phd stipend australia 2023

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Research Training Program

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The Research Training Program (RTP) provides block grants to higher education providers (HEPs) to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking research doctorate and research masters degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs). Funding is provided on a calendar year basis.

The objectives of the RTP are to:

• provide flexible funding arrangements to support training domestic students and overseas students undertaking HDRs at Australian HEPs
• deliver graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labour market
• support collaboration between HEPs and industry and other research end-users.

Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:

• tuition fees offset
• a stipend for general living costs
• allowances related to the ancillary cost of HDRs.

From 1 January 2017, the RTP replaced the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS), and the Research Training Scheme (RTS).

RTP scholarship periods of support

RTP scholarships are available for a minimum of 3 years and up to a maximum of 4 years at the discretion of the HEP for students undertaking a research doctorate at a full-time student load, and for a minimum of 6 years up to a maximum of 8 years for research doctorate students studying at a part-time student load.

For students undertaking a research masters, RTP scholarships are available for up to 2 years for students studying at a full-time student load, and for up to 4 years for those studying at a part-time student load.

RTP scholarship applications

RTP scholarships are administered by individual HEPs who each have their own application and selection processes. Students need to contact HEPs directly to discuss how to apply for an RTP scholarship. Prospective students may choose to apply for an RTP scholarship at more than one HEP.

Further information

Please see the RTP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for students and administrators for additional information.

Guidelines, conditions and calculations

Australian Government funding is provided through annual block grants to eligible Australian HEPs in accordance with section 46–20 of the  Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 .

2024 RTP grant amounts allocated to eligible HEPs are based on a formula that reflects the relative performance of each HEP in attracting research income and supporting students to complete HDRs.

A detailed guide to  calculating RTP grant amounts  is available.

RTP stipend rates

The RTP base and maximum stipend rates are indexed each year, effective from 1 January. The base and maximum RTP stipend rates for the following year are announced by 1 October each year. The table below details current and recent RTP stipend rates.

A time series of  historical stipend rates for postgraduate research scholarships  is available.

RTP industry internship weighting

The Government announced the introduction of the RTP industry internship weighting through the 2021–22 Budget to incentivise early engagement between industry, HEPs and research doctorate students, and strengthen links between the latest research and industry innovation. It will also open a pipeline of highly skilled research doctorate students for employment in industry based, non-academic roles.

An additional weighting of 2.0 within the RTP funding allocation formula is applied to each research doctorate student reported from 2022 as completing their course having undertaken an eligible industry internship.

Eligible industry internships must be at least 3 months long, consist of 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement, and agreed in written form between the student, HEP and research end-user within 18 months of course commencement for a full-time student, or within 36 months for a part-time student.

HEPs, research doctorate students, and research end-users have the flexibility to decide on optimal arrangements for each industry internship within the eligibility criteria, including the timing of their commencement.

Research doctorate student completion data collected from 2022 will be used in 2024 RTP funding calculation and allocation processes onwards.

Further information is available on the  RTP industry internship weighting FAQs  page.

HDR grievance factsheet

The  HDR grievance factsheet  provides information for HDR students, including RTP scholarship recipients, on the avenues available to pursue a grievance in regard to issues with their HEP.

For more information, refer to:

• RTP FAQs for students
• RTP FAQs for administrators
• RTP industry internship weighting FAQs  
• or email  [email protected]

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UNSW Sydney raises stipends for Higher Degree Research scholarships

Photo: UNSW Sydney

UNSW will lift stipends for PhD and other HDR scholarship candidates from 2023, to set the benchmark for living wage stipends in Australia.

UNSW has announced it will raise stipends for all Higher Degree Research (HDR) scholarship candidates in 2023 – and again in 2024 – to help to ease the financial stress they face due to cost-of-living pressures.

All new higher degree research scholarships will be offered at the rate of $35,000 per annum from Term 1 2023.  All current scholarship holders whose stipend is below $35,000 will also receive the increased amount at the same time. The rate will be the second-highest stipend among Group of Eight universities and well above the Department of Education’s standard rate of $29,863 for 2023.

UNSW will further increase the stipend to $37,684 in 2024, which is in line with the current living wage and is expected to be one of, if not the highest, for an Australian university.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said HDRs are not only core to the university research ecosystem, but HDR graduates are fundamental to Australia’s whole innovation system. The re-examination of the stipend level was driven by an urgent economic and moral imperative, along with a desire to support this critical community.

“UNSW acknowledges the rising cost of living, especially in Sydney, places considerable pressure on our HDR candidates,” Prof. Brungs said.

“We want to support our candidates and provide them with the opportunity to devote undistracted time and effort to their research so that they can explore, develop, and master long-term projects – then contribute to driving innovation for the benefit of all Australians.”

HDR students vital for Australia's R&D productivity

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise Professor Nick Fisk said PhD candidates are an essential but undercompensated part of UNSW’s research firepower.  

“HDRs contribute to more than half of our research outputs, but around 57% have second jobs, taking them away from their projects and thus Australia’s R&D productivity. As a nation, we must attract and retain the best and brightest students at all levels, and increasing stipends will enable the University to recruit the highest quality PhD applicants.

“With 2 per cent of Australians now holding a PhD, impoverishing stipend rates can no longer be ignored. Indeed, this has become a major international issue, affecting almost all PhD students according to a recent Nature survey. HDRs in the UK recently lobbied UK Research & Innovation to gain a modest increase in stipends. UNSW has gone further, now setting the benchmark for living wage stipends in Australia.”

PhD candidate Nora Campbell says she is happy that UNSW is recognising the important work that postgraduate researchers do.

“I think the stipend increase will make a huge difference to many people as it will help offset the high cost of living in Sydney.

“Scientific research is such an important export for UNSW and for Australia, so this is a great step forward in helping UNSW's postgraduate researchers continue to put out high-quality research that benefits Australia and the world.”

Increasing the stipend dovetails with the University’s commitment to increasing scholarship and financial support for coursework students. In August,  UNSW announced an expansion of its Gateway Equity Program , increasing the access rate to 25 per cent over the next five years for first-year students from underrepresented schools and backgrounds.

“The social and economic successes of the individual, the community and the country are built on the transformative power of education,” Prof. Brungs said.

“We want to ensure that anyone, from any background, can consider doing an undergraduate or higher degree research at UNSW.”

HDR candidates are predominantly those studying for Doctor of Philosophy degrees, but also those undertaking Professional Doctorate, Master's by Research and Master of Philosophy higher degree research programs.

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Research Stipend Scholarships

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RMIT has two stipend scholarships available. The RTP Stipend Scholarship (RSS) and the RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship (RRSS).

RSS scholarships are funded by the Australian government and RRSS scholarships are funded by RMIT University. When you apply for a research scholarship through one of the University’s rounds, you will automatically be considered for all the scholarships for which you are eligible.

2024 research scholarships

Applications for scholarships commencing in 2024 are now closed.

Scholarships are awarded through a highly competitive process. It is therefore important that you make sure you read and understand the advice provided to prospective applicants about ensuring their application is competitive on the ‘how to apply’ page.

All scholarship applicants must provide evidence from an academic member of staff who agrees to supervise your research when submitting an expression of interest.

If you intend to apply for one of these scholarships, it is recommended that you start the application process without delay and submit your expression of interest as soon as possible. There may be strong competition for places in some of the research projects on offer.

Value and duration

In 2024, the RSS and RRSS provide the following benefits to recipients:

• a stipend of $34,841 per annum pro rata (full-time study). This amount is subject to indexation annually
• international candidates in receipt of this scholarship are also awarded an RTP International Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship (RIFOS) or an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS)
• all local candidates, Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia are provided with an RTP Fee Offset scholarship. Applicants in receipt of an RTP Fee Offset scholarship are not required to pay tuition fees for the maximum duration of their candidature
• a relocation allowance for the cost of relocating in order to take up their postgraduate research program. The amount is up to $515 per adult and $255 per child to a maximum of $1,540
• paid sick, maternity and parenting leave (within the limits of the Scholarship Terms and Conditions).

The standard duration of a research doctoral scholarship is three and a half years full-time. 

The duration of a research Masters scholarship is two years full-time, with no additional extension available.

The duration of an RSS or RRSS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards a research degree at the same level, prior to the commencement of the RMIT research program. 

Eligibility

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to their academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

Priority is given to applicants who:

• have achieved a high distinction in the final two years of the qualifying program(s). At RMIT, a grade of high distinction represents an academic achievement of 80% or higher
• may be considered by RMIT as having an equivalent level of academic attainment, taking into account previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience
• are able to take receipt of a scholarship for a minimum 12 months duration on a full-time basis (or part-time equivalent) because of prior enrolment in a graduate research program
• have not already completed a graduate research program at the same or higher course level. For example, Masters by Research applicants should not have already completed a Masters by Research or PhD
• an applicant must not previously have held an RMIT or  Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship’s payments commencing
• are or will be enrolled and primarily based at an RMIT Australian campus.

