Australia Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 List for Students Interested in Admissions
Australia keeps pulling in international students like a magnet — and for good reason. Between the world-class universities, the lifestyle that is practically a tourism advert, and the post-study work visas that actually let you stick around, it is hard to argue against putting Australia on the shortlist. The even better news? The funding landscape for 2027 entry is wide open, and some of the most generous scholarships on the planet are accepting applications right now.
Whether you are chasing a fully funded PhD, a partial tuition waiver for a Master’s, or an undergraduate merit scholarship that takes the sting out of international fees, this guide walks through every major opportunity currently available for students planning to start their degrees in 2027. We have refreshed the deadlines, updated the stipend figures, added new scholarships that were not on the radar last year, and kept the editorial notes honest — because not every scholarship is as good as its marketing copy suggests.
One important note before we dive in: Australia’s academic calendar does not follow the September start that much of the world defaults to. Most Australian universities run a Semester 1 intake beginning in February or March, with a Semester 2 intake in July. Some institutions operate on trimesters. The deadlines listed here reflect the 2027 entry cycle, so plan accordingly.
1# Australia Awards Scholarships
The Australia Awards remain the gold standard of government-funded international scholarships — and the 2027 round is live. Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this programme covers everything: tuition, airfare, a living stipend, establishment allowance, and Overseas Student Health Cover. It is, by any measure, one of the most comprehensive scholarship packages available anywhere in the world.
But here is the part people sometimes gloss over: the Australia Awards are not just about academic excellence. DFAT is explicitly looking for leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to development outcomes in your home country. You are required to return home for a minimum of two years after completing your studies. This is a development programme first and a scholarship second — applicants who understand that distinction tend to write stronger applications.
Eligibility: Open to citizens of participating partner countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia are all on the list, among many others. Applicants must meet the academic and English language requirements of their chosen Australian university.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, return airfare, establishment allowance, living stipend (fortnightly contribution), OSHC, and academic support services where needed.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Applications opened 1 February 2026 and close on 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST. No extensions, no exceptions.
Next Cycle: The 2028 intake is expected to open in February 2027.
Apply: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards
2# Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
If you are serious about research — Master’s by Research or PhD — the RTP is the programme to target. Jointly funded by the Australian Government and participating universities, the RTP is not a single scholarship but a framework: each university receives an allocation of RTP places and administers its own selection process. That means deadlines, application procedures, and even the value of the living stipend can vary from one institution to another.
The core package, however, is consistent: a tuition fee offset (effectively a full fee waiver at most institutions), an annual living stipend currently sitting at approximately AUD $35,000–$37,000 depending on the university, a relocation allowance, and OSHC coverage. For PhD students, this is typically awarded for three years with the possibility of a six-month extension.
Eligibility: International students with strong academic and research potential. Most universities require at least an Honours degree or equivalent, and a clearly articulated research proposal aligned with a potential supervisor’s interests.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Deadlines vary by university. For Semester 1 2027 (February/March start), major rounds at institutions like the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and ANU typically close between September and October 2026. Some universities run additional mid-year rounds.
Next Cycle: Applications for Semester 2 2027 (July intake) will generally open between February and April 2027.
Apply: Through individual Australian public university research scholarship portals. Start with the institution and supervisor, not the scholarship.
3# Griffith University Scholarships
Griffith has confirmed that its scholarship suite remains open for students commencing in 2027, and the Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship is the headline act: a 50 per cent tuition fee reduction for the full duration of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree. At typical international tuition rates of AUD $30,000–$40,000 per year, that translates to savings of AUD $15,000 or more annually. The International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship (25 per cent reduction) and the International Student Merit Scholarship (20 per cent reduction) round out the portfolio.
A word of caution, though: the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship demands a minimum GPA of 6.0 on a 7.0 scale (roughly equivalent to a 3.5–3.7 on a US 4.0 scale), and recipients must maintain a 5.5 cumulative GPA each year to retain the award. Deferral is not permitted. This is not a risk-free offer — read the conditions before you celebrate.
Eligibility: Outstanding academic results, leadership qualities, and extracurricular achievements. Must hold an offer for an eligible Griffith programme.
