Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students chasing a fully funded scholarship — and for good reason. Between the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP), university-specific awards, and national schemes like Australia Awards and Rotary Peace Fellowships, there are dozens of ways to study in Australia without paying a cent in tuition.
The catch? Every scholarship runs on its own calendar, with deadlines scattered from February through December. Missing a single date can mean waiting a full year for the next round. Below is a complete, organized breakdown of the top fully funded scholarships in Australia for 2027, their degree levels, typical deadline months, and — most importantly — direct links to the official application page for each one.
⚠️ Important: Deadline months shown below are typical/recurring patterns based on past intake cycles. Universities revise exact dates every year, so always confirm the current deadline on the official page before you apply.
Quick-Reference Table: Australia Scholarship Deadlines
| Scholarship Name | Degree Level(s) | Typical Deadline Month |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith University Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD / Postdoctoral | July or October, depending on intake |
| Monash Research Training Program | Master’s / PhD | August 31 or March 31 |
| University of Sydney Scholarship | Master’s / PhD | September or December, depending on research period |
| University of Tasmania Scholarship | Master’s / PhD | October 1 or February 1 |
| Melbourne Research Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | October |
| Monash University Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | October 31 for selected scholarships; other rounds vary |
| University of Queensland Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s | November or June, depending on scholarship and intake |
| University of Western Australia Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s | December or May, depending on semester |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD | April 30, although country deadlines may vary |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships | Master’s / Professional Development Certificate | May |
| Australian Government Research Training Program | Master’s / PhD | April–October, depending on the university |
| Adelaide University Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | Applications accepted throughout the year |
| Australian National University Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s | Automatic consideration or varies by scholarship |
| Macquarie University Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s | Varies according to course and intake |
| Charles Darwin University Scholarships | Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD / Training | Varies according to the scholarship |
1. Griffith University Scholarships
Griffith offers scholarships spanning undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels, including Research Training Program (RTP) stipends and coursework fee-reduction awards like the Griffith Remarkable Scholarship. Applications are processed through the Griffith Graduate Research School in continuous rounds (roughly four intakes a year). 🔗 Official: Griffith University Scholarships 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
2. Monash Research Training Program (RTP)
Monash’s RTP scholarships cover full tuition and a tax-free living stipend for international master’s-by-research and PhD candidates. The university runs two major rounds per year, typically closing around 31 March and 31 August. 🔗 Official: Monash Graduate Research Scholarships
3. University of Sydney Scholarship
Sydney’s research scholarships (RTP and Vice-Chancellor’s awards) fund tuition and a living allowance for master’s and PhD candidates. Deadlines vary by the research period you’re applying for, generally falling in September or December. 🔗 Official: University of Sydney Scholarships
4. University of Tasmania Scholarship
UTAS offers project-based and general HDR scholarships for international master’s and PhD students, covering tuition and stipend, with rounds typically closing 1 October or 1 February. 🔗 Official: University of Tasmania Scholarships
5. Melbourne Research Scholarships
The University of Melbourne’s flagship funding scheme for international HDR students covers full tuition and a living allowance, with the main round usually closing in October. 🔗 Official: University of Melbourne Scholarships
6. Monash University Scholarships
Separate from the RTP, Monash also runs its own coursework and leadership scholarships (such as the Monash International Leadership Scholarship), with several rounds through the year and a major round closing around 31 October. 🔗 Official: Monash University Scholarships 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
7. University of Queensland Scholarships
UQ offers both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework scholarships as well as RTP-funded research places, with deadlines split between June and November depending on the specific award and intake. 🔗 Official: UQ Graduate School Scholarships
8. University of Western Australia (UWA) Scholarships
UWA’s international undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships close around May or December, depending on which semester you’re targeting. 🔗 Official: UWA Scholarships
9. Australia Awards Scholarships
Funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia Awards fund full undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study for students from eligible developing countries across the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The scholarship covers tuition, a living stipend, travel, and health cover. The primary global deadline typically falls around 30 April, though country-specific deadlines can differ. 🔗 Official: Australia Awards Scholarships (DFAT) 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
10. Rotary Peace Fellowships
Rotary funds master’s degrees and professional development certificates in peace and conflict resolution at designated Rotary Peace Centers (including universities in Australia and worldwide), covering tuition, travel, and living expenses. Applications generally close in May for the following year’s intake. 🔗 Official: Rotary Peace Fellowships
11. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
The RTP is the umbrella scheme behind most Australian university PhD funding — a joint Commonwealth and university program covering tuition offsets and an annual stipend (around AUD 30,000+, indexed yearly) for up to four years. Because each university administers its own RTP round, deadlines vary widely, generally falling between April and October. 🔗 Official: Australian Government RTP overview (Department of Education) 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
12. Adelaide University Scholarships
The University of Adelaide accepts RTP and university-funded scholarship applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, making it one of the more flexible options on this list for master’s and PhD applicants. 🔗 Official: University of Adelaide Scholarships 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
13. Australian National University (ANU) Scholarships
ANU offers a mix of automatic-consideration scholarships (applied when you apply for admission) and separately-applied merit scholarships for undergraduate and master’s students. 🔗 Official: ANU Scholarships
14. Macquarie University Scholarships
Macquarie’s undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships (including the International Road to Research and iMQRES research awards) have deadlines that vary by course and intake, so checking the specific award page early is essential. 🔗 Official: Macquarie University Scholarships
15. Charles Darwin University (CDU) Scholarships
CDU offers RTP scholarships alongside undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and vocational training awards. Most research scholarships are automatically considered once you’re admitted to an eligible HDR program — there’s no separate application. 🔗 Official: Charles Darwin University Scholarships 🔗 More detail via Opportunity Portal
How to Stay Ahead of These Deadlines
- Set calendar reminders 2–3 months ahead of your target intake — most Australian universities open applications well before the closing date, and strong applications take weeks to prepare.
- Apply for admission and the scholarship in parallel. Several awards (like RTP scholarships at Charles Darwin and Griffith) are automatically linked to your degree application, while others (Australia Awards, Rotary Peace Fellowships) require a completely separate application.
- Check citizenship and country eligibility first. Australia Awards and Rotary Peace Fellowships are restricted to specific partner countries, while RTP and university scholarships are typically open to all nationalities.
- Never pay an application fee. Every scholarship listed above is free to apply for through its official university or government portal.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s scholarship system is generous but fragmented — the same “RTP” name covers 40+ different university-run rounds, each with its own dates. Bookmark this page, check the official links regularly for the latest deadlines, and start your application at least a full term before your target intake.
This article is for informational purposes only. Scholarship names, funding amounts, and deadlines belong to their respective institutions and the Australian Government. Always verify current details on the official pages linked above before applying.
