Australia is a popular destination for higher studies for students from around the world. According to the Australian Government’s January 2026 monthly data, 551,717 international students were studying in Australia, with 565,601 international student enrolments. Australia is also known for its quality of life and its highly ranked universities. However, studying there can be competitive and expensive, especially for students coming from abroad.
If you’re looking for an affordable educational experience in Australia, there are steps you can take and choices you can make to access a quality education without spending too much. Studying in Australia can be fully funded if you target the right combination of government and university scholarships. Programs like the Australia Awards Scholarships and the research-focused Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) can cover tuition, living expenses, and, in some cases, travel or other study-related costs. University awards such as the Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne can also provide full research-degree funding, while undergraduate awards such as the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship provide partial tuition support. Real students like Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa, Ilham Perdana, Kingkin Fitoriani, Debanjana Maity, and Gurjas Singh have already used scholarships to reduce or fully cover their costs; the steps below show how to follow a similar path.
How to Study in Australia for Free with Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Map Out Fully Funded and Tuition-Free Options in Australia
The first move is to understand which scholarships can realistically make your studies free or close to free. At the government level, the flagship option is the Australia Awards Scholarships, which support full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study for eligible applicants from participating countries, depending on the country program. These awards generally cover full tuition, return economy air travel, a one-time establishment allowance, a fortnightly contribution to living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover, and academic preparation or support where applicable. This is why recipients like Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa and Hangbou (Patrick) Oeng were able to study at the University of Melbourne with major costs covered.
If you are aiming for a research master’s or PhD, look closely at the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP). This scheme supports higher degrees by research at eligible Australian universities. RTP support can include a tuition-fee offset, a stipend for general living costs, and allowances for research-related costs, but the exact package, deadline, and selection process are set by each university. At institutions such as the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne, major research scholarships may combine tuition support, a living stipend, and health cover or relocation support for international students. That is how Debanjana Maity is pursuing a funded PhD in Microbiology at the University of Queensland, combining an RTP-linked scholarship with a university top-up.
Undergraduate students often rely on university-specific awards. At the University of Melbourne, the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship currently provides partial tuition support rather than a full tuition waiver. Scholarships awarded before 2027 provide a 25% fee sponsorship for the duration of the course, while awards from 2027 provide a 20% fee sponsorship. Recipients like Gurjas Singh used earlier Melbourne scholarship support, combined with the university’s Commerce Global Scholarship, to reduce tuition costs. For graduate research at the same university, the Graduate Research Scholarships offer a full fee offset and a living allowance for eligible master’s by research and doctoral students, which is why many research students at Melbourne can study without paying tuition.
Beyond Melbourne and Queensland, other institutions such as Monash University, University of South Australia, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, and many more list full or partial scholarships for international students. For example, Ilham Perdana uses an Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Master’s in Atmospheric Science at Monash University, while Vanellope Catatumbo used merit-based awards from Macquarie University and the University of Technology Sydney to significantly cut the cost of her management studies. Your first task is to explore these government and university pages, filter for full or near-full funding, and list every scholarship you are eligible for by degree level, country, and funding type.
Step 2: Build the Academic and Language Profile Australian Scholarships Expect
Scholarships that make Australia “free” are highly competitive, which means your grades and academic background matter a lot. Many Australia Awards recipients entered with strong GPAs and a track record of excellence in their field. Ilham Perdana, for example, graduated top of his meteorology cohort in Indonesia before earning his fully funded place at Monash University. Arum Dyah Rinjani combined a high GPA with policy experience to win an Australia Awards Scholarship for a Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne. At the research level, Debanjana Maity entered her RTP-funded PhD with a strong research CV, including a Master of Research and multiple projects across different countries.
You do not need perfect grades to succeed, but you do need a coherent academic story. Duonglina Dam, an Australia Awards recipient in Development Studies at the University of Melbourne, explains that her application worked because her academic background, professional experience, and goals all pointed toward development work, even though her transcript was not flawless. Undergraduate recipients such as Trang Anh Siriphattrasophon and Enya showed consistent excellence in high school, which made them strong candidates for competitive undergraduate scholarships.
