Australia is one of the most attractive destinations for international students seeking internationally recognised degrees, advanced research facilities, and opportunities to study in a multicultural academic environment. The cost of studying in Australia can be substantial, however, particularly for international students who must normally pay international tuition fees as well as living and health insurance costs.
Fully funded scholarships can significantly reduce this financial burden. Some Australian scholarships cover tuition fees and provide a living stipend, while others may additionally provide health insurance, relocation assistance, thesis allowances, travel support, or other approved expenses.
This guide focuses on genuine scholarship opportunities that can provide comprehensive funding for international students. The information has been checked against official Australian Government and university sources available as of 15 August 2026.
A particularly important point is that Australia does not have one single national scholarship that covers every international student and every degree level. Many of the strongest fully funded opportunities are postgraduate research scholarships. The Australian Government Research Training Program, for example, supports international students undertaking eligible research masters and research doctorate degrees, but individual universities control their own application procedures, selection processes, and deadlines.
1. Important Scholarship Status for 2027
Applicants should distinguish between scholarships that are currently available for a future intake and scholarships whose application period has already closed.
The Australian Government Australia Awards Scholarships are among Australia’s best known international scholarship programs. However, the official 2027 intake application period opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026 for the countries using that general schedule. Therefore, it should not be treated as an open scholarship opportunity on 15 August 2026. Country specific dates and eligibility requirements also apply.
The opportunities discussed below were selected because their official university pages provide current information relevant to future study periods, including deadlines that remain relevant from August 2026 onward or recurring application rounds that include 2027 study.
2. Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships
The Australian Government Research Training Program, commonly called RTP, is one of the most important sources of fully funded research support available to international students in Australia.
The program is administered through eligible Australian universities rather than through a single central student application portal. The Australian Government provides funding to universities, and universities then conduct their own scholarship application, assessment, ranking, and award processes.
For international students, an RTP package can include a tuition fee offset, a living stipend, and additional allowances. The exact combination depends on the university and scholarship offer.
RTP support is available only for higher degrees by research. This means research masters and research doctorate programs. It does not cover ordinary bachelor degrees or standard coursework masters programs.
The Australian Government has published the 2027 RTP stipend range. The base full time RTP stipend rate for 2027 is AUD 35,550, while the maximum full time rate is AUD 55,537. Universities may offer a rate within the permitted range.
What RTP can cover
Depending on the university and award package, RTP support can include:
Full tuition fee offset
Living stipend
Relocation assistance
Thesis related costs
Publication related costs
Overseas Student Health Cover in applicable cases
Other approved research related allowances
The Australian Government specifically states that universities may provide one or more of these forms of support. Therefore, applicants should not assume that every RTP award automatically includes every benefit.
Degree level
Research masters
PhD and other eligible research doctorate programs
International eligibility
International students enrolled in an eligible higher degree by research at an eligible Australian university can be considered for RTP support. Universities are responsible for deciding how international applicants are selected.
Academic requirements
The Australian Government establishes the basic RTP framework, but universities may apply their own competitive selection criteria. Academic performance, research experience, publications, referee reports, research potential, and the proposed research area may all be considered.
English requirements
There is no single Australia wide IELTS score for RTP. English language requirements are determined by the university and the relevant research degree. Applicants must therefore check the requirements of the university and program they are applying to.
Financial requirement
RTP is not a financial need scholarship in the traditional sense. Selection is competitive and is determined by the university’s scholarship criteria. Applicants should not assume that demonstrating financial hardship will result in an award.
Age requirement
The Australian Government RTP information does not establish a general maximum age requirement. Individual university admission requirements and scholarship conditions should still be checked.
Application procedure
Students do not apply to the Australian Government Department of Education directly for RTP.
Instead, applicants must:
Choose an eligible Australian university
Choose an eligible research masters or research doctorate program
Review the university’s RTP and scholarship requirements
Prepare the admission and scholarship documentation
Apply through the university’s required system
Follow the university’s scholarship deadline
Complete any supervisor or research proposal requirements
Wait for the university’s competitive assessment
The Australian Government specifically confirms that RTP applications cannot be submitted directly to the Department of Education.
