Australia is one of those study destinations that feels “impossible” on paper: high tuition, high rent, high everything. But here’s the part most people miss until it’s too late: research degrees (Master by Research / MPhil / PhD) in Australia are where “study for free” becomes very real—because the big scholarships often cover full tuition + living stipend (and sometimes extra allowances).
And the best part? The next major scholarship deadlines in 2026 are already on the calendar—which means if you want a to study MS, or Phd for free at Australian University then take a step forward to submit your application asap.
What “Study for Free” Actually looks like in Australia?
When universities say Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships, they’re typically talking about packages like:
- Tuition fee offset/remission (so you don’t pay the international tuition)
- A living stipend (so you can actually survive while researching)
- Sometimes relocation, research, and thesis allowances
- In some cases, scholarship structures are linked to Australia’s Research Training Program (RTP) style funding (each university labels/brands it differently)
You’re not hunting random partial discounts here. You’re targeting scholarship systems designed to fund researchers.
The 7 Top Australian Universities With 2026 Scholarship Openings
These are the next upcoming scholarship round deadlines in 2026 that are still relevant after 2 Feb 2026, cross-checked on official university pages:
| University | Next scholarship deadline in 2026 | Major international MS/PhD scholarships available |
|---|---|---|
| Australian National University (ANU) | 15 April 2026 (Round 2) | ANU University Research Scholarships, RTP-based HDR funding packages |
| University of Sydney | 27 February 2026 (Research Period 3 & 4) | RTP International Scholarship, USYDIS, Tuition Fee Scholarships |
| Monash University | 31 March 2026 (International Round) | Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS), Tuition Scholarships, RTP stipend route |
| UNSW Sydney | 17 April 2026 (July Release Round) | HDR Scholarship Rounds, Tuition Fee Scholarships, International Research Awards |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | 16 Feb 2026 (EOI) → 23 Mar 2026 (Final) | UQ Graduate School Scholarship (UQGSS), RTP-style funding packages |
| University of Melbourne | 15 May 2026 (Round 3 example timeline) | Graduate Research Scholarships, Melbourne Research Scholarship, RTP Scholarship |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | Major 2026 round closed; project scholarships open with separate 2026 deadlines | Project-funded PhD scholarships, International HDR tuition and stipend awards |
What These Australian Scholarship Packages Usually Cover?
Australian MS/PhD scholarship packages in 2026–2027 are not ordinary fee discounts — they are complete “study for free” funding deals designed to carry international students from admission day to graduation. In most cases, these prestigious research scholarships cover your full international tuition fees, meaning you can earn a Master by Research or PhD in Australia without paying the massive yearly costs yourself.
On top of that, winners usually receive a generous monthly living stipend to support rent, food, transport, and daily life as a full-time researcher. Many universities also add extra advantages such as relocation or travel assistance, overseas student health insurance coverage, and dedicated research funding for thesis work, laboratory needs, fieldwork, and even conference travel.
With support often lasting 3–4 years for PhD programs, these packages make Australia one of the most powerful destinations in the world where talented students can truly study, live, and build a global research career fully funded.