Language scores are another gatekeeper. Scholarships and universities in Australia typically require proof of English proficiency, most commonly IELTS or TOEFL, unless you qualify for an accepted exemption. Australia Awards scholars such as Kingkin Fitoriani and Ilham Perdana took IELTS and met the required overall band scores for their programs, while scholarship recipients like Vanellope Catatumbo started working on English years before applying so that a 6.5–7.0 IELTS score would feel manageable, not rushed. Even when scholarships are awarded automatically based on academic merit, you still need to meet the English requirements of the university, so it is strategic to finish your language tests early and leave time for a retake if necessary.
Step 3: Plan Your Application Timeline and Documents Carefully
Full scholarships in Australia rarely accept last-minute applications. Government awards like the Australia Awards Scholarships usually open well before the intended start date and follow country-specific timelines. Recipients such as Rhema Wijaya and Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa spent months preparing before the portal even opened, using that time to refine their statements, update their CVs, take IELTS, and double-check the specific requirements listed by their home country’s Australia Awards office. Several winners only succeeded on their second or third attempt, so building in time to reapply is part of a realistic plan.
For research funding like the RTP or the Graduate Research Scholarships, the scholarship application is usually connected to your university application. That means your timeline starts with identifying a supervisor, drafting a research proposal, and confirming your eligibility months before the official deadline. Debanjana Maity describes emailing potential supervisors with tailored messages and proposals, then aligning her formal application with those conversations so that when the scholarship committee reviewed her file, the research fit and recommendation from the lab were already in place. You should expect to prepare transcripts, degree certificates, a detailed CV, a research proposal for research degrees, proof of English, and two or three academic or professional references as a baseline.
Undergraduate and taught master’s scholarships tied to admission often do not require a separate scholarship form. However, as Gurjas Singh explains, this does not make them easier; it simply shifts pressure onto your academic performance and the quality of your initial application. You still need to respect earlier priority deadlines, submit polished essays or personal statements where required, and keep your documentation perfectly organized so you do not miss conditional offers, acceptance dates, or visa deadlines.
Step 4: Make “Free” Truly Free by Planning Finances, Work, and Life in Australia
Even with a full scholarship, you need a basic financial plan so you do not feel stressed after arrival. Australia Awards Scholarships generally cover full tuition, return air travel, a one-time establishment allowance, a fortnightly contribution to living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover, and possible additional academic or fieldwork support. Recipients such as Ilham Perdana, Hangbou (Patrick) Oeng, and Kingkin Fitoriani describe how this package allowed them to focus on study and research instead of taking part-time jobs just to survive. Still, they all emphasize tracking expenses, understanding rental costs in cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, or Sydney, and leaving a small buffer for emergencies or optional travel.
Research students funded through the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) or university-administered Graduate Research Scholarships may receive a stipend designed to help with living costs. The exact rate varies by university and scholarship. For example, the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships list a 2026 full-time living allowance of AUD $39,500 per year, while the University of Queensland’s Graduate Research School Scholarships list a 2026 stipend of AUD $37,500 per year. Debanjana Maity notes that her UQ RTP-linked package, combined with a top-up scholarship, covers both tuition and everyday expenses so she can dedicate herself fully to her microbiology research. If you are aiming for a fully funded research degree, use RTP-style funding as your benchmark and prioritize universities that explicitly list tuition support, stipend value, OSHC, and any relocation support for international students.
For partially funded merit awards, you may still need to cover some tuition or living costs yourself. Undergraduates like Gurjas Singh and postgraduates like Vanellope Catatumbo filled the gap through a mix of family support, savings, careful budgeting, and limited part-time work. In Australia, most international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours during holiday breaks, while PhD and master’s by research students are exempt from the term-time cap. Scholarship terms may still restrict how much you can work, especially for intensive research programs. Before relying on part-time work to fund your stay, double-check both immigration rules and your scholarship conditions, then treat student-job income as a safety net or way to save, not as your primary funding source.
