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Humanitarian Scholarship

3 sessions of English language study scholarship,
open to refugees living in Australia.

Refugees are invited to apply for 3 sessions of English study scholarship

The ILSC Humanitarian scholarship is designed to support refugees who are facing language barriers to accessing tertiary education or employment in Australia.  

Two scholarships per campus are available quarterly for newly arrived refugees located within commuting distance of our Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth campuses. The scholarships cover 11-12 weeks of English language study, all learning materials and resources, and administrative fees.

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How to Apply

Find out how to apply for the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship.

To be eligible for the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship, applications must:

  • Hold or be on a bridging visa for one of the following Australian humanitarian visas: 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 785, 790, 866
  • Have a pre-intermediate level of English (applicants will be provided with access to ILSC's Online Academic English Placement test in order to demonstrate their English level)
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of studies.
  • Live within commuting distance of the ILSC-Adelaide, ILSC-Brisbane, ILSC-Melbourne, ILSC-Sydney, or ILSC-Perth campus
If an applicant has received a Centrelink Relocation Grant they are not eligible for the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship.

What's Included In The Scholarship:

  • 11-12 weeks of English study program in groups, including General English, Exam Preparation and English for Academic Purposes*
  • All learning materials and resources required for your classes
  • Administrative fees

Study Program Dates & Times:

  • Two scholarships per campus are available every 3 sessions
  • The duration of one session is 4 weeks (except for December)
  • Class Time: 8:30am-1pm (T1), 1:15pm-5:15pm (T2) or 5:30-9:30pm (T3)*

Study Perks:

  • join multiple free events and clubs on campus
  • develop barista skills in the Cafe Work Skills course*
  • choose other selective courses in line with your interest

* All courses and timetables are dependent on availability upon enrolment and participant English level.

Submit your application for the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship here:

APPLY NOW

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • Applications are open year-round.
  • Applicants will receive a link to complete ILSC's Online English Placement Test. This test must be completed by the deadline mentioned in the email.
  • Successful candidates will be offered the scholarship based on the earliest available date.

Selection Criteria

Scholarship candidates will be selected by a committee of staff and teachers at the ILSC Australia schools. ILSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

  • Applicants must be able to provide proof of Australian humanitarian or respective bridging visa
  • Applicants must complete the free ILSC Online English Placement Test to determine their English level (Pre-intermediate or above, required)
  • Applicants must not have received a Centrelink Relocation Grant
  • Applicants must not have received the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship before
  • Selected applicants must maintain a minimum attendance of 80% during the program
  • Selected applicants must accept the scholarship offer within 48 hours or it will be withdrawn and offered to another candidate
  • Scholarships cannot be exchanged for cash value or be refunded
  • All course selections and timetables are dependent on availability upon enrollment.
  • Successful candidates will be offered the scholarship the earliest available date based on the selected preference.
  • Confirmed course start dates cannot be deferred.
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About the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship

Engaging with the community around us and supporting diverse groups is part of ILSC's DNA and something we have always been proud of. The initial concept of the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship was born during Refugee Week 2022, when Lucas Chiusoli - National Director, ELICOS & Higher Education Pathways, ILSC Australia - met with one of ILSC Sydney's teachers who had come to Australia as a refugee. After learning about her experiences, ILSC began exploring ways we could support Australia's refugee community through our expertise as English language providers.

Newly arrived refugees aged 18+ face barriers in accessing tertiary education and meaningful employment in Australia – being able to demonstrate language proficiency, and the cost of English classes required for proficiency testing, are challenges that can hinder integration and limit opportunities in Australia.

The ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship can help bridge the financial and educational gap by providing refugees with language learning access and support.

We are proud to launch this initiative as we truly believe in the transformative powers of education – we recognise the importance of learning and mastering a new language, and the life-changing impacts this can have on individual learners and the families and communities around them.

Submit your application for the ILSC Humanitarian Scholarship

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