Australian Government RTP Scholarship (Research Training Program) 2026
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship Overview
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, the Research Training Program (RTP) provides block grant funding to participating Higher Education Providers (HEPs). The program supports domestic and international students pursuing Higher Degrees by Research (HDR), specifically Master's by Research and Research Doctorate (PhD) degrees.
Primary Objectives
- Provide flexible funding to support quality research training for domestic and international HDR students.
- Equipping graduates with advanced skills needed for careers across academia, industry, and wider labor markets.
- Strengthen research collaboration between Australian universities, industry partners, and end-users.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: Open to domestic students (Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents) and international applicants.
- Academic Requirements: Must hold a recognized Bachelor's degree (typically with First-Class or Upper Second-Class Honours) or an equivalent qualification.
- Admission Status: Must meet the specific entry and English language requirements for a Master's by Research or PhD program at a participating Australian university.
Scholarship Benefits & Financial Support
Benefit CategoryCoverage & DetailsTuition Fee OffsetCovers 100% of tuition fees for the duration of the research programLiving StipendAnnual tax-free living allowance (Base rate set by the government, typically indexed annually; individual university rates vary, e.g., ~$36,000–$42,000+ per year)Ancillary AllowancesRelocation assistance, thesis production allowances, and health insurance cover (OSHC for international students, depending on host university policies)
Participating Australian Universities
The RTP scholarship is available at participating Australian Higher Education Providers, including:
- Avondale University
- Bond University
- Central Queensland University
- Charles Darwin University
- Charles Sturt University
- Curtin University
- Deakin University
- Flinders University
- Griffith University
- James Cook University
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
- Monash University
- Murdoch University
- Queensland University of Technology
- (Refer to the Australian Department of Education portal for the complete list of participating HEPs.)
How to Apply
- Select an Institution: Research participating Australian universities and identify a prospective research supervisor in your field of study.
- Review University Guidelines: Check the specific application deadlines, stipend rates, and entry requirements of your chosen HEP, as RTP scholarships are administered independently by each university.
- Prepare Documents: Compile academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, research proposal, and referee details.
- Submit Application: Apply directly through the host university’s online admissions portal for both HDR admission and RTP scholarship consideration. Applicants may apply to multiple universities.