International applicants must meet  English language requirements  by the application closing date to be considered for a scholarship.

Part-time applications from local applicants may be approved if applicants are able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances as specified in the  Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions . Scholarships provided to candidates enrolled on a part-time basis are not tax exempt.

Currently enrolled candidates applying for a scholarship or candidates transferring to RMIT from another institution must have at least 24 months (or part time equivalent) for PhD and 12 months for Masters by research candidature remaining from the commencement of the scholarship.

You will be considered ineligible for a stipend scholarship if:

• you are applying for or undertaking a Masters by Research and you already hold a Research Doctorate, Research Masters or an equivalent research qualification
• you are applying for or undertaking a Research Doctorate and you already hold a Research Doctorate or an equivalent research qualification
• you have previously held a Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship commencement date, or
• you are currently receiving another equivalent award, scholarship or research related salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the annual value of the stipend this scholarship provides.

Key dates and how to apply

All scholarship applications must include evidence of contact with the proposed senior supervisor.

Please check the How to apply  page for details regarding the current scholarship round and how to apply.

Further information

• See the Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions for more information.
• Hobsons Coursefinder – a nation-wide postgraduate scholarship database
• Other scholarships at RMIT
• How to apply for a research degree

Terms and conditions

As the holder of this scholarship you:

• must commence your studies in the scholarship commencement period in which you are applying
• are not able to defer your studies to another year. If a deferral is required, you must apply again the following year if you are unable to take up your award.

Please refer to the  HDR Scholarship Terms and Conditions  for further details.  

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Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Domestic Stipend Scholarship

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Scholarship Information

The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship provides a living allowance for high-quality research higher degree students. They are awarded on academic merit and research experience and/or potential. The RTP also includes a tuition fee off-set for all domestic Research Masters or PhD students. Please refer to the website for further information about the tuition fee off-set .

To be eligible for a RTP Stipend Scholarship, you must:

• To be eligible for a RTP Stipend, RTP Fees Offset or RTP Allowance a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited HDR course of study at an Australian HEP .
• To be eligible for a RTP Stipend a student must not be receiving income from another source to support that student’s general living costs while undertaking their course of study if that income is greater than 75 per cent of that student’s RTP Stipend rate. Income unrelated to the student’s course of study or income received for the student’s course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs is not to be taken into account.
• To be eligible for a RTP Fees Offset a student must not be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth designed to offset HDR fees.

Exemption Request for Online/Part-Time Study:

UNE administered stipend scholarships are normally offered subject to enrolment as a full-time, on campus student for the duration of candidature. If you would like to apply for a scholarship but are unable to enrol as a full-time or on-campus student, you must apply for an exemption request. Please complete the Exemption Request Form and submit it with your scholarship application. The request will be reviewed by the Graduate Research Scholarships Committee alongside your scholarship application. Circumstances for consideration may include but are not limited to caring responsibilities, illness, disability, employment, industry engagement or required location of the research. Applicants must clearly demonstrate their willingness and capacity to establish effective supervisory support through access to regional study centres, regular visits to UNE or similar.

RTP Round Dates:

(Applications can only be accepted during Scholarship Round Dates)

Please note, scholarship applications will be accepted up-to, and including the closing round date. Any applications received after this point will need to reapply in the following round.

2024 Stipend Information:

AU$35,411 (2024) per annum tax-free for full-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.

AU$17,705 (2024) per annum, taxable, for part-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.

Three years and six months full-time for a doctoral degree, two years for a research Master's degree. The duration of an RTP stipend scholarship cannot be extended.

How to apply:

Applicants must meet UNE’s admission requirements for a PhD program. Please see the  entry requirements . Applicants must submit a candidature application if they wish to apply for a scholarship. For more information on submitting a candidature application please see our  how to apply/enrol webpage.

To apply for the scholarship please review the below guidelines and complete the application form:

• Higher Degree Research Candidature and Scholarship Application Guideline
• Higher Degree Research Candidature and Scholarship Application Form

Scholarship and candidature applications can be submitted through AskUNE .

Referee Reports

• All applicants must provide two referee reports. The University will not request reports on your behalf.
• Referees must be qualified to speak with knowledge about the applicants work during the qualification most relevant to this application and on your capacity for research. Referee's cannot be part of your supervision team. Please refer to the conflicts of interest policy. If you are also basing this application on relevant work experience/training, at least one referee must be able to comment on relevant experience.
• Referee reports must be submitted no later then one week after the closing date of the scholarship round.

Applicants must provide contact details of referees on the scholarship application. Applicants must request their referees to submit their written reports directly to the University using the Referee's Report Form .

For further information please visit  AskUNE for HDR students .

Further information about these scholarships can be found on the UNE HDR Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship Policy and in the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017.

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Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend

Living Allowance - $37,000 per annum (tax-free)

Up to 3.5 years FT (PhD), 2 years FT (MRes)

Quick Links

• RTPS Conditions of Award

Funded by the Commonwealth Government Department of Education and Training, the Australian Government Research Training Program Stipends are open to highly ranked research students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and research potential. This scholarship is valued at the above rate per annum and is provided to assist with general living costs.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a RTP Stipend, a student must:

• be undertaking a higher degree by research (HDR) at UTS in the year of the RTP Stipend; and
• not be receiving an equivalent award, stipend or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the RTP Scholarship stipend rate to undertake the HDR. Income earned from sources unrelated to the course of study is not subject to the 75% rule.

Applicants should ensure that they submit their completed application, including all required supporting documentation, by the relevant application deadline. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

Selection process

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will have their application assessed on a competitive basis using a scoring system based on:

• academic merit of the applicant; and
• research and other relevant experience of the applicant; and
• publications record of the applicant; and
• relevance of the proposed research to the University's research strengths.

Applications closed

The application round for Research Session 2 (July) 2024 are due 15 April 2024.

Need more information? Contact...

UTS Graduate Research School Email:  [email protected] New research students:  UTS Future Research Students Currently enrolled research students:  UTS Current Research Students

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

• Scholarships

Graduate Research Scholarships

Scholarship

No application required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for automatic consideration

Benefit amount

100% fee remission and up to $135,000

Eligible study level

Graduate research

Eligible student type

Domestic and international students

Eligible study stage

Future study, Current study

Benefit duration

One or more years

The Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship are offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Stipend and fee offset scholarships

• Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to four years for students undertaking a doctoral degree.
• Living allowance of $37,000 per year pro rata (2024 full-time study rate) for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a doctoral degree. The living allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
• Relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from States or Territories other than Victoria or $3000 for students moving from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia

Fee offset scholarships

For further information, see Manage my scholarship .

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility.

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or
• be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne

Selection criteria

All domestic students who are offered admission to a Masters by Research or doctoral degree (PhD) at the University of Melbourne will receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset).

Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend as well as fee offset are awarded to domestic and international students based on academic merit. Eligible applicants are scored and ranked according to their academic achievement of their last completed degree and their research potential in their field of study. Factors such as completion of a degree at the same level of the research course for which the scholarship is sought, relevant professional experience, refereed publications, specialist medical qualifications or composition of original music may be taken into consideration.

These scholarships are subject to the Graduate Research Scholarships Terms & Conditions (as amended).

Study level:

Student type:

Study stage type:

Need help understanding the process?

Application, how to apply.

If you are a new student and have applied for a graduate research course by the application closing date for that course, you will be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted your course application.

If you have accepted a graduate research course offer and deferred commencement in order to be reconsidered for a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course for which you seek a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

When will I know the outcome?

Domestic students will receive an offer for Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

Offers for Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend and fee offset are made separately but around the same time course offers are made.

Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)

This scholarship is available to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or doctoral degree.

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

This scholarship is supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and offered by the University of Melbourne to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or Doctorate by Research degree. See also the University's RTP Scholarship Policy .

China Scholarship Council - University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne to promote international collaboration and is offered to citizens of the People's Republic of China wishing to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of Melbourne.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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ANU PhD Scholarship

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About this scholarship

This is a stipend scholarship offered by ANU Colleges to Higher Degree by Research candidates. It is normal for recipients to undertake study on a full-time basis, however, in accordance with strict criteria, the scholarship can be awarded for part-time study for Domestic candidates only. International scholars must undertake study on a full-time basis.

SCHOLARSHIP TYPE

Payments made fortnightly

Payments made for 3.5 years

Student types

Student levels

Selection bases

Ongoing eligibility

Extension duration

Field of study

Eligibility.

These scholarships are available to potential and current students who:

• are domestic or international students; and
• have applied for admission to a PhD or Professional Doctorate by Research program; and
• have a Bachelor degree with first-class honours (some Colleges may consider students with upper second-class honours), or a Master degree with a research component or equivalent from a recognised university.

Additional information

How to apply, reference documents, further information.