3. ANU Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship
Australian National University
The Australian National University offers an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship for domestic and international students undertaking higher degree research programs.
For international students, this scholarship becomes particularly valuable when combined with the ANU RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship. The stipend provides living support while the fee offset removes the international tuition fee liability.
Degree level
Postgraduate research
Research masters
PhD and other eligible higher degree research programs
Fields of study
The ANU scholarship is available across eligible research fields. Applicants must meet the requirements of the particular ANU research program and have an appropriate research area and supervisory arrangement.
Scholarship coverage
The 2026 full time base stipend rate listed by ANU is AUD 39,069 per year, paid fortnightly.
The scholarship provides support for 3.5 years, subject to the applicable conditions and academic requirements.
Additional benefits can include travel and removal allowances for students relocating to Canberra, a thesis allowance, a dependant child allowance for eligible international students, and approved paid leave provisions.
The separate ANU RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship covers international tuition fees for the applicable period and provides program length Overseas Student Health Cover for the student and immediate family where the relevant student visa conditions apply.
This means that an international student who receives the stipend scholarship together with the international fee offset can have a very comprehensive funding package covering tuition, living costs, and health insurance.
Nationality requirement
International students can apply. There is no restriction to one nationality under the general RTP scholarship.
Academic requirements
ANU states that candidates are ranked competitively. The University Research Scholarship information indicates that applicants should have achieved at least Honours H1 or an equivalent result in prior studies for that scholarship stream. Selection also considers academic record, research potential, supervisor support, referee reports, English language competency, and comparison with other applications.
Applicants should check the precise admission requirements for their chosen ANU research degree.
English language requirements
Applicants must satisfy ANU’s applicable English language requirements. English competency is also part of the competitive scholarship assessment.
ANU does not publish one universal IELTS requirement for every research field through the scholarship page. The required English evidence therefore depends on the degree and ANU admission rules.
Financial requirements
There is no published general requirement to demonstrate financial need for the RTP scholarship.
Age requirement
The official ANU scholarship information does not state a general maximum age requirement.
2027 deadlines
ANU publishes two central scholarship rounds.
For international applicants, Round 1 closes on 31 August each year and is for commencement in the following year, normally by 31 March.
Round 2 closes on 15 April each year and is normally for commencement by the end of August of the same year.
Therefore, the 15 April 2027 deadline is an officially published recurring deadline relevant to applicants seeking commencement during 2027. The 31 August 2026 deadline is also important for applicants seeking the main Round 1 pathway toward 2027 commencement.
Application opening date
ANU publishes annual scholarship rounds rather than one permanent opening date for this scholarship.
Admission and scholarship application
For commencing students, there is no separate application specifically for the RTP Stipend Scholarship. Applicants complete the ANU higher degree research admission application and indicate that they want to be considered for available scholarships.
Applications must be complete by the relevant scholarship deadline, including supporting documentation and referee reports.
Required documents
Requirements depend on the research program, but applicants should expect to provide documents such as:
Academic transcripts
Evidence of previous qualifications
Curriculum vitae
Research proposal or research information
Referee reports
English language evidence where required
Identity or passport information
Other documents required by the selected ANU research program
ANU recommends submitting well before the deadline because referee reports must be received before the application is considered complete.
Selection process
Selection is competitive and merit based. ANU ranks eligible candidates and considers academic achievement, research potential, supervisor support, referee reports, English competency, and the strength of the overall application.
Application fee
Applicants should check the current ANU admission application information for the applicable fee or exemption before submission. The scholarship itself does not have a separate scholarship application fee because commencing applicants are considered through the admission process.
Official ANU RTP Stipend Scholarship information
Official ANU RTP International Fee Offset information
4. ANU PhD Scholarship on Violence Against Women and Displacement
Australian National University
ANU is also currently advertising a specialised PhD scholarship connected with research on violence against women and displacement through the Centre of Excellence on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
This is a particularly important example because the official ANU page provides a current application period and describes a package that can include both a stipend and international tuition fee remission.
