Studying in Australia can provide international students with access to globally recognised universities, research facilities and professional opportunities. The main challenge is often the cost: tuition, accommodation, food, health cover and other expenses can add up quickly.
Fortunately, international students can access several scholarship pathways that may cover tuition fees, provide living support or contribute toward other approved study-related expenses.
However, “fully funded” does not mean the same thing for every Australian scholarship. One award may cover tuition and provide a living stipend, while another may cover tuition only. Some research scholarships can combine a tuition fee offset with a stipend and other allowances.
This guide explains the major fully funded and high-value scholarship pathways available to international students in Australia for the 2026/2027 study period, how the funding works, who may qualify, what documents you need and how to verify opportunities through official sources.
Important: Scholarship availability, eligibility requirements and deadlines can change. Always confirm the current conditions with the scholarship provider or Australian university before applying.
Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for International Students
Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia at a Glance
Scholarship pathway
Main study level
International students
Possible funding
Australia Awards Scholarships
Undergraduate/postgraduate, depending on country
Eligible citizens of participating countries
Tuition, airfare, living support and other approved benefits
The table is a starting point rather than a guarantee that every opportunity is open during the same application period.
What Does “Fully Funded” Mean in Australia?
The phrase fully funded scholarship can be misleading if you do not examine the actual benefits.
A scholarship may be described as fully funded because it covers several major costs, but the exact package depends on the provider.
Full tuition scholarship
A full tuition award covers all or most approved tuition fees. It may not provide enough money for accommodation, food, flights or other living expenses.
Fully funded scholarship
A genuinely comprehensive scholarship may combine tuition support with living expenses and other approved benefits.
Research scholarship
Research funding may provide a tuition fee offset, living stipend and allowances connected with a research master’s or doctoral programme.
Partial scholarship
A partial award reduces your education costs but leaves you responsible for some tuition or living expenses.
Never rely on the words “fully funded” alone. Read the official benefits section and determine exactly what the scholarship pays for.
Best Fully Funded Scholarship Pathways in Australia
1. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are Australian Government-funded awards for citizens of participating countries. They support full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian institutions, depending on the relevant country programme. (DFAT)
The programme has a strong development focus. Applicants are therefore assessed not simply on their desire to study abroad but also against the objectives and eligibility requirements of their particular country programme.
What can Australia Awards cover?
The official programme states that benefits generally include:
Full tuition fees
Return economy-class air travel
Establishment allowance
Contribution to Living Expenses
Overseas Student Health Cover
Introductory academic support where applicable
Other approved benefits depending on the award
The exact entitlements are subject to the applicable programme conditions and policy. (DFAT)
Who can apply?
Eligibility is country-specific.
An international student should therefore check the Australia Awards information for their country rather than assuming that every nationality qualifies.
For African applicants, the current Africa Australia Awards information lists participating countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others. (DFAT)
Country-specific requirements can include:
Citizenship or residency requirements
Academic qualifications
Professional experience
Priority fields
Development-related objectives
English-language requirements
Other country-specific conditions
Australia Awards 2027 application dates
There is no single deadline that applies to every participating country.
The official Australia Awards schedule shows different opening and closing dates by country. Many countries in the 2027 intake opened applications on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026, while some countries followed different schedules. (DFAT)
Applicants should therefore check the official country profile before relying on a date found on another website.
Official application guidance: Applicants are instructed to check the opening and closing dates for their country, review the relevant eligibility information and read the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook before applying. (DFAT)
2. Research Training Program (RTP)
The Research Training Program (RTP) is one of the most important Australian funding pathways for students pursuing higher degrees by research.
It supports eligible Australian universities in training domestic and international students undertaking research master’s and research doctorate degrees. (Department of Education)
What can RTP provide?
An RTP scholarship can take the form of one or more of:
Tuition fee offset
Living-cost stipend
Allowances related to the ancillary costs of a higher degree by research
The Australian Government notes that RTP funding is administered through eligible higher education providers, meaning applicants generally need to follow the scholarship process established by the university. (Department of Education)
Who should consider RTP?
