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- You identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and are accepted as such by the community in which you have been living or are associated with.
To apply for this Access Melbourne circumstance, ensure your personal information and location is updated and correct in your equity scheme and scholarship application in VTAC.
If you’re eligible for one of the two circumstances above, and you’re from a regional or remote residential area (ie your residential address is located within a Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1), an area that is not defined as a major city by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard), you’ll receive a Narrm Scholarship including a one-off relocation allowance.
If you live in a regional or remote area but are not eligible for a Narrm Scholarship, you’ll receive the Melbourne Relocation Scholarship.
You can use the Access Melbourne calculator to check your address and see if your location qualifies.
To apply for this Access Melbourne circumstance, ensure your personal information and location is updated and correct in your equity scheme and scholarship application in VTAC.
Automatic consideration
A limited number of Narrm Scholarships are awarded to Access Melbourne applicants based on your evidence and the impact of your circumstances on your education.
You’ve been prevented from reaching your full educational potential because of family or other difficult life circumstances.
Difficult circumstances can include, but are not limited to;
- Long-term serious illness of a family member
- Natural disasters
- An unsafe or unstable home environment
- Foster care or as a ward of the state
- Australia as a refugee on a permanent humanitarian visa (and will receive an ATAR or notional ATAR).
To apply for this Access Melbourne circumstance, submit an equity scheme application via VTAC under the category of difficult family and life circumstances. You will be scored based on the evidence you provide, as well as the impact the circumstances have had on your education.
You experience a disability, impairment or medical condition that has affected your studies.
To apply for this Access Melbourne circumstance, submit an equity scheme application in VTAC under the living with a disability or medical condition category. You will be scored based on the evidence you provide, as well as the impact the circumstances have had on your education.
Meet our current Narrm Scholars
As a Narrm Scholar, you’ll join a diverse community of students from across Australia, each with unique stories to tell. You’ll be valued for who you are, celebrated for the experiences you bring and supported by the connections you make.
Meet Crystal
Meet Basit
Meet Bethany
Frequently asked questions
All students enrolling at the University through Access Melbourne will be offered a suite of enrichment activities that tailor established University services to Access Melbourne students.
While some enrichment activities will be delivered within the curated Narrm Scholarship Program, other activities and services are designed to offer support to all Access Melbourne students, including those who receive the Melbourne Relocation Scholarship.
View more details about the enrichment program for Narrm Scholars here.
All students who submit an equity schemes and scholarships application in VTAC will be considered for the Narrm Scholarship.
Your personal information and location will prepopulate this application. This includes age, recognition as Indigenous Australian, living and school location, under-represented school, non-English speaking background and first in family to attend university. You can opt-out if you wish to do so.
Your relocation allowance payment is paid on the next available pay date after you have enrolled in your course. Payments are made on our set pay days and it usually takes seven to sixteen business days to process your payment after you have enrolled. You must also provide the University with your bank details via my.unimelb, please see the About Your Scholarship page for instructions and further information.
The living allowance is a direct payment to students to help ease financial pressures whilst in full time or part time study. Students are free to allocate this money however they wish.
The Narrm Scholarship living allowance will be paid in half-yearly instalments of $3250 for the duration of your undergraduate study up to a maximum of four years. A further year will be paid for students who enrol in a Diploma in General Studies, a concurrent diploma or a bachelor degree with honours.
For more details, please see the University’s coursework scholarship terms and conditions.
We offer more than 1200 scholarships for new and current students.
To browse all the available scholarships at the University of Melbourne, see scholarships.unimelb.edu.au.