Degree level
PhD
Eligible fields
The scholarship is connected with research involving areas including:
Politics
International relations
Law
Pacific studies
Indigenous studies
Sociology
The research focus concerns violence against women, displacement, migration, and trafficking.
Nationality requirement
Domestic and international applicants can be considered.
Academic requirements
Applicants should have completed an Australian masters degree with honours at the required level or equivalent prior study. ANU also accepts relevant prior research experience where it demonstrates substantial research preparation in the relevant field.
Research requirements
Applicants should demonstrate expertise or a clear research interest related to the elimination of violence against women in migration and trafficking situations.
Scholarship coverage
The award may include:
A stipend of approximately AUD 39,000 per year
An international HDR fee remission scholarship covering international student fees for the standard HDR period, subject to the required competitive ranking
A relocation reimbursement for eligible international applicants, capped at AUD 2,500
The exact award benefits are stated in the scholarship offer.
Because the international fee remission is subject to the relevant merit based ranking, applicants should not interpret the page as a guarantee that every eligible applicant will receive every component.
Application deadline
The official application period is 22 June 2026 to 31 August 2026.
This opportunity is therefore particularly relevant as of 15 August 2026.
Expected study start
The scholarship page states that the award may be available in 2026 or 2027. It does not provide a single universal commencement date. Applicants should confirm the commencement arrangement with the relevant ANU research school.
Application procedure
Students meeting the stated criteria are automatically considered. Applicants should nevertheless complete the relevant ANU research admission process and provide the required documentation.
ANU recommends contacting the relevant research and supervisory contacts regarding the research proposal and application requirements.
Selection process
Selection is competitive and research based. The applicant’s academic background, research relevance, research potential, and fit with the project are important considerations.
English language requirement
Applicants must satisfy the applicable ANU English language requirements for the research degree.
Financial requirement
There is no published financial need requirement for this scholarship.
Age requirement
The official scholarship page does not specify a general age limit.
Application fee
The scholarship page does not identify a separate scholarship application fee. Any applicable ANU admission application charge should be checked through the university’s current admissions information.
Official ANU scholarship information
5. University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship Package
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney offers the Australian Government Research Training Program scholarship package for international students undertaking higher degree research.
This is another genuine fully funded pathway when the RTP stipend and international fee offset are awarded together.
Degree level
Masters by research
PhD
Other eligible higher degree research programs
Eligible fields
The University of Sydney offers higher degree research programs across a wide range of faculties and disciplines. The RTP scholarship is not restricted to one academic subject.
Scholarship coverage
The University of Sydney lists the following international RTP benefits:
RTP stipend of AUD 42,754 per year at the 2026 rate
100 percent tuition fee coverage through the RTP Fee Offset
Overseas Student Health Cover
Relocation and thesis allowances under the applicable scholarship conditions
The stipend and fee offset together create a comprehensive funding package for eligible international research students.
The stipend amount is indexed and can therefore change for future years.
Duration
The RTP Fee Offset can cover up to 14 research periods for a research doctorate and up to 7 research periods for a research masters, subject to the scholarship conditions.
The precise stipend duration is governed by the scholarship terms and the student’s research degree.
Nationality requirement
International students are eligible.
Academic requirements
The University of Sydney states that applicants should have an outstanding record of academic achievement and previous research experience. Scholarship selection is based on academic merit and research potential.
Financial requirement
The scholarship is not presented as a need based award. The University assesses applicants on academic merit and research potential.
Age requirement
The official scholarship information does not specify a general maximum age requirement.
English language requirement
English requirements are determined by the research degree. The University states that PhD English requirements generally fall between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 overall or equivalent accepted tests, depending on the course. Applicants must therefore check the specific course page rather than assuming one score applies to every research degree.