• Scholarship for 3.5 years
• Travel and removal allowances for students relocating to Canberra to commence their research program
• Thesis allowance
• Dependant Child allowance (International students only)
• Paid medical and parental leave

No application is required specifically for this scholarship as all eligible candidates will be considered. Applications must be complete at the time of submission, including all supporting documentation and referee reports, in order to be considered in the scholarship ranking process.

Application Deadline

In order to be considered for an ANU PhD scholarship, in the main round of scholarship offers, applicants are required to apply for admission by the deadlines below. Once you have applied for the program, all eligible applicants will be automatically considered for the ANU PhD scholarship

Deadlines for scholarship rounds

• ANU PhD Scholarship (1872023) (PDF, 223.4 KB)
• Previous ANU PhD Scholarhsip (7372018) (PDF, 397.27 KB)
• ANU PhD Scholarship conditions of award (International student) (PDF, 218.59 KB)
• ANU PhD Scholarship conditions of award (Domestic student) (PDF, 138.55 KB)
• ANU PhD Scholarship - Conditions of Award 2023 revisions (PDF, 188.69 KB)

Use contact details to request an alternative file format.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to make contact with the relevant Graduate Studies Convener or a prospective supervisor, prior to lodging an application, to discuss the proposed research topic and related matters.

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Australian PhD stipend increase sets off chain reaction

Living allowances become key part of the recruitment pitch, as universities battle for research students and students wrestle with inflation.

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A flurry of increases to Australian PhD stipends could have a “flow-on effect internationally”, as more universities seek to boost their attractiveness to research students.

UNSW Sydney deputy vice-chancellor Nick Fisk said that as competition for doctoral candidates heated up, living allowances would become an increasingly important factor in institutional recruitment pitches.

Professor Fisk said many PhD students chose to study at the institutions where their preferred supervisors worked. “But there are some broad fields where that is not so important,” he added. “It is a competitive world [for] bright students who can get five, six, seven thousand dollars more at one university than the other.”

Many domestic and some international PhD students receive tax-free stipends from Australian universities, funded through the federal government’s Research Training Programme (RTP). While the payments’ annual value can range between A$28,854 and A$45,076 (£15,841 to £24,746), universities have traditionally adopted the lower threshold to maximise doctoral enrolments.

That began changing in 2020, when the University of Sydney increased stipends for many incoming students to A$35,000 – a figure set to reach A$37,207 in 2023. By June 2022, 11 universities were paying stipends above the minimum rate, with five offering over A$30,000. 

The trend has accelerated since then, with the University of Melbourne setting its stipends at A$34,400 in 2023, up from A$32,400 in 2022. In September, the Australian National University announced it was increasing its minimum stipend from A$28,854 to A$34,000.

“[We] felt strongly that it was no longer ethical to stick to the underlying government stipend amount given the cost-of-living pressures on our PhD students,” vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt told staff . “As a nation, we want the best and brightest students to undertake research.” 

In October, the University of Western Australia told higher degree research (HDR) students that their stipends would rise to A$35,000 in 2023. In November, the University of Queensland flagged an increase to A$32,192.

In early December, when UNSW promised a A$35,000 stipend for all HDR scholarship holders, other institutions rapidly followed suit. Within two weeks Griffith, Tasmania, Monash, Murdoch, Adelaide, Flinders and Queensland University of Technology had all unveiled stipend increases to between A$31,500 and A$33,000.

UNSW plans to further raise its 2024 stipends to A$37,684, matching the living wage – the equivalent of 35 hours’ work at the minimum wage with an adjustment to reflect the allowance’s tax-free status. “We think it is morally the right thing to do,” Professor Fisk said.

He continued: “It’s a moral issue around fair wages; it’s an equity issue; it’s also a student satisfaction issue. Doing a PhD is a major commitment. It’s not something [where] you want to be worrying about surviving [and] how much you’ve got to eat. We’ve got runaway inflation hitting things like rent and food, particularly in [Sydney’s] eastern suburbs, making the cost of living a big deal.”

The issue is also a “big deal” for research productivity, Professor Fisk said, with around 55 per cent of UNSW’s journal articles co-authored by PhD students. “And we have considerable difficulties recruiting domestic students, particularly in some fields with huge employability,” he added.

“It’s a seller’s market rather than a buyer’s market at the moment, if you’re looking for a job and you’ve got technical skills. We have to make it not so much attractive as liveable.”

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Print headline: Australian PhD stipend lift to offset living costs sparks chain reaction

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University of Sydney International Scholarship

Funded by the University of Sydney and valued at up to $143,881 this scholarship provides a living-costs stipend to support outstanding international research students.

How to apply

The University of Sydney International Scholarship runs on the same assessment timeline as the Research Training Program.

• If you wish to commence in Research Period 1 (1 January) or Research Period 2 (1 March),  you must submit your research degree application in September of the year prior.
• If you wish to start in Research Period 3 (1 July) or Research Period 4 (1 October),  you must apply in December of the year prior. 

Please check the table below for exact dates.

Current students can apply here . Applications are open all year round – the deadlines mentioned here apply. 

Commencing students should select the checkbox to be considered for research scholarships when completing the admission application for your postgraduate research degree. A separate application is not required.

Application and award timeline

Submission deadlines.

The submission deadline refers to the date a student will need to meet, in order to be considered for an offer round.

New students can be considered for an RTP scholarship by completing the course application by the submission deadline. Current HDR students will need to submit a  separate application  by the submission deadline.

Current students must refer to the relevant submission deadline to be considered in the upcoming international offer round. For example, currently enrolled international students must submit their documents by 21 December 2023 to receive an outcome in February 2024.

If you are a prospective student and have elected to be considered for an RTP scholarship, as part of your application for admission, please ensure you submit and all mandatory documents by the submission deadline. For example, if you wish to receive an RTP scholarship outcome in February 2024 and are commencing in research period 1 or 2 2024, you will need to complete your submission by 21 December 2023. Any submission after 21 December 2023 may result your scholarship application being considered in the next international round in November 2024.

For 2024 awards, the scholarship is valued at $40,109 per annum. The scholarship assists with tuition fees and living costs.

Who's eligible

• be a commencing or enrolled international student
• have an outstanding record of academic achievement and research potential
• have an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled in a master's by research or PhD at the University of Sydney.

Terms and conditions

Stipend scholarship.

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be an international student at the time of award.

2. University of Sydney International Scholarship holders are expected to enrol in a full-time postgraduate research degree. The relevant Associate Dean (Research Education) may approve a part-time Scholarship* where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control (for example medical conditions, financial hardship, carer’s responsibilities).

*A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from registered tax agents. International students will only receive approval to study part-time if it is permitted under their visa.

3. Applicants must apply to be considered for RTP Scholarships at the time of their application for admission to their HDR Course and must submit the required supporting material in the manner specified on the Scholarships Office website. Applicants who have already commenced their HDR candidature must apply by completing the application form available through the Scholarships Office website.

4. The Scholarship may be held for up to 14 research periods (full time) for Research Doctorate studies, or for up to 7 research periods for Research Masters studies. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the award will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the award.

5. No extension is possible.

6. A student is expected to commence the Scholarship by the census date of their commencing intake, and during the year the Scholarship is awarded. If a student has commenced their studies, the Scholarship may commence immediately. Deferment of the Scholarship to next calendar year is not permitted.

7. A recipient may defer their Scholarship for up to one research period with the approval of:

a. their supervisor, and b. the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education).

8. Stipends may be provided for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity (as stated in Clause 31 of this document) if:

a. the recipient already holds, and remains eligible for, a University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship; b. no other income is received from these activities; and c. the maximum duration of the Scholarship has not been reached.

Stipend and Allowances

9. Holders of the Scholarship will receive a stipend of $40,109 per annum (2024 rate), indexed annually on 1 January.

10. Reimbursement of up to $420 for Masters candidates and up to $840 for Doctoral candidates will be made for eligible claims for direct costs of producing a thesis in accordance with the University’s thesis allowance claim information. The claim must be lodged with the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC - [email protected]) within one year of submission of the thesis and no more than two years after termination of the Scholarship. Costs associated with printing a thesis are not eligible as a printed thesis is no longer required for submission and examination.

11. Holders of the Scholarship may receive a concurrent award, scholarship or salary to undertake their research degree provided such award, scholarship or salary provides a benefit less than 75% of the Scholarship. The Scholarship will be terminated if this limit is exceeded. Salary for work unrelated to the student’s research is not subject to this limit.

Selection Criteria

12. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

a. academic merit, b. research experience, c. availability of a high-quality research environment and resources to support the candidature, and d. availability of high qualify supervisory arrangements to support the candidature.

13. Preference may be given to applicants who:

a. identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney policy, b. have not previously received an Australian Government or University Scholarship to complete an HDR course at the same level, c. have not previously completed an HDR course at the same level of study.

14. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarships Sub-Committee (HDRSSC) on the recommendation of the Faculty.

