Are you dreaming of pursuing higher education at some of the world’s most prestigious universities in Australia but worried about the financial burden? Fully funded scholarships in Australia might be the perfect solution for you! Designed to support talented and ambitious international students, these scholarships cover everything from tuition fees and living expenses to travel costs, health insurance, and even research grants in some cases.
Studying in Australia isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about experiencing a vibrant culture, accessing cutting-edge facilities, and building a global network that can transform your career. Fully funded scholarships ensure that financial constraints don’t stand in the way of deserving students aspiring for excellence.
In this article, we’ll delve into the top fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students, including government-backed programs like the prestigious Australia Awards, university-sponsored opportunities, and grants from private organizations. Whether you’re looking to study engineering, business, medicine, or creative arts, there’s a scholarship tailored to your field of interest.
Some of these scholarships are designed to empower students from specific regions, such as Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, while others are open to applicants from all over the world. The goal? To foster global collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence.
We’ll also guide you through the application process, eligibility requirements, and tips to make your application stand out. From government-funded programs to university-specific grants and private sponsorships, we’ll provide insights into the best pathways to fund your Australian education.
So, if you’re ready to unlock the doors to a life-changing educational experience, read on. Fully funded scholarships in Australia are your chance to focus on your studies without the stress of financial limitations. Start your journey today and take the first step towards a brighter future!
How do I get a fully funded scholarship in Australia?
Getting a fully funded scholarship in Australia is possible, but there are things and steps you have to follow to succeed in your scholarship hunt and they include:
- Identification of potential scholarships, government, and university-funded scholarships are highly potential, you must look out for them when applying.
- You have to study hard to maintain strong academic performance throughout your studies, an excellent grade positions one for a possible scholarship.
- You have to demonstrate strong communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Before applying for the particular scholarship you are interested in, kindly and carefully review the scholarship requirements such as academic qualification, nationality, and language proficiency. Meet deadlines and submit a complete application package.
Top 12 Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for international students
Here are some of the fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students:
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- University of South Australia Scholarships
- Research Training Program (RTP)
- Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS)
- The University of Sydney’s international scholarships
- University of Tasmania Research Scholarships
- Edith Cowan University Research Scholarship (ECU PhD Scholarship)
- Griffith University
- Australian National University Scholarships
- Monash University Scholarship
- Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship
#1. Australia Awards Scholarships
The Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This scholarship covers tuition fees, return airfare, living expenses, and health insurance for international students from developing countries interested in pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Australia.
This scholarship is highly competitive but has comprehensive benefits. Students worth this scholarship undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Institutions.
This scholarship helps students from different countries to learn and develop problem-solving skills and drive change and development in their country of origin after graduating.
The Australia Awards Scholarships are available to students from countries across Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
This scholarship has many mouth-watering benefits attached to it, which include:
- It is fully funded
- Travel sponsorship to and fro Australia via reliable and direct routes.
- Contribution to living expenses
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award
- Establishment allowance and many other benefits.
#2. University of South Australia Scholarships
The University of South Australia offers many scholarships to international students who apply to their university. These scholarships include:
- Research Training Program International Scholarships
- Enterprise Research Scholarship
- International Research Tuition Scholarship
The Research Training Program International (RTPi) Scholarships are funded by the Australian Government and awarded to international students based on academic merit and research potential. The scholarship is valued at $32,500 per annum.
RTPi scholarships last three years for PhD students and 2 years for Master of Research students.
The Enterprise Research Scholarships (ERS) are funded by the university and its partners and are awarded to international students who are worth it.
ERS is valued at $32,500 per annum, and lasts for three years for PhD students and 2 years for Master of Research students.
The International Research Tuition Scholarship (IRTS) is given to international students who excel academically and demonstrate research ability. Students awarded this scholarship receive a full living stipend supported by external funding recognized by the institution.
IRTS is not fully funded like RTPi and ERS, applicants under International Research Tuition Scholarships are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate cover for themselves and their family where applicable.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
General Eligibility
To meet the eligibility criteria for applying to the University of South Australia, applicants must be:
- Students pursuing international research degrees
- Enroll in a research-rich environment and be supported by a strong supervisory panel (with end-user advisers on the panel, where appropriate).
