{"id":77421,"date":"2026-04-10T10:56:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T10:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=77421"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T10:56:25","slug":"study-in-australia-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Study in Australia for Free: Scholarships Indian Students Can Get in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">17<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>In 2026, the RTP scholarship will give out Rs.24.29 lakh (AUD 37,010) every year.<\/li>\n\n    <li>People from India can get Australia Awards to pay for graduate school.<\/li>\n\n    <li>To get a Maitri Scholarship, you must be an Indian PhD student in a STEM field.<\/li>\n\n    <li>NOS pays for the whole school year and gives an annual maintenance allowance of Rs.10.09 lakh.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for:  Indian students planning to get a scholarship for postgraduate or PhD study in Australia in 2026-27.\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Tuition for international postgraduate students in Australia ranges from Rs.18 lakh to Rs.30 lakh per year (AUD 27,000\u201346,000), before living costs, making these scholarships worth Rs.40\u201355 lakh over a two-year program.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#The_5_Pathways_to_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\" title=\"The 5 Pathways to Study in Australia for Free\">The 5 Pathways to Study in Australia for Free<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Australia_Awards_Scholarship_Are_Indian_Students_Eligible_for_the_Scholarship\" title=\"Australia Awards Scholarship: Are Indian Students Eligible for the Scholarship\">Australia Awards Scholarship: Are Indian Students Eligible for the Scholarship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#RTP_Scholarship_How_Research_Students_Can_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\" title=\"RTP Scholarship: How Research Students Can Study in Australia for Free\">RTP Scholarship: How Research Students Can Study in Australia for Free<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Maitri_Scholarship_India-Australia_STEM_Research_Funding\" title=\"Maitri Scholarship: India-Australia STEM Research Funding\">Maitri Scholarship: India-Australia STEM Research Funding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#University-Specific_Scholarships_What_Coursework_Students_Can_Realistically_Expect\" title=\"University-Specific Scholarships: What Coursework Students Can Realistically Expect\">University-Specific Scholarships: What Coursework Students Can Realistically Expect<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Indian_Government_Scholarships_for_Studying_in_Australia\" title=\"Indian Government Scholarships for Studying in Australia\">Indian Government Scholarships for Studying in Australia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Which_Scholarship_Should_You_Apply_For_A_Decision_Framework_by_Student_Situation\" title=\"Which Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Decision Framework by Student Situation\">Which Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Decision Framework by Student Situation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Required_Documents_to_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\" title=\"Required Documents to Study in Australia for Free\">Required Documents to Study in Australia for Free<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Month-by-Month_Action_Plan_for_Study_in_Australia_for_Free_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Month-by-Month Action Plan for Study in Australia for Free for Indian Students\">Month-by-Month Action Plan for Study in Australia for Free for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#What_to_Do_When_Things_Go_Wrong\" title=\"What to Do When Things Go Wrong\">What to Do When Things Go Wrong<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-australia-for-free\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-b59a22c\" id=\"strong-the-5-pathways-to-study-in-australia-for-free-strong\" data-block-id=\"b59a22c\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_5_Pathways_to_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\"><\/span><strong>The 5 Pathways to Study in Australia for Free<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several strong ways for Indian students in 2026\u201327 to study in Australia for free or at a very low cost. The five main pathways are shown below, along with some new bilateral funding options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Who It\u2019s For<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Funding Level<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>What It Covers<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>India Eligible?<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/scholarship-finder\/australia-awards-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia Awards Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Indian citizens; UG or Postgraduate<\/td><td><strong>Fully Funded<\/strong><\/td><td>Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance (OSHC), and establishment allowance<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education.gov.au\/research-block-grants\/research-training-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research Training Program (RTP)<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>International PhD or Master&#8217;s by Research students<\/td><td><strong>Fully Funded<\/strong><\/td><td>Full tuition offset + living stipend (approx. $35k\u2013$42k AUD) \u20b923.35 lakh to \u20b925.89 lakh per