Australia Awards • RTP • Top Universities
Here’s your clear path to studying in Australia without paying tuition out of pocket. We’ve grouped the government route (Australia Awards, RTP) and the top university packages that bundle tuition + stipend + OSHC (health cover) and more. Use the step-by-step plan at the end to submit a competitive file.
1) Australia Awards Scholarships (Coursework Master’s & some UG/Research)
Flagship government awards for citizens of eligible partner countries to study full-time at participating Australian institutions. Coverage includes: full tuition, a single return economy airfare, establishment allowance, a living stipend (CLE), Introductory Academic Program, OSHC (award holder), and—where applicable—pre-course English and fieldwork support. A two-year home-return commitment applies after completion.
Scale: DFAT indicated 1,551 long-term awards for the 2025 academic year across 55 partner countries. Always check your country page and dates. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2) Research Training Program (RTP) — PhD & Master’s by Research
The Australian Government’s RTP funds universities to support both domestic and international research students. Universities administer the awards (tuition fee offsets, stipends, allowances) and set their own rounds. In practice, “fully funded” is achieved via a tuition-offset plus a living-stipend, often with relocation/OSHC add-ons.
Reality check: Stipend base rates vary by university (examples below) and many faculties add top-ups for competitive candidates.
3) University routes to “fully funded” (examples you can target)
- Tuition: 100% fee offset (up to 4 years PhD / 2 years Masters by Research)
- Stipend: $38,500 per year (2025) up to 3.5 years (indexed)
- OSHC: Single membership for international students
- Relocation grant ($3,000 from overseas)
Open for automatic consideration when you apply for a graduate research degree.
- RTP & equivalent scholarships support international HDR candidates
- Many awards pay the USYD RTP stipend rate (e.g., $41,753 per year in 2025)
- Some schemes also cover tuition for international recipients; OSHC may be included in specific awards
See RTP overview + program pages for current rates and inclusions.
- Tuition: HDR Fee Remission Merit Scholarship covers international tuition (often up to 4 years)
- OSHC: Fee Merit Scholarship includes full OSHC (family cover for Subclass 500 visa)
- Stipend: ANU central scholarships list base rates (e.g., $39,069 p.a. 2026 base — check current year)
ANU runs central rounds combining stipend + tuition routes for internationals.
- Tuition: Monash International Tuition Scholarship (MITS) covers international tuition
- OSHC: MITS includes single OSHC
- Stipend: competitive rates; some 2025 schemes list up to $52,352 p.a. with relocation allowance
Monash packages tuition + stipend via RTP/Monash scholarships across faculties.
- Stipend: from about $36,400 p.a. (2025) tax-free (up to 3.5 years)
- Tuition coverage via RTP/UQ packages (scheme-dependent)
UQ runs multiple HDR rounds and top-ups via the Graduate School.
- Stipend: examples list $38,438 p.a. (2025) base
- Tuition: UIPA combines stipend + tuition coverage for internationals
Use UNSW scholarship finder/terms for your faculty.
Compare at a glance (what “fully funded” looks like)
| Scholarship | Who it fits | Tuition | Stipend (examples) | OSHC / Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | Coursework Master’s (and some UG/Research) from partner countries | 100% covered | CLE living stipend (DFAT-set rate) | OSHC (award holder), airfare, establishment allowance, IAP, fieldwork where eligible. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| RTP (Govt + Uni) | PhD/Masters by Research | Fee offset via RTP; many unis add full tuition cover for internationals | Varies by uni/round | Allowances depend on the university scheme. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Melbourne GR Scholarships | HDR (all fields) | 100% (up to 4 years PhD) | $38,500 p.a. (2025) | OSHC single + relocation grant. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| USYD RTP/Uni Scholarships | HDR | RTP/uni schemes can include full tuition for internationals | ~$41,753 p.a. (2025 rate examples) | Some awards include OSHC; check scheme. |
| ANU (AGRTP + Fee Remission/Fee Merit) | HDR | International fee fully remitted (often to 4 years) | See ANU base rates | Fee Merit includes full OSHC (family cover for Subclass 500). |
| Monash (MITS + Stipend) | HDR | MITS covers tuition | Some schemes up to $52,352 p.a. (2025) | MITS includes single OSHC; relocation allowances available. |
| UQ (UQGSS incl. RTP) | HDR | RTP/University packages | ~$36,400 p.a. (2025) | See scheme pages for OSHC/allowances. |
| UNSW (RTP/UPA/UIPA) | HDR | UIPA includes tuition cover for internationals | ~$38,438 p.a. (2025) | Faculty top-ups common; check terms. |
How to apply smartly (step-by-step)
- Decide your route: Coursework? Prioritise Australia Awards. Research? Target RTP + a university package (tuition + stipend).
- Confirm eligibility early: Check your citizenship, degree level, GPA, language, program availability, and internal faculty rounds (each university sets its own).
- Shortlist supervisors (HDR): Align with active projects/publications; email a crisp 1-page proposal + CV.
- Prepare documents: Passport, transcripts + grading scale, CV, references, research proposal (HDR), proof of English per university.
- Submit before internal cut-offs: Universities often close weeks before national dates; build in buffer time.
- Accept + complete logistics: Visa, OSHC activation (if provided), flights/housing (Awards) and relocation claims per conditions.
Tip: In cities with higher living costs, prioritise packages that add top-ups above the base stipend, or include housing/allowances in your budgeting.
Documents checklist
- Passport & proof of citizenship (eligible country)
- Degree certificates & transcripts
- Offer(s) from participating institution (if required by your country track)
- Referees, statement(s), and any country-specific forms
- Supervisor interest (emails) & research proposal (2–4 pages)
- CV with publications/outputs (links preferred)
- Transcripts + grading scale; evidence of English per university
- Scholarship application/checkbox within your HDR admission form
FAQs (short & straight)
Is “fully funded” possible for coursework Master’s?
Yes — via Australia Awards (full tuition, stipend, airfare, OSHC, more), subject to eligibility by country and a two-year home-return condition.
What does “fully funded” look like for research degrees?
Commonly a tuition-fee offset (RTP/tuition scholarship) plus a living stipend, with OSHC and relocation in many packages (see Melbourne, ANU, Monash examples). :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Typical stipend amounts?
Examples for 2025 rounds: Melbourne $38,500, UNSW around $38,438, UQ about $36,400, some Monash schemes list up to $52,352 (specific programs). Always verify your faculty’s current rate. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
Does funding include health insurance?
Often yes. Australia Awards include OSHC for the award holder; Melbourne includes single OSHC; Monash MITS includes single OSHC; ANU Fee Merit includes full OSHC (family cover) for Subclass 500 visa holders.
Final word: Pick your lane (Awards vs Research), then engineer a complete package: tuition + stipend + OSHC + supervisor fit. Submit early, and budget realistically for city costs while you line up top-ups.
• Guidance only. Always verify current rules, rates, and deadlines on official university/department pages.