15. The University of Sydney will notify applicants of the outcome of their RTP Scholarship application by email to the student’s University email address (for current students), or the preferred email address contained in the student’s application for admission.

Leave Arrangements

16. Holders of the Scholarship receive up to 20 working days recreation leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. Any unused leave when the Scholarship is terminated or completed will be forfeited. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

17. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days sick leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with carer responsibility may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate/s. Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

18. Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during their Scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under Clause 17 above. Students applying for additional paid sick leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable. Periods of additional paid sick leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

19. Subject to relevant visa conditions, once holders of the Scholarship have completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of twelve weeks paid parental leave during the tenure of the Scholarship. Students applying for paid parental leave should do so at least four weeks prior leave commencement date. Periods of paid parental leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access unpaid parental leave through the suspension provisions. When applying for parental leave, applicants should include at least one of the following documents:

a. letter from medical professional related to pregnancy, b. a surrogacy agreement, c. birth certificate of the child, d. adoption documents, or e. documentation that substantiates the application.

Research Overseas

20. Holders of the Scholarship may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of an award.

21. Holders of the Scholarship may conduct up to 12 months (18 months for students of Anthropology and other special cases) of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, and Head of Department/School, and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled at the University and receive approval to Count Time Away.

Transfer between Research Masters and Research Doctorate degrees

22. Holders of the Scholarship may transfer from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or vice-versa provided such change in candidature is approved by the Faculty/University School. A transfer from Research Doctorate to Research Masters may result in termination of the Scholarship. Should the Scholarship holder be approved to retain the Scholarship, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that for the new candidature.

Transfer to another University, Faculty, School or Supervisor

23. The Scholarships are not transferrable to another university. Should the holder of the Scholarship transfer to another faculty, school or supervisor within the University of Sydney, the duration of the Scholarship will not be extended.

24. Holders of the Scholarship may not apply to suspend their award within the first six months unless

a. permitted by a legislative provision; or b. approved by the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education) on the basis of special circumstances^.

^Special circumstances include carer responsibilities or medical conditions and will generally be out of the recipient’s control. International students should check the terms and restrictions applicable to their visas before applying.

25. Subject to relevant visa conditions, after the first six months, holders of the Scholarship may apply for up to 12 months suspension for any reason during the tenure of their award. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

26. The Scholarship will be suspended during any period of suspension of studies. International students should check the terms and restrictions applicable to their visas before suspending.

27. Subject to relevant visa conditions, holders of the Scholarship are entitled up to an additional 12 month suspension (less any period of paid parental leave) following holders becoming a parent. The Scholarship holder should apply for suspension within four weeks of the expected date of becoming a parent.

28. Whenever a student suspends their studies the university must report the suspension to immigration authorities and the student may be obliged to return to their home country for the duration of the suspension. Therefore, if a student wishes to remain in Australia during a period of suspension of studies, they must contact the closest Australian immigration office within 28 days of the approval notice to seek approval to remain in Australia during the suspension.

Changes in Enrolment

29. Holders of the Scholarship must notify the supervisor and Higher Degree by Research Administration (HDRAC) within 10 business days of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade by written notice. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

30. Students who obtain Australian Permanent Residence status during the course of their enrolment at the University of Sydney (or prior to enrolment at the University) must notify Student Fees, Student Administration Services Office, and HDRAC immediately when their Australian Permanent Resident visa is issued. In this case, students must bring their passport to the Student Centre as soon as possible so that the University can adjust their residency status. Subject to satisfactory progress, students will be eligible to continue with the Scholarship.

Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities

31. Holders of the Scholarship may undertake industry placements, research internships, and professional practice activities of up to six months’ duration that are approved as part of their HDR course by:

a. their supervisor; b. the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education).

Acknowledgement

32. The University of Sydney contribution must be formally acknowledged when, at any time during or after completion of a relevant HDR course:

a. the recipient; b. the recipient’s supervisor; or c. any other party publishes or produces material (such as books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works) relating to the recipient’s research project.

33. This requirement is met by including the following statement in any materials: “This research is supported by the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship.

Termination

34. The Scholarship will be terminated upon the Student’s: a. resignation or withdrawal from their degree, b. failure to enrol without approved leave or suspension, c. submission of their thesis or at the end of the award, whichever occurs first, d. acceptance of another scholarship that provides a stipend of higher value.

35. The Scholarship will also be terminated before clause 34 of this document if the University, after an enquiry, concludes that the Student has: a. not carried out the course of study with competence and diligence, or in accordance with their Scholarship offer, b. failed to maintain satisfactory progress, c. committed serious misconduct.

36. Stipend payment will be suspended throughout the duration of the enquiry/appeal process.

False or Misleading Information

37. The University of Sydney reserves the right to reassess a student’s Scholarship entitlements if it believes the student has provided false or misleading information to the university in relation to their application for admission or the Scholarship award.

38. The University recognises the right of any student to appeal to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Researcher-Training) against any decision affecting the award or tenure of the Scholarship.

Tuition fee scholarship

1. The Candidate must be an international student, who has either obtained unconditional admission offer for, or has already enrolled in, their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) commencing in 2023, at the University of Sydney “the University”.

2. The Candidate must have been awarded a stipend scholarship of $20,000 or above per annum on merit following a competitive process.

3. The Candidate must discuss their eligibility with their supervisor in order to be considered for the University of Sydney International Tuition Fees Scholarship, the “Scholarship”.

4. The Candidate must provide evidence to substantiate their eligibility upon request. Failure to do so may lead to ineligible for consideration.

5. The Candidate must not have consumed more than one research period of their candidature at the time of consideration.

6. The Scholarship may be awarded for up to 14 research periods (full time), or for the duration of their stipend scholarship, whichever will conclude first. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

7. The Scholarship would commence from the research period and year stated in the offer letter.

8. The holder of the Scholarship, “the Student”, may defer their Scholarship for up to one research period, subject to the deferred research period is within the same year of the original offer, and with approval of:

a. their supervisor; and b. the Associate Dean (Research Education).

9. The Scholarship may be provided for a duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity (clause 26 of this document) if the maximum tenure of the Scholarship has not been reached.

10. The Scholarship provides 100% tuition fee after relevant census dates as a credit to the Student’s tuition fee liability account for a duration as per clause 6 of this document. The credit will only apply to tuition fee liability.

11. No other benefits are payable.

12. The Scholarship is awarded by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Training) on the recommendation from the Associate Dean (Research Education).

13. The Scholarship offer will be issued by email to the Student’s university email address.

14. The Student may be approved to receive up to a total of twelve weeks of extended sick leave for medically substantiated periods of illness. Application for extended sick leave must be submitted to Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) at the start of absence or as soon as practicable. Periods of approved extended sick leave are accumulative and are added to the tenure of the Scholarship.

15. Once the Student has received the Scholarship for twelve months (full time equivalent), they are entitled to a maximum of twelve weeks of parental leave. Application for parental leave must be submitted to HDRAC at the start of absence or as soon as practicable. Periods of approved parental leave are accumulative and added to the tenure of the Scholarship. When applying for parental leave, the Student must provide at least one of the following documents:

a. letter from medical professional related to pregnancy, b. a surrogacy agreement, c. birth certificate of the child, d. adoption documents, or e. relevant documentation that substantiates the application.

16. If the Student who has not received the Scholarship for twelve months, they may access parental leave through the Suspension provisions of this document.

17. The Student may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of the Scholarship.

18. The Student may conduct up to 12 months (18 months for students of Anthropology and other special cases) of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the Student's supervisor, and Head of Department/School, and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. Approved periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards the Student's candidature. The Student must remain enrolled and have received approval to Count Time Away.

Transfer from Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to Master’s degree by Research

19. A transfer from a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree to Master’s degree by Research may result a termination of the Scholarship. Should the Student be approved to retain the scholarship, the maximum tenure of the Scholarship becomes that for the Master’s degree by Research.

20. The Scholarship is not transferrable to another university. Should the Student transfer to another faculty, school, or supervisor within the University, the tenure of the Scholarship will not be extended.

21. The Student may not apply to suspend their candidature within the first six months (full time equivalent) unless a. permitted by a legislative provision; or b. approved by the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education) for extenuating circumstances^ ^extenuating circumstances include carer responsibilities or medical conditions that are generally out of the Student’s control. Approval is subject to the Student’s visa conditions.

22. After the first six months (full time equivalent), the Student may apply for up to 12 months suspension for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship, subject to the Student’s visa conditions and prior approval from Associate Dean (Research Education). Application for suspension must be submitted to HDRAC. Periods of approved suspension are cumulative and will be added to the tenure of the Scholarship.

23. Whenever the Student suspends their studies the University must report their suspension to immigration authorities and the Student may be obliged to return to their home country for the duration of suspension. Therefore, if the Student wishes to remain in Australia during their period of approved suspension, they must contact the Australian immigration office, within 28 days of the University’s notice, to seek approval to remain in Australia during their suspension period.

