A fully funded scholarship in Australia covers tuition, living expenses, health cover, and flights — leaving nothing to pay out of pocket. Several of the world's most generous fully funded scholarship programmes are available in Australia. This guide covers every major fully funded opportunity, what they pay, who qualifies, and what you need to apply.
What "Fully Funded" Means in Australia
A truly fully funded Australian scholarship covers:
| Component | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Yes |
| Living allowance (stipend) | Yes |
| Return airfare | Yes (most government programmes) |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | Yes |
| Establishment allowance (on arrival) | Yes (some programmes) |
| Fieldwork and research costs | Sometimes |
Programmes that only cover tuition (without a living allowance) are partial scholarships — not fully funded.
1. Australia Awards Scholarship — Most Accessible Fully Funded Award
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Australian Government (DFAT) |
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 26,000+ living allowance + flights + OSHC |
| Total value | AUD 75,000 – AUD 95,000/year |
| Level | Undergraduate, Master's, PhD |
| Countries | ~60 developing countries (Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East) |
| IELTS min | 6.5 (competitive applicants: 7.0+) |
| Deadline | Country-specific (typically February–April) |
| Return obligation | 2 years in home country post-study |
Eligible Countries (2026)
Asia-Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Pacific Island nations, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives
Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal
Other: Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan
Application Tips
- Development impact statement is the most important component — be specific about how your study will benefit your home country
- Choose relevant study areas — Australia Awards prioritises health, education, governance, climate, infrastructure, and security
- IELTS preparation matters — a 7.0+ IELTS score improves competitiveness and may reduce or eliminate pre-departure English training requirements
2. Research Training Programme (RTP) — Best PhD Funding in Australia
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Australian Government (distributed through universities) |
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 32,500–AUD 42,000 stipend |
| Total value | AUD 55,000 – AUD 80,000/year |
| Level | PhD and MPhil (research master's) |
| Countries | All international students |
| IELTS min | 6.5–7.0 (varies by university) |
| Duration | 3.5 years (PhD) / 2 years (MPhil) |
The RTP is Australia's most widely available fully funded scholarship for international PhD students — available at every Go8 and major university. Unlike Australia Awards, there is no return obligation.
How to Access RTP
- Apply directly to a PhD programme at an Australian university
- Find a supervisor willing to support your application
- Your application is automatically considered for RTP funding if you are research-degree eligible
- Strong applicants receive RTP as part of their admission offer
Finding a supervisor first is essential — Australian PhD applications without a confirmed supervisor are rarely funded.
3. UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship — Australia's Most Generous PhD Award
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | UNSW Sydney |
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 50,000 stipend + career development fund AUD 10,000 |
| Total value | ~AUD 100,000/year |
| Level | PhD |
| Countries | Global (highly competitive) |
| IELTS min | 7.0 |
| Competitiveness | Extremely high — one of Australia's most competitive |
The Scientia PhD Scholarship is Australia's most valuable university-funded PhD award. The AUD 50,000 stipend is significantly above the standard RTP rate, and the career development fund covers conferences, courses, and professional development.
4. Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) — University of Melbourne
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 32,500 stipend |
| Level | PhD and MPhil |
| Countries | International students |
| Selection | Via PhD application; automatically considered |
Melbourne's RTP-equivalent fully funds PhD students at Australia's top-ranked university.
5. Australian Government Research Training Programme — University of Sydney
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 32,500 stipend |
| Level | PhD and MPhil |
| Additional benefit | Sydney Research Scholarship (additional top-up available) |
6. Monash Graduate Scholarship
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 32,500 stipend |
| Level | PhD and MPhil |
| Additional | Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MIPRS) |
7. ANU PhD Scholarship
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Annual value | Full tuition + AUD 32,500 stipend |
| Level | PhD and MPhil |
| Notable | ANU has particularly strong RTP allocation for its size |
ANU's focus on policy, international relations, law, and earth sciences makes it particularly attractive for students in these fields seeking Australian PhD funding.
8. Endeavour Scholarships (Absorbed into Australia Awards)
The Endeavour Scholarships programme was merged into the Australia Awards framework. Students who previously searched for "Endeavour Scholarships" should now look for Australia Awards and its related programmes on the Australian Government's study abroad website.
Comparing Fully Funded Australian Scholarships
| Scholarship | Annual Value | Level | Countries | Return Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | AUD 75,000–95,000 | All levels | Developing countries | Yes — 2 years |
| RTP (PhD) | AUD 55,000–80,000 | PhD/MPhil | Global | No |
| Scientia PhD (UNSW) | ~AUD 100,000 | PhD | Global | No |
| Melbourne MRS | AUD 55,000–75,000 | PhD/MPhil | Global | No |
IELTS Requirements for Australian Scholarships
| Scholarship | IELTS Min | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | 6.5 overall | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| RTP (PhD, general) | 6.5 – 7.0 | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| Scientia PhD (UNSW) | 7.0 overall | 7.5 |
| Melbourne MRS | 6.5 overall | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| ANU PhD Scholarship | 6.5 – 7.0 | 7.0 – 7.5 |
For professional programmes (Medicine, Nursing, Teaching) at all Australian universities: IELTS 7.5 with each skill at least 7.0 — driven by AHPRA, NMBA, and AITSL requirements.
How to Find and Apply for Fully Funded Australian Scholarships
Step 1: Identify the Right Scholarship Type
- Developing country citizen + undergraduate/master's? → Australia Awards
- PhD / MPhil anywhere globally? → RTP (all Australian universities)
- Exceptional PhD candidate? → Scientia PhD (UNSW), Melbourne Excellence Award
Step 2: Find a Supervisor (PhD)
For RTP and university PhD scholarships, finding a willing supervisor before applying dramatically increases your chances. Email potential supervisors with:
- A brief summary of your research background
- A specific proposed research topic
- Why you want to work with them specifically
Step 3: Prepare IELTS
All Australian scholarships require IELTS. The minimum is 6.5 for most, but competitive applications score 7.0–7.5. Australia Awards specifically notes that strong IELTS scores reduce pre-departure English training requirements.
Step 4: Write a Strong Research Proposal (PhD)
For all PhD scholarships, a 1–2 page research proposal is required. Strong proposals:
- Identify a specific, well-defined research question
- Connect it to existing literature
- Explain the methodology
- Articulate why Australian expertise and resources are the right fit
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — Australian scholarships require IELTS 6.5–7.5. A score above the minimum strengthens Australia Awards applications and meets RTP requirements. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback with instant band scores.