The Melbourne JD Scholarships
Each year, Melbourne Law School offers a range of scholarships that recognise outstanding academic achievement and provide financial assistance to future students who might otherwise be excluded due to disadvantaged circumstances.
Eligibility and how to apply
Most scholarships for students commencing the Melbourne JD do not require a separate application, with applicants being automatically considered based on their application for admission to the Melbourne JD.
All applicants must:
- Have been offered a place in the Melbourne JD to commence in the upcoming intake, and
- Meet the selection criteria of the scholarship.
Demonstrated financial need
Domestic applicants who have applied to the Melbourne JD under the disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances category of the Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM) scheme will automatically be considered for financial need scholarships.
Application-required scholarships
A select number of scholarships require a separate application. Reasons for non-selection and feedback on individual applications will not be provided.
Applications are required for these scholarships:
- The Malcolm D H Smith Memorial Scholarship
- Rusk JD Scholarship
Scholarships
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Value (AUD, approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Goldberg Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and significant financial need. | $15,000* |
| Argyle Scholarship in Law | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. Students must satisfy the eligibility criteria of rural or isolated area. | $5,000 |
| Brian John Shaw Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $30,000* |
| Cheryl Saunders Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and significant financial need. | $15,000* |
| Corrs Chambers Westgarth Indigenous Scholarship | Open to students of Indigenous Australian background about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $30,000* |
| Elizabeth Gray Scholarship | Open to students of Indigenous Australian or refugee background about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $15,000* |
| Gilbrak Scholarship | Open to domestic students of Indigenous Australian descent undertaking the Juris Doctor and experiencing disadvantaged circumstances. | $10,000 |
| Melbourne Law School Student Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $10,000 |
| Merralls Scholarship | Open to students of Indigenous Australian background about to commence the Melbourne JD, and are experiencing disadvantaged circumstances. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $30,000* |
| MinterEllison Indigenous JD Scholarship | Open to students of Indigenous Australian background about to commence the Melbourne JD, and are experiencing disadvantaged circumstances. | $30,000* |
| MLS Indigenous Student Scholarship | Open to enrolled Melbourne Juris Doctor Indigenous Australian students, who are experiencing immediate disadvantaged circumstances | $15,000* |
| Norma Jenkins Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $30,000* |
| Robert Richter Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $8,000 |
| Rusk JD Scholarship | Open to domestic students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $10,000 |
| Terry Murphy KC and Margaret Lodge Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. ** Not Offered for 2023** | $30,000* |
| The Alastair Nicholson Memorial Scholarship | Open to students of Indigenous Australian background about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit. The Committee may also consider the applicant's demonstrated commitment and contribution to the Indigenous community. | $3,000 |
| The Beach-McGauran Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD who have completed a degree in Science (or other technical field), this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $12,000 |
| The Dean A Cinque Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $1500 |
| The Donovan-Johnston Memorial Scholarship | Open to a full-time residential student about to commence the Melbourne JD from rural or regional Australia with a permanent place of residence located 80 kilometres or more from the Melbourne General Post Office, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $5,000 |
| The John C Walker Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $5000 |
| The Malcolm D H Smith Memorial Scholarship | By application only. Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD who have completed either an undergraduate degree majoring in Asian studies at a tertiary institution in Australia or Asia, or an undergraduate law degree at a tertiary institution in Asia. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and the applicant’s commitment to understanding one or more Asian societies. The ability to speak an Asian language is desirable. | $5,000 |
| The Melbourne JD Harold Ford Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. complete a disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances – supplementary form (PDF) by 1 November prior to the year of commencement. This form and relevant documents must be submitted by the deadline to law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au. | $30,000* |
| The Melbourne JD Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. ** Not Offered for 2023** | $30,000* |
| The Nathan and Pamela Jacobson Fund |
Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. ** Not Offered for 2023** | $15,000* |
| The Norman M. O'Bryan Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | $30,000* |
| The Price Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. Students must satisfy the eligibility criteria of rural or isolated area. | $5,000 |
| The Valerie and Lawrence Kennedy Scholarship Fund | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship aims to support mature-age students. | $12,500 |
| The W John Collins Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. ** Not Offered for 2023** | $30,000* |
| Whan Family Access Scholarship | Open to domestic students about to commence the Melbourne Juris Doctor through the Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM) under the 'Disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances' category. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $10,000 |
| Zelman Cowen Scholarship | Open to students about to commence the Melbourne JD, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of Academic merit. | $5,000 |
* 3-year scholarship – The total amount will be paid in three equal installments and paid annually provided the student remains enrolled.
Melbourne Law School reserves the right to change the number of scholarships awarded, and the value of the award, without notice.
Outcomes
Domestic applicants will be advised if they have been offered a scholarship when receiving their Notification of Outcome with Fee-Type, usually in late November. The offer will include information on anticipated payment dates.
Unless a scholarship is by application, only successful international applicants are advised in late November if they have been offered a scholarship.