Finally, remember that almost every scholar’s journey involved persistence. Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa was rejected twice before finally winning her Australia Awards Scholarship. Many RTP and university scholarship recipients also talk about previous rejections from other programs or universities. If you are serious about studying for free in Australia, think in cycles rather than a single year: strengthen your profile, expand your list of government and university scholarships, learn from each attempt, and keep applying until the combination of scholarship and institution falls into place, just as it did for the Australia-bound scholars whose stories you have read.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Australia
To study in Australia for free at the bachelor’s level, you need a scholarship that covers tuition. Some undergraduate scholarships cover full tuition, while others only reduce tuition and still require you to budget for living costs, health cover, flights, textbooks, and other expenses.
1. Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship is a full-tuition award for outstanding international students starting an eligible single undergraduate coursework degree at the University of Sydney. This scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees plus the Student Services and Amenities Fee for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s single undergraduate degree, including embedded honors, up to a maximum of four years of full-time study. No other amount is payable, so recipients remain responsible for costs such as OSHC, living costs, accommodation, textbooks, flights, and any costs associated with being under 18. Applications for the 2026 intake are now closed, so students should check the official scholarship page for the next available round.
2. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a competitive tuition award for new international students enrolling in Deakin coursework degrees in Australia. The scholarship provides either 100% or 50% of tuition fees, depending on the scholarship outcome, for the normal duration of the course. It also requires participation in the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program and gives priority access to on-campus accommodation at the student’s own cost and subject to availability. Applicants must meet Deakin’s course entry requirements, including English language requirements, and have achieved at least an 85% average or equivalent in previous studies. Candidates should submit the International Scholarship Program application at least one month before their course starts.
Here is what Bachelor’s Scholarship Recipients in Australia Say:
“The 100% Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship at Deakin University is the institution’s most prestigious award, granted to a highly limited number of students annually based on academic achievement, social engagement, and leadership skills. It offers a full tuition waiver for the program’s duration.”
Kanta Sudlapa
“Build as many experiences as you can! Whether it’s joining clubs or organisations, or even starting your own. Start early and learn from the best!”
Ella Suita
“Start early – give yourself enough time to research options, gather documents, and refine your application. By this, you give yourself the space to understand what’s expected and to craft a strong and authentic application. Don’t hesitate to ask questions along the way. You don’t have to do it all alone – asking questions shows initiative and can lead you to opportunities or resources you might not find on your own. Ultimately, the earlier you start and the more you ask, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel.”
Minh Thu “Daisy” Huynh
“For students hoping to secure a scholarship, I’d strongly recommend researching what scholarships they may be eligible for early on and setting a clear goal to exceed the required academic threshold in high school. It not only opens up more opportunities but also gives you clarity and motivation throughout the process.”
Gurjas Singh
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Australia
1. Graduate Research Scholarship (University of Melbourne)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 100% fee remission, AUD $39,500 yearly living allowance at the 2026 full-time rate, up to AUD $3,000 relocation grant, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for eligible international students
There are scholarships available that can let you study a research master’s in Australia for free. The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are among the strongest options for students applying to master’s by research or doctoral programs. The scholarship package can include a full fee offset, a living allowance of AUD $39,500 per year at the 2026 full-time rate, a relocation grant of AUD $2,000 for students moving from another Australian state or territory or AUD $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia, and OSHC Single Membership for international students who require a student visa.
For master’s by research students, the full fee offset and living allowance can apply for up to two years. The scholarship pool is large, with 600 awards listed, but it remains merit-based and competitive. Because this award is for graduate research, students applying for taught master’s programs should check separate faculty, university, or government scholarships instead.