year<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/the-maitri-scholars-program-empowering-indian-scholars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maitri Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Indian citizens; PhD in STEM at select unis<\/td><td><strong>Fully Funded<\/strong><\/td><td>Tuition, airfare, stipend, and professional development<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rotary.org\/en\/our-programs\/peace-fellowships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rotary Peace Fellowship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Professionals in peace\/development<\/td><td><strong>Fully Funded<\/strong><\/td><td>Tuition, fees, room &amp; board, airfare, and internship expenses<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/national-overseas-scholarship-eligibility-application-and-selection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>SC\/ST and specific Indian categories only<\/td><td><strong>Fully Funded<\/strong><\/td><td>Tuition + \u20b910.09 lakh annual stipend + airfare &amp; visa fees<\/td><td><strong>India only<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education.gov.au\/destination-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Destination Australia<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Students studying in regional Australia<\/td><td><strong>Partial<\/strong><\/td><td>Up to $15,000 AUD per year (\u20b99.82 Lakh)<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>University Merit Scholarships<\/strong><\/td><td>High-achieving coursework students<\/td><td><strong>Partial<\/strong><\/td><td>15% to 50% tuition reduction<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quadfellowship.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quad Fellowship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Emerging:<\/strong> Indian STEM citizens with a Bachelor&#8217;s degree<\/td><td><strong>Varies<\/strong><\/td><td>Support for master&#8217;s or doctoral students in STEM<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>AISRF<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Emerging:<\/strong> Collaborative research; requires ABN\/partner<\/td><td><strong>Bilateral<\/strong><\/td><td>Collaborative research funding between India and Australia<\/td><td><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Note<\/strong>: <em>INR conversions are based on an approximate exchange rate of <\/em><strong><em>1 EUR = 65.50 INR.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This page has more information about <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/australia-fully-partially-funded-scholarships-for-international-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia&#8217;s fully and partially funded scholarships for international students<\/a>, including smaller awards for specific universities that aren&#8217;t listed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-53a840c\" id=\"strong-australia-awards-scholarship-are-indian-students-eligible-for-the-scholarship-strong\" data-block-id=\"53a840c\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Australia_Awards_Scholarship_Are_Indian_Students_Eligible_for_the_Scholarship\"><\/span><strong>Australia Awards Scholarship: Are Indian Students Eligible for the Scholarship<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This award allows Indian citizens to study in Australia for free at the postgraduate level. It covers all tuition fees, airfare, and a living stipend. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfat.gov.au\/people-to-people\/australia-awards\/australia-awards-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)<\/a> is in charge of the Australia Awards Scholarships, and India has been confirmed as a country that will be taking part. You have until April 30, 2026, to apply to start school in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scholarship pays for all of your school costs, one round-trip flight in economy class, a stipend to help with living costs every two weeks, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for you, a one-time establishment allowance, and enrollment in a required Introductory Academic Program (IAP) before you start studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most articles about this scholarship don&#8217;t mention that winners must return to India for at least two years after finishing. DFAT can take back the full cost of the scholarship as a debt if you don&#8217;t follow through. This isn&#8217;t just a small matter. You have to follow through on the terms of the contract you sign before the award is given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the scholarships are given to people who are going to graduate school (Master\u2019s and PhD). There are some undergraduate allocations, but they are limited and depend on India&#8217;s country profile. Before you apply, check the DFAT website&#8217;s India country profile to see which fields are the most important and if there are any eligibility requirements that are specific to India for this cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfat.gov.au\/people-to-people\/australia-awards\/how-to-apply-for-an-australia-awards-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) <\/a>is used to send in the application. You can start writing an application and make changes to it until the deadline. The application can&#8217;t be changed after it has been sent in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight: <\/em><\/strong><em>The best-performing applications from Indian candidates connect a specific, named research or professional goal directly to a named problem in India&#8217;s public sector, not generic &#8216;contributing to India&#8217;s growth&#8217; framing. Vague development impact statements rarely survive the shortlisting