Awards Terms and Conditions
Scholarship applicants and recipients are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Melbourne Law School Awards Terms and Conditions.
Note: Bursaries or scholarships may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Dean if the recipient commits academic or general misconduct while a Melbourne JD student.
Melbourne Law School Supported Place
The Melbourne Law School Supported Place is awarded to select Australian fee students on admission to the JD. This is a subsidy that will provide a discount on fees – unlike a scholarship, there is no cash component.
Eligible applicants will be automatically considered for a Melbourne Law School Supported Place and will be notified if they have been awarded one after the selection round in November.
The subsidy will make the fees payable comparable to the contribution amount of a Commonwealth Supported Place.
Additional Opportunities
Melbourne JD students may also be interested in additional opportunities including scholarships offered by the University and residential colleges, financial aid and government assistance.
Scholarships for current students
Melbourne Law School offers a range of scholarships and bursaries that recognise outstanding academic achievement and provide support to current students while studying the Melbourne JD.
See Current Student Scholarships
Prizes
Melbourne Law School has a long-standing tradition of awarding prizes in recognition of students’ outstanding academic achievement.
Eligibility and how to apply
Melbourne Law School Scholarships for current students are all awarded based on application.
All applicants must:
- be a currently enrolled Melbourne JD student
- meet the eligibility requirements of the scholarship
- submit an application within the stipulated application period (see below).
Application process
Only one application is required - applicants do not need to submit individual applications for each available scholarship, excluding the following:
- Women in Tax Law Travel Scholarship
- Tom Zucker Scholarship in Labour Relations
Follow the link to the relevant scholarships as outlined in the tables below to access the application form.
Demonstrated financial need
Students who wish to be eligible for scholarships that consider financial need must submit the University of Melbourne’s Student Financial Assessment form for each round of scholarships for which they are applying.
Note: Applicants who have previously completed this form (within six (6) months) will have pre-populated information provided from their last submission and are encouraged to re-submit the form before the scholarship rounds' deadline to be considered.
Application dates
A primary round of applications (Round 1) will be held at the beginning of Semester 1 each year (usually February/March).
If there are no eligible candidates for any given scholarship in Round 1, a scholarship may be offered in a second round of applications (Round 2) at the beginning of Semester 2 of the same year (usually July/August).
Application dates are announced on the Melbourne JD Community (LMS).
Round 2 applications closed on 6 August 2023.
General Scholarships
Current Melbourne JD students may apply for a variety of scholarships which are assessed against a range of selection criteria.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Total value | Application dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel B Wright Scholarship | Open to enrolled Melbourne Law School Juris Doctor students demonstrating high academic achievement in the field of public law. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit. | $3,000 | Closed |
| MLS Indigenous-Practical Legal Training(PLT) Grant | Open to Indigenous students who are in the final year of JD and are enrolled in Practical Legal Training (PLT). | $11,000 | Closed |
| The Philip Solomon KC Bursary | Open to current Melbourne Law School JD students who have completed between 87.5pts and 112.5pts of study, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need, academic merit and to students who aspire to become Victorian barristers, as demonstrated through a commitment to Mooting at Melbourne Law School. | $5,000 | Closed |
| The Danny Sandor Scholarship | Open to Melbourne Law School students, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $1,000 | Closed |
| Ian Malkin Internship Scholarship | Open to current Melbourne Law SchoolJD students, this scholarship is awarded to students undertaking an internship with not-for-profit organisations or government organisations on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Preference is given to students undertaking their internship for subject credit, through Melbourne Law School Clinics. | $1,600 | Closed |
| John G Chrisp Law Bursary | Open to current Melbourne Law School JD students, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | at least $500 | Closed |
| Melbourne Law School Excellence Grant | Open to all Melbourne Law School students, this grant is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $7,000 | Closed |
| Melbourne Law School Mobility Scholarship | Open to current Melbourne Law School students, who wish to undertake international study or to focus on global legal practice as part of their degree may seek financial assistance from the Law School. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | at least $1,500 | Closed |
| Melbourne University Law Students’ Society Scholarship | Open to current Melbourne Law School JD students enrolled in their penultimate or final year, with a full-fee paying place and who have not previously received a JD Bursary or Melbourne Law School scholarship, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need. | $5,000 | Closed |
| Robin Chan Memorial Grant | Open to enrolled Melbourne Law School Juris Doctor students who are experiencing immediate disadvantaged circumstances, can demonstrate community involvement with a minimum weighted average mark of 65. Preference is given to students who have one or more of the following attributes: are an Indigenous Australian; are culturally or linguistically diverse; and/or have a refugee/new migrant background. | $3000 | Closed |
| The Tom Zucker Scholarship in Labour Relations | Open to students who are enrolled in Melbourne Law School's Employment and Labour Relations Law courses and who are employed by, or who are officials of, an Australian trade union or peak union organisation. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The Tom Zucker Scholarship in Labour Relations | $10,000 | Closed |
| The Victorian Bar Justice Kenneth Hayne Scholarship | Open to current Melbourne law School JD students, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. | $10,000 | Closed |
| Daniel McCluskey Social Justice Prize | Open to current Melbourne Law School JD students with demonstrated involvement in social justice, human rights, equality, or a related area, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit. | $2,000 | Closed |
| The Frank and Nicole Azzopardi Scholarship | Awarded to a Melbourne Law School JD student, this scholarship provides support for a high achieving Indigenous Australian student. | $5,000 | Closed |
* The total amount is divided into three equal amounts and paid in each year the student is enrolled (up to three years). Where the annual instalment exceeds $8,000, the instalment is further split into quarterly payments, paid in April, June, September, and November.
