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 Australian Government's Destination Australia (DA) Program supports the growth of tertiary education in regional Australia and supports underrepresented groups to access tertiary education in regional Australia.

Batchelor Institute has 3 DA scholarships for Higher Degree by Research students in 2025:

These scholarships are for 2 years (Masters) or 3.5 years (PhD) at $15,000 per annum paid in lump sum payments of $7,500 per semester.

Eligibility

• Commence a new course of study with Batchelor Institute in the 2025 academic year. This includes students who have gone to a higher qualification level in 2025, for example from a Masters to PhD.
• Be studying full time
• Reside in a regional area at the commencement of and during the study period.
• To maintain eligibility for this scholarship students must maintain their enrolment, appropriate progress in their studies, and residence in a regional area.
• Students whose studies equip them to fill a job classified as a priority by the Australian Government's National Skills Priority List.
• Priority will be given to students from underrepresented groups such as low socio-economic status, those from first in family to tertiary study, those living with a disability and First Nations people.

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.

The Beryl Price RTP Top-Up Scholarship is intended to attract and support an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman into the Batchelor PhD Program by offering a Top-Up scholarship over three years to a full-time female candidate. This scholarship takes into account the financial hardship for many aspiring Indigenous researchers.

Scholarship Value: $10,000 annum (2025 rate)

Length of Scholarship: up to 3 years full time

Eligibility:

• Female
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• In receipt of an RTP scholarship
• Undertaking PhD full time

The Indigenous Staff Scholarship provides teaching buy-out for a female Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff member of Batchelor Institute who is undertaking either a Masters by Research or PhD on a part time basis. The scholarship enables that staff member to dedicate a percentage of time to achieving a research degree at the Institute. Depending on the award level (Masters or PhD) and the timing of key candidature milestones, this scholarship may be distributed evenly across 3-6 years or timed to support intensive periods of buy out at key stages of the candidature.

This scholarship awards a total value of $45,000, up to 6 years.

If interested contact research@batchelor.edu.au

The PhD project may consider investigating some of the following questions:

• What can education systems do to support retention and post-school transitions?
• How do teachers influence aspirations for high school completion?
• How does learning on Country influence young peoples’ decisions about school completion and post-school transitions?
• What role do parents and Elders play in supporting young people?
• What alternative models work to support school completion on Country (e.g. distance education, off-Country intensives, school-based vocational programs)
• What does Year 12 completion mean to young people?

The above questions are just suggestions. It will be up to you to decide what you want to focus on within the parameters of the ARC project.

Benefits

As part of a highly experienced research team, the successful applicant will receive supervision, mentoring, and other practical supports. The project will involve engaging with schools and community members in remote locations of the Northern Territory or Western Australia.

The successful applicant will be eligible for a tax-free scholarship of $33,533 plus a top up of $15,000 per year (total $48,533).  ISSP grants to assist with education costs are also available.

Reasonable costs associated with the PhD project will be covered by the ARC project.

The successful applicant will benefit from being part of Batchelor’s Graduate School, with access to regular masterclasses.

Batchelor offers 4WD courses for people who work remotely.

Eligibility

Applicants will be eligible to apply if they can meet the entry requirements for Research Program Options | Batchelor Institute and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

We would prefer the successful person to be located in either the Northern Territory or Western Australia and an allowance of $2000 may be available to facilitate relocation.

About you

• You will have a passion for or background in education of First Nations people
• You will be able to work independently
• You will want to learn more about the languages, cultures and Countries of people living in remote communities and homelands
• You will have a strong interest in research
• You will be able to fly or drive to remote communities