“Is there any 100% scholarship in Australia?”
“Can international students study in Australia for free?”
“Does Australia offer fully funded scholarships?”
These are among the most searched questions on Google by students planning to study in Australia in 2026 — and among the most misunderstood.
With education costs continuing to rise, more students than ever are actively searching for fully funded study options. While Australia genuinely does offer some of the world’s most generous government and university-backed scholarships, these opportunities are frequently misrepresented, overstated, or shared online without the full picture. As a result, many genuine students either build unrealistic expectations or feel disheartened too early — assuming that if they don’t qualify for a 100% scholarship, studying in Australia simply isn’t possible for them.
The honest truth is this: yes, 100% scholarships do exist in Australia — but only for specific study levels, particular courses, and certain student profiles. They are not available for every student or every program.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of which 100% scholarships are genuinely available in Australia for 2026, who they are actually designed for, and what realistic alternatives you can explore if full funding isn’t an option for you.
Table of Contents
- What Does a 100% Scholarship Really Mean in Australia?
- Are 100% Scholarships Available for International Students in 2026?
- Australia Awards Scholarships – Fully Funded Government Program
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
- Universities Offering 100% Scholarships in Australia (2026)
- Research vs Coursework Scholarships – Why the Difference Exists
- Not Eligible for a 100% Scholarship? Don’t Feel Disheartened
- Common Scholarship Myths Students Must Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Important Disclaimer and Final Advice
1. What Does a 100% Scholarship Really Mean in Australia?
In Australia, a 100% scholarship generally refers to full tuition fee coverage. It does not automatically mean a completely free education in every sense of the word.
Depending on the specific scholarship, it may also include a living allowance or stipend, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), relocation support, and return airfare assistance. But many scholarships cover tuition only — and students are often surprised to discover this after they’ve already applied.
There are a few other important points that students frequently overlook. Some scholarships cover only one academic year, not the full duration of the course. Most come with strict ongoing conditions such as maintaining full-time enrolment, meeting a minimum GPA each semester, and demonstrating satisfactory academic progress. If these conditions aren’t met, the scholarship can be reduced, suspended, or cancelled entirely.
The key takeaway here is simple: never evaluate a scholarship based on its title alone. Always check what it covers, how long it lasts, and what conditions you’ll need to maintain throughout your studies.
2. Are 100% Scholarships Available for International Students in 2026?
Yes — but only for specific study levels and student profiles.
In Australia, 100% scholarships for international students are primarily available for research-based programs. These include PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), Master’s by Research (MPhil or MRes), and a limited number of elite Vice-Chancellor or Leadership scholarships offered by select universities.
They are generally not available for diplomas and advanced diplomas, most bachelor’s degrees, or coursework master’s programs such as MBA, IT, nursing, data science, and similar professionally oriented courses.
The vast majority of full scholarships in Australia are awarded for research degrees, not coursework — and the reasons behind this distinction are worth understanding in detail, which is covered later in this guide.
3. Australia Awards Scholarships – Fully Funded Government Program
Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded scholarships sponsored by the Australian Government. They are designed for students from developing countries who have the potential to contribute to long-term development outcomes in their home nation.
What Australia Awards typically cover includes 100% of tuition fees, a fortnightly living allowance, return airfare, OSHC health insurance, an establishment allowance for settling in, and both academic and pastoral support throughout the program.
These scholarships are best suited for students who have relevant professional or work experience behind them, can demonstrate genuine leadership and community involvement, are able to clearly articulate how their studies will benefit their home country, and are genuinely committed to returning home after graduation.
This last point is critical and often overlooked. Australia Awards are not PR-focused scholarships. They include a mandatory return-to-home-country obligation after the program ends. Students planning to explore permanent residency pathways after their studies should factor this in carefully before applying.
4. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government-funded initiative that supports international students undertaking research degrees at Australian universities. It is widely considered the primary and most accessible pathway to a fully funded PhD in Australia.
What RTP typically covers includes a full tuition fee offset, a living stipend (which varies from university to university), OSHC for international students, and access to research supervision and academic support. Many universities also offer additional top-up scholarships that can be received alongside RTP funding.
