Finding fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students can make an Australian degree far more achievable, but there is a problem with the way these scholarships are often presented online.
Not every scholarship described as “fully funded” actually pays for everything.
Some cover tuition fees but leave students responsible for accommodation and living expenses. Others provide a living stipend but don’t cover every additional cost. Some are available only for PhD or research students, while others are restricted to applicants from particular countries.
For students planning to study in Australia in 2026/2027, understanding that difference is just as important as finding the scholarship itself.
This guide looks at the major funding routes available to international students, what they can cover, who they are designed for, and what you should know before applying.
What Do Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for International Students Actually Cover?
There is no single definition of “fully funded.”
A genuinely comprehensive scholarship may cover several major expenses, such as:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses or a regular stipend
- Return airfare
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Visa-related costs
- Establishment or relocation allowances
- Research-related expenses
But not every scholarship covers all of these.
The Australian Government’s own information for international students distinguishes between different forms of scholarship support. For example, the Research Training Program can provide a tuition fee offset, stipend and certain allowances, depending on the university and scholarship arrangement.
That is why you should always read the official scholarship conditions rather than relying on the phrase “fully funded” in a blog post or social media advertisement.
Full Tuition Is Not the Same as Fully Funded
This distinction can save you from making an expensive mistake.
Imagine a university offers you a scholarship that covers 100% of your tuition.
That sounds fully funded.
But you may still need to pay for:
- Rent
- Food
- Transport
- Health insurance
- Flights
- Visa costs
- Books and other personal expenses
A tuition-free degree can therefore still be expensive.
When researching fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students, look at the complete benefits package, not just the tuition component.
If you’re still comparing Australia with other affordable study destinations, our guide to cheapest universities in Australia for international students can help you compare tuition and overall study costs before choosing a university.
Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for International Students 2026/2027
The following are among the most important scholarship routes international students should understand.
They do not all work in exactly the same way, and eligibility can be very different from one programme to another.
1. Australia Awards Scholarships
The Australia Awards Scholarships are one of Australia’s major government-funded scholarship programs for students from eligible developing countries.
They are administered by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Eligibility is country-specific, meaning you cannot assume that meeting the requirements in one country makes you eligible in another. DFAT maintains a participating-country list and directs applicants to their country-specific requirements.
Depending on the programme and applicable conditions, Australia Awards can provide substantial support for eligible scholars, making it one of the most important programmes to investigate if you are from a participating country.
However, there is an important timing issue for students reading this article now.
Is the 2027 Australia Awards Scholarship Still Open?
No.
For study commencing in 2027, the main application round opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026. DFAT’s current information confirms that the 2027 round has closed.
That doesn’t make the scholarship irrelevant.
If you missed the 2027 deadline, you can still use the official information to understand the programme and prepare for a future round, provided your country remains eligible.
The important thing is not to trust websites that still present the 2027 application as open.
Who Can Apply for Australia Awards?
Eligibility depends on your country.
DFAT currently lists participating countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, with individual country profiles providing specific requirements and priority areas.
Applicants should therefore check:
- Whether their country participates
- Their country’s priority areas
- Academic requirements
- English-language requirements
- Work experience requirements, where applicable
- Required documents
- Application deadlines
Do not assume that a friend from another country has the same eligibility requirements.
2. Research Training Program Scholarships
The Research Training Program (RTP) is one of the most important funding opportunities for international students interested in research degrees in Australia.
But this is where many scholarship articles become misleading.
RTP is not a scholarship for ordinary undergraduate students or standard coursework master’s programmes.
It supports students undertaking eligible research master’s and research doctorate degrees at participating Australian higher education providers.
An RTP scholarship may include:
- A tuition fee offset
- A living stipend
- Allowances for certain research-related expenses
The exact combination depends on the university and scholarship arrangement.
If you’re open to studying outside Australia, don’t limit your scholarship search to one country. You can also explore our guide to fully funded scholarships in Europe to see what other destinations have to offer.
How Much Is the RTP Stipend in 2027?
The Australian Government lists the 2027 full-time RTP base stipend at AUD $35,550, with a maximum of AUD $55,537.
The amount a student actually receives depends on the university’s scholarship arrangements and applicable conditions.
This is one reason RTP deserves serious attention from international PhD and research master’s applicants.
Who Can Apply for RTP?
International students can be eligible for RTP scholarships if they are undertaking an eligible research master’s or research doctorate at an eligible Australian university.
