Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship

The Research Training Program (RTP) is the Australian Government’s flagship funding scheme for research degrees, and it is the main engine behind fully funded PhDs in Australia for international students. It combines a full tuition fees offset with a tax-free living stipend of roughly AUD 32,000 to 42,000 per year, and many universities add health cover and relocation allowances.

Every Australian university receives RTP funding and runs its own competitive round, so one strong application, ideally with a supervisor already on board, often ranks you for university scholarships too. Main international rounds for 2027 commencement close between August and October 2026, with October 31 a common cutoff at major universities.

• Domestic and international candidates admitted to a higher degree by research (research master's or PhD) at an Australian university; every Australian university receives RTP funding and runs its own competitive selection.
• Strong academic record, normally first-class honours, a research master's, or a bachelor's plus substantial research output such as publications or a strong thesis.
• A viable research proposal and, at most universities, a supervisor who has agreed in principle to supervise the project before you apply.
• English proficiency at the university's HDR level (commonly IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 or equivalent).
• International places are limited at each institution, so rankings are competitive and strong applicants apply to more than one university.
• You cannot hold another equivalent Australian Government scholarship at the same time.
• Fields are unrestricted, from engineering and health to humanities, wherever the university has supervision capacity.

• RTP Fees Offset covering the full international tuition fees of the research degree.
• RTP Stipend for living costs, indexed annually; most universities pay roughly AUD 32,000 to 42,000 per year tax-free for full-time candidates.
• Stipend duration up to three to four years for a PhD (with possible extension provisions) and up to two years for a research master's, per university rules.
• Many universities bundle overseas student health cover for the candidate (sometimes family) and offer relocation or thesis allowances.
• RTP is the main engine of funded PhDs in Australia, so a single application often also ranks you for university-funded equivalents.
• Graduates hold an Australian research degree with post-study work visa pathways.

• University HDR (higher degree by research) application through each university's admission portal.
• Research proposal in the university's format.
• Evidence of supervisor contact or support, where the university requires it before submission.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates for all prior study.
• CV including publications, and copies of research outputs where available.
• English test results meeting HDR requirements.
• Referee reports as specified by the university.

• Identify departments and supervisors matching your research topic, and email potential supervisors with a short, tailored proposal before applying.
• Check each target university's RTP and HDR scholarship round dates: the main international rounds for 2027 commencement generally close between August and October 2026, with some universities running additional rounds.
• Submit the HDR admission application and tick or add the scholarship consideration section; at most universities one application covers admission and RTP ranking together.
• Provide polished documents, since ranking committees score your degree results, publications, references and proposal.
• Offers typically arrive two to four months after each round closes and state your stipend rate, duration and conditions.
• If you miss RTP, ask the university about its own international research scholarships, which usually mirror RTP rates.