RTP is particularly relevant if you are applying for:
Research master’s
PhD
Other eligible higher-degree research programmes
A strong academic record can matter, but research applicants may also need to demonstrate research potential, previous research experience, publications, a suitable proposal or other evidence required by their university.
Why university research pages matter
Do not search only for “international scholarships” on a university homepage.
Research students should also examine:
Graduate research school pages
Faculty scholarship pages
Research centre pages
Individual PhD project pages
Supervisor and research-group information
Some research funding opportunities are connected to specific projects, faculties or research areas rather than being advertised as general international scholarships.
3. University Scholarships for International Students
Australian universities also provide scholarships directly to international students.
These awards can differ considerably in value and eligibility.
Depending on the university and programme, you may find scholarships based on:
Academic excellence
Leadership
Research potential
Nationality
Region
Field of study
Degree level
Academic programme
Other eligibility criteria
Some awards provide full tuition coverage, while others offer a percentage reduction or a fixed amount.
For this reason, do not describe every international university scholarship as fully funded.
Instead, check:
The scholarship’s official name
Tuition coverage
Living allowance
Duration
Eligibility
Application method
Deadline
Whether admission is required first
Australian Scholarships by Degree Level
Undergraduate Scholarships
International undergraduate applicants should search university scholarship pages for awards specifically accepting bachelor’s students.
Check whether the scholarship:
Covers the whole degree
Covers only part of tuition
Provides a living allowance
Requires a separate application
Automatically considers eligible applicants
Applies to your intended course
Completely funded undergraduate opportunities can be more limited than postgraduate research funding, so applicants should avoid assuming that every university offers a full-cost bachelor’s scholarship.
Master’s Scholarships
Master’s applicants have several possible funding routes.
These include:
University scholarships
Government-funded programmes
Coursework scholarships
Research scholarships
Faculty-specific awards
If your master’s programme involves substantial research, investigate research funding separately from ordinary international student scholarships.
A research master’s applicant may have access to opportunities that are not available to students enrolled in a standard coursework programme.
PhD Scholarships
PhD applicants should place research funding high on their search list.
The Research Training Program is particularly relevant because it supports eligible research master’s and doctoral students through participating Australian universities. (Department of Education)
Other opportunities can come from:
University graduate research scholarships
Faculty awards
Research projects
Industry-linked research programmes
Supervisor or research-group funding
Your research proposal, academic history and research experience may therefore be just as important as your general academic qualifications.
Australian Scholarships for African Students
Students from Africa should begin by identifying scholarships for which their specific country is eligible.
Australia Awards is especially important because its eligibility is organised around participating countries rather than a blanket rule for all international students.
For the current Africa Australia Awards information, eligible countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi and others. (DFAT)
University scholarships can have broader international eligibility, but that must be checked individually.
If you are applying from Africa, check:
Your citizenship eligibility
Country-specific scholarship requirements
Priority study areas
Academic requirements
Work-experience requirements
English requirements
Application deadline
Whether your intended Australian university participates
Being an international student alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Scholarships by Field of Study
Scholarship availability can also depend on your intended field.
Depending on the provider, international students may find opportunities connected to areas such as:
Engineering
Information technology
Computer science
Artificial intelligence
Business
Public health
Nursing and health sciences
Agriculture
Environmental science
Education
Social sciences
Economics
Research and innovation
For research degrees, look beyond general scholarship databases.
A university faculty or research centre may advertise funding connected to a specific research project even when that opportunity is not prominently displayed on the university’s general scholarship page.
What Can a Fully Funded Australian Scholarship Cover?
The exact benefits depend on the scholarship.
Expense
Can it be covered?
