Yes, fully funded study in Australia is possible for international students, but the path depends heavily on your level of study. Awards that cover both tuition and living costs are concentrated in research degrees (PhD and research master’s), with a small number of government and foundation programs for coursework master’s. Timing also matters: the flagship Australia Awards intake for 2027 has already closed, but several research scholarships are still open.
This guide covers ten options, what they cover, who can apply and what to budget for beyond the award. Figures come from university and government pages where possible; where sources conflict or 2027 details are unpublished, we say so. Nothing here guarantees funding, admission or a visa.
What “Fully Funded” Means in Australia
Most research awards combine an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) fee offset, which pays tuition, with a tax-free living stipend from the government or the university. Stipend rates differ by university and are indexed each year. Fully funded awards for coursework degrees, such as Australia Awards, are rarer and usually restricted by nationality. Merit discounts of A$5,000–20,000 are common but rarely cover living costs, so this list focuses on awards that do.
10 Fully Funded Options at a Glance
| # | Scholarship | Level | What it covers | Timing to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia Awards Scholarships | Undergraduate to PhD (country-dependent) | Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health cover | 2027 intake closed 30 Apr 2026 |
| 2 | John Allwright Fellowship (ACIAR) | Research master’s, PhD | Tuition, airfare, living contribution, health cover | 2027 round closed 30 Apr 2026 |
| 3 | Rotary Peace Fellowship | Master’s (Univ. of Queensland is one host) | Tuition, room and board, travel, health cover | 2027–28 round closed 15 May 2026 |
| 4 | Univ. of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship | Research degrees | Stipend of A$44,293 (2027 rate) plus 100% tuition | Rounds through 2026–27 |
| 5 | Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships | Research master’s, PhD | 100% fee remission plus living allowance | Course deadline; 31 Oct 2026 cited |
| 6 | ANU Research Scholarships | Research degrees | Stipend of A$39,069 (2026 rate) plus allowances | Round 2 closes 15 Apr 2027 |
| 7 | Co-funded Monash Graduate Scholarship | Research degrees | Stipend of A$37,145 (2026 rate) plus tuition scholarship | International rounds close 31 Mar and 31 Aug |
| 8 | UQ Graduate School Scholarships and RTP | Research degrees | Living allowance plus tuition offset | Round reported to close 19 Oct 2026 |
| 9 | UniSQ International Stipend and Fee Scholarship | PhD | A$39,000 a year plus tuition (up to 3 years) | Closes 27 Sept 2026 |
| 10 | QUT RTP Stipend Scholarship | Research degrees | A$38,310 stipend from 1 Jan 2027 plus RTP fee offset | Check current QUT round |
The 10 Scholarships in Detail
1. Australia Awards Scholarships
Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), these are Australia’s flagship development scholarships, open only to citizens of listed partner countries. Programs describe coverage as tuition, return airfare, a living stipend and health cover. Awardees must leave Australia for at least two years after finishing. Applications for 2027 opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026 via the OASIS portal. The 2028 round has not been announced, but rounds have opened in February in recent years.
2. John Allwright Fellowship (ACIAR)
This fellowship supports scientists and economists from partner countries involved in Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research projects to undertake a research master’s or PhD. Coverage includes full tuition, airfare, an establishment allowance, a fortnightly living contribution and health cover. Applicants must usually be employed and endorsed by their employer and project leaders. The 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026.
3. Rotary Peace Fellowship (University of Queensland)
The University of Queensland hosts one of six Rotary Peace Centers offering a fully funded master’s in peace and development. Fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transport, field experience costs and health insurance. Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience. The 2027–28 deadline was 15 May 2026, and fellows are assigned to a center after selection, so you cannot always choose Queensland. Check Rotary’s site for the next cycle.
4. University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship
Sydney lists a 2027 stipend rate of A$44,293 a year for its international RTP scholarship, plus relocation and thesis allowances. Recipients automatically receive a tuition fee scholarship covering 100% of fees for up to 14 research periods. Sydney runs several rounds per year for research-period starts, so confirm the next closing date on its scholarship page.
5. Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
Melbourne considers most applicants automatically when they apply for a research degree by the course deadline. Domestic and international students compete for packages that combine 100% fee remission with a living allowance, listed at A$39,500 a year (2026 rate) for up to 3.5 years for a PhD. The university describes total value of up to A$138,000. Some sources cite 31 October 2026 for particular categories, so verify for your faculty.
6. ANU Research Scholarships
ANU runs two central rounds each year. Round 1 for international applicants closed on 31 August 2026, while Round 2 (international and domestic) closes on 15 April 2027 for starts by 31 August 2027. The stipend was A$39,069 in 2026 and is paid for 3.5 years, alongside relocation and thesis allowances. Competitive applicants typically hold first-class honours or equivalent, and you should confirm that your offer includes tuition support.
