All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research Program (PhD or Master by Research) will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme.

The RTP Fees Offset scheme covers program fees for a HDR student up to a maximum period of four years for full-time study for a Doctoral program, and up to a maximum period of two years for full-time study for a Masters by Research program. As part of the enrolment process, students are required to confirm their Australian citizenship or permanent residency status and provide transcripts of all previous academic study. This documentation enables Batchelor Institute to determine eligibility for an RTP Fees Offset place. There is no separate application process for RTP Fee Offset Scheme.

If a student’s RTP Fees Offset entitlement expires before completion of the program, the student may be required to pay full tuition fees.

Students eligible for an RTP Fees Offset place are those who:

• have not used RTP Fees Offset funding in the previous three years; or
• have already used RTP Fees Offset funding and have successfully completed a HDR program.

The Australian Commonwealth Government’s contribution to program fees must be acknowledged on all published material relating to a research project via a statement identifying the support received through the RTP Fees Offset scheme.

A Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship is a Commonwealth Research Scholarship. The RTP Stipend Scholarship provides funds to research candidates to assist with their living costs while undertaking a research degree. Batchelor Institute aims to provide RTP Stipend Scholarships, on a competitive basis, to individuals who have received an Offer of Admission into either the PhD or Masters by Research programs.

The following conditions are based on the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 and are adapted to comply with Batchelor Institutes RTP Scholarships Policy.

Scholarship Value

$36,511 per annum (2025 rate) paid fortnightly

Length of Scholarship

up to 3 years full time (PhD) and up to 2 years full time (Masters)

Eligibility

• Applicant must have received an Offer of Admission from Batchelor Institute for the PhD or Master by Research programs at the Institute;
• Applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen;
• Applicant must not be in receipt of an equivalent award, scholarship or salary related to their course of study, eg paid Research Assistant that provides a benefit greater than 75% of their annual RTP stipend rate;
• Full time study only;
• Can be a new or continuing student

The Australian Commonwealth Government’s contribution must be acknowledged in all published material relating to a research project via a statement identifying the support received through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.

Note that a person cannot be on Abstudy and also receive an RTP scholarship/stipend.

For more information on RTP stipend scholarship rules and conditions see Batchelor Institutes RTP Scholarships Policy.

The Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) is a Commonwealth Government Program which commenced on 1 January 2017 and provides supplementary funding to universities to help Indigenous students take on the demands of university and succeed. ISSP funding is particularly prioritised towards the support of Indigenous students who are financially disadvantaged and/or from remote and regional areas. Through this program Batchelor Institute also supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research candidates to attend Master Classes, Research Workshops and/or approved professional development activities.

ISSP scholarships are available to eligible candidates in the form of:

• Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (Indigenous CECS) – annual one-off payments to assist with education costs such as internet access, textbooks, study equipment, etc. Students must have demonstrated progress to be eligible for this payment.
• Travel scholarships to attend relevant professional development or other activities related to their field of study.

Eligibility

• Applicant must have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage
• Applicant must be enrolled in a PhD or Master by Research
• Applicant must be meeting the conditions of their candidature
• Priority given to the financially disadvantaged and/or from remote and regional areas.

How to Apply

• Application form for one off assistance will be provided to candidates after commencement of studies and demonstration of progress each year.
• To access travel support complete the form HDR32-ISSP Application and submit to the Director of the Graduate School.