Tuition fees
Yes, for some scholarships
Living expenses
Yes, for some scholarships
Health insurance
Depends on the programme
Return airfare
Included in some government awards
Establishment costs
Included in some programmes
Research costs
Depends on the scholarship
Accommodation
Depends on the provider
Visa expenses
Depends on the programme
Family/dependant costs
Usually not automatically covered
Australia Awards, for example, generally includes tuition, return airfare, establishment support and a contribution toward living expenses, along with other approved benefits. (DFAT)
RTP funding has a different structure, potentially involving a tuition fee offset, stipend and eligible allowances. (Department of Education)
The safest rule is simple:
If the official scholarship page does not explicitly say that an expense is covered, do not assume that it is.
Australian Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
There is no single eligibility checklist that applies to every scholarship.
Your requirements may depend on the provider, nationality, university, degree and field.
1. Nationality
Government programmes can restrict eligibility to citizens of participating countries.
University awards may be open to a wider group of international applicants.
Always check the official country list.
2. Academic qualifications
Depending on the scholarship, requirements may include:
Minimum grades
Previous degree
Specific subjects
Academic ranking
Research experience
Relevant professional qualifications
Meeting the minimum requirement does not necessarily mean that you will be competitive.
3. Degree and programme
Confirm that your intended:
University
Faculty
Course
Degree level
Research area
is eligible.
4. English-language requirements
A scholarship and a university admission process can have different English-language rules.
Some applicants may need IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or another accepted form of evidence.
Do not assume that a scholarship advertised as “without IELTS” automatically means the university has waived its English-language admission requirement.
Check the university’s current admission rules separately.
5. Work experience
Certain programmes may require professional experience, while others focus mainly on academic qualifications.
This is particularly important for applicants considering development-focused government scholarships.
Do You Need University Admission Before Applying for a Scholarship?
Not always.
Australian scholarship processes can follow different models.
Admission first
You receive admission before applying for scholarship funding.
Scholarship and admission together
The university allows you to indicate scholarship interest during the admission process.
Separate scholarship application
You apply for admission and funding through separate processes.
Automatic consideration
Some university scholarships consider eligible applicants automatically after they submit an admission application.
The correct procedure depends on the specific scholarship.
Documents You May Need
Prepare your documents well before the deadline.
Academic documents
Degree certificates
Academic transcripts
Secondary school certificates where relevant
Grading information
Professional certificates where applicable
Identification
Valid passport
Nationality or citizenship documentation where requested
Scholarship documents
CV
Personal statement
Motivation letter
Scholarship essays
Recommendation letters
Research applicants
You may also need:
Research proposal
Publications
Research portfolio
Evidence of research experience
Supervisor-related documents
English-language evidence
Where required:
IELTS
TOEFL
PTE Academic
Other accepted evidence
The scholarship’s official instructions should always take priority over a generic checklist.
How to Find Legitimate Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
The safest approach is to start with the organisation responsible for the scholarship.
Start with Australian Government websites
Government-funded programmes should be verified through Australian Government sources.
For Australia Awards, use the official programme website and the country-specific information provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (DFAT)
Search university websites
Once you identify a university offering your desired programme, search for:
International scholarships
Scholarships for international students
Graduate research scholarships
Research training scholarships
Faculty scholarships
Search faculty and research pages
PhD and research master’s applicants should go further.
Check:
Graduate research schools
Faculties
Research centres
Research projects
Individual scholarship pages
This can reveal opportunities that a general scholarship search may miss.
How to Apply for an Australian Scholarship
A practical application process looks like this:
Step 1: Choose your degree and field
Decide what you want to study and at what level.
Step 2: Identify suitable Australian universities
Compare programmes, admission requirements and scholarship availability.
Step 3: Check scholarship eligibility
Confirm your nationality, academic background, programme and other requirements.
Step 4: Verify the funding
Determine exactly what is covered.
Step 5: Check the deadline
Do not rely on a third-party website if the official provider publishes a different date.