stage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-4486f8d\" id=\"strong-rtp-scholarship-how-research-students-can-study-in-australia-for-free-strong\" data-block-id=\"4486f8d\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RTP_Scholarship_How_Research_Students_Can_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\"><\/span><strong>RTP Scholarship: How Research Students Can Study in Australia for Free<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Each university administers the Australian Government&#8217;s Research Training Program (RTP), a block grant program. It helps PhD and Master&#8217;s by Research students, both in the United States and other countries, by giving them a full scholarship to cover their tuition and a living stipend every two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The yearly stipend amounts for 2026 at the top universities that Indian students like are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fees for the University of Melbourne are Rs.25.89 lakh (AUD 39,500) per year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rs.25.61 lakh (AUD 39,069) a year for<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/australia\/university-details\/australian-national-university-anu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Australian National University (ANU)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It costs Rs.24.26 lakh (AUD 37,010) a year to go to <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/australia\/university-details\/queensland-university-of-technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Queensland University of Technology.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AUD 35,656 a year for <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/australia\/university-details\/griffith-university\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Griffith University<\/a>, which is Rs. 23.35 lakh<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As long as you work full-time, the RTP will pay for your PhD for up to 3.5\u20134 years and your Master&#8217;s by Research for up to 2 years. It also comes with Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students at most universities and a moving grant of between AUD 2,000 and AUD 3,000, depending on whether you are moving from within Australia or from another country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get an RTP scholarship, you don&#8217;t go through the Department of Education. You apply through the university&#8217;s process for getting into graduate school for research. At most universities, all you have to do to get in is check the scholarship box on your application. You don&#8217;t need to send an extra RTP form. The scholarship is then given out through a competitive process using the university&#8217;s set pool of applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> the international RTP scholarship rounds for the February intake at the <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/university-of-melbourne-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Melbourne<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/university-of-sydney-international-scholarship-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Sydney<\/a>, and ANU usually end in July or August each year. Every year, deadlines change, so check the scholarship page for each school before you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Counselor insight: Having a confirmed supervisor before you apply is not optional; it directly raises your departmental ranking for RTP allocation. Most Indian students who receive RTP offers have been corresponding with their intended supervisor for three to six months before the round opens. Start those emails now, not in July.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-eca6823\" id=\"strong-maitri-scholarship-india-australia-stem-research-funding-strong\" data-block-id=\"eca6823\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maitri_Scholarship_India-Australia_STEM_Research_Funding\"><\/span><strong>Maitri Scholarship: India-Australia STEM Research Funding<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.australiaindiacentre.org.au\/our-programs\/maitri-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maitri Scholarships Program<\/a>, which is only for Indian citizens who want to get a PhD in a STEM field at one of a few Australian universities. You don&#8217;t apply for it directly as a scholarship. You can&#8217;t apply to CAIR on your own; Australian universities nominate candidates through CAIR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get into a participating Australian university for a PhD, you need to do the following: If the university picks you as a finalist, they might be able to nominate you for the Maitri Scholarship through SmartyGrants. After that, the Centre looks over all the nominations and picks the scholars. The total amount of money available for the 2025\u201326 Maitri Scholarships cycle was up to AUD 4.462 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coverage includes a large financial contribution toward tuition fees, a one-time payment for establishment costs (airfare, visa, student health cover, temporary accommodation), a monthly stipend for living expenses, and funding for professional development events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The deadline for nominations for 2025\u201326 has passed (universities had until late November 2025 to submit their nominations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re a student looking to apply for the next cycle, keep an eye on the Centre for Australia-India Relations website around September 2026. Clean energy, critical technology, and other STEM fields