- High quality with demonstrated research capability, as assessed by UniSA
- Receive (or be awarded) a fully externally funded stipend scholarship, or a living stipend supported by external funding.
#3. Research Training Program (RTP)
Research Training Program is a scholarship in Australia that funds research-based postgraduate degrees across different Australian universities. It is a block grant sponsored by the Australian Government to distribute funds to universities.
Universities that receive these funds from the government use it to offer scholarships to domestic students and international students pursuing Higher Degrees by Research or HDRs.
The Research Training Program scholarship aims to support high-quality research and train future researchers. The scholarship is available for a minimum of three years and up to four years at the discretion of the HEP for students pursuing a research doctorate on a full-time basis and for a minimum of six years and a maximum of eight years for research doctorate students studying part-time.
This scholarship is available for two years for master’s students and up to four years for part-time students.
To apply for RTP, you are To contact HEPs directly to discuss how to apply for an RTP scholarship because the scholarships are administered by individual HEPs, who have separate application and selection processes.
Students are allowed to apply for an RTP scholarship at more than one HEP.
This grant is valued at $32,192-$50,291.
#4. Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS)
Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship offered to international students in Higher Degrees Research by Flinders University based on academic merit. The scholarship is designed to support international students to cover their tuition fees and stipends.
This scholarship is highly competitive because only a few slots are available for international students, and the scholarship is awarded to candidates who demonstrate outstanding aptitude for independent research, academic merit, academic research training, and research indicators and performance.
FIPRS is available for a Research Doctorate and is designed to last for three years and up to two years for a Master’s research degree. Successful candidates are to undertake full-time study and must be commencing a higher degree by research in Australia for the first time.
With an additional $33,000 stipend per annum, selected candidates cover other university expenses and graduate successfully.
FIPRS Eligibility
- Candidate can come from any overseas country except New Zealand
- The candidate must not hold Australian citizenship, Australian permanent resident status, or New Zealand citizenship
- Candidate must intend to commence a full-time study for a higher degree by research in Australia for the first time in the year the award is to be awarded.
- candidate intends to enroll in a research concentration. These are areas in which the University has particular strength, has focused its research resources, and has attracted external funding.
- Candidate must satisfy all entry requirements for a higher degree by research which includes English proficiency levels following the English Language Proficiency.
Apply here – https://www.flinders.edu.au/scholarships/flinders-university-international-research-scholarship
#5. The University of Sydney’s international scholarships
The University of Sydney offers several fully funded international scholarships for postgraduate degrees. The most prominent is the University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS).
As a fully funded scholarship, This scholarship covers the entire cost of every candidate’s program regardless of citizenship while providing an additional stipend valued at $40,109 per annum to help successful candidates with living expenses like accommodation, food, and transportation.
USydIS is only available for Master’s by research and PhD programs, the scholarship is highly competitive and requires candidates to have a strong academic record and research proposal to be considered.
The scholarship opens up every year for interested students, if you are interested you can apply ahead of time. Application months are September and December of every year.
USydIS Eligibility
- be a commencing or enrolled international student
- have an outstanding record of academic achievement and research potential
- have an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled in a master’s by research or PhD at the University of Sydney.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#6. University of Tasmania Research Scholarships
The University of Tasmania offers fully funded scholarships to international students from different countries around the world. The scholarship covers full tuition and opportunities that aid living and study costs.
Most scholarships are based on academic merits, experience, and prior learning, while some are granted without merit to provide applicants with support to access university studies.
The scholarship is worth $28,597, with $2,000 for relocation. It is available to international students pursuing a research Master’s or PhD in any field of study offered by the University of Tasmania.
This scholarship is highly competitive, if you are interested in it ensure you have a strong academic record and research proposal, meet the criteria, and application deadline.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#7. Edith Cowan University Research Scholarship (ECU PhD Scholarship)
Edith Cowen University provides fully funded scholarships for international students pursuing PhD studies at ECU. This scholarship covers tuition, a yearly stipend of $33,000, relocation expenses, and health insurance.
