Overview
The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) is a flagship initiative that provides block grants to Australian higher education providers to support both domestic and international students undertaking postgraduate research degrees — Master’s by Research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Through this programme, each university allocates RTP Scholarships to outstanding candidates based on academic merit.
Unlike many scholarship programmes, the RTP does not have a single centralised application portal or a unified national deadline. Instead, each Australian university manages its own RTP allocation and sets its own application requirements, timelines, and selection criteria. As a result, prospective students apply directly to their chosen university and are assessed for RTP support as part of the standard research degree admission process.
What’s Included?
An RTP Scholarship typically includes two main components, though the exact support offered may vary by institution:
- RTP Fees Offset: Full coverage of tuition fees for the standard duration of the research degree (up to 2 years for a Master’s by Research, up to 4 years for a PhD)
- RTP Stipend: A tax-free living allowance to help cover day-to-day living costs during the research degree (the 2024 rate was approximately AUD $32,500 per year, indexed annually)
Some universities may also provide additional supplementary support such as relocation allowances, conference travel funding, or research allowances, depending on the institution and the candidate’s circumstances. These extras are at the discretion of the host university.
Eligibility
The RTP Scholarship is open to both domestic and international students. For international applicants, the general eligibility requirements are:
- Hold an eligible student visa to study in Australia
- Be enrolled or intending to enrol in a Master’s by Research or PhD programme at an eligible Australian university
- Demonstrate a strong academic record, typically including prior research experience and at least an Honours equivalent (H1 or H2A) at Bachelor’s level, or a Master’s degree for PhD applicants
- Meet the English language requirements of the chosen institution (generally IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
- Not be receiving another scholarship or stipend that would constitute a double-dipping of publicly funded support
Eligibility criteria and competitiveness vary between universities. International students are often assessed against a highly competitive pool, so strong academic results and a well-defined research proposal are critical.
How to Apply
Since RTP Scholarships are distributed by individual universities, there is no single central application. The process generally works as follows:
- Identify an Australian university and a potential research supervisor in your area of study
- Contact the prospective supervisor to discuss your research interests and confirm their capacity to take on a new research student
- Submit a formal application for admission to the research degree at that university
- When you apply for admission, you are typically automatically considered for RTP Scholarship support as part of the same process — no separate application is usually required
- Upload required documents: academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, English language test results, and references
Because each university sets its own deadlines and intake rounds, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official website of their target institution as early as possible to confirm timelines. Some institutions offer multiple intake rounds per year.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Rolling — varies by university |
| Scholarship Duration (Master’s by Research) | Up to 2 years |
| Scholarship Duration (PhD) | Up to 4 years |
Contact Information
For general information about the RTP programme, visit the Australian Government Department of Education website. For specific application enquiries, contact your intended Australian host university’s graduate research office directly.
Official Website: https://www.education.gov.au/research-training-program
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