Deadline for Trimester 1, 2027: General deadline is 28 November 2026, with outcomes communicated by 11 December 2026. Students completing Australian Year 12 may apply by 21 December 2026.
Next Cycle: Trimester 2, 2027 (starting July) requires applications by approximately April 2027.
Apply: https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/scholarships-finance
4# University of Newcastle International Scholarships
Newcastle continues its refreshingly simple approach to international scholarships: apply for admission, and the university automatically assesses you for funding. No separate scholarship application, no additional essays, no hoops. The International Excellence Scholarship offers a 20 per cent tuition reduction, while the 50 Excelencia Internacional Scholarship provides 25 per cent off tuition plus accommodation support for Latin American students specifically.
The automatic assessment model is one of Newcastle’s strongest selling points. It removes the guesswork and the anxiety of managing a separate scholarship timeline. You either meet the academic threshold or you do not — and the university tells you in your offer letter.
Eligibility: Based on academic merit. All new international applicants are automatically considered upon application for admission.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: No separate scholarship deadline. Scholarship is assessed and awarded with your admission offer for all 2027 intakes.
Next Cycle: Applies continuously to all intakes throughout 2027, including Semester 2 (July 2027).
Apply: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/scholarships/international-scholarships
5# University of Adelaide Scholarships
Adelaide has been quietly building one of the more attractive scholarship portfolios in Australia. The Adelaide Global Academic Excellence Scholarship delivers a 50 per cent tuition fee reduction for coursework students, while the Adelaide Scholarships International and RTP awards for research students provide a full fee waiver, a living allowance of approximately AUD $36,500 per year, and a relocation allowance of $2,000. For PhD applicants, that combination puts Adelaide firmly in the conversation alongside the Group of Eight heavyweights.
Eligibility: Varies by programme. Coursework scholarships require an excellent academic record; research scholarships additionally require demonstrated research potential and English proficiency at the required level.
Deadline for Semester 1, 2027: Scholarship rounds are expected to open in mid-January 2027 for Semester 1 entry. Research scholarship rounds typically close in August–October 2026.
Next Cycle: Applications for Semester 2, 2027 (July entry) will open in approximately April 2027.
Apply: https://adelaideuni.edu.au/
6# University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) Scholarships
UniSC will never top the prestige rankings, and it knows that — which is precisely why its scholarship offering punches above its weight in terms of accessibility. The International Student Scholarship provides a 15 per cent tuition fee discount, and the Bright Futures Scholarship bumps that up to 20 per cent for students from eligible regions. Both are automatic: apply for a course, get assessed, receive the discount in your offer letter if you qualify.
For students who want the Australian experience without the six-figure price tag of a Sydney or Melbourne degree, UniSC on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a genuinely viable option. The campus is smaller, the class sizes are manageable, and the coast is, well, sunny.
Eligibility: Available to all new international students applying for coursework programmes at UniSC.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Automatically awarded with admission — no separate application required. Available for all 2027 intakes.
Apply: https://www.usc.edu.au/international/programs-and-fees/international-scholarships
7# University of Melbourne Postgraduate & Research Scholarships
Melbourne is Australia’s perennial heavyweight, and its Graduate Research Scholarships reflect that status. The Melbourne Research Scholarship covers full tuition, a living allowance of approximately AUD $31,200 per year, a relocation grant, and OSHC membership. For students with the grades and the research profile to be competitive, this is one of the strongest research scholarship packages in the country.
The catch, as always with Melbourne, is competition. The university attracts applications from across the globe, and securing a supervisor willing to support your candidacy before you apply is not optional — it is effectively mandatory. If you do not have a supervisor lined up, your application is unlikely to progress far, regardless of your transcript.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements for graduate research programmes and demonstrate strong academic performance. Research Master’s or PhD level.
Deadline for Semester 1, 2027: The major round is expected to close around 31 October 2026, with additional rounds potentially running through January and May 2027.
Next Cycle: Applications for Semester 2, 2027 (July entry) are expected to close in early 2027.
Apply: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships
8# Monash University Scholarships
Monash spreads its funding across both coursework and research students. The Monash International Merit Scholarship and Maxwell scholarship delivers AUD $10,000 per year for coursework students, which is not going to cover everything but takes a meaningful bite out of the annual tuition bill. For research students, the Monash Graduate Research Scholarships provide the full package: tuition waiver, living stipend, and allowances.
