10 PhD scholarships in Australia for 2022

Australia has been a perennial favourite destination among international PhD candidates: cutting-edge facilities, well-regarded universities with robust global rankings and dynamic research culture. Little wonder many seek PhD scholarships in Australia.

Home to six of the world’s top 100 universities, this country is one of the world’s education powerhouses. These universities offer almost every major possible, which is another attractive incentive.

At the same time, an Australian PhD takes on average three and a half years to complete; with research supervisors who strive to ensure students complete their PhDs on time and successfully. The high emphasis placed on education in Australia should assure that the quality of an Australian PhD is not compromised as well.

All of the above, however, do not come cheap. Melbourne has “one of the world’s wildest and most expensive real estate markets.” Sydney was recently ranked the most expensive city in Australia and 14th most expensive globally, thanks to its astronomical property prices, living costs, transportation and telecommunications.

University tuition fees are not cheap either. That is why in order to attract the best talents from all over the world, the government and universities listed below have created the following PhD scholarships in Australia for international students:

Australian National University – Australian Government Research Training Programme (AGRTP) International Fee Offset Scholarship

Australian National University is the top-ranked university in Australia (QS World Ranking 2021). Located in Canberra, this research-intensive university is well-known for its research expertise and strong industry partnerships.

These generous Australian PhD scholarships include living stipend and tuition fees coverage as well as health insurance cover, making them one of the world’s best PhD scholarships. Source: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

This particular PhD scholarship – provided by the Australian government – covers three years’ tuition fees with two possible six-month extensions, and overseas student health cover for the student and their immediate family. You should contact your prospective supervisor beforehand to discuss your research topic; the deadline is Apr. 15 if you plan to study in 2022. 

University of Sydney International Scholarship

The University of Sydney is consistently one of the world’s top 50 universities, thanks to its excellent teaching and research. Offering Australia’s widest range of academic programmes, students at this university can participate in the latest research projects as well.

This International Scholarship – covering both tuition fee and stipend scholarships via the Australian Government Research Training Programme – is worth 35,629 Australian Dollars (2021 rate). Note that it has four research periods – however, the submission deadline is Sep. 30, 2022 should you apply in Research Period 1 and 2, 2023.

China Scholarship Council-University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

Ranked 33rd in the world, the University of Melbourne has an enviable network of research platforms that enable its student researchers to have access to some of the best research infrastructure. Their vibrant community of alumni and leading academics allows you to access industry-integrated learning and networking opportunities there as well.

This PhD scholarship – for citizens of the People’s Republic of China only – is provided by both the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne; the former will contribute to return airfares, living stipend of 22,800 Australian dollars per year (2020 rate) and visa application fees. The latter provides a full fee tuition scholarship up to four years and a supplementary living allowance of AU$10,200 per year (2021 rate).

University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship

All international students can apply for this PhD scholarship without needing to fill in a separate form. When you apply for a graduate course at University of Melbourne, you are automatically considered for this scholarship. 

Scholarship winners will get AU$31,200 (2021 rate) as a living stipend for three and a half years, a relocation grant of AU$3,000 if they are from overseas, and Overseas Health Student Cover. The Fee Offset Scholarship will pay your tuition fees for up to four years.

Monash University Graduate Research Scholarship

Monash University is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight – a group of Australian universities with excellent teaching and research – with six locations in the state of Victoria. Not only is it ranked 58th by QS World University Rankings 2022, but it is also the most innovative university in Australia within the Asia-Pacific region (Reuters, 2019) too.

Working while completing a PhD is impossible, which is why these PhD scholarships in Australia are created. Source: William West/AFP

This scholarship is worth AU$30,000 per year, covering living costs and an additional relocation grant of AU$1,500. The application deadline is Mar. 31, 2022. This can be tied in with the Monash International Tuition Scholarship which covers tuition fees and Overseas Health Student Cover – the deadline application is Mar. 31, 2022 as well.

University of South Australia – William T. Southcott Scholarship

The University of South Australia is famous for having its research rated at or above world-class levels due to its expert supervisors and cutting-edgefacilities. If you are interested in pursuing a PhD in Practical Engineering, this university is offering the William T. Southcott Scholarship. 

It is valued at AU$32,000 per annum for a maximum of three years or three and a half years with an extension which is granted in extremely rare circumstances. As it is linked to a relevant research project – which will commence in 2022 – please contact the Graduate Research Team for further information. 

University of Queensland Earmarked Category 1 PhD project scholarship

The University of Queensland is ranked among the top 50 globally by the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities, 46th in the QS World University Rankings and 66th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Such illustrious rankings are due to innovative research that contributes to life-changing advances, combined with its world-class teaching and research facilities.

This university has Earmarked Category 1 PhD projects within four broad areas; you may apply for the scholarship – which covers both tuition fees and living costs – given by the Australian government for these projects. You should aim to apply before Mar. 31, 2022.

University of Queensland – PhD Scholarship for Bioresorbable Metals for Intraoperative Ligation Clips: In Vitro and Biomechanical Engineering Experiments

This PhD position is available at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, which forms part of the CranioFacial programme within the Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI). This is a collaborative project between the University of Queensland and the HBI.

Get in touch here for further information if you meet the minimum application requirements. This scholarship is valued at AU$28,854 per year (2022 rate) for three and a half years with a possible extension; the deadline is Jan. 9, 2022.

University Technology Sydney International Research Scholarship

Located in the heart of Sydney with a culturally diverse campus, University Technology Sydney is an inclusive public university of technology. Despite their young age – established in 1988 – the university is one of Australia’s largest universities.

This particular PhD scholarship – with an aim to attract international students of high calibre to drive UTS’s research arm – will pay for your tuition fees for up to three years. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2022.

Flinders University – Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant: PhD Scholarship in Material Science and/or Civil Engineering

Flinders University is among the top 2% of world universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022). Located in Bedford Park, south of the city of Adelaide, its main teaching and research campus is home to over 26,000 students.

This particular PhD – a partnership between Flinders University and the University of Melbourne – includes a living stipend of AU$28,854 per year (2022 rate) for three years with a possible extension.

All in all, these PhD scholarships are great choices especially if you have been planning to study in Australia in 2022.