Step 6: Prepare your documents
Collect transcripts, certificates, references, CV, English evidence and other required documents.
Step 7: Prepare your application
Tailor your personal statement, scholarship essays and research proposal to the specific opportunity.
Step 8: Apply through the official channel
Use the university or government application portal specified by the provider.
Step 9: Save your confirmation
Keep copies of the submitted application and supporting documents.
Australia Scholarship Application Timeline for 2026/2027
There is no single Australia-wide scholarship deadline.
Australia Awards, for example, publishes opening and closing dates by participating country. (DFAT)
A sensible preparation schedule is:
12–18 months before study
Research universities, programmes and scholarship pathways.
9–12 months before
Prepare academic documents and investigate English-language requirements.
6–9 months before
Research supervisors and prepare a proposal if you are applying for research study.
3–6 months before
Complete scholarship and university applications whose deadlines fall within this period.
Before the deadline
Check every document, answer and supporting requirement.
After submission
Monitor your email and scholarship portal for requests, interviews, admission decisions or additional documents.
Always use the provider’s current deadline as the final authority.
Can a Fully Funded Scholarship Help With an Australian Student Visa?
Winning a scholarship does not automatically guarantee a student visa.
For the Student visa (subclass 500), applicants still need to satisfy the applicable visa requirements. Australian Home Affairs information states that evidence of sufficient funds can include scholarships or similar financial support. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
Depending on the applicant and circumstances, the visa process can involve requirements relating to:
Genuine Student assessment
Financial capacity
English-language evidence or exemptions
Health
Character
Confirmation of Enrolment
Other visa requirements
Therefore, treat scholarship approval and visa approval as separate processes.
What a Fully Funded Scholarship May Not Cover
Even a generous scholarship may leave some expenses to the student.
Possible exclusions include:
Additional personal expenses
Dependants’ expenses
Costs outside the approved scholarship period
Extra accommodation costs
Personal travel
Certain visa-related charges
Expenses not listed in the scholarship benefits
The scholarship offer letter and official policy should be used to determine your actual financial responsibilities.
How to Verify an Australian Scholarship Is Genuine
Before giving your personal information to a scholarship advertiser, identify the organisation behind the opportunity.
Check the provider
Can you identify the government department, university, research organisation or other recognised institution?
Find the official webpage
Search for the scholarship independently instead of automatically using a link sent through social media or messaging apps.
Compare the details
Check whether the:
Scholarship name
Funding amount
Eligibility
Deadline
Application procedure
match the official source.
Watch for guarantees
Be extremely cautious about anyone promising that you will definitely receive a scholarship.
Be careful with payment requests
A person asking for money to “reserve” a guaranteed scholarship should be treated with caution.
Verify agents independently
An education agent may assist with university applications, but that does not mean the agent controls scholarship decisions.
If something sounds suspicious, contact the university or scholarship provider directly.
How to Build a Competitive Australian Scholarship Application
Meeting the eligibility criteria is only the beginning.
Research the scholarship provider
Understand:
Its objectives
Selection criteria
Eligible study areas
Target applicants
Expected outcomes
Your application should demonstrate a genuine connection between your background and the scholarship’s purpose.
Connect your study to your goals
A strong application should show the relationship between:
Previous education → proposed Australian programme → career goals → future contribution
Avoid vague statements about simply wanting to “study abroad.”
Explain what you intend to learn, why the programme is appropriate and how the education fits your longer-term plans.
Demonstrate measurable impact
Leadership does not necessarily require a formal management position.
Relevant evidence may include:
Community projects
Professional responsibilities
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Research
Student leadership
Initiatives you started
Instead of listing activities, explain what you did and what changed because of your involvement.
Write an authentic personal statement
Your statement should reflect your own experience.
Explain:
Your academic or professional background
Why you selected the field
Why the programme is relevant
What you have achieved
What you intend to do after graduation
Avoid copying generic scholarship essays from the internet.