24. The Student must notify the supervisor and HDRAC within 10 business days of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature transfer from Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to Master’s by Research in writing.

25. A Student who has been issued an Australian Permanent Residence visa during their studies, or prior to their enrolment, at the University must bring their passport to the Student Centre as soon as possible to adjust their residency status on their student’s records.

26. The Student may undertake industry placements, research internships, and professional practice activities up to six months that are approved as part of their course by: a. their supervisor, and b. the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education).

27. The Scholarship will be terminated upon the Student’s: a. resignation or withdrawal from their PhD, b. failure to enrol without approved leave or suspension, c. submission of their thesis, d. acceptance of another scholarship provides tuition fee, e. residency status changes to be a domestic student as defined by Higher Education Support Act, or f. Scholarship’s maximum tenure has been reached.

28. The Scholarship will also be terminated before clause 27 (f) of this document if the University, after an enquiry, concludes that the Student has: a. not carried out the course of study with competence and diligence, or in accordance with their Scholarship offer, b. failed to maintain satisfactory progress, c. committed serious misconduct, or d. been deemed ineligible as per Eligibility of this document.

29. The University reserves the right to reassess a Student’s Scholarship’s entitlements if it believes the Student has provided false or misleading information in relation to their application for admission or the Scholarship.

30. The University recognises the right of Student to appeal to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Training) against any decision affecting their Scholarship.  

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How are PhD students meant to survive on two-thirds of the minimum wage?

Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Physics, Griffith University

Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University

Disclosure statement

Nathan Garland has previously received funding from an Australian Postgraduate Award.

Shaun Belward works for James Cook University. He received an Australian Postgraduate Research Award to study a PhD in the 1990s and has also benefitted from federally funded learning and teaching grants.

James Cook University and Griffith University provide funding as members of The Conversation AU.

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Over the decades, supportive parents of Australian students on the cusp of graduating from their undergraduate studies have occasionally been struck by a bewildering decision by their pride and joy. Instead of pursuing an appetising salary in a prestigious company, their student has instead decided to do the unthinkable: they’re going to do a PhD. Where’s the money in that? What will we tell the neighbours?

A PhD program is foremost a training experience. A PhD student works a full-time apprenticeship ( 38 hours a week on average) in their chosen research field, guided by expert mentors along the way. While the choice to enter a PhD program is primarily based on a student wanting to upskill and learn, much like the choice to pursue an undergraduate degree, the starting point, method of study and outputs of a PhD are very different.

In Australia, the standard scheme to fund the living costs of PhD candidates is a tax-free stipend from their university. The university is allocated the funds via the Research Training Program (RTP) .

This stipend is now $28,854 a year (indexed annually against inflation). That’s only two-thirds of the national minimum wage after last week’s increase to $42,246.88 .

Read more: This 5.2% decision on the minimum wage could shift the trajectory for all

In weekly terms an income of $554.88 puts PhD candidates well below the poverty line of $608.96 for a single person if they have to pay for housing. Further, it’s close to an all-time low of 30% as a proportion of average full-time earnings.

In 2017 a sliding scale of stipends was introduced. Looking at the websites of the 39 members of Universities Australia in June 2022, it is encouraging to see a few universities offer higher rates than the required minimum for their PhD programs. However, most universities still mandate the lowest base rate.

A fair shake of the sauce bottle

This funding arrangement has been in place for some time, serving the community reasonably well. However, in the current economic climate of uncertainty, rising costs of living, skyrocketing rents and the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the minimum wage by 5.2%, it is worth comparing historical stipend rates , dating back to 1959, with other relevant yardsticks of income.

To make a fair comparison, we could scale up historically recorded weekly average , median and minimum wages over a 52-week year, noting that most Australian PhD programs permit 20 days of paid personal leave per year. Below, we see how these annual incomes have evolved over time since the inception of the PhD stipend.

Alternately, we can plot the PhD base rate and minimum wage as proportions of the average full-time income. Also shown is the consumer price index (CPI) as a standard measure of inflation, to give us some context – especially at this time of soaring living costs.

At present, PhD stipends languish far below the minimum wage, even allowing for tax on the minimum wage (take off roughly $4,600 for the new minimum wage). The PhD stipend is at a near historical low when compared to the average full-time annual income.

Clearly, from the historical trends in the above graphs, things weren’t always this bad. The minimum wage and PhD stipend values have been comparable, but now they are well and truly detached.

Read more: Is it a good time to be getting a PhD? We asked those who've done it

Most PhD candidates have already done four or five years of university studies and have advanced, valuable skill sets. Being asked to live far below minimum wage seems a little unfair.

It’s also worth considering the overall benefits and impacts of knowledge generated a PhD student generates. They produce journal articles throughout their PhD project. Being told to survive well below minimum wage, while making valuable contributions to society and the future of Australia, doesn’t sound like a fair go for those who have a go, as a former prime minister once said .

Read more: 1 in 5 PhD students could drop out. Here are some tips for how to keep going

But there is hope

While these trends and current situations don’t make for happy reading, there is hope, and precedent for change. The above graphs show the Rudd-Gillard Labor governments arrested the free-fall in PhD stipend value around 2009. This happened in response to a proposal by the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations after PhD students fell below the poverty line for the first time.

Looking abroad to Europe , countries like the UK, Germany and Italy show us it is possible to value the hard work of research students at universities.

Read more: Australia can get a better return on its investment in PhD graduates

The COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to consider the immediate relevance of cutting-edge science, technology and medical research. As the world waited for an end to lockdowns and uncertainty, PhD students were making vital contributions to help find a way out of our global predicament. Although usually in a supporting capacity, their role required a significantly advanced and niche skill set.

Some of these PhD students across Australia probably could have made a bit more money working fewer hours if they did run off and join the circus instead, but we’re lucky they didn’t.

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Salaries and stipends

Salary and stipend rates for Discovery and Linkage for 2024 PDF Format  (296KB) –  Word Format  (81KB) 

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• Scholarships

Domestic PhD Stipend Scholarship

UniSQ is offering a number of stipend (living allowance) scholarships for domestic students studying, or commencing the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)  in 2024. Applications in all areas of research are welcome. Find your research topic or find and connect with your supervisor helps you match your areas of interest with world-class research opportunities at UniSQ.

Students continuing in or commencing in HDR programs other than the PhD may apply for the  Domestic HDR Stipend Scholarship . As part of UniSQ's Reconciliation Action Plan a scheme exists to promote entry into the PhD by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Staff from the Graduate Research School (GRS) are available via email, phone or in person to assist with the application process.

Application for entry into the program is a separate process that must be started to be eligible for the scholarship. Application steps can be found here .

• Stipend of AUD $33,000 per annum.
• Maximum period of tenure of an award is three years. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree will be deducted from the period of tenure.

To be eligible applicants must:   

• have completed a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours, or equivalent level;  
• have applied, or currently enrolled in the PhD at UniSQ;
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen;
• not be receiving equivalent support providing a benefit greater than 75% of the student’s stipend rate;
• commence or continue study in 2024.

Applicants will be assessed on:

alignment with the University's research priority areas;

academic merit, previous research outputs and research experience of the applicant;

research track record of the proposed supervisory team;

quality of the research proposal.

To apply, please ensure you have digital copies of the below information:

• Cover letter;

• Supervisor support letter  (DOCX 525KB);

• Curriculum vitae;

• Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal (DOC 53KB);

• Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards);

• List of any research presentations and/or publications;

• Documentation confirming citizenship.

Application must be made via the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System by the closing date. If you require assistance in completing your application please download the Scholarship Online Application Manual  (PDF 2.14MB).  

Further information about this scholarship can be obtained from the Graduate Research School at [email protected]

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Instant noodles and extra jobs: PhD candidates ‘barely scraping by’ on stipends below minimum wage

Students are pleading for reforms amid rising rent and cost of living, as experts warn research could suffer if people are put off higher study

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When Maddy Hoffman started her PhD in Perth in 2019, the stipend was $500 a week. The cheapest place she could find to rent was $300 – more than half her weekly income.

If it weren’t for her partner, she said her PhD in nuclear radiation simply “wouldn’t have happened”.

“When I tell my family what my base hourly rate is and what my work will contribute to Australia … it doesn’t add up. You’ve got people helping synthesise the new wave of antibiotics, drone work for AI, getting paid $15 an hour. It’s a joke.”

As Australia faces a cost of living crisis and rising rents, PhD candidates like Hoffman are increasingly struggling to make ends meet, with stipends for single people falling well below the minimum wage.

Students are urging the government to enact sweeping reforms to their entitlements and increase stipends by at least 15% – and some caution that if they don’t, fewer people will embark on higher education and Australia’s research output could suffer.

Near historical lows

In Australia, every full-time PhD candidate is entitled to apply for a federal government tax-free scholarship. It’s currently sitting at $29,863, although it increases each year with inflation.

