The first-year student is one of four who were chosen for their ability to make a difference in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Mr McMullen pays $500 a week to live on campus at the university, which he said is financially 'tricky' but worth it for the experience.

"Living on campus has really, really helped me settle in," he said.

Mr McMullen hopes to study a master's degree, with ambition to work on sustainable, electric transport and renewable energy as a professional engineer.

"Where you go to school and where you grow up doesn't have to fully define you," he said.

"I believe that through engineering, I can change the world. By improving the products and services that we use every day, I can make a noticeable difference in our society, ultimately leaving my mark and leaving a better world for the next generation."

Mr McMullen's fellow 2019 Audi Foundation-Country Education Foundation of Australia scholarship recipients were from Forster, Grenfell and Broken Hill.