Australia is one of the most popular destinations for higher studies for students all over the world. At present, it holds more than 800,000 international students. This is because Australia is great for living and hosts some of the best universities in the world. It also means studying can be very competitive and comes with considerably high tuition fees, which can be so high that it can appear tremendously difficult to manage for students coming from abroad.
If you’re looking for an affordable educational experience in Australia, there are some steps and choices you can take that can ensure you have a quality education without spending too much. Studying in Australia can be fully funded if you target the right combinations of government and university scholarships. Programs like the Australia Awards Scholarships, the research-focused Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP), and university awards such as the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship and Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne can cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes even airfare. Real students like Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa, Ilham Perdana, Kingkin Fitoriani, Debanjana Maity, and Gurjas Singh have already done this; 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. At the government level, the flagship option is the Australia Awards Scholarships, which fund full-time master’s and, in some cases, research degrees for students from partner countries. These awards normally cover full tuition, a generous living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover, return flights, a settlement allowance, and academic preparation programs, which is why recipients like Yusridar (Angie) Mustafa and Hangbou (Patrick) Oeng were able to move to the University of Melbourne without paying anything out of pocket for tuition or basic living costs.
If you are aiming for a research master’s or PhD, look closely at the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP). This scheme funds high-potential researchers through partner universities across Australia, including the University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, and many others. RTP packages usually include a full tuition fee offset and a competitive, tax-free stipend so you can focus on your research instead of worrying about rent. That is how Debanjana Maity is pursuing a fully funded PhD in Microbiology at the University of Queensland, combining an RTP scholarship with a university top-up so that both tuition and living costs are fully covered.
Undergraduate students often rely on university-specific awards. At the University of Melbourne, the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship offers substantial tuition support to high-achieving international students. Recipients like Enya, Trang Anh Siriphattrasophon, and Gurjas Singh used this scholarship, sometimes combined with the university’s Commerce Global Scholarship, to reduce or almost eliminate tuition bills while studying at one of Australia’s top institutions. For graduate research at the same university, the Graduate Research Scholarships offer a tuition fee offset plus a living stipend for master’s and PhD students, which is why so 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 stacked merit-based awards from Macquarie University and the University of Technology Sydney to significantly cut the cost of her management degree. 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 merit-based, 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 an already 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; that is how they became strong candidates for the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship.
Language scores are another gatekeeper. Scholarships and universities in Australia typically require proof of English proficiency, most commonly IELTS or TOEFL. 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 such as the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship 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 a year or more before your intended start date and run a multi-stage selection process that can include eligibility screening, shortlisting, essays, and interviews. 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 embedded in 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, such as the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship and many faculty-level merit awards, 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 typically cover full tuition, return airfare, a one-time establishment allowance, a living stipend, Overseas Student Health Cover, and additional academic 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 receive a stipend designed to cover living costs, often comparable to or higher than other countries’ PhD stipends. Debanjana Maity notes that her RTP package at the University of Queensland, 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 free research degree, use RTP-style funding as your benchmark and prioritize universities that explicitly list RTP or equivalent scholarships 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. Australia currently allows international students to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (and full-time during official breaks), but scholarship terms sometimes 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’s conditions, then treat any income from student jobs 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, having the right scholarship is key. With these scholarships, you can study in renowned universities free of charge.
1. Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship is a full-tuition award for outstanding international students starting a bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney. This scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees plus student services fees for up to four years of full-time study in an eligible single undergraduate program. It is designed to recognize exceptional academic achievement and support talented students from diverse countries and fields of study as they pursue their undergraduate education in Australia.
2. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a prestigious full-tuition award for outstanding international students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Deakin University in Australia. The scholarship provides a 50% to 100% tuition fee waiver and includes access to the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program, offering tailored mentoring and networking opportunities with leading companies. Applicants are typically expected to have at least an 85% average in their previous studies and submit a separate scholarship application with a personal statement, academic transcripts, and reference letters, in addition to their Deakin admission. While there is no fixed scholarship-specific deadline, candidates should apply ahead of the relevant Deakin trimester admission deadlines.
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% Tuition Coverage, AUD $37,000 yearly living stipend, AUD $3,000 relocation grant, health insurance (OSHC)
There are plenty of scholarships available that can let you study for a master’s in Australia for free. The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships can be considered the greatest one available, which is greatly helpful to master’s students. It offers a 100% tuition fee remission and an AUD$37,000 yearly living stipend. On top of that, this scholarship is also very versatile, ranging in all study areas and awarded to 600 students, which makes it more attainable.
For master’s students, the duration of this scholarship is two years. It also offers AUD $3,000 relocation grant for students from abroad. All things considered, this offers by far the best mixture of facilities and allowances for international students looking for master’s programs.
2. Australia Awards Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition fees, a fortnightly living allowance, health insurance, return economy airfare, a one-time establishment allowance, and fieldwork support for eligible research students
- Meet the Australia Awards Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Dr. Albert Muleke from Kenya and Fendhi Birowo from Indonesia
The Australia Awards Scholarships, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provide fully funded opportunities for outstanding students from eligible developing countries to study at participating Australian universities and technical institutions. These long-term awards typically cover full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, return flights, an establishment allowance, and additional support such as fieldwork funding for research students. The program prioritizes fields that advance sustainable development and regional cooperation, and awardees are expected to return home after completing their studies to contribute to their country’s growth. Depending on the country program, eligible degrees can include Master’s and Ph.D. study, with applications and deadlines managed locally through Australia Awards offices, embassies, or partner agencies.
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 full tuition, a living stipend, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and a settlement 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 full tuition, stipend, airfare, visa costs, 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: tuition fee waiver, an annual stipend of AUD $34,315, and a one-off AUD $2,000 relocation allowance
- Meet the TGRS Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Dr. Albert Muleke from Kenya
The Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarships (TGRS) are fully funded awards for Master’s by Research and Ph.D. students at the University of Tasmania. These scholarships provide a tuition fee waiver, a competitive annual stipend, and a relocation allowance to help cover living and moving costs while you focus on your research. Applicants typically apply for admission to a relevant research degree first and then submit a separate TGRS application after securing supervisor and academic unit approvals.
2. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee offset or full tuition waiver, a tax-free living stipend, and additional allowances for research-related expenses; many universities also include relocation support and Overseas Student Health Cover for international students.
- Meet the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Debanjana Maity from India, a PhD student at the University of Queensland.
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government initiative that provides fully funded support for research master’s and doctoral students at eligible universities across Australia. Administered directly by each institution, RTP awards typically cover tuition fees, offer a tax-free living stipend, and provide additional allowances to support research costs, with some universities also funding relocation and health insurance for international students. Selection focuses on academic excellence, research potential, and the alignment of the proposed project with the host university’s strengths, and application procedures and deadlines are set by individual universities.
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 it does not offer a tuition-free education, but with the right resources and scholarships, you can obtain an international degree without having to pay for a dime. A thorough research and planning are your key elements in achieving this goal.
We hope to have given light as to what scholarships in Australia you can apply for. To help you with your studies in Australia, visit the Australia Study Guide and Open Courses sections!