ECU Higher Degree by Research Scholarships are offered based on academic merit, and research performance. Successful candidates will be offered the ECU Higher Degree by Research Scholarship or the RTP Stipend Scholarship.
The duration of the ECU scholarship is three years full-time for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and 2 years full-time for a Master of Research.
This scholarship is available to current ECU students, and to be eligible, you must have made an unconditional offer of a place in an ECU Higher Degree by PhD, Integrated PhD research course, or Master by Research.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#8. Griffith University Scholarships
Griffith University offers many fully funded scholarships for international students for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The fully funded scholarships they offer include:
- Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (GUIPRS): The scholarship is designed for international students pursuing research Master’s or PhD programs. This scholarship covers tuition fees, living allowance, health insurance, and visa processing costs.
- Griffith University International Scholarship (GUIS): Available for high-achieving international students across various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Offers tuition fee waivers and living allowances.
Many other scholarships help international students obtain an affordable education in Australia at Griffith University though they might not be fully funded.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#9. Australian National University Scholarships
The Australian National University (ANU) offers several fully funded scholarships for international and domestic students pursuing postgraduate research degrees for Masters or PhDs.
The ANU scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes additional costs like health insurance and relocation allowances. The fully funded scholarships ANU offers include:
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships: This scholarship is fully funded by the Australian government and available to domestic and international students.
- The University of Melbourne Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships: This scholarship is available to high-achieving international students from any country pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. It is fully funded.
- ANU International Research Scholarships: This scholarship is fully funded and designed for international students pursuing a Master’s or PhD research degree at ANU.
- ANU Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships: It is offered to outstanding domestic and international students pursuing a PhD by research degree at ANU. It covers everything.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#10. Monash University Scholarship
Monash University offers many fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living allowance, and a relocation allowance. The scholarships are available for domestic and international students who are unique and outstanding in their academics.
The fully funded scholarships offered at Monash University include:
- Monash University Scholarship – for students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees by research.
- Monash Research Training Program (MTP – for students pursuing master’s or PhD by research.
- Faculty-specific scholarships – for Students with academic achievement and research potential.
#11. Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)
The University of Melbourne offers a fully funded scholarship to outstanding international students pursuing a Master’s or PhD by research. This scholarship is the best of its kind, it covers tuition fees, a living allowance, relocation allowance, health insurance, and a research allowance.
This scholarship does not require any special application from students who enrolled with Melbourne University, they are automatically considered for the grant which covers all study areas.
The scholarship is valued at $135,000 and about 350 international students from different parts of the world who applied to Melbourne University are automatically considered for this scholarship alongside Australian citizens.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
#12. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
Deakin Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition and other expenses for international students. Successful students are required to participate in the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Exam.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you are to be a prospective international student for a coursework degree at Deakin University, be eligible to study at Deakin University and have achieved at least an 85% average (or equivalent) in previous studies.
This scholarship is highly competitive and is offered on a rolling basis in the months leading up to the start of the trimester.
Click here to apply for the scholarship
Other universities that offer fully funded scholarships in Australia or partially funded scholarships are:
- Macquarie University Scholarship
- Charles Darwin University Scholarships
- Southern Cross University Scholarships
- Graduate Research Scholarships
- Rhodes Scholarships
FAQs
Is it hard to get an Australia Scholarship?
Because of the large number of students vying for scholarships in Australia, they are extremely competitive. If you study hard, meet all the requirements, and are eligible for the scholarship, the chance of receiving the scholarship. Be intelligent and research-oriented.
Can I study for free in Australia?
Studying for free in Australia as an international student is nearly impossible unless you are a domestic student or an international student with a fully funded scholarship.
Conclusion
International students have access to a wealth of opportunities to advance their education through numerous scholarship programs tailored specifically for them. Before applying, ensure you carefully review each scholarship’s details, including start dates, deadlines, grant amounts, and eligibility criteria. Take the time to find the right opportunity that aligns with your academic goals. Best of luck!
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