Graduate Research Scholarships in Australia (AUD 22,000 & Similar Levels)

Australia offers many scholarships for graduate research (Master’s by Research / PhD). These help cover living costs, tuition fees, and research-related expenses. While many scholarships are generous, some are modest—around AUD 22,000 or similar—and may be enough for basic living or part support. This article helps you understand what to expect, how to find them, how to apply, and how to combine them with jobs if needed.

Contents

1. What are graduate research scholarships in Australia

2. Typical stipend / value ranges

3. What does AUD 22,000 level imply

4. Who is eligible

5. How to apply: step by step

6. Tips to improve chances

7. Combining scholarship with work or jobs

8. Universities offering modest stipends / resources

9. Potential drawbacks to be aware of

10. FAQ

1. What Are Graduate Research Scholarships in Australia

• These scholarships are awarded to students who will do graduate research degrees: mainly Master’s by Research or PhD / Doctoral studies.

• They often include a stipend (money to help with living costs), sometimes tuition fee waivers, and other allowances (relocation, health cover, etc.).

• Many are funded by the Australian Government under programs like the Research Training Program (RTP), or by individual universities.

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2. Typical Stipend / Value Ranges

To put AUD 22,000 in context, here are some examples of scholarship amounts (recent / 2025-2026) from different universities:

So, AUD 22,000 is lower than many full stipends. It may cover partial living costs but probably not all expenses, depending on location, housing, etc.

3. What Does AUD 22,000 Level Imply

If you are considering or awarded a scholarship around AUD 22,000, here is what that likely means:

• It may not cover full living cost in expensive Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, etc.).

• You might have to supplement with work (part-time job, casual teaching / research assistant) if allowed.

• It might be intended more as a top-up or partial scholarship rather than full support.

• The student may have to manage a modest lifestyle, shared housing, minimal travel.

Thus, such a scholarship can be helpful, especially for someone coming from a lower-cost area, or willing to live frugally.

4. Who is Eligible

Eligibility rules vary a lot by university and scholarship. Common requirements include:

• Good academic record: e.g. high grades in Bachelor’s or Master’s if applying for PhD.

• Research potential: publications, research experience, work as research assistant, honours thesis.

• Proof of ability in English (for international students).

• Sometimes citizenship or permanent residency matters, especially for certain government-funded scholarships.

• Supervisors / faculty willing to support you.

Also, some mild eligibility criteria:

• Cannot have already completed a research degree at the same or higher level.

• Must commit to full-time candidature (in many cases).

5. How to Apply: Step by Step

Here are general steps to apply for graduate research scholarships in Australia:

1. Identify universities & programs you want to study in (and research fields).

2. Check scholarship pages of those universities (look up RTP, Graduate Research School, etc.).

3. Make contact with a potential supervisor if required. Many applications ask for this.

4. Prepare key documents: transcripts, research proposal / thesis plan, last degree result, supervisor endorsement, references, proof of English proficiency, etc.

5. Submit application by deadline. Deadlines are often annual or twice per year. For instance, ACU opens in April and October. Australian Catholic University

6. Ensure you meet eligibility: full time, academic merit, sometimes residency status.

7. Apply for visa (if international), health insurance, etc., as required.

6. Tips to Improve Chances

• Maintain strong grades in previous studies. A high GPA helps.

• Gain research experience: assist in labs, co-author papers, do honours or capstone projects.

• Write a clear, focused research proposal. Show that your work contributes something new.

• Secure a supervisor early and ensure their interests align with yours. University support is often crucial.

• Be timely with applications; meet all requirements. Missing a document can disqualify.

• Apply to multiple scholarships or universities to increase chances.

7. Combining Scholarship with Jobs

When scholarship money is modest (e.g. ~AUD 22,000), many students need extra income. Here are safe, common ways:

• Casual work at the university: marking scripts, tutoring, supporting labs, etc. These are sometimes allowed under scholarship terms.