RTP is best suited for students with strong academic results — usually 80 to 85 percent or above, or the equivalent in their home country’s grading system. Prior research experience such as a completed thesis, published papers, or significant research projects is highly valued. Applicants are also expected to submit a well-defined and credible research proposal and, ideally, to have already secured a confirmed academic supervisor at the university before applying.
5. Universities Offering 100% Scholarships in Australia (2026)
A number of well-regarded Australian universities offer 100% tuition scholarships, primarily through the RTP or through Vice-Chancellor and Leadership scholarship programs.
The University of Melbourne offers the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship for PhD and research master’s students. Monash University provides RTP and Leadership Scholarships for research-level study. The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Sydney both offer RTP alongside their own research scholarship schemes. UNSW Sydney, the University of Queensland, and Adelaide University all offer RTP support for research students.
Some universities also offer 100% or near-100% scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, though these are much rarer and highly competitive. Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship and La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor Scholarship are examples, though availability is very limited and varies by intake.
One important note: the universities mentioned above are examples to illustrate what’s available — they are not an exhaustive list. Other Australian universities may also offer 100% tuition or fully funded scholarships depending on the course, the faculty, the intake period, available funding, and research priorities at any given time.
These scholarships are typically limited in number, highly competitive, and subject to strict application deadlines. Students should always verify scholarship details directly on the official university website for the most accurate and current information before applying.
6. Research vs Coursework Scholarships – Why the Difference Exists
Australian universities prioritise full scholarships for research degrees because research programs directly contribute to the university’s research output and innovation, improve global rankings, and support national research priorities set by the government.
Coursework programs, by contrast, focus on professional skill development and industry readiness. They are designed to prepare graduates for the workforce in fields like nursing, business, technology, and hospitality — and are largely self-funded as a result.
This is why 100% scholarships for coursework programs are extremely rare, while research students remain the primary recipients of full funding across Australian universities. Understanding this distinction early saves students from spending months searching for funding that simply doesn’t exist for their chosen program.
7. Not Eligible for a 100% Scholarship? Don’t Feel Disheartened
If you’re not eligible for a 100% scholarship, this does not mean studying in Australia is out of reach. The reality is that the vast majority of international students in Australia study with partial scholarships or tuition discounts — and this is completely normal.
Partial scholarship options are often easier to secure, available across a much wider range of universities and courses, and sufficient to meaningfully reduce your overall tuition costs. Australia offers a wide range of merit-based scholarships, regional and destination-specific awards, faculty scholarships, early-offer discounts, and first-year tuition reductions that can make studying in Australia far more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
If you’re exploring more budget-friendly study options — including cheap online courses in Australia — there are genuine pathways worth considering that don’t require full scholarship funding to be financially viable. Similarly, for students thinking about courses for PR in Australia, understanding which programs offer partial funding alongside strong migration outcomes is often a smarter long-term approach than chasing full scholarships that are unlikely to be awarded.
It’s also worth noting that students who started on one program and are considering a course change in Australia are not automatically locked out of scholarship opportunities. Many universities reassess scholarship eligibility at the point of transfer, which is worth exploring with a registered education adviser.
8. Common Scholarship Myths Students Must Avoid
Several misleading claims circulate regularly among student communities online and through informal channels. Being aware of these myths can save you a significant amount of time, money, and disappointment.
The first common myth is that a 100% scholarship is guaranteed for bachelor’s degree students. This is not accurate. Full scholarships at the undergraduate level are extremely rare in Australia and are typically only available through highly competitive, application-based merit programs — not as a standard offering.
The second myth is that education in Australia is free for everyone. It is not. Even students who receive a full tuition scholarship are still responsible for living expenses, travel costs, and personal finances unless their specific scholarship explicitly covers these items.
The third and perhaps most damaging myth is that receiving a scholarship guarantees visa approval. This is completely false. Australian student visa approval depends on meeting the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, demonstrating academic progression, showing course relevance to your background, and providing evidence of financial capacity. A scholarship supports your visa application but does not guarantee it.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can an international student get a full scholarship in Australia?