2027 deadlines
The University of Sydney has published specific international scholarship deadlines for 2027.
For Research Period 1 and Research Period 2 of 2027, the scholarship submission deadline is 11 September 2026.
For Research Period 3 and Research Period 4 of 2027, the scholarship submission deadline is 18 December 2026.
The University has also published the next later round for 2028, with a deadline of 10 September 2027.
The first two deadlines are particularly important for students planning to commence research study during 2027.
Application procedure
International commencing students must first apply for admission to the relevant higher degree research course and submit the required admission documentation.
They must then submit the scholarship application using the University of Sydney scholarship process by the applicable deadline.
The University specifically states that scholarship applications are assessed together with the admission application and that applicants cannot apply for the scholarship without applying for admission.
Required documents
Depending on the circumstances, applicants may need:
Academic transcripts
Qualification documents
Official translations where documents are not in English
Research proposal or research information
Evidence of research experience where applicable
Referee information
Admission application information
English language evidence where required
Passport and identity information for admission and visa processes
The scholarship FAQ confirms that academic documents and grading information are important components of the application.
Application fee
The University of Sydney may charge an international postgraduate research application fee, but exemptions can apply in certain circumstances. Applicants should check the current admission page before submitting an application. The scholarship itself is not described as having a separate scholarship fee.
Selection process
The scholarships are competitive and based on academic achievement and research potential. The University ranks applications and does not pre assess an applicant’s chances before a complete application is submitted.
Official University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship page
6. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne offers Graduate Research Scholarships for domestic and international students undertaking eligible graduate research programs.
This is one of the strongest comprehensive research funding options in Australia because international applicants can be considered for both tuition fee remission and a living allowance.
Degree level
Masters by Research
PhD
Other eligible graduate research degrees
Eligible fields
Graduate research opportunities exist across a broad range of academic disciplines. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the particular research degree and faculty.
Scholarship coverage
The University states that international students applying for a Masters by Research or Doctoral degree are automatically considered for Graduate Research Stipend and Fee Offset Scholarships.
The scholarship structure provides:
Full tuition fee offset for up to two years for a Masters by Research
Full tuition fee offset for up to four years for a doctoral degree
Living allowance for eligible scholarship recipients
Relocation assistance for eligible students
Single Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international students
The University describes its graduate research scholarship system as providing fee remission, living allowance, and other financial support.
The exact living allowance rate can change annually, so applicants should use the current official scholarship page rather than relying on older published figures.
Nationality requirement
International students are eligible.
Academic requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the selected graduate research degree. The University evaluates research readiness, previous academic study, research potential, and other course specific requirements.
English language requirement
English requirements vary according to the graduate research course. Applicants should check the relevant course page for the current accepted tests and required scores.
Financial requirement
The scholarship is not described as a financial need award. It is primarily designed to recognise academic and research potential.
Age requirement
The official scholarship information does not state a general maximum age requirement.
Deadline status for 2027
The University of Melbourne does not publish one universal scholarship deadline that applies to every international graduate research applicant.
The University states that application closing dates and intake dates can depend on the specific graduate research course and faculty. It also advises international applicants to apply early.
Consequently, a previous annual date should not be presented as a confirmed University wide 2027 deadline.
Applicants should check the closing date displayed on the current course page for their chosen research program before applying.
Application procedure
International graduate research applications are submitted directly to the University through its online application system or, where applicable, through an authorised education agent.
Eligible applicants are automatically considered for certain Graduate Research Scholarships when they apply for an eligible graduate research program by the applicable scholarship deadline.
This means that a separate scholarship application is not normally required for the automatically considered scholarship category.
Required documents
Applicants should generally prepare:
Academic transcripts
Evidence of completed qualifications
Curriculum vitae
Research proposal where required
Evidence of research experience where relevant
English language evidence where required
Identification documents
Any faculty specific supporting documents
The University confirms that academic transcripts and a CV are minimum components of the international graduate research application.
Application fee
Any applicable international course application fee should be checked through the current University application system. The Graduate Research Scholarship itself is not described as requiring a separate scholarship application fee.