Prepare a strong research proposal
Research applicants should clearly explain:
The research problem
Why it matters
Research objectives
Proposed methodology
Expected contribution
Requirements differ between universities, so follow the exact instructions for your chosen programme.
Common Australian Scholarship Application Mistakes
Applying for every scholarship
More applications do not necessarily produce better results.
Prioritise opportunities for which you genuinely satisfy the requirements.
Using one generic essay
A scholarship application should respond to the specific opportunity.
Ignoring selection criteria
If the provider lists selection criteria, address them directly.
Confusing admission with scholarship success
Admission to an Australian university does not automatically mean that you have won scholarship funding.
Assuming “fully funded” covers everything
Always examine the actual benefits.
Waiting until the final day
Missing documents, technical problems or portal issues can create unnecessary pressure.
Submit early whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fully funded scholarships in Australia available to international students?
Yes. Australian Government programmes, universities and research institutions provide funding opportunities for eligible international students. Eligibility varies by scholarship, nationality, study level and programme. (DFAT)
What are the best fully funded scholarships in Australia?
There is no single best scholarship for everyone.
Australia Awards is an important government-funded pathway for eligible citizens of participating countries, while the Research Training Program is particularly relevant to eligible research master’s and PhD students. Universities also operate their own scholarship schemes. (DFAT)
Can African students apply for Australian scholarships?
Yes, where their country meets the eligibility requirements of the particular scholarship. Australia Awards, for example, has country-specific eligibility information for participating African countries. (DFAT)
Can I get a fully funded undergraduate scholarship in Australia?
Some funding is available to international undergraduate students, but fully funded undergraduate opportunities can be more limited than postgraduate research funding. Check individual universities and government programmes.
Can I get a fully funded master’s scholarship in Australia?
Yes. Master’s students can investigate university scholarships, government programmes and research funding. The available opportunities depend on whether the programme is coursework-based or research-based.
Can I get a fully funded PhD scholarship in Australia?
Yes. PhD applicants can investigate RTP and university research scholarships. Eligibility and selection criteria vary by institution. (Department of Education)
Does a fully funded scholarship automatically cover my visa?
No. Scholarship benefits and visa requirements are separate. A scholarship may provide financial evidence for visa purposes, but applicants must still satisfy the applicable Student visa requirements. (Immigration and citizenship Website)
Do Australian scholarships require IELTS?
Some universities and scholarships require English-language evidence, while others may accept exemptions or alternative evidence. Check the current rules for both the scholarship and your intended university.
Can I apply for several scholarships?
You can apply for multiple opportunities when you meet their eligibility requirements. However, check each scholarship’s conditions concerning simultaneous awards or other sources of funding.
When should I apply for an Australian scholarship?
Start researching well before your intended intake. There is no single Australian scholarship deadline, and programmes such as Australia Awards publish country-specific application schedules. (DFAT)
Australian Scholarship Application Checklist
Eligibility
I meet the nationality requirements.
I meet the academic requirements.
My intended course is eligible.
My university is eligible.
I meet the English-language requirements where applicable.
I meet any work-experience requirements.
Documents
Passport
Academic certificates
Academic transcripts
CV
Personal statement
Scholarship essay
Recommendation letters
English-language evidence where required
Research proposal where required
Before submitting
I answered every required question.
My documents follow the required format.
I stayed within the word limits.
I checked the scholarship criteria.
I confirmed the deadline.
I am using the official application channel.
I saved proof of submission.
How Kenbizz Verifies Scholarship Information
Scholarship information can change, particularly deadlines, eligibility requirements and funding conditions.
For that reason, scholarship information should be checked against authoritative sources before publication or application.
For Australian scholarship research, the most useful primary sources include:
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Government Department of Education
Australian Department of Home Affairs
Official Australia Awards pages
Official Australian university scholarship pages
Official university graduate research pages
For Australia Awards, the official programme provides country-specific eligibility and application information. (DFAT)
