Comprehensive Guide: Australia Government Scholarships for Foreign Students 2026

Australia is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for international students thanks to its high-quality education, diverse culture, and abundant research and employment opportunities. To support global talent and encourage international cooperation, the Australian Government offers several prestigious scholarships that cover tuition, living costs, travel, and other academic expenses.

This guide provides in-depth details on official Australian Government scholarships available for international students in 2026, including eligibility, benefits, application portals, and tips to help you succeed.

🇦🇺 1. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) 2026

Overview:
The Australia Awards Scholarships are the Australian Government’s flagship international scholarship program aimed at strengthening leadership skills and driving positive change in developing countries. This fully-funded award enables students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate coursework or research degrees at participating Australian universities and TAFE institutions.

🎓 Key Benefits

• Full tuition fee coverage

• Return air travel to Australia

• Establishment allowance towards initial expenses

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• Living allowance stipend

• Academic and language support

• Fieldwork allowances for eligible research fields

📌 Eligibility

• Citizens of eligible partner countries (list varies by region)

• Strong academic background and leadership potential

• Commitment to return and contribute to home country development after studies

• Meets program-specific requirements, including age and work experience for some countries

📅 Application Timeline

• Open: 1 February 2025

• Close: 30 April 2025 (11:59pm AEST)
  (Deadlines vary by participating country — check the OASIS system for exact dates)

🔗 How to Apply

👉 Apply via OASIS (Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System):
https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/

🔬 2. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships 2026

Overview:
The Research Training Program (RTP) is a core government-funded initiative designed to support high-quality research training in Australian universities for Master’s by Research and PhD candidates. This is one of the most important pathways for international students seeking tuition waivers and living support while focusing on impactful research.

🎓 Key Benefits

• Tuition fee offset (full or partial waiver)

• Annual living stipend (often around AUD $30,000–$34,000)

• Relocation allowance and thesis/dissemination support

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

📌 Eligibility

• International student enrolled or commencing a Master’s by Research or PhD program

• Demonstrated academic and research potential

• Requirements may vary slightly by institution (e.g., Griffith University has specific deadlines)

📅 Deadlines

• Vary by university (examples: 30 January 2026 for some RTP awards at Griffith)

🔗 Application Information

👉 General RTP details (varies by university):
https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/scholarship/research-training-program-stipends-(international-students) sity-administered RTP Scholarships:

• 2026 RTP at Griffith University – Deadline: 30 Jan 2026 (tuition + stipend)

🇦🇺 3. Destination Australia Scholarships

Overview:
Offered by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, the Destination Australia program aims to attract international students to rural and regional campuses across Australia. These scholarships encourage students to study outside major cities while receiving financial support.

🎓 Key Benefits

• Tuition fee contributions (value varies by institution and eligibility)

• Often combined with other incentives for studying in regional areas

• Supports undergraduate and postgraduate students

📌 Eligibility

• International students enrolled in eligible regional campuses

• Meet university and program entry requirements

• Commit to full-time study

🔗 Find eligible programs and apply via university pages

👉 E.g., University of Sydney Scholarships, University of Queensland Graduate Scholarships, etc. (visit university sites via their scholarship portals)

🎓 Top Government-Supported Scholarships at Leading Universities

Many Australian universities also host scholarships that are supported by government programs, particularly for research-intensive or strategic fields:

🔹 University of Sydney International Scholarships (Research)

• Covers full tuition and often a substantial living allowance (~AUD $40,000+ per year)

• Ideal for outstanding research students
  👉 https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/

🔹 University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships

• Full tuition waiver + living stipend + relocation support

• Awarded to competitive Master’s by Research and PhD candidates
  👉 https://www.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research-scholarships

🔹 Monash University Research Scholarships

• Fully funded research opportunities with significant living allowances
  👉 https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/find/monash

🔹 University of Queensland (UQ) Graduate Scholarships

• Government-supported research awards
  👉 https://scholarships.uq.edu.au/

Note: These university awards may be considered part of the government-backed ecosystem when funded through schemes like the RTP or international research funding streams.

📌 Eligibility Criteria (Typical Requirements)

While each scholarship has specific criteria, most government programs look for:

✔ Academic excellence (strong transcripts and research potential). 
✔ Leadership achievements or development impact (for Australia Awards). 
✔ Offer of admission or conditional offer from an Australian university. 
✔ English language proficiency (usually IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent, except where waived).

📅 Application Timeline at a Glance (2026 Intakes)

👉 Always confirm exact dates on the official scholarship or university website — deadlines can differ by country and program.

📝 Tips for Strong Scholarship Applications

✔ Start early: Government scholarships are highly competitive; begin your research months ahead. 
✔ Prepare documentation: Academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, references, and research proposals (for research awards). 
✔ Demonstrate impact: For programs like Australia Awards, show how your study will benefit your community or nation. 
✔ Follow instructions: Use official portals like OASIS for Australia Awards and individual university scholarship systems for RTP.

🌏 Final Thoughts

Australia Government Scholarships for 2026 provide transformative opportunities for international students to study, research, and develop as global leaders. Whether through the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships or the Research Training Program and related university-linked funding, eligible students can access full tuition coverage, living allowances, travel support, and health cover.

Start your application journey early, prepare your documents carefully, and use the official application portals to maximize your chances of success.