Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students

If you plan to study in Australia and are worried about the expensive studies then we have a solution. You can apply for fully funded scholarships to study in Australia as an Indian student. Need more details? Check everything here to make your decision.

Studying abroad or in countries like Australia is a costly affair. But the best part about studying in Australia is that out of 47 universities, public universities in Australia are 37. So, the costs may be high but there are scholarships available. To cover all expenses, there is a provision of fully funded scholarships in Australia for Indian students. These scholarships are one-stop solution for international students. 

The cost of studying in Australia are high and surprisingly the lifestyle is even better, so cost of living in Australia is also very high. Sometimes covering both expenses can be difficult and for this there are fully funded scholarships to study in Australia. If you are an Indian applicant looking for undergraduate or postgraduate or even doctoral courses for study, may have to pay a big bill. But scholarships like these like fully funded scholarships can ease the load significantly. 

Interested in knowing more about them? Check out the article and choose the best fully funded scholarship to study in Australia.

What are Fully Funded Scholarships to Study in Australia?

Fully funded scholarships in Australia are those which cover all expenses of students while they study in Australia. Such scholarships help students in pursuing their degrees without worrying about the expensive costs. Fully funded scholarships in Australia are offered by the government or by the Australian universities. Although there is a wide range of scholarships available, competition for them remains high.

What do Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia Cover?

Fully funded scholarships in Australia cover the following expenses:

• Tuition fee for the entire duration of the course.
• A fortnightly or monthly stipend for food, accommodation, and personal expenses.
• Return airfare from your home country to Australia.
• Mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Research related funding and support.

In some cases, relocation funds are also given to students which is a one time fee.

Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students

Some of the most popularly opted and offered fully funded scholarships in Australia for Indian students are:

1. Australia Awards Scholarships
2. Research Training Program Scholarship
3. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
4. University of Sydney International Scholarships
5. Monash University Research Training Program

These scholarships are offered to Indian students and they can apply based on the given eligibility criteria. These scholarships in Australia are divided into two categories - government funded and university offered Let us discuss them in detail below.

Fully Funded Australian Government Scholarships

These are the most common and comprehensive fully funded options. 

1. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)

The Australian Awards Scholarship is the most prestigious government-funded scholarship program offering full tuition coverage, living expenses, airfare, health insurance, and field trip costs. It's designed for students from developing countries, including India, and covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.

What's Covered:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage
• Living Expenses: Fortnightly stipend (CLE)
• Airfare: Return economy ticket
• Health Insurance: OSHC for entire duration
• Establishment Allowance: One-time payment for accommodation, books
• Introductory Program: Compulsory IAP before studies
• Fieldwork Support: For research students (if required)

Basic Eligibility:

• Age: Minimum 18 years by Feb 1, 2026
• Citizenship: Indian, residing in India
• Academic Score: Minimum 7.5 CGPA or 85%+English Proficiency IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 78+ / PTE 58+
• Endorsement: Letter required from your institution
• Academic Level: Cannot apply for lower qualification than held

Also note, the Australian Award Scholarship is extremely competitive and is applicable for those who will contribute to India-Australia relations. The 2-year return obligation is mandatory and non-negotiable.

2. Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship

Sponsored by the Australian Government, this provides tuition fee offsets and stipends for exceptional international postgraduate students pursuing research degrees. It's evaluated based on academic excellence and research potential.

What's Covered:

• Tuition Fees: 100% fee for an entire program duration
• Living Expenses: AUD 35,010 to AUD 38,500 annually
• Duration: 2 years for Masters and 3.5 years for PhD
• OHSC is available for the full program.

Basic Eligibility:

• Citizenship: Indian
• Academic Level: Enroll in Masters or PhD
• Research Focus: Minimum two third of the program must be research
• Research Experience: Publications, research projects
• Previous RTP: Cannot receive if already had equivalent scholarship

These were the two most popular and biggest fully funded scholarships to study in Australia. Indian students are eligible to apply for both of them while submitting admission applications for universities in Australia.

