Australia is expensive for international students. Tuition alone can top A$40,000 a year, and rent in Sydney or Melbourne adds a lot more. Most families can’t carry that.
The timing is tight. The big government awards and the UNSW round have already closed. A few automatic university awards and some PhD rounds are still open.
I checked every date in this article in November 2026. Dates change, so confirm each one on the official site before you plan around it.
What ‘Fully Funded’ Usually Covers
- Tuition, so you don’t pay course fees.
- A yearly stipend for rent and food. It often doesn’t cover everything.
- Overseas Student Health Cover, in some programs.
- A flight ticket, in some government awards.
- Extra allowances for moving or thesis costs, in some PhD awards.
Most Australian university awards for undergraduates pay only part of the fees. This article tells you which ones, so you don’t count on money you won’t get.
Deadlines at a Glance
- Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship is automatic. Sources list October 31 or November 30, 2026 for admission, so check the official page.
- Monash International Merit Scholarship is automatic. You apply for admission, and Monash looks at you.
- Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships have deadlines that vary by university. Some are in December 2026 and February 2027.
- Australia Awards Scholarships for 2027 closed on April 30, 2026 for most countries.
- UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship for Term 1, 2027 closed on October 30, 2026.
Open Now or Opening Soon
1. Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (University of Melbourne)
Melbourne looks at every international undergraduate applicant. You don’t fill out a separate form. It also has a new award for 2027 called the Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship.
- Deadline: One guide lists October 31, 2026 for the Semester 1 admission deadline. Another says November 30, 2026. Check Melbourne’s page today. Semester 2 2027 is listed as May 31, 2027.
- What it covers: Sources say 20 percent of tuition from 2027, for the length of your course. It used to be 25 percent. That’s a real discount, but it isn’t a full ride.
- Watch-out: The main award has a country list. One guide says the Excellence award doesn’t. Check which one fits you.
2. Monash International Merit Scholarship (Monash University)
Monash gives this to new international undergraduates. You don’t apply for it. If you get an undergraduate offer, Monash looks at you.
- Deadline: There’s no separate one. Use your course’s admission deadline. One page says overseas Foundation Year students for March 2027 should apply by December 4, 2026.
- What it covers: A$15,000 a year for your degree, worth up to A$75,000 in total, according to Monash’s page. Other sites say A$10,000 a year, so check the official page.
- Watch-out: Only 20 students win each year. Don’t build your budget around it.
3. Research Training Program Scholarships (Australian universities)
This is the Australian government’s main funding for research degrees. It’s for PhD and research master’s students, and it’s open to international students.
- Deadline: Each university sets its own date. Sydney closed in September 2026. UWA closed on September 15. ANU’s first round closed on August 31, according to one guide. Griffith’s second round closes February 5, 2027, according to one guide. One site lists December 31, 2026 for CQUniversity. Check each university’s page.
- What it covers: Full tuition and a yearly stipend. The stipends I found range from about A$35,000 to A$44,000. Sydney’s also lists health cover.
- Watch-out: Most universities want you to find a supervisor first. Contact one before you apply.
Closed for 2027: Plan for Next Year
4. Australia Awards Scholarships
The Australian government gives these to students from about 50 partner countries. Your country sets the rules, and some are for master’s degrees only.
- Deadline: The 2027 round opened on February 1 and closed on April 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. AEST. Palau had a different window, from March 30 to June 30. One guide says the 2028 round usually opens in February 2027. That isn’t official yet.
- What it covers: Sources call it fully funded. Your country’s Australia Awards page lists the exact items, so check it.
- Watch-out: There’s a two-year return rule. One guide says you owe money if you don’t follow it.
5. UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship (Sydney)
UNSW gives this to international students starting an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree. You apply through a separate UNSW portal.
- Deadline: The Term 1 2027 round opened on July 15 and closed on October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEST. Dates for later terms aren’t out. The Term 3 2026 round closed on June 18, 2026.
- What it covers: The top offer is full tuition for the shortest length of your program. Other UNSW awards pay smaller amounts, such as A$10,000 or A$20,000 for a year. Check UNSW’s page.
- Watch-out: You need a UNSW offer before you apply. Research degrees go through a different office.
How to Choose the Right Scholarship
Match it to your profile
- If you’re finishing high school, look at Melbourne and Monash. Both are automatic.
- If you want a research degree, look at the RTP at several universities.
- If you work in a priority field in an eligible country, look at Australia Awards next year.
Check your country first
- Australia Awards only takes certain countries. Start on your country’s page.
- Melbourne’s main award has a country list.
- Some awards have rules about your course. Read them before you spend time on an essay.
Watch the deadline rush
- Many dates fall between December and February. Don’t plan three applications for the last two weeks.
- Start the slow papers now. Transcripts, translations, and test scores take weeks.
- Put every date in your phone with a reminder two weeks early.
Three Mistakes That Sink Good Applications
Waiting for a Scholarship Form
Melbourne and Monash don’t have one. They look at you when you apply for admission. If you miss the admission date, you miss the money.
Counting on a Full Ride
Melbourne gives about 20 percent. Monash gives A$15,000 a year. Work out the rest of the bill before you accept an offer.
Skipping the Supervisor
RTP winners usually have a supervisor lined up. Write to one before the round closes.
Conclusion
Your nearest deadlines depend on your plan. Check Melbourne’s undergraduate admission date today, because sources show October 31 or November 30. CQUniversity’s RTP round is listed as December 31, 2026 on one site. Griffith’s second round closes February 5, 2027. Australia Awards for 2028 may open in February 2027, but that date isn’t official.
Tonight, open the course pages for your top Melbourne and Monash programs. Write down each admission deadline.