MULSS Book Fairy and Equitable Ticketing Scheme
Students can seek financial assistance for the cost of textbooks via the MULSS Book Fairy program. Please refer to the MULSS Book Fairy for application information and to apply.
Student can also seek financial assistance for ticket costs of select MULSS events. Please refer to the MULSS Equitable Ticketing Scheme for application information and to apply.
Scholarships supporting Global Learning Opportunities
Students are encouraged to view the latest advice and support relating to Study Overseas.
Melbourne Law School has limited funding available for those students who wish to undertake global learning opportunities as a part of their degree.
Eligibility
The primary criterion to award Scholarships supporting global learning opportunities is demonstrated financial need.
Only the following global learning opportunities are eligible for funding:
- JD Global Subjects
- JD Degree Partnerships
- MLM Study Abroad at Oxford
- MLM and JD Study Overseas
- Approved and accredited MLM international legal internships and JD legal internships undertaken overseas
Note: Students undertaking Non-Partner Programs are not eligible to apply for this funding.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Total value | Application dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Myers Oxford Scholars Scholarship | Eligible students are automatically considered for this scholarship. Open to current Melbourne JD students participating in the degree partnership program at the University of Oxford, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit. | up to £20,000 | N/A |
| Federal Court of Australia - Trinity Hall Scholarship | Eligible students are automatically considered for this scholarship. Open to current Melbourne JD students participating in the degree partnership program or Melbourne Law School Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduates, this scholarship is awarded on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. | up to £10,000 | N/A |
| Women in Tax Law Travel Scholarship | Open to current, female, Melbourne Law School students and alumn seeking financial support to undertake studies or research overseas in the area of Tax Law. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit. Demonstrated leadership experience/potential is desired. | $6,000 | Closed |
Special Conditions
- Students applying for Mobility Scholarships must ensure:
- Travel is arranged within six (6) months of receiving the scholarship
- Travel is approved for credit at Melbourne Law School and reflected on the student’s study plan
- Travel is completed within 12 months of receiving the scholarship.
- Students can only receive Melbourne Law School Mobility Funding once during each University of Melbourne degree.
Outcomes
Applicants will be advised if they have been offered a scholarship within eight weeks of application closing dates. The offer will include information on when payments are due to occur.
Melbourne Law School reserves the right to withhold a scholarship from being awarded in either Round, as well as the number of scholarships awarded, and amount awarded, without notice.
Reasons for non-selection and feedback on individual applications will not be provided.
Awards Terms and Conditions
Scholarship applicants and recipients are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Melbourne Law School Awards Terms and Conditions.
Additional Opportunities
Melbourne JD students may also be interested in additional opportunities including scholarships offered by the University and residential colleges, financial aid and government assistance.
Prizes
Melbourne Law School has a long-standing tradition of awarding prizes in recognition of students’ outstanding academic achievement.
Additional scholarships
- The University of Melbourne Scholarships
- Jopling Family Rowing Scholarship
- Residential College Scholarships
- Good Universities Guide
Government assistance
- FEE-HELP
- HECS-HELP
- Centrelink
- Department of Justice and Community Safety Disability Scholarship Program
Other financial assistance
For Indigenous students
- GO Foundation
- Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development
- John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship
Global scholarships and fellowships
A selection of the world’s leading scholarship and fellowship opportunities are being promoted as part of a new initiative by the Scholarships Office in collaboration with Chancellery Research and Enterprise.
The awards are from major funding organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust and the European Union’s “Horizon 2020” programme and include the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Australia to USA Education scholarships, Rhodes scholarships and David Phillips fellowships. These prestigious funding opportunities are appropriate to all levels of research, from undergraduate to post-doctorate, and cover all areas of academic enquiry offered by the University.
Over 30 awards are featured with application dates, key eligibility criteria and benefits. Explore the potential for a global experience working within academic communities at the forefront of research, funded by major sponsors and donors.
For further information: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/about-scholarships/global-scholarships-and-fellowships
For International students
Scholarships may also be provided by government and non-government organisations in a student’s home country. Please contact the relevant organisation in your country for specific details.
Prizes
Melbourne Law School has a long-standing tradition of awarding prizes in recognition of students’ outstanding academic achievement.