that fit with the Australia-India bilateral agenda are some of the top priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can&#8217;t use Maitri right now if your HDR application hasn&#8217;t gotten a university offer yet. First, make sure you get the university offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-70dc226\" id=\"strong-university-specific-scholarships-what-coursework-students-can-realistically-expect-strong\" data-block-id=\"70dc226\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"University-Specific_Scholarships_What_Coursework_Students_Can_Realistically_Expect\"><\/span><strong>University-Specific Scholarships: What Coursework Students Can Realistically Expect<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can&#8217;t get the RTP or Australia Awards if you are a Master&#8217;s by coursework student in any field, whether it&#8217;s IT, business, engineering, or something else. There is a partial tuition waiver from the university based on your academic performance, which is usually handled automatically when you apply to most schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International merit scholarships at <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/macquarie-university-scholarships-for-indian-students-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Macquarie University<\/a> usually cover 15\u201350% of tuition. For the higher levels, you need a distinction average, which in Indian grading is about 75% or more. There are postgraduate coursework awards at the University of Sydney that range from 20% of tuition to AUD 40,000 for some programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is that you shouldn&#8217;t plan your budget around full coverage but around a 20\u201330% reduction. The biggest mistake Indian students make before they come to Australia is thinking they will get a full scholarship for a coursework Master&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> At most universities, you don&#8217;t need to fill out a separate scholarship application for merit waivers. A positive academic record helps people judge you. Students often overlook the fact that universities distribute these waivers on a rolling basis. If you apply earlier in the admissions cycle, you have a better chance of getting one before the pool is full.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-780075f\" id=\"strong-indian-government-scholarships-for-studying-in-australia-strong\" data-block-id=\"780075f\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Government_Scholarships_for_Studying_in_Australia\"><\/span><strong>Indian Government Scholarships for Studying in Australia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>India&#8217;s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/socialjustice.gov.in\/schemes\/28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Overseas Scholarship (NOS<\/a>). It pays for all Indian students from SC\/ST and other notified categories to go to QS top-500 universities abroad, including Australia, to get their Master&#8217;s or PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scholarship covers full tuition, an annual maintenance fee of Rs.10.09 lakh (AUD 15,400), economy airfare, visa fees, and health insurance. Every year, about 125 scholarships are given out. Of these, 115 are for SC candidates, 6 are for Denotified\/Nomadic\/Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and 4 are for Landless Agricultural Laborers. 30% are set aside for women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For core eligibility, you must be an Indian citizen from an eligible category, have at least a 60% in your qualifying degree, be younger than 35, have a family income of less than Rs. 6 lakh per year, have an unconditional offer from a QS top-500 university, and not have any other sources of funding. Before the possible deadline of March 31, 2026, you can apply at <a href=\"http:\/\/nosmsje.gov.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nosmsje.gov.in<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight: <\/em><\/strong><em>The NOS sends money back to students through the Indian High Commission in Canberra; it does not send funds directly to students. As soon as you get to Australia, you need to register with the High Commission. If students skip this step, they will have to wait months to get their money.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-fa34154\" id=\"strong-which-scholarship-should-you-apply-for-a-decision-framework-by-student-situation-strong\" data-block-id=\"fa34154\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Scholarship_Should_You_Apply_For_A_Decision_Framework_by_Student_Situation\"><\/span><strong>Which Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Decision Framework by Student Situation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-f92a3df\" id=\"strong-scenario-1-if-you-are-in-your-last-year-of-b-tech-and-will-graduate-in-may-2026-with-a-cgpa-of-8-5-or-higher-and-want-to-get-a-ph-d-in-engineering-or-computer-science-you-must-strong\" data-block-id=\"f92a3df\"><h4 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Scenario 1: If you are in your last year of B.Tech and will graduate in May 2026 with a CGPA of 8.5 or higher and want to get a PhD in engineering or computer science, you must:<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your main goal is to reach the RTP. Right now, you shouldn&#8217;t be filling out a scholarship application. Instead, identify two or three potential supervisors at Australian universities whose research aligns with your thesis topic. In April or May 2026, after your final exams, send them an email with a short research proposal and information about yourself as a student. If a supervisor responds