Selection process
Scholarships are competitive. Research readiness, academic performance, research potential, and the availability of suitable supervision can influence assessment.
Official University of Melbourne international graduate research application information
Official University of Melbourne graduate research fees and scholarship information
7. What About Undergraduate Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia?
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships for international students are considerably less common than comprehensive postgraduate research scholarships.
Australian universities do offer undergraduate scholarships for international students, but many provide partial tuition reductions or fixed financial awards rather than paying tuition, living costs, health insurance, travel, and other expenses for the entire degree.
For example, the University of Sydney’s Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme can provide up to AUD 60,000, but the published benefits are limited to specified scholarship amounts and periods rather than full funding of every study and living expense. It therefore should not be described as a genuinely fully funded undergraduate scholarship.
This distinction is important. A scholarship worth tens of thousands of Australian dollars can be extremely valuable without being fully funded.
Students searching for fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Australia should therefore carefully examine whether a scholarship actually covers tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and other major costs before treating it as fully funded.
8. Scholarship Funding Compared
The following comparison shows why the scholarships above should be understood as funding packages rather than simply advertised as fully funded.
| Scholarship | Degree level | Tuition | Living support | Health cover | Other support | 2027 deadline status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANU RTP Stipend with International Fee Offset | Research masters and PhD | Full fee offset when awarded | Stipend | OSHC under applicable fee offset arrangement | Travel, removal and thesis allowances may apply | 15 April 2027 is an officially published Round 2 deadline. 31 August 2026 is the Round 1 international deadline for following year commencement |
| ANU PhD Scholarship on Violence Against Women and Displacement | PhD | International fee remission subject to award conditions | Approximately AUD 39,000 per year | Determined by applicable ANU arrangements | Relocation reimbursement may apply | 31 August 2026 |
| University of Sydney RTP International | Research masters and PhD | 100 percent tuition fee offset | AUD 42,754 per year at 2026 rate | OSHC | Relocation and thesis allowances under conditions | 11 September 2026 and 18 December 2026 for 2027 research periods |
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships | Research masters and PhD | Full fee offset for eligible scholarship recipients | Living allowance | Single OSHC for eligible international students | Relocation support may apply | No single university wide 2027 deadline confirmed |
The figures above are subject to the official scholarship conditions and annual changes. Applicants should always use the university’s current scholarship page when preparing an application.
9. Do These Scholarships Cover Airfare and Visa Costs?
A common misunderstanding about fully funded scholarships is that every scholarship automatically pays for every expense associated with moving to Australia.
That is not necessarily the case.
For example, the University of Sydney’s RTP International Scholarship includes relocation assistance under its applicable conditions, and the University explains that eligible relocation claims can include economy airfare and certain relocation services, subject to limits and documentation requirements.
ANU’s RTP Stipend Scholarship provides travel and removal allowances in accordance with its scholarship conditions.
Other scholarships may not cover airfare or visa charges.
Therefore, applicants should distinguish between:
Full tuition funding
Living stipend
Health insurance
Relocation allowance
Airfare reimbursement
Visa costs
Accommodation
Research expenses
Personal expenses
These are separate funding categories and should not be assumed to be included unless the official scholarship conditions say so.
10. Do International Students Need IELTS?
There is no single IELTS requirement for all fully funded scholarships in Australia.
In most cases, English language requirements are connected to the university admission process and the specific academic program.
The University of Sydney states that research degree English requirements generally range between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 overall or equivalent accepted tests, depending on the program.
ANU also requires applicants to satisfy its applicable English language requirements, and English competency may be considered during scholarship assessment.
Applicants should therefore check whether their chosen university accepts:
IELTS
TOEFL
PTE Academic
Other approved English language evidence
Exemptions based on previous education in an English speaking environment may also exist under university rules.
Applicants should never assume that an IELTS exemption applies simply because another university accepted their previous English language evidence.
