Centrelink and Commonwealth Scholarships

There are two different types of scholarships provided to students in receipt of a student support payment through Centrelink (eg Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY): 

Student Start-up Scholarships

These scholarships are available to students receiving income support, including Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.  Eligible students will receive this scholarship at the beginning of each semester to help with the up-front costs of studying, such as textbooks and specialised equipment. You'll receive the full amount of the Start-up Scholarship, even if you're not on the maximum payment rate from Centrelink.  

Important:  You will not be eligible for a Student Start-up Scholarship if you also receive  a Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (including an Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship) or a National Priority Scholarship.

Value:  In 2012, the Student Start-up Scholarship is valued at $1025 for each 6 months of eligible study.  This amount is indexed each year.

More information: 

Relocation Scholarships

The Relocation Scholarship will be paid to eligible dependent Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY Living Allowance customers to help with the costs of living away from home to study.

Important:  You will not be eligible for a Relocation Scholarship if you also receive a Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (including an Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship) or National Accommodation Scholarship.

Value:  In 2012, the scholarship is valued at $4000 in Year 1 and $2000 for the second and third year of study and $1000 for the 4th and subsequent years of study . 

More information:


If you have further questions about the Student Start-up and Relocation Scholarships, please visit the Centrelink website or call them on 13 24 90.


Pre-2009 Commonwealth Scholarships

The following Commonwealth Scholarships are no longer available for application as they have been replaced with the Student Start-up and Relocation Scholarships.  However, students who are currently in receipt of one of these six scholarships at UQ, will continue to receive payments administered by the Undergraduate Scholarships & Prizes Office:

  • Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (CAS)
  • CAS Associate Degree Scholarship
  • Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS)
  • CECS Associate Degree Scholarship
  • National Priority Scholarship (NPS)
  • National Accommodation Scholarship (NAS)

2011 University of Queensland - Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines

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