Australian PhD funding runs largely through the national Research Training Program, which allocates a set number of government-funded places to each university every year, supplemented by university-specific top-up scholarships.
The ten programs below show how that system plays out across some of Australia’s leading research universities.
1. Melbourne Research Scholarship
The [Melbourne Research Scholarship](/melbourne-research-scholarship/) funds doctoral candidates at the University of Melbourne with a living stipend and a full tuition fee offset for the standard length of the PhD.
2. UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship
The [UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship](/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarship/) provides a higher-than-standard stipend along with tuition and a dedicated mentoring and training program for selected doctoral candidates at UNSW Sydney.
3. Adelaide Scholarships International
The [Adelaide Scholarships International](/adelaide-scholarships-international/) program supports doctoral candidates at the University of Adelaide with a tuition offset and a living stipend for the length of the PhD.
4. Deakin Research Training Program Scholarship
The [Deakin Research Training Program Scholarship](/deakin-research-training-program-scholarship/) funds doctoral candidates with a living stipend and tuition fee offset, drawing on the national Research Training Program allocation.
5. RMIT Research Training Program Scholarship
The [RMIT Research Training Program Scholarship](/rmit-research-training-program-scholarship/) provides a stipend and tuition offset to doctoral candidates admitted to RMIT University in Melbourne.
6. University of Sydney Research Training Program Scholarship
The [Sydney RTP Scholarship](/sydney-rtp-scholarship/) funds doctoral candidates with a living stipend and a full tuition fee waiver, allocated through the university’s share of national Research Training Program places.
7. Macquarie International Research Training Program Scholarship
The [Macquarie IRTP Scholarship](/macquarie-irtp-scholarship/) covers tuition and provides a living stipend for international doctoral candidates admitted to Macquarie University.
8. Australian National University PhD Scholarships
ANU allocates Research Training Program places to incoming doctoral candidates each year, covering tuition and a living stipend for students across its various research schools.
9. University of Queensland Research Training Program Scholarship
UQ funds doctoral candidates through its share of national Research Training Program places, providing a tuition offset and stipend for the length of the degree.
10. Monash Graduate Excellence Scholarship
Monash University funds a number of incoming doctoral candidates through this scholarship, combining a living stipend with a full tuition fee offset for the standard PhD period.
Since Research Training Program places are allocated to universities rather than directly to students, securing a supervisor and a strong, specific research proposal usually matters as much as the formal scholarship application itself.
International applicants should also check whether a given Research Training Program place includes a relocation allowance, since several universities add a one-time payment to help cover the cost of moving to Australia at the start of the degree.
Visa processing for a student visa typically requires a confirmed scholarship or financial evidence, so securing a funding offer in writing before lodging the visa application avoids unnecessary delays.
Candidates with a published paper, a strong honours or master.’s thesis, or prior research assistant experience generally stand out during Australian PhD selection, since supervisors place heavy weight on demonstrated research capability over coursework grades alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Research Training Program the same at every Australian university?
The funding source is the same national scheme, but each university sets its own stipend top-ups, selection process, and scholarship names on top of it.
How long does a Research Training Program scholarship last?
Most fund three to three and a half years of full-time doctoral study, occasionally with a short extension in specific circumstances.
Do these scholarships cover health insurance for international students?
Several, including Scientia and Melbourne Research Scholarships, include or arrange for subsidized health cover as part of the overall package.
Is finding a supervisor necessary before applying?
Yes, for almost every program on this list, identifying and securing in-principle agreement from a supervisor is a required step before formally applying.
Can applicants apply to more than one Australian university at a time?
Yes, applicants commonly apply to several universities in parallel, since each Research Training Program allocation and scholarship competition is separate.
Are these scholarships only for science and engineering fields?
No, Research Training Program places are available across most academic disciplines, including humanities and social sciences, though the number of places per field can vary.
Does a scholarship like Scientia offer anything beyond funding?
Yes, programs like UNSW Scientia also include structured training, mentoring, and networking opportunities alongside the financial stipend.