11. Do Applicants Need Admission Before Applying for the Scholarship?
The answer depends on the university.
At ANU, commencing applicants apply for admission to the higher degree research program and indicate their interest in available scholarships. There is no separate application specifically for the RTP Stipend Scholarship.
At the University of Sydney, applicants must apply for admission to a higher degree research program and submit the scholarship application as part of the overall process. The University explicitly states that scholarship applicants cannot apply without an admission application.
At the University of Melbourne, eligible applicants are automatically considered for certain Graduate Research Scholarships after applying for an eligible graduate research program by the applicable deadline.
The safest approach is to read the exact application instructions for the university and research program before submitting anything.
12. Are These Scholarships Merit Based or Need Based?
The major fully funded research scholarships discussed in this article are primarily merit and research based.
Applicants are generally assessed using factors such as:
Academic achievement
Research potential
Previous research experience
Research publications where applicable
Research proposal quality
Supervisor support
Referee reports
English competency
Research alignment
The University of Sydney specifically states that its RTP and equivalent scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential rather than financial need.
ANU likewise uses competitive ranking and evaluates academic record and research potential among other factors.
This means that applicants should not build their application around financial hardship alone. A strong academic and research profile is generally much more important for these opportunities.
13. Documents International Students Should Prepare
A strong scholarship application begins well before the official deadline.
Applicants should prepare the following documents where required by their chosen university and degree.
Academic transcripts
Prepare clear official transcripts showing subjects, grades, credit values, and grading information.
If your documents are not in English, arrange an acceptable official translation according to the university’s requirements.
Degree certificates
Prepare evidence of completed degrees and other qualifications.
Curriculum vitae
A research focused CV should clearly show:
Academic qualifications
Research experience
Research projects
Publications
Conference presentations
Professional experience relevant to the research field
Academic awards
Technical or research skills
Research proposal
Research scholarships often require evidence that the applicant understands the proposed research area.
A strong proposal should clearly explain:
Research problem
Research question
Background
Objectives
Methodology
Expected contribution
Relevant literature
Potential significance
Recommendation or referee reports
Choose referees who can provide meaningful evidence about your academic ability and research potential.
English language evidence
Prepare IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or another accepted form of evidence if required.
Passport
A valid passport is normally required for international admission and later visa procedures.
Research publications
If you have peer reviewed publications, conference papers, research reports, or other substantial research outputs, include them when the application permits.
Evidence of research experience
Research assistant work, thesis experience, laboratory work, field research, professional research, and relevant projects may strengthen a research scholarship application.
Supervisor information
For many research programs, identifying a suitable supervisor or demonstrating research alignment is an important part of the application process.
ANU specifically recommends that prospective applicants contact relevant research contacts or potential supervisors before submitting their application.
14. How to Prepare for Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
Start preparation several months before the deadline.
First, identify the exact degree you want to study. Do not begin by searching only for the word scholarship.
Second, determine whether the degree is a coursework program or a higher degree research program. The RTP, ANU research scholarships, Sydney RTP, and Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships discussed in this guide are primarily research focused.
Third, investigate supervisors and research groups.
Fourth, prepare your academic documents.
Fifth, develop a focused research proposal if required.
Sixth, arrange recommendation letters early.
Seventh, check English language requirements.
Eighth, confirm whether your country is eligible where the scholarship has nationality restrictions.
Ninth, check whether the university requires an application fee.
Tenth, submit the complete application before the scholarship deadline rather than on the final day.
Referee reports are particularly important. At ANU, applications must be complete, including referee reports, by the scholarship deadline. The University recommends submitting applications two to three weeks early to allow referees enough time to respond.
15. Important Deadline Warning
Scholarship deadlines can change.
Universities may introduce additional scholarship rounds, change closing dates, modify commencement periods, or update eligibility and documentation requirements.
A previous year’s deadline must never be treated as a confirmed future deadline unless the official scholarship provider has published it.
For example, ANU currently publishes recurring international scholarship deadlines of 31 August and 15 April for its central research scholarship rounds.
