If you are a domestic student, then there are a number of fully funded PhD scholarships available in Australia for you to apply for. These can help you to fund your tuition fees and living expenses in Australia while you study.
Aside from these scholarships, there are also other financial support programs for domestic students. These include the Destination Australia Program, Research Training Program (RTP) and Australian Government Research Scholarships.
Destination Australia Program (DAP)
If you’re a domestic student interested in pursuing a PhD at an Australian tertiary institution, the Destination Australia Program (DAP) may be of interest to you. This program funds eligible tertiary education providers to offer scholarships for domestic students to study and live in regional Australia.
The 2023 round of the program offers scholarship funding of up to $15,000 per student, per year, for approximately 480 domestic and international students commencing their studies in 2023. It also provides scholarships for domestic students from underrepresented groups to enable them to access tertiary education in regional Australia.
The Destination Australia Program aims to attract and support new students to study in regional Australia and offer them a high-quality learning experience. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and aligns with the National Strategy for International Education 2025.
Research Training Program (RTP)
The Research Training Program (RTP) is a Commonwealth-funded program to support domestic students who are undertaking research degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDR). RTP scholarships may provide a fee offset, stipend for general living costs, or allowances related to the ancillary cost of HDR studies.
Scholarships will be awarded for a maximum period of 2 years. Under temporary arrangements, this period has been extended to 2 years and 6 months for full-time international students (at the discretion of HEPs).
A one-off travel contribution, capped at $1,000 for Domestic students or $2,500 for International students, is available to eligible students who are resident outside Australia at the time of application. This contribution is to assist with the costs of moving to Canberra for the commencement of an eligible HDR program.
Scholarship offers are made in writing and include advice about the types of assistance and support being offered, the conditions and period of support, and the estimated annual value of Australian Government support provided for each type of RTP scholarship.
Australian Government Research Scholarships
If you are an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident, and are enrolled in an accredited Higher Degree by Research (HDR) course, you may be eligible for a research scholarship. These scholarships can be awarded for up to four years and include tuition fees off-set or a stipend.
RTP Scholarships are available to domestic and international students pursuing HDR degrees. They are awarded on academic merit and research experience and/or potential.
These scholarships provide a stipend, tuition fee off-set and living allowance to support your studies. They also provide an allowance for accommodation and travel costs for international students who are required to relocate to Canberra for their research program.
Alternatively, you can apply for an Industry-linked PhD Scholarship which is team-based and requires you to develop a project in partnership with a supervisory team. Applications for this scholarship should be made on the Higher Degree by Research Scholarship Application Form – Team-based and are limited to 20 pages of supporting documentation (excluding academic transcripts). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
International scholarships
International students can benefit from a number of scholarships and grants that can help to fund their study. There are several available from the Australian Government, education providers and a range of other organisations.
Some scholarships are based on academic merit, while others are aimed at specific groups of people such as women, ethnic minorities or those from rural/economically disadvantaged communities. Scholarships are competitive, so it’s worth applying early on and doing your research to ensure that you have the best chance of winning one.
Many Australian education providers routinely offer scholarships to qualifying international students based on academic merit. If you are unsure of whether you’re eligible, check with the admissions team or international office at your provider.