• Research assistant roles: sometimes funded projects need help; this can fit with your research interests.

• Check the terms of your scholarship: whether they allow extra paid work.

Job links or platforms useful:

• Seek Australia — general job board, often casual / part-time teaching / admin roles.

• UniJobsBoard — academic / university jobs in Australia.

• University internal job portals (for students) — once you’re admitted, check your university’s HR or student jobs pages.

8. Universities / Programs That May Offer Modest Scholarships & Resources

While many universities offer high stipends (AUD 30,000+), some may have scholarships closer to AUD 20,000-25,000, especially:

• Smaller universities, or those in regional areas.

• Partial scholarships, where stipend is lower but maybe tuition fees are waived.

• Industry-co-funded scholarships can be more variable.

You should research:

• Graduate Research Schools of each university.

• RTP (Research Training Program) opportunities.

• Equity / Diversity scholarships – sometimes value is lower but accessible.

Use Australia-based scholarship databases:

• [Scholarships Australia websites of universities]

• “HDR Scholarships” (Higher Degree by Research) portals

9. Potential Drawbacks of Modest Scholarships

It is important to be aware of the challenges:

• Living on tight budget; cost of housing, utilities, food, transport can make modest stipend stressful.

• Less flexibility for travel, attending conferences, unexpected costs (equipment, printing, etc.).

• Possible limitations on permissible extra work (some scholarships restrict hours).

• If stipend doesn’t increase with inflation, real value decreases over time.

Knowing these helps you plan better (budget, negotiations, etc.).

10. FAQ

Q1: Can international students get graduate research scholarships in Australia?
Yes, many universities offer scholarships open to both domestic and international students. However, international students may need to meet extra criteria (visa, health insurance, English proficiency). Also, some scholarships (especially government-funded) may prioritize domestic students. Scholarships+2Federation University+2

Q2: Is a stipend of AUD 22,000 enough to live in Australia?
It depends on where you live and your expenses. In cheaper regional locations or shared housing, you may manage a basic lifestyle. But in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, AUD 22,000 will likely be tight—may require supplementing with casual work.

Q3: Are scholarship payments taxable?
Many scholarships in Australia for full-time research are tax exempt, if they meet certain criteria (educational, not employment-contract). But part-time scholarships or extra income/paid work may be taxed. Always check with the university’s scholarship office and Australian Taxation Office. Australian Catholic University+1

Q4: How long do these scholarships last?
For PhD full-time, often 3-3.5 years. For Master’s by Research, usually 1.5-2 years, depending on university and whether you are part-time or full-time. Federation University+2RMIT University+2

Q5: Can I apply to many scholarships at once?
Yes, provided eligibility allows. You can submit applications to multiple universities or multiple funding bodies. Just make sure you meet the criteria and don’t submit conflicting documents.

Jobs / Work Opportunities Related to Research Scholarships

Here are some example job roles or positions that may help you make ends meet while on a modest scholarship:

• University Tutor / Teaching Assistant: helping undergraduates with tutorials, labs.

• Research Assistant: assisting a professor’s research project.

• Lab Technician: in science/engineering, if you have relevant skills.

• Casual / Part-time Administration: working in university departments.

• Freelance or Remote Work: online writing, data entry, language tutoring, etc., subject to visa restrictions.

To find such jobs, use job boards like Seek, UniJobsBoard, LinkedIn, or check university HR / student employment pages.

Conclusion

Graduate research scholarships in Australia are valuable resources; they give you chance to study, research, and contribute to knowledge. While many awards offer generous stipends, not all do. If you are offered or aiming for a scholarship around AUD 22,000:

• Understand clearly what the scholarship covers (stipend, fees, allowances).

• Plan for extra income or support, if needed.

• Aim for scholarships with better value but have fallback options.

With good preparation, a strong academic record, and the right application, you can improve your chances of securing funding that lets you focus on your research.