RTP Scholarship FAQ 2027

No. The Department of Education says RTP applications cannot be made through the Department. You apply to a university, which runs its own application, selection and offer process.

No. Each university sets its own rounds. For 2027 starts, UQ’s international round closes on 19 October 2026, Melbourne’s Round 1 (MDHS) on 31 October 2026 and Sydney’s Research Period 3–4 round on 18 December 2026.

Yes. The official RTP FAQs confirm you can apply at more than one university, and more than once at the same university. Each university assesses you separately.

Usually not. Melbourne, ANU and Monash consider you automatically when you apply for a research degree by the round deadline. Sydney also needs its scholarship application form, and UQ needs an EOI before a final application.

At most big universities, effectively yes. Monash requires a supervisor’s name to proceed, UQ invites a final application only after a supervisor supports your EOI, and ANU counts supervisor support in its selection.

Yes. International students enrolled in a research doctorate or research master’s are eligible, but each university can spend only up to 10% of its RTP funding on international students each year.

No. The RTP covers research doctorates and research master’s degrees only.

There is no national cut-off. ANU’s University Research Scholarships ask for first-class honours (H1) or equivalent, and Melbourne ranks on the results of your last completed degree. In practice, international stipends go to applicants with top-band results and research experience.

The Department of Education’s RTP pages do not set an age limit.

The national full-time base rate is $34,315 for 2026 and $35,550 for 2027; the maximums are $53,608 and $55,537. Universities choose a rate in that range. Sydney pays $42,754 in 2026.

Full-time RTP stipends are tax-exempt if they meet the Australian Taxation Office’s criteria. Part-time stipends are taxable.

It can. The RTP fees offset removes tuition fees, and allowances can pay for OSHC. Melbourne, Sydney, ANU and UQ all include OSHC for international scholarship holders, usually single cover.

Federal rules allow 3 to 4 years for a full-time PhD and up to 2 years for a research master’s. Many universities pay the stipend for 3.5 years: Melbourne, UQ and ANU do, and Sydney allows up to 14 research periods with no extension.

Rules differ between universities. The official FAQs say to check your university’s RTP policy, because you may need approval before working outside your research degree. Your student visa conditions also apply.

It depends on the round. UQ sends international outcomes from 22 February 2027; Sydney issues outcomes from 26 February 2027 for its December round; Monash releases results about six to ten weeks after a round closes.

Usually only for a short time. Sydney allows deferral within the same calendar year only. UTS says its RTP stipend cannot be deferred to a later year. Melbourne’s MDHS faculty requires you to start by 31 October of the academic year your offer is for.

Yes. Since 3 December 2025, the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025 require RTP-supported students to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution. The Department’s FAQ says a set form of words, including the RTP DOI, must be used, and students with an ORCID profile must add it there.