However, universities control the application and selection process.
The Australian Government specifically advises prospective applicants to contact their chosen university because each institution has its own application procedures and selection criteria.
This means there isn’t one central RTP application form for all Australian universities.
You apply through the university.
Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for International Students by Study Level
One of the easiest ways to narrow your search is to start with your intended degree.
The scholarship options available to a PhD applicant are not necessarily available to a bachelor’s student.
1. Undergraduate Students
Fully funded opportunities for international undergraduate students are generally more limited than the large number of partial university scholarships advertised online.
If you are applying for a bachelor’s degree, look carefully at:
- Government-sponsored programmes
- University-specific full scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- Major tuition awards
- Scholarships attached to particular programmes
Don’t automatically classify a 20% or 25% tuition reduction as a fully funded scholarship.
If the award only reduces tuition, the article or university should say so clearly.
2. Coursework Master’s Students
Coursework master’s students have more options than undergraduate students in some areas, but funding varies considerably.
Before applying, check whether the scholarship covers:
- Full tuition
- Living expenses
- Health insurance
- Travel
- Other mandatory costs
A scholarship covering full tuition can still leave you with a substantial annual living bill.
This is why your financial planning should begin with the total cost of study, not just the scholarship headline.
3. Research Master’s and PhD Students
Research students have access to an important funding route through RTP and university research scholarships.
The Australian Government confirms that RTP is specifically designed to support domestic and overseas students undertaking higher degrees by research.
For research applicants, the search should therefore focus heavily on:
- RTP scholarships
- University HDR scholarships
- Faculty scholarships
- Supervisor-funded research projects
- Research-specific scholarships
Your research proposal, academic record and research experience can become particularly important in competitive selections.
How to Tell If an Australian Scholarship Is Really Fully Funded
This is probably the most important section for anyone searching for scholarships.
Before you get excited about a scholarship, open the official scholarship page and look for its benefits or entitlements.
Watch Out for “Up to” Scholarship Amounts
A scholarship advertised as providing “up to AUD $50,000” doesn’t necessarily mean every recipient receives AUD $50,000.
The amount could depend on:
- Degree level
- Course
- Academic performance
- Scholarship duration
- University
- Eligibility category
Read the actual terms.
The biggest scholarship headline is not always the most useful scholarship for your situation.
How Competitive Are Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia?
Very competitive.
The reason is simple: a scholarship that covers tuition and living expenses is worth far more than a small tuition discount.
Universities may consider factors such as:
- Academic performance
- Research experience
- Publications
- Work experience
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Research proposal
- References
- Fit with the university or research area
For RTP scholarships, Australian universities can apply their own competitive selection processes and additional criteria. The government specifically notes that universities may consider previous study, work experience, research publications and referee reports, among other factors.
So meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
There isn’t one universal application process.
Different scholarships can require completely different approaches.
For Australia Awards, applicants must use the requirements and application process associated with their participating country. DFAT advises applicants to check their country profile and read the Australia Awards Scholarship Policy Handbook before applying.
For RTP, applicants deal directly with the Australian university.
This means your first step should always be:
Identify the scholarship → identify the official provider → read the current eligibility rules → check the deadline → prepare the required documents.
Don’t begin by filling out an application you found through a third-party website.
Begin with the official scholarship provider.
Documents You May Need:
Depending on the scholarship, you may need some combination of:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Passport
- CV
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- References
- Proof of English proficiency
- Employment evidence
- Evidence of citizenship
- Other country-specific documents
Don’t wait until the deadline is approaching to start collecting these.
Academic transcripts and recommendation letters can take time to obtain.
What International Students Should Do After Missing a Scholarship Deadline
Missing a deadline doesn’t mean your study-abroad plan has to end.
For example, the Australia Awards 2027 round has already closed, but that doesn’t prevent students from researching other Australian university scholarships or preparing for future scholarship cycles.
The Australian Department of Education also directs international students toward Study Australia for information about other scholarship opportunities.
If one scholarship is closed, check:
- Other universities
- Other scholarship categories
- Upcoming intakes
- Research scholarships
- Partial tuition scholarships
- Future government scholarship rounds
The mistake is assuming that one missed deadline means there are no other opportunities.
Are Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia Available for Everyone?
No.
There is no single fully funded scholarship that every international student can apply for.