positively and agrees to be your supervisor, apply for a PhD, and make sure the RTP box is checked. Most universities hold their main international RTP round in July and August 2026, with start dates in February 2027. You can apply to an Australian university with a provisional certificate from your university that has the official seal and signature of the registrar, but your degree certificate won&#8217;t be ready then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-31a36cf\" id=\"strong-scenario-2-you-are-a-working-professional-with-two-years-of-experience-in-business-or-it-you-want-to-get-your-masters-degree-through-coursework-and-your-family-makes-about-12-lakh-rupees-a-year-strong\" data-block-id=\"31a36cf\"><h4 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Scenario 2: You are a working professional with two years of experience in business or IT. You want to get your Master&#8217;s degree through coursework, and your family makes about 12 lakh rupees a year:<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can&#8217;t get a government scholarship that lets you study for free. You can&#8217;t get the RTP because it only covers coursework, and the Australia Awards require a two-year stay in India after graduation, which most people can&#8217;t do. In reality, you should apply to schools that automatically look at merit waivers. At this level, Macquarie University, QUT, and RMIT are all excellent choices. If you have an Indian degree with a distinction, you can get a 20\u201325% tuition discount. Separately plan for the last 75\u201380% of tuition and living expenses. Before you sign up for a program, find out how much it <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/australia\/cost-of-studying-in-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">costs to study in Australia<\/a>. This will help you understand your overall budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight: <\/em><\/strong><em>For the remaining 75\u201380% of costs, an education loan is the most common route Indian students take. SBI&#8217;s Global Ed-Vantage and HDFC Credila both cover Australian universities directly, and LeapScholar&#8217;s finance desk can help you map out the numbers before you apply.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-5e85a90\" id=\"strong-scenario-3-if-you-are-an-sc-st-student-with-62-in-your-bachelors-degree-and-a-family-income-of-rs-4-5-lakh-a-year-and-you-want-to-go-to-a-foreign-school-to-get-your-masters-or-ph-d-strong\" data-block-id=\"5e85a90\"><h4 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Scenario 3: If you are an SC\/ST student with 62% in your bachelor&#8217;s degree and a family income of Rs. 4.5 lakh a year, and you want to go to a foreign school to get your master&#8217;s or PhD<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Overseas Scholarship is tailored specifically for you. You meet the core requirements if you get an unconditional offer from a QS Top 500 university in Australia and your 62% is higher than the minimum of 60%. Your family income is also well below the Rs.6 lakh ceiling. Before the possible deadline of March 31, 2026, you can apply online at nosmsje.gov.in. Keep in mind that each eligible country can only get 125 scholarships per cycle, so the competition is real. You should apply to the Australian university you want to attend when the NOS application portal opens, so that the admission offer is ready to upload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-f956f4a\" id=\"strong-required-documents-to-study-in-australia-for-free-strong\" data-block-id=\"f956f4a\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Required_Documents_to_Study_in_Australia_for_Free\"><\/span><strong>Required Documents to Study in Australia for Free<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for these pathways and <strong>study in Australia for free<\/strong>, Indian students need the following standardized documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Document<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>What It Is<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>India-Specific Detail<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Attestation Required?<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Academic Transcripts<\/strong><\/td><td>Semester or year-wise marksheets<\/td><td>Consolidated marksheets are usually accepted if issued by the Registrar.<\/td><td>Notarised copy typically required; some unis accept self-attested scans.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Provisional Certificate<\/strong><\/td><td>Temporary degree proof<\/td><td>Accepted if it bears the official university seal and Registrar&#8217;s signature.<\/td><td>No apostille needed for the application; it may be required for the visa.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Degree Certificate<\/strong><\/td><td>Final awarded degree<\/td><td>Name must match your passport exactly to avoid visa delays.<\/td><td>Notarised copy is standard.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Passport<\/strong><\/td><td>Primary ID document<\/td><td>Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended study end date.<\/td><td>Self-attested copy.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>English Proficiency<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\/practice-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IELTS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/toefl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TOEFL iBT<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/pte\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PTE<\/a><\/td><td>Minimum 6.5 overall (7.0 for Australia Awards). Book 3 months in advance.<\/td><td>Original TRF required; copies usually not accepted.