The most common and competitive research scholarships in Australia combine tuition fee waivers and a living stipend. Many university-specific scholarships draw their funding from the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP).

1. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship

1. Short Description: The primary scholarship scheme funded by the Australian Government for both domestic and international students undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), such as a PhD or Master of Research.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be enrolling in an accredited research doctorate or research masters degree at a participating Australian university. Awarded based on academic merit, research potential, and institutional selection criteria (e.g., prior degree performance, research publications).
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications are made directly to the university and follow the university's internal research application rounds (typically one or two major rounds per year). Maximum duration of 2 years for a research Master's and 3.5 years for a PhD (with a possible 6-month extension).
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, government-supported. Universities award these as either a fee offset, a stipend, or both.
5. Coverage: Full Tuition Fee Offset for the duration of the course. A Stipend for living costs (tax-exempt, often around AUD $36,400 per annum, indexed). May include an allowance for relocation and thesis production, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
6. Obligation: Recipients cannot receive a concurrent scholarship/salary that exceeds 75% of the RTP stipend rate. Must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

2. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS)

1. Short Description: A highly competitive suite of scholarships encompassing both the RTP and university-funded awards, offered to high-achieving research candidates at the University of Melbourne.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must have applied for and meet the entry requirements for a graduate research degree (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne. Selection is based on academic achievement (e.g., high GPA, research component completion) and research potential.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission to an eligible course by the relevant deadline. Duration is up to 2 years (Master's) or 3.5 years (PhD) for the stipend, and up to 4 years for the fee offset.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Full Tuition Fee Offset, a competitive Stipend (e.g., AUD $38,500 per year, 2025 rate), a relocation grant (up to AUD $3,000 for international students), and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for single membership.
6. Obligation: Must commence the degree in the year the scholarship is offered (or deferred year) and comply with scholarship terms and conditions.

3. University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USydIS)

1. Short Description: The USydIS is the University of Sydney's primary research scholarship for international candidates, often awarded in conjunction with the RTP Fee Offset.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be eligible to commence a Postgraduate Research Degree (PhD or Master's by Research) at the University of Sydney. Awards are made based on high academic merit, proven research track record, and alignment with University research priorities.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Assessed automatically upon application for admission by the key scholarship deadlines. Duration is up to 3 years for a PhD (with a possible 6-month extension).
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Tuition Fee Offset (often from the RTP) and a Stipend for living costs (aligned with the RTP rate, e.g., AUD $42,754 p.a., 2026 rate). May include relocation and thesis allowances, and OSHC.
6. Obligation: Must maintain satisfactory progress and comply with the university's RTP/USydIS conditions.

4. Monash Graduate Research Scholarships (MGRS)

1. Short Description: Monash University's main competitive scholarship for high-achieving research candidates. Successful international applicants receive both a tuition fee waiver and a living allowance.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must have applied for or be currently enrolled in an eligible Monash graduate research degree (PhD or Master's by Research). Awarded based on academic achievement and research project quality.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications align with major University scholarship rounds (typically two main rounds per year). Duration is up to 2 years for a research Master's and up to 3.5 years for a PhD.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Full Fee Offset (Tuition Fee waiver) and a competitive Stipend (aligned with the RTP rate). Includes relocation allowance (where applicable) and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
6. Obligation: Required to undertake study full-time and comply with the scholarship Conditions of Award.

5. UNSW Research Training Program (RTP) and Tuition Fee Scholarships

1. Short Description: UNSW awards the RTP and its own top-up scholarships to outstanding international research students to support their PhD or Master's by Research.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must meet UNSW's high academic entry requirements for a research degree (e.g., an Honours degree with First Class or equivalent) and satisfy the RTP eligibility criteria.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Assessed automatically based on the admission application. Duration is up to 3.5 years for PhD stipend and 4 years for tuition fee offset.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, government/institution-funded.
5. Coverage: Full Tuition Fee Waiver and a Stipend for living costs (RTP rate, indexed annually). May include allowances for travel, relocation, and OSHC.
6. Obligation: Must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic performance.

6. University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarships (UQGSS)

1. Short Description: The UQGSS is awarded to domestic and international students commencing a Higher Degree by Research (Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy) and includes the RTP and other university-funded awards.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must have applied for admission to an eligible HDR program at UQ. Selection is based on academic achievement, research capability, and the quality of the proposed research environment.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Consideration is automatic upon submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the program by the scholarship deadlines. Duration is up to 3.5 years for a PhD.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Living Stipend (aligned with the RTP rate, tax-free) and a Tuition Fee Offset. Also includes single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
6. Obligation: Must not be receiving a living allowance award greater than 75% of the RTP rate from another source. Must meet UQ's research progress milestones.

7. Australian National University (ANU) PhD Scholarships

1. Short Description: ANU, consistently ranked among the world's top research universities, offers generous scholarships to attract the best international research students. These often combine the RTP with supplementary funding.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must apply for admission to a PhD program at ANU. Selection is heavily weighted towards academic merit, research publications, and prior research experience.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Major international application rounds typically close mid-year (e.g., August/September). Duration is usually 3.5 years.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Full Tuition Fee Offset, an annual Stipend (RTP rate plus potential ANU top-up), and cover for the cost of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
6. Obligation: Must not hold any other substantial scholarship that duplicates the ANU stipend component.

8. Western Australian PhD Scholarship (International) - WAPSI at UWA

1. Short Description: A highly competitive scholarship offered by the University of Western Australia (UWA) to outstanding international candidates undertaking a PhD.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must have completed a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours, or equivalent, and meet UWA's entry requirements for a PhD.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications are generally open in one major round per year. Covers the duration of the PhD program (up to 3.5 years).
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: Full International Tuition Fee Waiver and a Stipend for living costs (aligned with the RTP rate). Includes OSHC and a relocation allowance (where applicable).
6. Obligation: Must maintain full-time enrollment and demonstrate satisfactory progress through required milestones.

9. Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (FIPRS)

1. Short Description: FIPRS is a major scheme offered by Flinders University to attract high-calibre international research students.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must have completed at least four years of tertiary education and achieved a high level of academic achievement in previous degree(s) (e.g., First Class Honours equivalent). Must apply for admission to a PhD or Research Master's degree at Flinders.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Annual application round, often closing in August. Covers up to 3 years for a Research Doctorate.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, institution-specific.
5. Coverage: International Student Tuition Fees, a competitive Stipend (RTP-aligned), establishment allowance, relocation costs, and the cost of airfares.
6. Obligation: Must be pursuing a full-time research higher degree and maintain satisfactory academic performance.

10. Macquarie University International Research Training Program (iRTP) Scholarship

1. Short Description: Macquarie University offers iRTP Scholarships to highly ranked international applicants for postgraduate research degrees.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student applying for a full-time Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy course. Selection is based on academic merit, research performance, and the quality of the research project.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Follows Macquarie’s annual International Research Scholarship round (often one major round). Duration is up to 3.5 years for a PhD.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded, merit-based, government/institution-funded.
5. Coverage: Tuition Fee Offset for the course duration and a Stipend for living costs (RTP-aligned). Also includes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and, potentially, a relocation allowance.
6. Obligation: Must be enrolled full-time and commit to the successful completion of the research degree.