National / government
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
Government-set stipend of AUD 35,550 to 55,537 a year (2027), rate set by each university, plus a tuition offset
- Study level
- Research
- How to get it
- Separate application required
- Country
- Australia
Who is eligible
Domestic and international students enrolled in an accredited research doctorate (PhD) or research masters at an Australian university. Highly competitive, allocated on research record and proposal strength.
The RTP is how the Australian Government funds most higher-degree research students. Universities receive a block grant and award it as some combination of three things: a full tuition-fee offset, a living stipend, and allowances for relocation, thesis costs, or health cover.
The government publishes a base and a maximum full-time stipend rate each year. For 2026 they were AUD 34,315 and AUD 53,608, and for 2027 they are AUD 35,550 and AUD 55,537. Each university sets its own rate rather than paying one national figure. International and domestic students compete in the same pool. You apply through your chosen university's graduate research school, not the government, usually alongside or just after your admission application.
Places are allocated by each university's own selection panels, which rank applicants on prior academic results and research potential rather than through one national competition, so exact thresholds vary by faculty and institution. Applicants should confirm the process, including whether an interview or written proposal review is used, with their specific graduate research school.
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship: common questions
How much is the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship worth?
Government-set stipend of AUD 35,550 to 55,537 a year (2027), rate set by each university, plus a tuition offset. Amounts and eligibility bands are reviewed every year, so confirm the current value on the official scholarship page before you rely on it.
Do I need a separate application for the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship?
Yes. The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship needs its own application, usually after you have an offer of admission, and sometimes a written statement or interview.
Is the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship for undergraduate or postgraduate study?
The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is for research study.
Scholarship terms change every year. Confirm the current value, eligibility, and deadline on the official page before you apply or rely on this for budgeting.