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/statement-of-purpose\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SOP \/ Research Proposal<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>1,000\u20132,000-word statement<\/td><td>RTP requires a supervisor\/research gap; Australia Awards needs a development link.<\/td><td>None.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/letter-of-recommendation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Letters of Rec (LOR)<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>2\u20133 academic referees<\/td><td>Referees (e.g., IIT\/NIT faculty) usually must email the university directly.<\/td><td>None.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Caste Certificate<\/strong><\/td><td>SC\/ST certificate (for NOS)<\/td><td>Issued by Tehsildar; category must match the Central List for eligibility.<\/td><td>Attested copy required.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Income Certificate<\/strong><\/td><td>Family income proof (for NOS)<\/td><td>Must be issued by a government authority (BDO\/SDO); bank statements are not substitutes.<\/td><td>Attested copy required.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>No Objection (NOC)<\/strong><\/td><td>Employment clearance<\/td><td>Required only for NOS applicants currently employed.<\/td><td>Employer signature on letterhead.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For the full list of documents required for the Australian student visa application itself, see the<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/australia-study-visa-requirements-documents-and-funds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/australia-study-visa-requirements-documents-and-funds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia study visa requirements and documents<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-1bdb2b1\" id=\"strong-month-by-month-action-plan-for-study-in-australia-for-free-for-indian-students-strong\" data-block-id=\"1bdb2b1\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Month-by-Month_Action_Plan_for_Study_in_Australia_for_Free_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Month-by-Month Action Plan for Study in Australia for Free for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Month<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Action<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>April 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Australia Awards Deadline<\/strong> (30 April). Send supervisor outreach for RTP.<\/td><td>Do not wait for exam results to contact PhD supervisors; they look at your potential and proposal first.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>May 2026<\/strong><\/td><td>Collect <strong>Provisional Certificate<\/strong> post-exams. Book an English test (IELTS\/PTE).<\/td><td>Most universities need the provisional certificate to issue a &#8220;Conditional Offer.&#8221; Registrars usually take 1\u20132 weeks.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>June 2026<\/strong><\/td><td>Results published. Scan all marksheets. Begin university applications.<\/td><td>Apply to 3\u20135 universities simultaneously to maximise your chances for an RTP stipend.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>July 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Major RTP Rounds Open<\/strong> (ANU, Melbourne, Monash).<\/td><td>Submit early. Online portals (OASIS\/University sites) often lag near deadlines due to high traffic.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>August 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>ANU RTP Deadline.<\/strong> Confirm supervisor recommendations.<\/td><td>Ensure your referees have submitted their letters; an incomplete file will not be considered for the scholarship.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sept 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Maitri Scholarships<\/strong> cycle opens. Continue Sydney\/UNSW rounds.<\/td><td>Remember: You apply to the university first; the university then nominates you for Maitri.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Oct\u2013Nov 2026<\/strong><\/td><td>Receive offers. Prepare a <strong>GS (Genuine Student)<\/strong> statement.<\/td><td>The <strong>Genuine Student (GS)<\/strong> requirement replaced GTE. Focus on your specific study intent and career goals in India.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dec 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Submit Student Visa (Subclass 500).<\/strong><\/td><td>Due to <strong>EL3 status<\/strong>, provide 3 months of &#8220;seasoned&#8221; financial records (approx. $55k\u2013$65k AUD).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Jan 2027<\/strong><\/td><td>Visa outcome. Book flights. Register with the Indian Consulate.<\/td><td>Under EL3, visa processing for Indians can take <strong>6\u201310 weeks<\/strong>. Don&#8217;t book non-refundable flights until the visa is granted.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Feb 2027<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Semester 1 Commencement.<\/strong><\/td><td>Post-study work rights: see the<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/pws-post-study-work-permit-in-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/pws-post-study-work-permit-in-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post-study work permit in Australia<\/a> guide for what follows graduation.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-6faea7b\" id=\"strong-what-to-do-when-things-go-wrong-strong\" data-block-id=\"6faea7b\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_When_Things_Go_Wrong\"><\/span><strong>What to Do When Things Go Wrong<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Your score on the IELTS test is less than 6.5.