The University of Sydney has published specific deadlines for its 2027 research periods, including 11 September 2026 and 18 December 2026.
The University of Melbourne states that graduate research application closing dates can depend on the individual course and faculty, so applicants should not rely on an unofficial universal date.
Always verify the latest deadline on the official scholarship or university website immediately before submitting an application.
16. What Happens After the Scholarship Deadline?
After a deadline passes, the university normally begins its assessment process.
Depending on the scholarship, this may involve:
Eligibility checking
Academic assessment
Research assessment
Supervisor confirmation
Faculty ranking
Scholarship committee review
Final scholarship allocation
Admission assessment
Conditional or unconditional offer processing
The University of Sydney states that scholarship outcomes are issued according to the published award timeline. Applicants who miss a deadline may be considered in a later round if they meet the relevant conditions for that subsequent round.
Applicants should not assume that a late application will automatically be accepted into the same round.
17. Can Students Apply From Outside Australia?
Yes.
The scholarships discussed in this guide are designed to include eligible international students. International applicants can apply while living outside Australia, provided they satisfy the university’s admission and scholarship requirements.
For example, the University of Sydney’s RTP International Scholarship specifically covers international students undertaking higher degree research.
Applicants who receive a scholarship and admission offer must subsequently satisfy the applicable Australian student visa requirements.
A scholarship does not automatically guarantee visa approval.
18. Can Pakistani Students Apply?
Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship.
For the general international research scholarships discussed in this article, Pakistani applicants can generally be considered as international applicants if they meet the university’s admission and scholarship requirements.
The situation is different for nationality restricted scholarships. For example, the ANU China Scholarship Council scholarship is specifically restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China and therefore is not a general scholarship for Pakistani applicants.
Applicants should always check the nationality conditions on the official scholarship page rather than relying on a third party list.
19. Are Fully Funded Scholarships Actually Completely Free?
Not necessarily.
The phrase fully funded is commonly used to describe scholarships that provide both tuition support and a living stipend. However, this does not mean that every personal expense will be paid.
A scholarship may cover:
Tuition
Living costs
Health insurance
Relocation
Research expenses
Thesis costs
Travel
But students may still need to budget for expenses that fall outside the scholarship conditions.
These can include personal travel, optional services, entertainment, additional accommodation costs, non approved equipment, family expenses, and other personal expenditure.
The official scholarship conditions should therefore always be treated as the final authority.
20. Why Research Scholarships Are the Main Fully Funded Route
International students searching for fully funded scholarships in Australia may initially expect to find many bachelor and coursework masters scholarships that pay every major expense.
In practice, the strongest comprehensive funding opportunities are concentrated in higher degree research.
The Australian Government confirms that RTP funding supports research masters and research doctorate students and can provide fee offsets, stipends, and ancillary allowances.
Universities then add their own research scholarships and funding packages.
This explains why students who want a genuinely comprehensive scholarship should consider research based masters and PhD programs rather than searching only for fully funded undergraduate scholarships.
21. Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for fully funded scholarships in Australia?
Yes. International students can apply for several comprehensive scholarship opportunities, particularly at the research masters and PhD level. Eligibility depends on the university, degree, research area, nationality requirements, and competitive selection process.
Which Australian scholarships are currently most relevant for 2027?
The ANU central research scholarship rounds and the University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship are particularly relevant because their official pages publish deadlines connected with 2027 commencement. The ANU specialised PhD scholarship discussed above also has a current 31 August 2026 closing date.
Is the Australian Government RTP genuinely fully funded?
RTP can provide a very comprehensive funding package, but the exact benefits are determined by the university. The program can provide tuition fee offsets, living stipends, and additional allowances. Applicants should verify which components are included in their individual offer.
Does RTP cover tuition fees?
An RTP fee offset must fully offset the applicable higher degree research tuition fee liability for the period covered by the award.
Does RTP provide a living stipend?
Some RTP awards include a stipend. The university determines the actual scholarship package and stipend amount within the government framework.
