The Australian Government's Research Training Program funds international postgraduate researchers at the University of Sydney with a living stipend of AUD $44,293 a year, full tuition coverage, and health cover for the duration of a research Master's or PhD. Selection is on academic merit and research potential, and both commencing and currently enrolled research students can apply.
Why it is notable: The 2027 stipend rate (AUD $44,293) is published and indexed annually — one of the highest government PhD stipends in Asia-Pacific — yet most international applicants only know the generic "Australia RTP" label and miss that each university runs its own rounds with different deadlines. Sydney's Round 2 (Research Periods 3 & 4, 2027) deadline of 18 December 2026 is a genuine second chance after the September round closed.
or USYDIS + automatic University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship. Fee scholarships cover 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) included for international students. Relocation allowance (up to AUD $1,485 per claim, two claims) and…
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor MastersMasters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Masters and PhD programs.
Who can apply
International students who are commencing or currently enrolled in a higher degree by research (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Sydney. Preference may be given to applicants intending to enrol (or enrolled) in a PhD; who have not previously received an Australian Government or University scholarship to complete an HDR course at the same level; and who have not previously completed an HDR course at the same level.
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
Must meet the University of Sydney's English language requirements for the HDR course itself (standard USyd postgraduate English thresholds apply — confirm the current year's requirement before publishing).
Other Certificates
Degree certificates & transcripts
Age Limit
None published (unverified — confirm before publishing).
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
International students who are commencing or currently enrolled in a higher degree by research (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Sydney.…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
Must meet the University of Sydney's English language requirements for the HDR course itself (standard USyd postgraduate English thresholds apply — confirm the current year's requirement before publishing).
02
Qualification
International students who are commencing or currently enrolled in a higher degree by research (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Sydney
03
Documents
Standard USyd HDR admission documents (academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, evidence of English proficiency, referee reports as required by the faculty) plus the RTP scholarship application fo
Document checklist
01Standard USyd HDR admission documents (academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, evidence of English proficiency, referee reports as required by the faculty) plus the RTP scholarship application fo
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Admitted international HDR students enter on a Subclass 500 Student visa, sponsored by the University of Sydney's Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Application Procedure
4 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Identify a research area and (strongly recommended)
contact a potential supervisor at the University of Sydney before applying.
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02
Apply for admission to a higher degree
by research through Sydney Courses, submitting ALL required admission documentation by the international deadline in the 'Application and award timeline' table.
→
03
Submit the separate RTP scholarship application form
by the same deadline (commencing and currently enrolled students both use the scholarship application form).
↓
04
Outcomes are issued from 26 February 2027
finalised 18 May 2027 for off-shore applicants and 30 June 2027 for on-shore applicants (applicants completing a degree in Australia).
Application milestones
18 Dec 2026
Application deadline
2026
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official University of Sydney platform.
18 Dec 2026 — (submission deadline for Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027). No time-of-day published on the official page —…
Who can apply?
International students who are commencing or currently enrolled in a higher degree by research (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Sydney. Preference may be given to applicants intending to enrol (or enrolled) in a PhD; who have not previously received an Australian Government or University scholarship to complete an HDR course at the same level; and who have not previously completed an HDR course at the same level.
What does the scholarship cover?
RTP Stipend Scholarship + automatic RTP Fee Offset; or USYDIS + automatic University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship. Fee scholarships cover 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) included for international students. Relocation allowance (up to AUD $1,485 per claim, two claims) and…
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Australia · University of Sydney