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do it again. For government scholarship programs, like Australia Awards and most RTP tests, you can&#8217;t get around the requirement of a minimum score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. If your score is close, a pre-sessional English program at the university will meet the requirements for admission, but it won&#8217;t meet the IELTS requirement for the scholarship. The fastest way to get a 6.5 is to focus on improving your writing and speaking, which is where most Indian students lose points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Your grade report or degree certificate has not been sent to you yet.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Australian universities will accept an application with a provisional certificate that has the official seal and signature of your university&#8217;s registrar. It is best to visit the registrar&#8217;s office the week after your last exam, not during convocation. You need to write your name, the program you finished, the year you graduated, and your CGPA or percentage on the provisional certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Your application for the scholarship was turned down.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For RTP, most schools hold a second round in the middle of the year. Contact the graduate research office to inquire about the possibility of reviewing your application with new documents. A new publication or a stronger reference letter, for instance, might alter your ranking. You won&#8217;t be penalized for failing the Australia Awards the first time if you try again the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Even though you had a scholarship offer, your student visa was turned down.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A scholarship letter makes your application stronger, but it doesn&#8217;t mean you&#8217;ll get the scholarship. Proof Level 3 people are looking closely at Indian students. Usually, a scholarship is turned down because the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement isn&#8217;t strong enough, or the financial documents don&#8217;t match the costs that were found. Deal with the specific reason for the rejection before you apply again<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>You missed the due date for the NOS.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The NOS runs once a year. Write to your Australian university and ask for a delay. Most research universities will hold a PhD offer for one semester if you can explain that you are still applying for scholarships. Do not forget to ask about the offer before it ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-53341b1\" id=\"strong-conclusion-strong\" data-block-id=\"53341b1\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The university&#8217;s departmental process primarily determines the RTP scholarship. A professor who has agreed to supervise you will work to improve your scholarship ranking. This week, write to two or three possible supervisors. The email doesn&#8217;t have to be long, just introduce yourself, write a short paragraph about what you&#8217;re interested in researching, and send it along with your CV and a half-page research idea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make a budget for everything before you apply, like tuition, living expenses, your visa, and your flight. Start with how much it costs for Indian students to study in Australia, and then take away the realistic partial waiver. Universities like QUT, Macquarie, and RMIT automatically look at merit waivers when you apply, so you don&#8217;t need to fill out a separate form. However, you should know how much you will still have to pay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SC\/ST students who meet NOS eligibility have access to one of the most complete funding packages available to Indian students going to Australia: tuition, a stipend, and airfare, but the application window is short. If you qualify, treat it as your primary application, not a backup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Verified by LeapScholar&#8217;s Australia counselling team. Have questions? <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=Counselling_SEO&amp;utm_medium=Blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book a free session with a LeapScholar <\/a>counselor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d2460c2\" id=\"strong-fa-qs-strong\" data-block-id=\"d2460c2\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><strong>FAQs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818269926\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I study in Australia for free without doing a PhD?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It is rare to get full funding for coursework (Master&#8217;s or Bachelor&#8217;s). The Australia Awards is the best way to get &#8220;free&#8221; postgraduate education, but you have to commit to going back to India for two years, and the competition is very tough. If not, you will have to rely on university merit scholarships, which usually only cover 20\u201350% of tuition. This means you will have to pay for your room and board and the rest of your fees. Full funding for undergraduate study has partial waivers of 15\u201325% available at universities like Macquarie, La Trobe, and RMIT based on Class 12 scores and English proficiency.