It’s just over two-thirds of the national minimum wage of $42,255.20 and, according to Nathan Garland, a lecturer in mathematics and physics at Griffith University who has studied the stipend, it’s among the lowest the stipend has been compared to average full-time earnings since it was introduced in 1959.

Since 2017, universities have been able to top up the stipend to a maximum amount which also rises with inflation – currently the maximum is $46,653.

But an ongoing open source document with data on 189 Australian universities shows 42 offer above the federal government’s stipend – and all fall shy of the minimum wage.

The University of Sydney offers the highest stipend at $37,207, followed by UNSW at $35,000 and ANU at $34,000, according to the Group of Eight, which represents the country’s leading research-intensive universities. ANU lifted its stipend last year, saying cost of living pressures made it “no longer ethical” to stick to the government stipend amount.

Garland said the current average income – about $15.70 an hour – put full-time PhD candidates on about $596.60 a week, below the Melbourne Institute poverty line of $608.96 for a single person if they had to pay for housing.

“Many of them have a partner or children to support and they’re having to eat instant noodles and work extra jobs at night,” Garland said.

“You still need to put a roof over your head.”

Tara-Lyn Camilleri said she wouldn’t have been able to complete her PhD if it weren’t for extensive savings and financial support.

“Through Melbourne’s winter, I know people forced into less than suitable housing who weren’t turning on their heat,” said Camilleri, who lobbied to raise the stipend at Monash University from $30,000 to $37,000 while completing her PhD last year. It was eventually raised to $33,000, about $4,500 less than the minimum wage after tax.

Camilleri said academia’s “best kept secret” was how undervalued PhD students’ research was to the university mill.

“PhD students are the ones putting in the hours in lab, or in the field,” she said. “So many breakthroughs come from all our disciplines but you’re having to convince the government you’re worthwhile.”

And there are other issues with the entitlements, too.

Now four months pregnant, Hoffman has found being a scholarship holder means she is unable to apply for the government’s 18-week paid parental leave scheme. She’s entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks paid maternity leave through her research program and no antenatal care.

“If you want more time, you have to stop studying and get 0% of your scholarship,” she said. “I was shocked. It’s been the most stressful point of the whole pregnancy. Apparently, a PhD does not count as work.”

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What’s at stake

Experts worry that the high cost and limited entitlements could put students off embarking on higher education altogether.

Although the number of students completing higher degree research has grown over the past decade, according to Universities Australia figures, that’s been largely driven by a boom in international student enrolments. International student enrolments for higher research skyrocketed by 106% between 2008 and 2020, while domestic enrolments over the same period have grown 6%.

“The appeal [of higher education] has gone down, so to compensate we’re looking to the international market,” Garland said. “A lot of potential candidates who are really talented don’t want to keep living a poor quality of life and I don’t think we can blame them.”

Garland said the weak growth in domestic enrolments could have implications on the quality of research in comparison to other countries like the UK, Germany and Italy, which offer stipends closer to average wages. Universities Australia statistics show Australia’s public investment in tertiary education institutes is among the lowest in the OECD.

The Greens education spokesperson, senator Mehreen Faruqi, said government support for doctoral students was “completely inadequate” and should be lifted.

“With the rising cost of living, many students are barely scraping by,” she said.

“If we want Australian universities to produce the best quality, world-leading research, the government has to provide our researchers with a stipend to support themselves and ease cost of living pressures.”

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations has been lobbying the government to classify PhD students as employees, which would enable greater leave entitlements and a guaranteed minimum wage. They say the minimum stipend should be increased by at least 15 to 20% in 2023 to ensure it remains above the poverty line.

“The work is the same, why aren’t we paid the same?” said Errol Phuah, the association’s national president.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the Universities Accord Panel, announced by the education minister, Jason Clare in November, was “examining every aspect” of higher education in Australia, including funding, to report back later this year.

Any change will likely come too late for Hoffman. Her partner has decided to take parental and long service leave, allowing Hoffman to return to her PhD work after their baby is born.

She’s now determined to make the path easier for candidates after her by advocating for change.

“We’re in this weird grey area where you’re studying, but you’re contributing value to the university system and Australia.

“None of us are here because we’re looking to make money … it’s a program of passion, and a lot of the time, that’s the sacrifice you have to make.”

• Australia news
• Universities
• Cost of living crisis
• Higher education

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Most viewed.

PhD to Paris: How B-Girl Raygun is taking her love for breaking global

Dr Rachael Gunn , known in breaking as Raygun, is proof that age is just a number.

Surrounded by mostly younger peers all looking to achieve the same thing, the 36-year-old Australian will be hoping her PhD in the sport's culture could give her an edge at Paris 2024.

She completed her thesis on ‘the intersection of gender in Sydney’s breaking scene’, while putting the work in to develop her own skills.

Seven years on, the sport will debut at the Olympic Games and Raygun is at the heart of it, which will see her swap lecture halls or the Place de la Concorde this summer.

“People certainly think it’s cool and interesting but it’s also really different to the classic academy path,” she told Reuters .

“So you do get a few different reactions depending on which department or faculty people are from - by and large, the response has been really positive.”

• Watch: B-Boys and B-Girls Take the Spotlight | Breaking Life, Road to Paris 2024
• Watch: Ayane and Shigekix, a breaking family | Breaking Life, Road to Paris 2024

B-Girl Raygun competes at the 2023 Oceania Breaking Championships.

And that positivity extends to breaking in general, which Raygun believes can have a significant impact on the lives of participants.

For many, it is more than just a sport.

“Breaking has such a positive force and impact on people’s lives that do it,” she continued.

“They get fit, they get a creative outlet and become part of this community.

“The platform that the Olympics gives us to inspire new generations of people is positive.”

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How can we attract more doctors to general practice training?

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General practice underpins universal access to health care. General practitioners are the only doctors who see people throughout their lives; their ongoing relationships are required for wise, cost‐effective treatment. 1 The roles played by GPs are increasingly imperative as health system resources become more stretched.

Although enrolments in general practice training have declined in Australia, 2 this career path still attracts many junior and immigrant doctors; 17% of pre‐vocational doctors express interest in general practice, 3 , 4 drawn by positive role models, autonomy, patient variety, undifferentiated problems, and the opportunity to directly help people as part of a community. 5

In this issue of the MJA , Sturman and colleagues 6 provide insights into “rescuing the profession we love”. Based on a workshop and focus group discussions with Australian general practice educators and training teams, their qualitative study yielded four major recommendations: increasing medical student and junior doctor placements in general practice; increasing exposure to inspiring GP clinicians and educators; improving trainee pay and entitlements; and improving the integration of hospital and general practice care and interprofessional relationships. These priorities overlay major themes of threats to the sustainability and recognition of the profession. In short, we are in a new era in which meeting the needs of the next generation of GPs must be balanced against the viability and morale of currently practising GPs.

The participants in the study by Sturman and colleagues 6 would like more recognition of the value of general practice by hospital health care professionals. Increasing general practice exposure throughout the medical training pathway could advance this objective. Only 6% of pre‐vocational doctors train outside hospitals, and 2% are based in smaller rural areas. 3 The general practice sector has repeatedly called for the re‐introduction of properly funded programs, such as the PGYPPP, which was ultimately replaced, after several iterations, by the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program (for primary care placements in rural areas during the first five postgraduate years). 7 The value of motivated doctors gaining general practice experience is exemplified by the Murray to Mountains pre‐vocational pathway, which has offered interns 20 weeks’ general practice experience with excellent supervisors and visiting specialists since 2012; 36 of 59 respondents to a survey about their experiences were training or practising in general practice up to ten years later. 8 Similar programs for providing positive community‐based medical experience may be needed in our cities to increase general practitioner numbers and improve the recognition of general practice within hospital walls.

The study by Sturman and colleagues 6 also identified that receiving similar pay to hospital doctors and retaining entitlements when moving from the hospital and between general practices as a trainee are significant factors for the next generation of GPs. Entitlements are particularly pertinent given the increasing proportion of female graduate doctors and doctors needing parental leave. 9 Single employer models — in which registrars are employed by a central organisation contractually linked with other general practices that share risks and benefits — were suggested by study participants as one solution, but opinion regarding the usefulness of these models is mixed. More information about how they might work in different contexts is needed before considering their broader implementation; their utility could be influenced by geographic remoteness, community and market size, practice sizes and business structures, and the numbers of registrars and supervisors, as well as the maturity of regional partnerships and executive leaders. However, the payment expectations and working conditions of health workers is important for retaining doctors in rural practice. 10 General practices may need more support and specific information before applying a model for registrars that is not available to the entire GP workforce. 11 Sturman and colleagues indeed identified that a major challenge to reforms that have the aim of attracting the next generation of GPs is frustration with the “litany of issues” affecting contemporary general practice. 6

Sturman and colleagues did not examine the role of overseas‐trained doctors, a group that supplies about half of all GPs in Australia, and an even larger proportion in rural areas. 4 Improving access to high quality supervision and professional support for these doctors and engendering a sense of belonging and recognition within the GP profession is very important. As they advance to general practice fellowship and enter the GP community, the GP supervision pool grows.