Is IELTS mandatory?
Not necessarily in every case. English language requirements depend on the university and research degree. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and other approved evidence may be accepted depending on the university’s rules.
Can I apply without an admission offer?
Sometimes.
At ANU, commencing applicants apply for admission and indicate their scholarship interest as part of the admission process.
At Sydney, the scholarship application is assessed in conjunction with the higher degree research admission application.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that an unconditional admission offer must always be received before the scholarship application.
Is there an application fee?
There is no universal answer.
A university may charge an international admission application fee even when the scholarship itself has no separate fee. Fee exemptions may also exist.
Applicants should check the current admissions page of the university they are applying to.
Can I apply for these scholarships while living outside Australia?
Yes, eligible international applicants can apply from outside Australia. Receiving a scholarship does not remove the requirement to satisfy Australian student visa conditions.
Are these scholarships based on financial need?
The major research scholarships discussed here are generally merit and research based rather than financial need based.
Do fully funded scholarships cover accommodation?
Not necessarily.
Some scholarships provide a living stipend rather than a separate accommodation payment. Students normally use the stipend to manage living expenses according to their own circumstances.
Do these scholarships cover airfare?
Some scholarships provide relocation or travel assistance, while others do not.
The University of Sydney’s international RTP package includes relocation assistance under specified conditions.
ANU also provides travel and removal allowances under applicable research scholarship conditions.
Can undergraduate students get fully funded scholarships in Australia?
Fully funded undergraduate opportunities are much less common. Many undergraduate scholarships provide partial tuition assistance or a fixed award rather than covering tuition, living costs, health insurance, and travel.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
You may need to wait for the next scholarship round. Some universities automatically move eligible applications into a later round, but this is not universal. The University of Sydney explicitly explains that certain late applications can be considered in a subsequent round under specified conditions.
Can I apply for more than one Australian scholarship?
In many cases, yes, provided the scholarship rules allow it and you meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants should carefully check whether holding one scholarship affects eligibility for another.
Can I receive another scholarship together with RTP?
The rules depend on the specific scholarships and university. Applicants must disclose other financial awards where required and check the applicable scholarship conditions.
Does a scholarship guarantee admission?
No.
Scholarship selection and admission requirements must be satisfied. A scholarship application should never be treated as a guarantee of admission.
Does a scholarship guarantee a student visa?
No.
Scholarship recipients must still meet the Australian Government’s student visa requirements.
22. Final Guidance for International Applicants
Students searching for fully funded scholarships in Australia should focus on verified opportunities rather than long lists of scholarships copied from third party websites.
The strongest current options identified in this research are concentrated in graduate research.
The ANU RTP Stipend Scholarship can provide a substantial living stipend and additional allowances, while the ANU International Fee Offset can remove international tuition fees.
The ANU specialised PhD scholarship on violence against women and displacement currently has a published closing date of 31 August 2026 and can combine a stipend, international fee remission, and relocation support.
The University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship provides a stipend, full tuition fee offset, health cover, and applicable relocation and thesis support, with published deadlines for 2027 research periods.
The University of Melbourne provides comprehensive Graduate Research Scholarship opportunities for eligible international research masters and doctoral applicants, although applicants must check the specific course deadline because there is no single universal 2027 deadline published for every graduate research program.
The most important lesson is to verify the complete scholarship package before applying. A scholarship described as fully funded by a third party may cover only tuition, while another may cover tuition, living costs, health insurance, and relocation.
For students planning to study in Australia in 2027, preparation should begin well before the application deadline. Academic records, research proposals, CVs, referee reports, English language evidence, passport documents, and supervisor discussions can all require significant preparation time.
Finally, scholarship deadlines and conditions can change. Applicants should always confirm the latest information directly with the official Australian Government or university scholarship provider immediately before submitting an application.
Official Australian Government information about financial assistance and research scholarships is available through the Department of Education. Australian Government financial assistance for international students
Official information about Australia Awards is available through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government Australia Awards information