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818282672\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is India actually an eligible country for the Australia Awards Scholarship in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, India is definitely going to be a part of the cycle that ends on April 30, 2026. Those who want to apply must live in India, be at least 18 years old, and meet certain priority sector requirements. Chosen scholars will start their studies in 2027. Before applying, always check the DFAT website for updates on eligibility in India.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818285294\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the RTP scholarship annual stipend in rupees?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>With an exchange rate of \u20b965.50 to the Australian dollar, the stipend for 2026 ranges from about \u20b923.35 lakh to \u20b925.89 lakh per year. Some rates are \u20b925.89L for the University of Melbourne, \u20b925.61L for ANU, and \u20b923.35L for Griffith. These numbers are updated every year to keep up with Australia&#8217;s rising cost of living.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818286720\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><br><strong>How do I apply for the RTP if I am still finishing my BTech?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Use your current transcripts to apply directly through the research portal of the university you want to attend. You can start without your final degree, but you must show a provisional one. certificate before the scholarship is finalized. Getting approval from a supervisor via email before your finals is crucial for a strong application.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818288036\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I work part-time in Australia if I am on an RTP scholarship?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A Student Visa (Subclass 500) lets you work up to 48 hours every two weeks, but your school may have stricter rules that are unique to RTP. As of 2025, many schools require written permission to make sure that work doesn&#8217;t get in the way of your research. Before signing a work contract, you should always check your university&#8217;s internal rules.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818291250\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>My IELTS is 6.0 overall. I have an RTP scholarship offer. Will I be refused?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A score of 6.0 on the IELTS is lower than the normal requirement for visas and scholarships, which is 6.5. The scholarship offer is likely to stay &#8220;conditional,&#8221; which means you need to take the test again and get a better score in order to get the visa. If you don&#8217;t meet the English requirement by the deadline for enrollment, the scholarship is usually taken away.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818292612\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does holding a scholarship guarantee approval of my Australian student visa?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A scholarship is helpful, but it&#8217;s not a must-have. Evidence Level 3 applies to India, indicating a thorough examination of your Genuine Student (GS) status and financial history. Visa officers need to be sure that you really want to study and then come back to India. If your paperwork isn&#8217;t consistent, they may not let you in, even if you have money.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818294070\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the Maitri Scholarship, and can I apply directly as a student?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, students can&#8217;t send their applications straight to the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR). You must first get a PhD offer from a university that is participating. The university will then choose the best candidates and send them to the program. Focus on conducting research in STEM fields and stay informed about the upcoming cycle, set to commence around September 2026, to facilitate discussions about nominations with your department.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818295246\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>If my RTP was turned down, can I apply again?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You can get over being turned down. In the next round, you can apply again to the same or different schools. To do well, use the time between programs to improve your profile by doing research, publishing a paper, or making changes to your proposal based on what the university&#8217;s graduate research office says.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775818466215\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does receiving an RTP or Australia Awards scholarship affect my post-study work rights?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>RTP does not restrict your eligibility for the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) after completing your degree. Australia Awards scholars, however, are contractually required to return to India for two years post-graduation, making post-study work in Australia not applicable under that program.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">17<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read In 2026, the RTP scholarship will give out Rs.24.29 lakh (AUD 37,010) every year. People from India can get Australia Awards to pay for graduate school. To get a Maitri Scholarship, you must be an Indian PhD student in a STEM field. NOS pays for the whole school year and gives an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77421"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77421"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77424,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77421\/revisions\/77424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}