PhD Scholarships in Australia: Fully Funded PhD in Australia

Fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia have a special place in the heart of global fully funded scholarships. They are typically allocated to research-based PhDs in Australia, making them a strong investment for those pursuing higher degrees. Most candidates choose Australia because of its advanced facilities, high-ranking universities, and excellent research opportunities. PhD applicants seeking to go to Australia actively search for keywords like “PhD scholarship in Australia”, “Australian PhD Scholarships”, or “fully funded PhD in Australia for international students” on search engines, indicating a high demand for Australian PhD scholarships. This blog will explore some of the top PhD scholarships in Australia for commencing PhD students.

Why PhD Scholarship Australia?

Fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia improve a student’s academic resume and fully cover living expenses and tuition. Therefore, obtaining an Australia scholarship for PhD is extremely competitive. Each year, both domestic and foreign applicants can apply for dozens of PhD scholarships. Australia is home to several highly regarded international universities and is ranked among the top countries in the world for the quality of its education and research. It is a well-liked location for doctoral studies because of these benefits. Additionally, numerous PhD scholarships, funded by the Australian government, universities, and industrial sectors, are available in various study fields and research areas for different nationalities.

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Governmental PhD Scholarships in Australia

RTP PhD Scholarships Australia for International Students

The Australian government provides this PhD scholarship Australia for international students (also domestic students) through eligible Australian universities. They are a subcategory of fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia for international students. Be aware that each university may list this scholarship with a different title on its website. For instance, ANU and the University of Sydney name it the AGRTP and the University of Sydney International Scholarship, respectively. The Australian government awards this top PhD scholarship in Australia to students with a base stipend value of A$33,511 up to a max of A$52,352 (2025 rate).

CSIRO’s Industry PhD (iPhD) Scholarship

A four-year industry-focused PhD project is co-developed by CSIRO, Australia’s top science agency, as well as a university, as part of the Australian Government’s National Industry PhD (iPhD) Program. Through the National iPhD Program, the Australian government does, in fact, provide industry-based scholarships for PhD researchers. They facilitate long-term cooperation between research organizations and industry and support a three-way partnership by educating new researchers in important fields. For example, you can build new and improve existing connections with universities and industry partners through the CSIRO’s iPhD Program to:

• upskill PhD students to develop capability in CSIRO priority areas and in areas of national need.
• build consortia aligned with CSIRO Research Units through iPhD projects.
• grow industry and university involvement with CSIRO exploratory research.
• provide PhD students with industry-focused training.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Scholarships

These top fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia are funded by the Australian Government and administered through university applications. They are intended to support applicants who identify as Indigenous Australians, i.e., of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. The scholarship is available to eligible students enrolling in an HDR program managed by the Graduate Research School. It includes an annual stipend of $50,000 and a research operating and travel allowance of $5,000 (2025 rate).

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University PhD Scholarships in Australia

China Scholarship Council – University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

The University of Melbourne (UniMelb) globally ranks 44th according to a-index University Rankings 2025. It’s one of the top universities in Australia and has one of the best global research facilities, which provides Chinese students with unique PhD scholarships in Australia. That is why many Chinese PhD applicants choose UniMelb as their study destination. Both the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne provide these fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia for Chinese students. UniMelb and the China Scholarship Council will cover return flights, a stipend of 22,800 AUD per year (2025 rate), and visa application fees. An annual supplemental living allowance of 15,700 AUD (2025 rate) comes with the full tuition scholarship for up to four years.

Graduate Research Scholarship at University of Melbourne

Applying to the University of Melbourne is very easy, as you will not need to fill out a separate form to apply for these fully funded PhD scholarships for international students in Australia. When you apply to this university, your name will be automatically included in the list of Graduate Research Scholarship applicants. They will assess your education history, research background, GPA, English proficiency test scores, etc. As a winner, you will get 38,500 AUD per year (2025 rate) for up to 3.5 years with waived tuition fees. If you need to relocate, you will be given 3,000 AUD for relocation. OSHC Single Membership is given to international students who require a student visa to study in Australia.

Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS)

Monash University is one of the best global universities. According to QS World University Rankings, this university ranked 58th in the world in 2022. Being one of the world’s top universities makes Monash University one of the most popular study and research destinations for PhD students. This university is continuing its activity in six separate locations in the state of Victoria. Students from all over the world can apply for MGS Scholarships from this university. During this fully funded PhD in Australia, you will receive 36,063 AUD per year (2025 rate), which covers living expenses and an additional 2,000 AUD international relocation grant. All students from all over the world can apply for a scholarship from Monash University.

William T. Southcott Scholarship at University of South Australia

The University of South Australia’s high-quality research projects, best professors, and cutting-edge facilities hugely impact its ranking. All students worldwide can apply for the William T. Southcott Scholarship if they intend to continue studying in practical Engineering. This top PhD scholarship in Australia for international students is worth 36‚000 AUD per year (2025 rate), covering 3 to 3.5 years of study. This scholarship is for PhD studies in one of the following fields: Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Water Resources Management, Engineering Management, Autonomous Systems, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Engineering, and Systems Engineering.

Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship at UTS

This university is located in the heart of Sydney as one of the best global scientific centers. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), as the name suggests, is one of the best technology universities worldwide. UTS’s very high academic ranking attracts talented students from all over the world. The Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship is one of UTS’s fully funded PhD scholarships for international students in Australia. It covers tuition fees and pays an annual stipend of 37,000 AUD (2025 rate) for up to 3.5 years. It is offered to outstanding doctoral candidates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences whose projects focus on children and young people, and who work with at least one supervisor in the Education disciplines.

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How to Get Fully Funded PhD in Australia

Applying for fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia for international students (also domestic students) usually involves several steps, and understanding each one will make the journey much easier. Each of these steps can make a big difference to your doctoral admission success towards winning a fully funded PhD in Australia for international students. Likewise, several essential documents are typically required to write and craft within the application process for fully funded PhD scholarships Australia.

How to Apply for PhD Scholarships in Australia

Fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia are handled by departmental admission committees at Australian universities, even those scholarships offered by the Australian government. Therefore, visit the relevant department or school at each university you intend to apply to. Depending on the Australian PhD scholarship program and field of study, you may be required to provide additional documents, such as evidence of research publications, evidence of research collaborations, and proof of work experiences, internships, or industry experience. In general, you will need to prepare an academic CV, write a motivation letter, draft a PhD research proposal, and get 3 reference letters. You should also find a PhD supervisor to support your application for a PhD scholarship Australia.

You will also be asked to provide your academic transcripts, university degrees, and English test results. You need at least a bachelor’s degree with honors or a master’s degree when applying for the PhD scholarships in Australia. Your academic qualifications are the minimum criteria to show your eligibility for a scholarship in Australia. IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores are necessary for non-native English speakers to ensure language skills are sufficient for academic research. Always check the English proficiency minimum requirements of the universities and relevant departments before applying.

How to Tackle Challenges for Securing PhD Scholarship in Australia

PhD applicants often face challenges, and one of the biggest is finding scholarships. With limited funding available, it can be tough to cover research costs and living expenses. Many students end up juggling part-time jobs alongside their research and personal responsibilities, which can take a toll on their performance. Additionally, competition for scholarships is intense, and not everyone knows about other options like industry partnerships, private foundations, or research grants. If you are hoping to secure a fully funded PhD in Australia, focus on three things: (i) research widely to uncover hidden PhD scholarships in Australia, (ii) get advice from your university’s research office, and (iii) build networks with professors, researchers, and professionals who might connect you with funding.

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Success Stories of PhD Scholarships in Australia Winners

Success stories of students who have successfully received a PhD scholarship in Australia inspire and guide future PhD candidates in Australia. These examples showcase the diverse range of experiences and paths to obtaining PhD scholarships in Australia:

• Dr. Thamrin received her PhD scholarship in Australia at the University of Sydney, funded by the Australian government for a respiratory medicine project.
• Dr. Kanhutu obtained a full scholarship from the University of Western Australia in 2021 to complete her PhD on Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development.
• Dr. Mazaheri secured one of the UniMelb’s fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia in 2019, working on an interdisciplinary project on fertilizers.
• Dr. Matthew Lee, a domestic student, capitalized on his language skills and research experience to secure a research grant.
• Dr. Nosrati, an international student with her strong research proposal in linguistics, secured a doctoral position at Monash University in 2016.
• Dr. David Wilson showcased his research skills through a successful research project (RP) in his bachelor’s with honors studies, leading him to secure prestigious research funding for a PhD in chemistry in 2017.
• Dr. Reyhani, with a background in chemical engineering, wrote a proposal on drug delivery and received a PhD scholarship in Australia from the University of Melbourne. However, his entire PhD research focused on polymer synthesis and characterization. This is a good example showing that your actual PhD research journey does not have to match the research proposal you submitted with your application.

Successful graduates of PhD scholarships in Australia inspire and motivate future PhD candidates. By studying the strategies and experiences of these individuals, aspiring PhD students can gain valuable insights into the doctoral journey, improving their research proposals and applications. These success stories also shed light on the diverse financial aid sources and opportunities available to students seeking PhD scholarships in Australia. By learning from these success stories, future PhD applicants can navigate Australia’s PhD scholarship landscape more confidently and increase their chances of securing them for their research endeavors.

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Conclusion

Australia is a desirable location for international research students due to government scholarship programs like the RTP and National iPhD. University-specific PhD scholarships in Australia, like the Monash Graduate Scholarship and Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship at UTS, also play an important role in this attractiveness. You can learn about all the necessary information for the application process by carefully reading the university’s website and admission requirements. To be considered for a fully funded PhD in Australia for international students, you must learn how to apply for PhD scholarships in Australia before the important deadlines. These scholarships give PhD candidates access to excellent research and educational opportunities, ensuring a fulfilling and financially supported academic career.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)