Monash’s advantage is breadth. With campuses across Melbourne and a significant international presence, the university offers scholarships across a wider range of disciplines than most. If you are applying to a programme that sits outside the traditional engineering-medicine-business trifecta, Monash is worth investigating.
Eligibility: Open to high-achieving international students applying for undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programmes.
Deadline for Semester 1, 2027: Deadlines typically fall around September–October 2026.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 (July entry) deadlines are expected around April–May 2027.
Apply: https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships.
9# Bond University Scholarships
Bond occupies an unusual niche in Australian higher education: it is a private university with smaller class sizes, accelerated degree programmes, and a campus on the Gold Coast that feels more resort than lecture hall. The scholarship portfolio includes tuition fee reductions, transformer scholarships, and merit-based awards, with some assessed automatically at admission and others requiring a separate application.
Bond’s accelerated programmes mean you can complete a three-year degree in two calendar years, which has real financial implications even with a partial scholarship. Factor in one fewer year of living expenses and one extra year of earning potential, and the numbers start to look more interesting than the headline scholarship amount might suggest.
Eligibility: Based on academic performance and leadership qualities. Open to international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Applications for the January 2027 semester typically close in late 2026. Check Bond’s scholarship portal for specific dates.
Next Cycle: Mid-year 2027 intake deadlines expected around April–May 2027.
Apply: https://bond.edu.au/entry-to-bond/scholarships
10# Deakin University International Scholarships
Deakin’s scholarship programme operates on rolling deadlines, which is both a blessing and a complication. The Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship and the Deakin International Scholarship provide partial tuition fee waivers and additional support, and the university encourages early applications to ensure timely processing.
The rolling model means there is no single make-or-break deadline, but it also means that funding is allocated on a first-come, first-assessed basis. Apply late and you may find the pool has dried up, even if your grades are strong. The lesson: do not treat rolling deadlines as an invitation to procrastinate.
Eligibility: Open to academically talented international students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Rolling deadlines. Students are encouraged to apply by November–December 2026 for Semester 1, 2027 entry.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 admissions will remain open until approximately April–May 2027.
11# Edith Cowan University (ECU) Scholarships
ECU in Perth continues to offer a combination of merit and research scholarships for international students. The merit scholarships provide tuition reductions, while the research awards add living allowances for Master’s by Research and PhD candidates. ECU is not a Group of Eight university, but its practical, industry-connected programmes and Perth’s lower cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne make it a sensible choice for students watching the bottom line.
Eligibility: Open to international applicants with strong academic credentials.
Deadline for Semester 1, 2027: Applications should be submitted by approximately December 2026 for the January term, or by late January 2027 for Semester 1 entry.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 applications typically close around May–June 2027.
Apply: https://www.ecu.edu.au/scholarships/overview
12# Macquarie University Scholarships
Macquarie, located in Sydney’s northern suburbs, provides merit-based scholarships and research awards that can include tuition waivers of AUD $10,000 or more. The university has invested heavily in its campus over the past decade — the metro station, the private hospital, the technology precinct — and the scholarship programme reflects an institution actively trying to attract top international talent.
Most Macquarie scholarships are assessed automatically upon admission, which simplifies the process considerably. Research scholarships follow the standard RTP model with separate deadlines.
Eligibility: High-achieving students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Most coursework scholarships align with admission deadlines, typically November–December 2026 for Semester 1 entry.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 admissions close around April–May 2027.
Apply: https://www.mq.edu.au/study/admissions-and-entry/scholarships/international
13# La Trobe University Scholarships
La Trobe rounds out the list of established mid-tier universities offering competitive international scholarships. The La Trobe International Scholarship and the university’s research awards provide partial tuition waivers and stipends for research candidates. La Trobe’s campus in the northern Melbourne suburb of Bundoora is large, green, and home to a wildlife sanctuary — which is exactly the kind of detail that makes Australia, well, Australia.
Eligibility: Open to academically excellent students applying for undergraduate, postgraduate, or research degrees.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Rolling deadlines, but applying by November 2026 is recommended to ensure consideration for Semester 1, 2027 entry.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 admissions close around April–May 2027.