7. Co-funded Monash Graduate Scholarship
Monash’s international stream pays a living allowance, listed at A$37,145 for 2026, plus a relocation allowance, and successful international applicants also receive a faculty tuition-paying scholarship. International rounds close on 31 March and 31 August, with domestic rounds in between. Applying for your course at Monash normally puts you under automatic consideration.
8. UQ Graduate School Scholarships and RTP
UQ’s selection committee awards living allowance stipends to candidates and tuition fee offsets to international candidates through a competitive process. You need nomination by the school or institute you are joining. One guide lists a closing date of 19 October 2026 for commencement in late 2027 or early 2028, so check UQ’s Graduate School page.
9. UniSQ International PhD Stipend and Fee Scholarship
The University of Southern Queensland offers A$39,000 a year plus tuition for up to three years of full-time PhD study starting in 2027. You need a first-class honours degree or equivalent and must study full-time on campus. Its official page lists a closing date of 27 September 2026, so this is the most urgent option here.
10. QUT RTP Stipend Scholarship
QUT’s RTP stipend rises to A$38,310 from 1 January 2027 (A$37,010 in 2026) and comes with an RTP fee offset. QUT says the number of stipends varies each year.
Bonus: Large Coursework Awards
If you want a coursework degree, UNSW’s International Scientia Coursework Scholarship offers either full tuition or A$20,000 a year for the minimum program duration. Applications for Term 1 2027 close on 30 October 2026. It does not cover living costs.
Eligibility: What Most Awards Look For
- Nationality. Australia Awards and John Allwright are restricted to partner countries; most RTP-based awards accept all nationalities.
- Academic record. Research awards usually expect first-class honours, a research master’s or equivalent.
- Research fit. A supervisor and a clear proposal strongly help.
- English proficiency. Universities set their own test scores.
- Enrolment. Most stipends require full-time, on-campus study.
How to Apply: A Practical Plan
- Match your level to the award. Research candidates have the most options.
- Start with the nearest deadline. Autumn 2026 closings include UniSQ and UQ; UNSW coursework follows on 30 October.
- Contact supervisors early. Many universities expect an identified supervisor.
- Apply for admission and scholarships together. Melbourne and Monash consider you automatically.
- Check for tuition support. Confirm your offer letter says whether tuition is covered.
- Prepare a backup. Even strong candidates often miss out, so plan the finances for a scenario without an award.
Visa Costs and Compliance Considerations
Scholarships do not replace the Student visa (subclass 500) requirements. Applicants must generally show AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs for a single applicant, plus first-year tuition and travel, with higher amounts for family members. The visa application charge is reported at AUD $2,500 for applications from 1 July 2026, up from AUD $2,000, so check the Home Affairs website. You must also hold Overseas Student Health Cover, meet the Genuine Student requirement and have a Confirmation of Enrolment.
For 2027, the government kept the National Planning Level at 295,000 new international commencements. It is not a hard cap on visas, but each provider’s allocation can affect processing priority. Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term, though scholarship terms may add limits. Never pay an agent for a promised award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get a fully funded scholarship in Australia?
Yes, but mainly for research degrees. Coursework options such as Australia Awards and Rotary Peace are restricted and highly competitive.
Is Australia Awards open for 2027?
The 2027 intake closed on 30 April 2026. Check the official Australia Awards site for the next round.
Do I need a separate application for RTP scholarships?
Often not. Many universities consider you automatically when you apply for a research degree, but some require an expression of interest or nomination.
Is a stipend enough to live on?
Stipends of roughly A$37,000–44,000 are meant to cover living costs, but rent varies widely by city, so budget accordingly.
Does a scholarship guarantee a Student visa?
No. You still need admission, a Confirmation of Enrolment, health cover and a successful visa application.
Can I work while on a scholarship?
Visa rules generally allow 48 hours a fortnight during term, but your scholarship agreement may restrict paid work.
Conclusion
The best strategy for 2027 is to match your degree level to a realistic award, target the nearest research-scholarship deadlines, and budget for visa costs regardless. Confirm every figure and date on the official university, DFAT and Home Affairs pages before you apply.
Sources
- Australia Awards (DFAT): https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards and https://oasis.dfat.gov.au
- ACIAR John Allwright Fellowship: https://www.aciar.gov.au/scholarships/john-allwright-fellowship
- Rotary Peace Fellowships: https://www.rotary.org
- University of Sydney RTP scholarships: https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/australian-government-research-training-program/rtp-international.html
- University of Melbourne scholarships: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/research-training-program-scholarship
- ANU scholarships: https://study.anu.edu.au/scholarships/find-scholarship/anu-phd-scholarship
- Monash scholarships: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/scholarships
- UQ scholarships policy: https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=394
- UniSQ scholarship: https://www.unisq.edu.au/scholarships/international-stipend-res-scholarship-dphd
- QUT RTP: https://www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/research-training-program-stipend
- Student visa (Home Affairs): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- 2027 National Planning Level (IEAA summary): https://ieaa.org.au/IEAA/News/2026/Australian-Government-Announces-2027-National-Planning-Level.aspx
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