Eligibility may depend on:
- Nationality
- Degree level
- Field of study
- Academic background
- Research experience
- Work experience
- University
- Research area
- Scholarship-specific conditions
Australia Awards, for example, is limited to citizens of participating countries and has country-specific requirements.
RTP is restricted to eligible higher degrees by research.
Understanding these restrictions early can save you hours of applying for scholarships you were never eligible to receive.
Don’t Rely on a Scholarship to Fund Your Entire Australian Study Plan
Even when you receive a substantial scholarship, you should understand exactly what it covers.
You may still have expenses outside the scholarship package.
Before accepting an offer, calculate:
Tuition + accommodation + food + transport + health insurance + visa costs + personal expenses
Then subtract the confirmed scholarship benefits.
The remaining amount is what you need to plan for.
This is a much safer approach than assuming “fully funded” means you will have zero expenses.
Scholarships aren’t the only way students can make an overseas education more affordable. If you’re comparing destinations based on your overall budget, our guide to the cost of studying in the UK for international students provides another useful point of comparison.
How to Find More Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
Don’t limit your search to Google articles.
Use official sources.
Start with the Australian Government’s scholarship information, then move to the university websites.
For research degrees, go directly to the postgraduate research or graduate research section of each university.
Search for terms such as:
- International research scholarship
- HDR scholarship
- RTP scholarship
- PhD scholarship
- Research master’s scholarship
- International tuition scholarship
Then check the current application deadline.
Scholarship information can change from one intake to another, so avoid relying on an old article that has not been updated.
Final Checklist Before Applying
Before submitting a scholarship application, ask yourself:
Eligibility
- Is my country eligible?
- Is my degree level eligible?
- Is my field of study eligible?
- Do I meet the academic requirements?
- Do I meet the English-language requirements?
Funding
- Does it cover full tuition?
- Is there a living stipend?
- Is health insurance included?
- Is airfare included?
- Are visa or relocation costs covered?
- What expenses remain my responsibility?
Application
- Is the scholarship currently open?
- What is the exact deadline?
- Am I applying through the official website?
- Have I prepared all required documents?
- Have my references been completed?
- Have I checked the scholarship conditions?
If you cannot answer these questions, don’t submit the application yet.
Final Thoughts On Fully Funded Scholarships In Australia For International Students
The best fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students are not necessarily the scholarships with the most impressive headline.
The important question is:
What will this scholarship actually pay for?
Australia Awards is a major government-funded opportunity for eligible students from participating countries, while the Research Training Program provides an important funding pathway for eligible international students pursuing research master’s and doctorate degrees.
But neither should be treated as a universal scholarship for every international student.
If you’re planning for 2026/2027, check deadlines carefully. The Australia Awards 2027 application round has already closed, while RTP and university scholarships operate according to individual university processes and deadlines.
Most importantly, verify every scholarship directly with the organisation offering it.
A scholarship can change its deadline, eligibility requirements, funding amount or available programmes.
The safest scholarship is the one whose current terms you have verified from the official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students?
Major opportunities include Australia Awards Scholarships for eligible students from participating countries and Research Training Program scholarships for eligible international students undertaking research master’s or doctorate degrees. Universities also offer their own scholarship programmes.
Is the Australia Awards Scholarship open for 2027?
No. The Australia Awards application round for study commencing in 2027 opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026.
Can international students apply for the Research Training Program?
Yes. International students can be eligible for RTP support if they are undertaking an eligible research master’s or research doctorate at an eligible Australian university.
Can undergraduate students apply for RTP?
No. RTP is for eligible higher degrees by research, specifically research master’s and research doctorate programmes. Standard bachelor’s and coursework master’s programmes do not qualify.
How much is the RTP stipend in 2027?
The Australian Government lists a 2027 full-time RTP base stipend of AUD $35,550, with a maximum of AUD $55,537. The amount available to an individual student depends on the university’s scholarship arrangements.
Are fully funded scholarships in Australia really free?
Not always. “Fully funded” can mean different things depending on the scholarship. Some awards may cover tuition and living expenses, while others cover only certain major costs. Always check the official benefits and conditions before applying.
Official Educational Websites/Resources
Australian Government — Australia Awards Scholarships
Australian Government — Australia Awards participating countries
Australian Government — Australia Awards opening and closing dates
Australian Government — How to apply for Australia Awards
Australian Government — Research Training Program
Australian Government — RTP FAQs for students
Australian Government — Financial assistance for international students