Apply: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships
14# University of Sydney Scholarships
Sydney is Australia’s oldest university and, as of the most recent US News rankings, its top-ranked institution nationally. The scholarship portfolio matches the reputation. The Sydney International Student Award provides a 20 per cent tuition fee reduction for eligible international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degrees. For research students, the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship covers tuition fees and a living allowance of approximately AUD $42,754 per year — one of the highest stipend figures in the country.
Sydney also administers a significant number of Australia Awards places each year, supporting around 200 recipients annually. The university’s strength across medicine, law, engineering, and the humanities makes it a natural destination for scholarship applicants in almost any discipline.
Eligibility: Varies by scholarship. Coursework awards require strong academic results from eligible countries. Research scholarships require an unconditional offer for a Master’s by Research or PhD programme.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: Research scholarship deadlines for 2027 research periods: 11 September 2026 (periods 1 and 2) and 18 December 2026 (periods 3 and 4). Coursework scholarship timelines align with admission rounds.
Apply: https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/international.html
15# University of Western Australia (UWA) Global Excellence Scholarships
UWA’s Global Excellence Scholarship is one of the most straightforward merit-based awards in the Australian system: no separate application, no essay, no interview. Apply for an eligible course, submit your transcripts, and the admissions team assesses your eligibility automatically. Undergraduate students can receive up to AUD $48,000 over four years, while postgraduate coursework students can receive up to AUD $24,000 over two years. For five-year combined degree programmes, the figure rises to AUD $60,000.
The scholarship value is tiered based on your equivalent ATAR (for undergraduates) or WAM (for postgraduates), so stronger academic records translate directly into higher awards. UWA’s position as a Group of Eight university in Perth — a city with a significantly lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne — makes the overall value proposition particularly strong.
Eligibility: Open to all international students (not Australian or New Zealand citizens) who receive an offer for an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programme at UWA.
Deadline for 2027 Intake: The 2027 scholarship terms are expected to mirror the automatic assessment model. Apply for your chosen course by the published admission deadline. International research scholarships are next expected to open around July 2026.
16# Australian National University (ANU) Chancellor’s International Scholarship 2027
The ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a tuition fee waiver scholarship that covers a percentage of fees for eligible international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is no separate scholarship application — all eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. ANU also administers substantial research scholarships through the AGRTP framework, with stipends for PhD students and a competitive selection process that runs through annual central rounds.
Canberra as a study destination is often overlooked, but ANU’s position as Australia’s national university gives it access to government, policy, and diplomatic networks that no other Australian institution can match. For students interested in public policy, international relations, or governance, it is hard to beat.
Eligibility: International students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at ANU. Research scholarships require demonstrated academic excellence and research potential.
Deadline for Semester 1, 2027: Coursework applications close 15 December 2026 (Crawford School of Public Policy: 31 October 2026). Research scholarship central rounds typically close around October 2026.
Next Cycle: Semester 2, 2027 coursework applications close 15 May 2027.
Apply: https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/international-applications
My Take
The Australian scholarship landscape for 2027 entry is, by any reasonable measure, one of the most generous in the Anglophone world. The Australia Awards alone fund thousands of students from developing countries every year with a package that most European and North American programmes struggle to match. The RTP framework ensures that research students at virtually every Australian university have access to full-fee waivers and living stipends. And the university-level merit scholarships — from Griffith’s 50 per cent tuition reduction to UWA’s AUD $48,000 undergraduate award — make even partially funded study in Australia financially viable for students who would otherwise be priced out.
That said, two structural realities deserve honest acknowledgement. First, Australian international tuition fees are high — often AUD $35,000–$50,000 per year for coursework programmes — so even a 20 or 25 per cent scholarship still leaves a substantial bill. Students should budget carefully and factor in living costs (AUD $25,000–$30,000 per year in major cities) alongside whatever scholarship they receive. Second, the competition for fully funded awards is fierce. The Australia Awards, Melbourne Research Scholarships, and Sydney’s research stipends attract applicants from across the globe, and acceptance rates are low. Apply strategically, apply early, and apply to multiple programmes.