University-Specific Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia

Many Australian universities offer their own highly competitive, fully funded scholarships for high-achieving international students, particularly for research programs. 

1. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships

At the University of Melbourne, the Graduate Research Scholarships are offered to international students in partnership with Australian government. This fully funded Australian university scholarship offers full fee offset, a living allowance (stipend), relocation grant, and OSHC for master's and doctoral students.

What's Covered:

• Tuition Fees: 100% fee covered (Master's 2 years and PhD 4 years)
• Living Stipend: AUD 38,500 a year (Master's 2 years and PhD 3.5 years)
• Relocation Grant: AUD 2,000
• Health Insurance: OSHC Single Membership (for visa holders)

Basic Eligibility:

• Citizenship: Indian (all nationalities accepted)
• Academic Level: Master's by Research or PhD
• Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's with 75% + for Master's | Master's with 75%+ for PhD
• Application Status: New applicants or currently enrolled students
• English Proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE

2. University of Sydney International Scholarships

If you are applying to the University of Sydney, then consider applying for the University of Sydney International Scholarships. This fully funded scholarship in Australia provides full tuition fees and a living allowance for postgraduate research degrees.

What's Covered:

• Living Stipend: AUD 41,753 a year (Master's 2 years and PhD 3.5 years)
• Tuition Fee: 100% waiver (Master's 2 years and PhD 4 years) for up to 14 research periods
• Relocation Allowance: AUD 2,000 - AUD 3,000
• Health Insurance (OSHC): For international students on Australian student visa

Basic Eligibility:

• Academic Level: Master's by Research or PhD with 75% and above in bachelors
• Enrollment Status: New students or already enrolled (within 6 months)
• English Proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
• Research Proposal: Should align with the university's research requirements
• Previous Awards: No Australia Award scholarship in the last 2 years and no RTP Fee Scholarship
• Application Limit: Can apply a maximum of 3 times in 5 years

3. Monash University Research Training Program

At Monash University, a PhD fully funded scholarship option is offered which is Research Training Program. This is a fully funded scholarship in Australia for Indian students offering a living allowance and covering tuition fees for master's and PhD students.

What's Covered:

• Living Stipend (RTP): AUD 37,145 a year (Master's for 2 years and PhD for 3.5 years)
• Tuition Fee: 100% tuition waiver (master's for 2 years and PhD for 4 years)
• Relocation Allowance: AUD 1,500 (one-time)
• Research Allowance: AUD 1,500 a year
• Health Insurance (OSHC): Covered for international students + dependents

Basic Eligibility:

• Academic Level: Master's by Research or PhD
• Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's with Honours 1 or 2A (or equivalent) 4-year degree with research preferred and should have 75% and above in bachelors
• Enrollment Status: New applicants with CoE (confirmation of enrollment) or currently enrolled (within 6 months)

You must submit an expression of interest to your faculty before applying for this scholarship. Also your research proposal should be strong enough and you must have a supervisor who will guide you before applying.

Other Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia

Apart from the already mentioned ones there are other fully funded scholarships in Australia for Indian students. These are:

• Commonwealth Scholarships
• The Quad Fellowship

• Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR)

• Australia for ASEAN Scholarships
• Graduate Research Scholarships

If you are unable to get any of the popular fully funded scholarships to study in Australia, consider these options as well.

Top Tips to Get Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia

In order to get a fully funded scholarship to study in Australia, international students must:

• Start shortlisting universities and courses that offer these scholarships keeping February intake and July intake in mind.
• Apply to 3-5 universities to increase chances of getting selected.
• Before this check if you can apply to multiple universities for the same scholarship.
• Prepare documents well in advance so that when the application submission time comes, you just have to upload them.
• Target universities with research strengths in your field

Do you feel confident enough to take the next step of applying to Australian universities with a fully funded scholarship? If yes, then good luck with your applications. In case you need some assistance with admissions, you can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling, and our team of experts will get back to you soon.