2. Australia Awards Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition fees, a fortnightly contribution to living expenses, health insurance, return economy airfare, a one-time establishment allowance, and possible academic or fieldwork support for eligible students
- Meet the Australia Awards Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Dr. Albert Muleke from Kenya and Fendhi Birowo from Indonesia
The Australia Awards Scholarships, administered by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provide fully funded opportunities for eligible students from participating developing countries to study full-time at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education institutions. These long-term awards generally cover full tuition, living support, health insurance, return flights, an establishment allowance, and additional support such as fieldwork funding where applicable. The program prioritizes fields that advance development needs and regional cooperation, and awardees are expected to return home after completing their studies to contribute to their country’s growth. Eligible degrees, priority fields, documents, and deadlines vary by country program.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a master’s degree in Australia for free!
- Dany Koem from Cambodia earned the Australia Awards Scholarship at the University of Sydney, covering major costs such as tuition, living support, health insurance, return airfare, and an establishment allowance to study a Master of Pharmacy.
- Maudita Dwi Anbarani from Indonesia earned the Australia Awards Scholarship at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), covering major costs such as tuition, living support, airfare, health insurance, and an establishment allowance to study a Master’s in Public Health.
- Mathanki Mehra from India earned the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious 100% Scholarship at Deakin University, covering 100% of her tuition fees to study a Master of Biotechnology.
Here is what Master’s Scholarship Recipients in Australia Say:
“Australia Awards is a fully funded scholarship.”
Fendhi Birowo
“Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. I’ve applied to many scholarships and faced several rejections, but I didn’t give up.”
Dany Koem
“I failed two times in 2019 and 2020, and just in 2021, with persistence and hard work, I was accepted.”
Yusridar Mustafa
“I researched universities and scholarships through official university websites, education fairs, and by speaking with alumni.”
Anupam Sarkar
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Australia
1. Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: annual living allowance of AUD $34,315 at the 2026 rate and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000; international students must confirm whether a separate tuition fee offset is awarded
- Meet the TGRS Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Dr. Albert Muleke from Kenya
The Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarships (TGRS) support Master’s by Research and PhD students at the University of Tasmania. These scholarships provide a living allowance and relocation support to help cover living and moving costs while you focus on your research. However, international students should not assume TGRS automatically includes a tuition fee waiver. The University of Tasmania states that international higher degree by research candidates are charged tuition fees unless a tuition fee offset has been awarded, and that TGRS does not cover costs such as Student Services and Amenities Fee, Overseas Student Health Cover, and visa costs. Applicants should confirm the full funding package before accepting an offer.
2. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government initiative that provides support for domestic and international students undertaking research master’s and doctoral degrees at eligible Australian universities. RTP support may include a tuition-fee offset, a stipend for living costs, and allowances for ancillary HDR costs such as relocation, thesis publication, or health cover. Applications are administered directly by universities, so deadlines, selection criteria, and exact benefits differ by institution. Government RTP stipend rates for 2026 range from a base full-time rate of AUD $34,315 to a maximum full-time rate of AUD $53,608, but each university sets the stipend rate it offers within the rules.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a PhD degree in Australia for free!
Here is what Ph.D. Scholarship Recipients in Australia Say:
“This scholarship covers tuition fees, living allowances, and other expenses, allowing scholars to focus fully on their studies.”
Wahyu Saefudin
“Start early—especially in contacting supervisors and preparing documents”
Debanjana Maity
“I began my application for my PhD program by researching the topic I want to research.”
Kevin Abimanyu Jatmiko
“Securing these scholarship opportunities was the result of my careful planning, deliberate preparation, and persistence.”
Dr. Albert Muleke
“Before applying for the HDR position at any global eminent institute, potential candidates must consider some factors. The rule of thumb is 4W1H.”
Dr. Avisak Bhattacharjee
Studying in Australia is expensive, and the country does not generally offer tuition-free education for all international students. However, with the right scholarships, careful planning, and a realistic budget, you can reduce your costs significantly or, in some cases, earn an international degree without paying tuition out of pocket. Thorough research and early preparation are key to achieving this goal.
We hope this guide has helped you understand which scholarships in Australia you can apply for. To learn more about studying in Australia, visit the Australia Study Guide and Available Courses for International Students!