Yes, but full 100% scholarships are rare and highly competitive. The most notable fully funded option is the Australia Awards Scholarship, which covers tuition, living expenses, and travel for students from developing countries in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Most university scholarships only offer partial fee reductions of 20–50%.
Q: How to get a 100% free scholarship?
To get a fully funded scholarship, apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or target university Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships for PhD and Masters by Research students. These cover full tuition and a living stipend. Strong academic results, a clear research proposal, and applying early are essential to being competitive.
Q: What is the international student cap in Australia 2026?
The Australian Government has set the National Planning Level (NPL) at 295,000 new international student commencements for 2026, an increase of 25,000 from 2025. It operates as a visa processing priority system, not a hard refusal limit. Students from pathway colleges and Australian secondary schools transitioning to public universities are exempt from the cap.
Q: What is the International Welcome Scholarship 2026?
The International Welcome Scholarship is offered by Murdoch University for 2026 and provides a 20% tuition fee reduction for eligible international students commencing undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degrees at its Western Australian campuses. It is automatically awarded at the time of admission with no separate application required. Similar welcome scholarships with 20–30% fee reductions are also offered by other universities like Swinburne and ECU.
Q: Is there a 100% scholarship in Australia for international students? Yes, but availability is limited and competition is high. Full scholarships are mainly available for PhD and Master’s by Research programs, Australia Awards Scholarships, RTP-funded research positions, and a small number of elite merit-based awards at select universities.
Q: Can international students study in Australia for free? Not completely. Fully funded or 100% tuition scholarships may cover most costs for research degrees, but living expenses are only covered under specific scholarship types. Most students will still need to budget for personal costs even with a full tuition scholarship in place.
Q: Does Australia offer fully funded scholarships? Yes, but only for selected programs. Australia Awards Scholarships, the Research Training Program (RTP), and university-funded research scholarships are the primary examples of genuinely fully funded options.
Q: Are 100% scholarships and fully funded scholarships the same thing? Not always. A 100% scholarship typically covers tuition fees only. A fully funded scholarship may also include a living allowance, OSHC, and travel support. Always read the scholarship terms carefully to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.
Q: Are scholarship amounts fixed every year? No. Scholarship details can change based on university budgets, government policy updates, course demand, and the number of available funded positions in any given intake. This is why verifying current details directly with the university is essential before applying.
Q: What is the best way to verify scholarship details? The most reliable approach is to check the official scholarship page on the university’s own website for the specific course and intake you’re applying for, and to confirm details with a registered education agent who can access up-to-date institutional information.
Q: Does a scholarship guarantee an Australian student visa? No. Visa approval is assessed independently and depends on meeting the Genuine Student requirement, demonstrating financial capacity, showing academic progression, and establishing course relevance. A scholarship strengthens your application but does not guarantee an outcome.
Q: I’m interested in a nursing course in Australia. Are there scholarships available? Nursing falls under a coursework degree, which means 100% full tuition scholarships are rare for this program type. However, partial merit-based scholarships, university discounts, and faculty-specific awards may be available depending on the institution and intake. Speaking with an education adviser is the best way to identify what’s realistically achievable for your specific profile.
10. Important Disclaimer and Final Advice
Scholarship information shared on blog posts or through third-party sources is indicative only. Final and binding scholarship details are always published on official university websites, and these details can change between intakes without prior notice.
For students navigating the scholarship landscape in 2026, the most effective approach is to focus on scholarships that are realistic and achievable given your academic profile, match your study level and course type to the right scholarship category, plan your finances responsibly rather than relying solely on scholarship outcomes, and ensure your student visa application is prepared to meet Genuine Student requirements regardless of your scholarship status.
The students who succeed in studying in Australia are not always those who held out for a 100% scholarship. They are the ones who planned wisely, acted on accurate information, and made the most of the funding that was genuinely available to them.
For personalised guidance on scholarships, course selection, and Australia student visa planning for 2026, connect with the ApplyOn team for clear, honest, and up-to-date advice tailored to your academic background and long-term goals.
