Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027 | Application Process

Q: Is my RTP stipend taxable in Australia?

Usually, a full-time RTP stipend is treated as tax-exempt if it meets the ATO scholarship conditions (for example, it is primarily for education and there is no required work as a condition). A part-time RTP stipend is generally taxable. If you are unsure, check the ATO scholarship guidance or speak with the university payroll team.

Q: If I change to part-time study, what happens to my RTP stipend?

For part-time candidates, the stipend is typically paid at 50% of the university’s full-time stipend rate. Also note that part-time RTP stipends are generally treated as taxable income in Australia.

February 26, 2026February 19, 2026 by Muhammad Faizan

The Australian Government RTP Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for international students. This scholarship is available for master’s and PhD programmes. The application process for this scholarship is straightforward. You can follow the step-by-step instructions presented in this article to apply for this fully funded scholarship. The Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027 covers a monthly stipend of up to $52,352; the fees are offset, and allowances are given to assist students with ancillary costs of a higher degree by research.

The Research Training Programme (RTP) is managed by participating universities on behalf of the Department of Education and Training. On 31 December 2016, the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) ceased and was replaced by the Research Training Programme (RTP) from 1 January 2017.

The RTP provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to higher education providers (HEPs) to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking research doctorate and research master’s degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs). Applications for RTP Scholarships need to be made directly to participating universities. Each university has its own application and selection process. Please contact your chosen university directly to discuss how to apply for the RTP scheme.

The RTP programme aims to provide flexible funding to support the training of domestic students and overseas students undertaking postgraduate research degrees at Australian universities and also to equip graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labour market.

The programme supports collaboration between universities and industry and other research end-users. Information on commencing a postgraduate research degree and university courses can be found on the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website. General information about the support arrangements for students may be obtained from the Study Assist website. Frequently asked questions for students are also available to answer student queries.

Australian Government RTP Scholarship Highlights

Degree Programmes	Master’s / PhD
Scholarship Provider	Australian Government / Participating Universities
Study Destination	Australia
Fields of Study	All degree programmes are available
Programme Duration	Master’s: 2 years; PhD: 4 years
Funding	Fully Funded

Australian Government RTP Scholarship Benefits

The Australian Government RTP Scholarship will provide the recipients with the following benefits:

An RTP maximum stipend of $52,352 to assist students with their living costs while undertaking a higher degree by research.
An RTP fee offset pays for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student. This requires that a university fully offset the tuition fee applicable to a student. This is not a stipend.
RTP allowances to assist students with ancillary costs of a higher degree by research (HDR). This includes relocation costs to undertake an HDR, HDR thesis printing and academic publication costs, and health cover costs for recipients and their dependents.

Eligibility Requirements for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship:

English is the required language
Students from all countries are eligible to apply.
Be enrolled in an accredited higher degree by research course.
The basic eligibility criteria for an RTP are listed in Section 1.5 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research).

Step-by-Step Application Process for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027

The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for this scholarship:

Step 1: HEPs are responsible for the application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships. Prospective candidates need to contact their chosen HEP’s postgraduate research office directly to discuss how to apply. The list of eligible HEPs is available in Tables A and B of HESA.

Step 2: The deadline varies per university but is around April to October each year.

Step 3: It is important to read the Frequently Asked Questions and visit the website of the university where you intend to apply and the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Australian Government RTP Scholarship Application Deadline

The annual application deadline for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027 is from April to October. Higher Education Providers (HEPs) are responsible for the application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships. Prospective candidates need to contact their chosen HEP’s postgraduate research office directly to discuss how to apply. The list of eligible HEPs is available in Tables A and B of HESA.

For further information about the Australian Government RTP Scholarship and the application process, please visit the official website:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do RTP stipend amounts differ between universities?

Because each university sets its own RTP stipend value within the Australian Government’s published base-to-maximum range, and universities can choose any rate within that range. Always treat your university offer letter as the final number.

Do annual RTP stipend indexation changes apply to current recipients too?

Yes. The Government’s base and maximum stipend rates apply to RTP stipend payments made in that year, not only to new scholarship recipients. Your university updates payments according to its policy and payroll schedule.

Is my RTP stipend taxable in Australia?

Usually, a full-time RTP stipend is treated as tax-exempt if it meets the ATO scholarship conditions (for example, it is primarily for education and there is no required work as a condition). A part-time RTP stipend is generally taxable. If you are unsure, check the ATO scholarship guidance or speak with the university payroll team.

If I change to part-time study, what happens to my RTP stipend?

For part-time candidates, the stipend is typically paid at 50% of the university’s full-time stipend rate. Also note that part-time RTP stipends are generally treated as taxable income in Australia.

Can I work part-time while receiving an RTP stipend?

Often yes, but the rules differ by university. Universities must publish in their RTP scholarship policy when they will not approve outside work and any restrictions (for example, hours-per-week limits). Check your university’s RTP policy and get approval if required before starting a job.

Can I receive another scholarship or top-up at the same time as RTP?

Yes. The current Government guidelines do not prevent RTP recipients from receiving additional financial support or awards. However, your university may still apply conditions (for example, how a top-up is administered), so read your offer letter and RTP policy.

What leave can RTP stipend recipients take, and does leave extend the scholarship?

RTP stipend recipients can access different types of leave (for example, recreation and personal leave, plus additional personal leave, paid parental leave, and paid family and domestic violence leave). Your RTP period of support is not increased for ordinary paid recreation or personal leave, but it can be increased for approved suspensions and certain additional leave types (such as paid parental leave). The exact entitlements are set out in your university’s RTP scholarship policy.

Can I suspend (pause) my RTP scholarship if something serious happens?

In many cases, yes. Universities must explain RTP scholarship suspensions in their RTP policy. Contact the graduate research office early, because approval and documentation requirements are university-specific.

Can RTP be extended beyond the maximum duration (for example, beyond 4 years for a PhD)?

RTP support cannot be extended beyond the maximum durations set by the Government. However, your period of support may increase by the length of an approved suspension or certain approved leave categories (for example, paid parental leave). Anything beyond that would require non-RTP funding (such as a university-funded extension), if offered.

Can I live overseas while enrolled at an Australian university and still hold RTP?

The Government guidelines do not restrict an RTP-supported student from living offshore while enrolled at an eligible Australian university. However, universities may prefer or prioritise on-campus/in-person candidates in their selection and may have supervision/milestone requirements, so confirm with your graduate research office before planning an offshore arrangement.

If I transfer to another Australian university, can I keep my RTP scholarship?

Sometimes. A transfer is possible if the new university accepts you and agrees to continue RTP support, but there is no transfer of RTP funding between universities, so the new university must have RTP funding available. Also, your maximum RTP period of support does not “reset” after a transfer.

Do I need to acknowledge RTP funding in my thesis or publications?

Yes. RTP recipients must acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution in research publications. The official wording is: “This research was supported by the Commonwealth through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship [DOI: https://doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220].”

Do I need to create an ORCID account because of RTP?

No. If you already have an ORCID profile, you should include the RTP DOI in your ORCID record (the Funding section is commonly used). If you do not have an ORCID profile, you are not required to create one.

Is RTP harder to get for international students? Is there a quota?

There is a funding limit: universities may spend up to 10% of their RTP funding per grant year on scholarships for international students. This can make RTP offers more competitive for international applicants, and availability varies by university.

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