In summary, Sturman and colleagues provide an excellent policy guidebook for increasing the size of the GP workforce in Australia. These policies must keep up with a rapidly expanding metropolitan specialist sector. 12 It will be important to harness the deep love of the profession, together with providing adequate support and funding, to inspire the next generation of doctors. GPs may be in short supply, but it is possible to work as a system and to consider how we can best recognise, use, and value these critical members of multidisciplinary primary care teams. Only then will Australia have a sustainable, high quality, and accessible universal health care system.

Provenance: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

• Belinda G O'Sullivan 1 , 2
• Christie Rodda 3
• 1 Monash University School of Rural Health, Bendigo, VIC
• 2 The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School, Toowoomba, QLD
• 3 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Beechworth, VIC

Belinda O'Sullivan was paid by the Remote Vocational Training Scheme Ltd as a consultant to lead the evaluation of the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (September 2023 – March 2024). Christie Rodda is a practising general practitioner. As part of her role as chair of the Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine group, she received a travel stipend to speak at the RACGP conference in 2023. Belinda O'Sullivan was also paid a stipend to participate at this conference.

• 1. Ralston A, Fielding A, Holliday E, et al. “Low‐value” clinical care in general practice: a cross‐sectional analysis of low‐value care in early‐career GPs’ practice. Int J Qual Health Care 2023; 35: https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzad081 .
• 2. Playford D, May J, Ngo H, et al. Decline in new medical graduates registered as general practitioners. Med J Aust 2020; 212: 421‐422. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/212/9/decline‐new‐medical‐graduates‐registered‐general‐practitioners
• 3. Medical Board of Australia; Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority. Medical training survey. 2024. https://www.medicaltrainingsurvey.gov.au (viewed Feb 2024).
• 4. O'Sullivan B, Russell D, McGrail M, Scott A. Reviewing reliance on overseas‐trained doctors in rural Australia and planning for self‐sufficiency: applying 10 years’ MABEL evidence. Hum Resour Health 2019; 17: 8.
• 5. O'Sullivan B, McGrail M, Gurney T, Martin P. A realist evaluation of theory about triggers for doctors choosing a generalist or specialist medical career. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17: 8566.
• 6. Sturman N, Tran M, Vasiliadis S. “Rescuing the profession we love”: recommendations from a general practice educator workshop for improving the recruitment of trainees. Med J Aust 2024; 220: 461‐465.
• 7. Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. John Flynn prevocational doctor program. Updated 2 June 2023. https://www.health.gov.au/our‐work/john‐flynn‐prevocational‐doctor‐program#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%202021‐22%20Budget%2C%20the%20Australian,training%20capacity%20for%20the%20next%20generation%20of%20doctors (viewed Apr 2024).
• 8. O'Sullivan B, Boyer S, Stratton A, et al. Outcomes of rural generalist internship training in Victoria, Australia. Rural Remote Health 2023; 23: 7889.
• 9. O'Sullivan B, McGrail M, May J. Responsive policies needed to secure rural supply from increasing female doctors: a perspective. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 37: 40‐49.
• 10. World Health Organization. WHO guideline on health workforce development, attraction, recruitment and retention in rural and remote areas. 6 May 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240024229 (viewed Apr 2024).
• 11. General Practice Supervisors Australia. Report on survey results: single‐employer model. May 2021. https://gpsupervisorsaustralia.org.au/wp‐content/uploads/2021/05/2021‐survey‐results_single‐employer‐model27may2021.pdf (viewed Feb 2024).
• 12. McGrail M, Russell D. Australia's rural medical workforce: supply from its medical schools against career stage, gender and rural‐origin. Aust J Rural Health 2017; 25: 298‐305.

Publication of your online response is subject to the Medical Journal of Australia 's editorial discretion. You will be notified by email within five working days should your response be accepted.

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Griffith University awards Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarships (GUPRS) via a competitive application process to candidates commencing or enrolled in a Higher Degree Research (HDR) program. GUPRS are provided to assist with candidates’ general living costs and do not cover program tuition fees. This website sets out the allowances and conditions attached to the GUPRS award.

A limited number of GUPRS may be allocated to achieve specific strategic objectives. In such cases, there may be additional eligibility requirements or variations to the procedure for selection and award. The GUPRS Conditions of Award will be amended to reflect the variations applicable to the awardee.

Key benefits

$33,480 per annum (2024 full time rate).

Generous paid leave provisions, including recreation, sick, parental, cultural and partner leave.

Options to study part time.

Domestic candidates can apply to undertake the program predominately away from the University.

Funds to assist with costs of relocating to undertake the program.

Flexibility to balance paid employment with full-time study.

For information on when to apply through the Continuous Scholarship Round and intake dates please see Key dates.

How to apply

Applicants may only apply a maximum of two times in a five year period for consideration in the scholarship ranking and selection process.

New applicants must follow the process for submitting an online application for a research program, which also includes a section for scholarship application.

New applicants

Current research candidates are required to follow a different process for submitting a scholarship application.

Current candidates

Conditions of Award 2024

(1) To be eligible for a GUPRS, an applicant must:

• be commencing or enrolled in a HDR program (for which GUPRS support is available) at Griffith University.
• not be receiving income from another source to support the candidate’s general living costs that provides a benefit greater than 75% of the GUPRS stipend rate to undertake the proposed program. Income unrelated to the candidate’s HDR program, or income received for the candidate’s HDR program but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs, is not to be taken into account.

(2) To be considered for a GUPRS, an applicant must:

• hold a Bachelor Degree (AQF 8) with First Class Honours (Class I) or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment, as specified on the Equivalent qualifications for HDR program admission webpage.
• have not completed a degree at the same or higher level as the HDR program to which the applicant is commencing or enrolled in.
• if seeking recognition for prior candidature in the HDR program, have not completed more than 12 months (equivalent full-time) of candidature at Griffith University or another Australian or overseas institution.
• have not previously held the same or an equivalent scholarship for which they are applying unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship’s payments commencing; it was held for a degree at a lower level to which the applicant is applying; or the applicant is applying to transfer the scholarship (refer to Section 3.6 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure ).
• have not held a Commonwealth Government Australia Award scholarship in the two years prior to the point of commencing the award, unless approval for this course of action has been granted by the appropriate branch of the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Applications for research scholarships as part of the Continuous Scholarship Round at Griffith University are firstly processed within the Griffith Graduate Research School. It is at this point that applications are initially reviewed for eligibility for entry into Griffith research programs.

Following this initial review, applications are then forwarded to the appropriate schools, departments or research centres for academic staff to assess applications for both entry into Griffith research programs, and for consideration for a scholarship. All applications are then assessed by the Dean (Research) of the relevant Group and the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, to arrive at an outcome against the eligibility and selection criteria.

Applications that meet the criteria for scholarship consideration are then assessed and ranked in an order of merit, as outlined in Section 3.2.7 of the  Higher Degree by Research Scholarship Procedure and takes into consideration:

• Academic merit, with emphasis on the results attained in the qualification with the substantial research component but also taking into account the grades of any other eligible qualification, or evidenced equivalence of research excellence capability as applicable
• The international standing of the institution at which the qualification with the substantial research component was completed
• the quality of the eligible research outputs included as evidence in an application, as well as the applicant's contribution to these outputs
• the level and duration of sustained research experience and evidence of how the research activity undertaken bears upon and enhances the applicant's research capacity, with regard to the proposed research
• The compatibility/fit between the applicant, research environment, and the supervision team.
• The compatibility/fit of the proposed research with university/academic group research priorities

The University's HDR Scholarship Committee considers applicants and awards scholarships based on the University-wide Order of Merit List.

Applicants offered a GUPRS may have their scholarship changed to a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend if one becomes available and if they meet the criteria to be awarded a RTP Stipend.

3.1 Stipend

(1) A full-time GUPRS carries an annual stipend of $33,480 (2024 rate). The stipend rate for any particular year may be the same as that for the preceding year, indexed annually.

(2) Income derived by way of a Scholarship by a candidate receiving full-time education at a University may be tax exempt. It is the responsibility of the scholarship holder to assess the tax liability of their scholarship.

(3) The stipend will be paid into an account in a bank, building society or credit union, on a fortnightly basis, as per the University’s payment schedule. Payment will be calculated from the date of commencement of study, except where an awardee is already enrolled in the program, in which case payment may commence from the date of advice of the grant of the award (or from 1 January for offers made in November of the preceding year).

3.2 Relocation allowance

(1) An awardee who is required to relocate, either within Australia or from overseas, specifically to undertake the program and take up the award is entitled to receive a maximum of $515 for each eligible adult and $255 for each eligible child to an absolute maximum of $1,485 for the following on provision of receipts to the GGRS, verifying the costs of this travel:

• travel expenses equivalent to the economy/student airfare for the candidate, spouse and dependents to Brisbane or the Gold Coast via the most direct route. Where a candidate elects to travel by car, a per kilometre allowance up to the equivalent airfare for the candidate will be calculated. Candidates cannot claim for accommodation or meal costs if they elect to travel by car; and
• removal expenses.

(2) Any relocation allowance must be claimed within 6 months of commencement of the award. Relocation allowances are not payable for travel undertaken after the completion of studies, or termination of the award.

3.3 Leave entitlements

(1) The table below describes the leave that awardees are entitled to within the tenure of the award.

(2) International candidates seeking leave will need to meet the conditions of their visa to be entitled to the leave provisions described below and are advised to check with Griffith International.

(3) Leave is not permitted within the first 6 months of candidature, unless in exceptional circumstances. Such applications will require approval of the Dean, Research.

(4) Parental leave: up to a maximum of 12 weeks paid parental leave, where the candidate is the primary carer of a new-born child or of a newly adopted child under 16 years of age, upon the provision of appropriate certification. Candidates enrolled on a part-time basis will be entitled to paid leave calculated on a pro rata basis.

The paid parental leave is normally only available to the candidate (birth parent / non-birth parent / adoptive parent) who is taking on the primary care giver role within the first twelve months of the child coming into their care. Parental leave for pregnant candidates would normally commence no later than 3 weeks prior to the expected birth date unless medical evidence is provided to certify that the pregnant candidate is fit to continue normal study for a further period that extends to no later than the expected birth date.

The table below sets out the parental leave entitlements for eligible candidates:

4.1 Commencement of study

(1) Awardees must accept both a place in the HDR program (if not already commenced) as well as the GUPRS by the date specified in the offer letter. The GUPRS must be taken up between the dates specified in the letter of offer. Where exceptional circumstances prevent an awardee from taking up the award by the date specified in the offer letter, they may apply for a delayed commencement. Full details of the reasons for the request will be required. If an awardee cannot commence by the approved date the University may withdraw the award.

4.2 Mode of attendance – Remote candidature

(1) Awardees are required to maintain an on-campus enrolment.

(2) In exceptional circumstances, an application to undertake the award predominantly away from the University may be considered for domestic candidates where they have a high likelihood of success as evidenced by qualifications and research experience. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.8 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure and section 3.3 of the HDR Admission Procedure.

(3) International candidates must maintain an on-campus enrolment.

4.3 Study load

(1) Awardees are required to maintain a full-time study load, unless approval for part-time study load and award is approved.

(2) A full-time study load commitment is at least the equivalent of the standard five day working week (e.g. 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 48 weeks per year). The actual pattern of research and study is to be negotiated by the candidate and their supervisory team. Refer to Section 3.5.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure .

4.4 Employment and other funding

(1) Awardees are permitted to undertake work, paid or otherwise, that is unrelated to their research project. However, it must not affect their ability to maintain their study load commitment, nor interfere with the timely progression and completion of their research project. Employment commitments will not be considered as a reason for an extension of the award. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.5.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure .

(2) Awardees should consult with their principal supervisor in regards to the decision to undertake employment while in the HDR program.

(3) Awardees are permitted to:

• obtain funds for fieldwork, equipment or other expenses not covered by the award; and
• obtain funding for overseas travel costs from other Australian Government awards or other funding sources.

(4) Holders of a GUPRS with dependent children may be eligible for the Family Payment paid by Centrelink. Enquires must be directed to Centrelink.

4.5 Part-time award

(1) Applications to undertake the award on a part-time basis may be considered where the applicant has significant caring responsibilities or a medical condition or disability limiting their capacity to undertake full-time enrolment. Part-time awards will not be considered based on employment limiting capacity to undertake full-time enrolment. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.7 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure .

(2) The award will be 50% of the full-time stipend rate, part-time scholarships are not tax exempt.

(3) The award duration will be calculated on a pro-rata basis based on periods of full-time/part-time enrolment.

(4) Holders of a part-time award may convert to full-time enrolment and scholarship award at any stage, subject to seeking approval for full-time enrolment. The University may also require part-time scholarship recipients to convert to full-time if the reasons for which the part-time award was granted no longer apply.

(1) The tenure of a full-time GUPRS is, from date of program commencement, up to two years (full-time equivalent) for a Masters (Research) candidate and up to three years (full-time equivalent) for a Doctoral candidate.

(2) Continuation of receipt of the GUPRS during the tenure of the award is dependent upon evidence of the awardee’s satisfactory progress in the HDR program, through the timely completion of candidature milestones and satisfactory progress reports.

(3) The tenure of a GUPRS will be reduced by any period of study undertaken:

• towards the research project and/or degree prior to the commencement of the GUPRS; or
• towards the degree during suspension of the GUPRS.

(4) A Doctoral candidate making satisfactory progress may apply for an extension to the GUPRS tenure for up to a maximum of six months. An extension will only be approved where the grounds for the extension:

• relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate, and could not have been reasonably anticipated at the commencement of the program; or
• are on the basis of the candidate undertaking an industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity of more than 30 days duration, approved by the Dean Research as part of the HDR program, as per Section 4.8 of these Conditions of Award.

A request for an extension should be made within a reasonable period before (and at least one month) before the expiry date of the award. Awardees enrolled in a Masters (Research) program are not entitled to an extension of award.

4.7 Change to HDR program

(1) Applications to transfer candidature from one HDR program to another will be in accordance with Section 3.6.7 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure . If an awardee is permitted to transfer from a Masters (Research) to a Doctoral program or from a Doctoral to a Masters (Research) program, the maximum duration of the award will be adjusted accordingly.

(2) The maximum tenure of a transferred award becomes that for the new HDR program minus the period of study undertaken towards the previous program prior to the conversion.

(3) A request for a major change to the thesis topic can be considered as per Section 3.6.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure . If it is established through this approval process that the recorded field of research (FoR) and/or field of education (FoE) for the thesis topic have changed, the Griffith Graduate Research School will update these fields in the candidate’s record.

4.8 Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities

(1) Recipients of a GUPRS may undertake industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities that are approved by the Dean Research as part of their eligible HDR program.

(2) Ongoing receipt of a GUPRS at the rate set out in Section 3.1 of these Conditions of Award may be available for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity if:

• The GUPRS awardee has not exceeded the maximum duration of their HDR program;
• The awardee has sufficient GUPRS tenure remaining;
• The awardee has not submitted their thesis for examination; and
• The industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity will run for at least 30 days and no more than six months duration.

(3) The undertaking of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity does not constitute grounds for extension to the GUPRS tenure beyond the provision for extension set out in Section 4.6 (4) of these Conditions of Award.

(1) Where necessary, awardees will abide by the National Health and Medical Research Council codes on animal and human experimentation, Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research , and the University's safety practices.

4.10 Repayment of scholarship

(1) An awardee is required to repay any scholarship payment if:

• the payment is made in error or overpaid (as determined by the University);
• the awardee is no longer enrolled in the period the scholarship is paid;
• the awardee does not meet the conditions of the scholarship; or
• the awardee has provided false information; or
• the awardee has been made a scholarship offer in error.

4.11 Termination of award

(1) A GUPRS will be terminated in any of the following circumstances:

• at the end of the period of tenure provided for by the award or when the awardee lodges a thesis for examination, whichever is earlier;
• if the University is satisfied that the program of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of award, and no suitable arrangements can be made for continuation of the degree;
• when the candidate ceases full-time enrolment when approval has not been obtained to hold the GUPRS on a part-time basis;
• if the awardee commences a period of leave without formal approval, or fails to maintain an on campus enrolment without the approval for remote candidature status;
• if the award holder does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of leave, or does not make arrangements to extend that period of leave;
• if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 1 of these Conditions of Award, other than during a period in which leave has been approved;
• if the University determines that a candidate is guilty of serious academic or student misconduct in accordance with the Academic Misconduct Policy – Higher Degree Research Candidates and the Student Academic Misconduct Policy ; and/or
• if the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory progress, as determined by the University in accordance with Section 3.9 of the HDR Academic Progress Procedure .

(2) If an award is terminated, it cannot be reactivated unless the termination occurred in error.

(1) A decision by the University made in respect of an application for scholarship is final and not reviewable, as per the University’s Student Review and Appeals Policy.

(2) A candidate who is dissatisfied with a decision to terminate the scholarship may request a review of the decision in accordance with the Student Review and Appeals Policy .

Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents should refer to the Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset Guidelines ( PDF , 789k.

International tuition fees vary depending on which school or research centre you will be enrolling in. Refer to the Australian Government RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship and the Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship for tuition fee scholarships.

2024 Conditions of Award, effective from 1 January 2024. The conditions of award may change and these changes will be made available on the relevant website.

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