Study in Australia for Free: 10 Government & University Scholarships You Can Apply for Today (2025 CYBERTECHNERD

Introduction
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely asked questions like: “How can I study in Australia without spending a fortune?” or “Are there full scholarships to study in Australia in 2025?” Great news — the answer is yes. A number of government and university-led scholarships make it possible to study in Australia for free (or close to free).

In this post, you’ll get:

A clear breakdown of 10 top scholarships in Australia for international students in 2025
Step-by-step, actionable insight on how to apply, what to prepare, and how to increase your chances
A comparison table for quick clarity
The major high-CPC keywords that match what many students are searching for (so you also know what to type)
FAQs to help you answer the tough questions

Let’s dive in — you’re about to discover how you could study in Australia for free.

Why “Study in Australia for Free” is Within Reach

Many students assume that studying abroad means massive expenses. But if you target the right scholarships, full tuition waivers plus living cost support are offered by Australian institutions and the Australian Government. For example, the Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) is designed to provide full tuition fees, a return economy airfare, living expenses allowance and other benefits. (dfat.gov.au)

Here’s what you need to know up front:

You must research eligibility very carefully (country, citizenship, academic level)
You need to apply early and prepare all supporting documents well in advance
Success requires meeting academic, leadership and English-language criteria
“Free” doesn’t always mean 100% of all costs, but many scholarships come very close — tuition + major support

Using the right keywords, such as: “fully funded scholarships Australia 2025”, “Australia international student scholarship free tuition”, “Australian government scholarship international students 2025”, you’ll improve your ability to find opportunities.

10 Top Scholarships You Can Apply for in Australia (2025)

Here are ten outstanding scholarships. They vary in scope, eligibility and value — but each gives you a real shot at studying in Australia for free or nearly free.

#	Scholarship	Level (UG/PG/PhD)	Key Benefits	Why It’s Significant
1	Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)	Undergraduate & Postgraduate	Full tuition + return airfare + living allowance + OSHC (health cover) (dfat.gov.au)	One of the flagship Australian Government scholarships for international students.
2	Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship	Master’s by research / PhD	Tuition fee waiver + living stipend for research students (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)	Ideal if you’re heading into research or doctoral studies in Australia.
3	University-specific Fully Funded Scholarships at Australian Universities	UG/PG/PhD (varies)	Varying coverage: full tuition or heavy fee waiver + possible stipend (scholarshiproar.com)	Many universities offer their own scholarships — valuable if you have a target university.
4	Destination Australia Scholarships (Regional Study)	UG/Postgraduate	Up to AUD 15 000 per year + fee scholarships for students studying in regional campuses. (Scholarships)	Encourages study outside major city campuses — good for regional institution options.
5	International Tuition-Fee Reduction/Discount Scholarships (Various Universities)	UG/PG	Discounts such as 20% or more off tuition for international students. (ECU)	Less than full “free”, but very useful for reducing cost significantly.
6	Merit-Based International Scholarships (Various)	UG/PG	Awarded based on academic excellence, sometimes leadership/achievement — can cover large portion of fees. (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)	If you have strong academic record, these widen your options.
7	Research-Institution/Departmental Scholarships	PhD/Masters (Research)	Specific to discipline/university, covering tuition + research costs + stipend. (Applyindex)	If your goal is research, these focused scholarships are gold.
8	Partial Fee Waivers + Living Support for International Students (Various Institutions)	UG/PG	Reduced tuition + allowances for living, sometimes travel. (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)	More accessible if you don’t meet criteria for full funding.
9	Scholarships for Under-represented Nationalities or Regions	UG/PG	Targeted at students from specific countries/regions, sometimes with full or near-full coverage. (studyaustralia.gov.au)	If you’re from a partner country, such specialised scholarships raise your chances.
10	Discounts + Bursaries for Regional or Remote Campus Study	UG/PG	Tuition reductions plus accommodation/living supports for students studying in regional campus settings. (Charles Sturt University)	If you’re open to studying outside major cities, these help both fee & cost of living.

Deep Dive: What You Need to Know for Each Major Scholarship

1. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)

Administered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). (dfat.gov.au)
Offers full tuition fee coverage, return economy airfare, a once-only establishment allowance (to help you settle), living expense contributions, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the award period. (dfat.gov.au)
Eligibility: You must be a citizen of an eligible partner country. Check your country’s profile for opening/closing dates and specific criteria. (dfat.gov.au)
Application tips:
- Read the Policy Handbook and country profile carefully.
- Apply online (some countries also accept mailed applications) via the OASIS system. (dfat.gov.au)
- Prepare early: transcripts, English test results, referee reports, statement of purpose, alignment with development priorities.
Deadlines: For example, the 2025 intake of AAS is now open for many countries. (studyaustralia.gov.au)
Why it stands out: Because it covers so much, it’s close to “study in Australia for free”. The competition is strong, so you’ll want to put in your best application.

2. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship

Targeted at research-based programs (Master’s by research, PhD) at Australian universities. (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)
Provides tuition fee waiver + living stipend + research cost support (varies by university). (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)
If you’re planning to pursue postgraduate research in Australia, this is among your best opportunities.
Application wise: You often apply through the university you’re admitted to. Make sure to check university’s grad research scholarship pages.

3. University-specific Fully Funded Scholarships

Many Australian universities publish their own scholarships for international students. (scholarshiproar.com)
Benefits vary: full fee coverage, or part-fee plus subsidies (living allowance, etc).
If you have a preferred university in mind, check their “International Scholarships” page early.
Examples: at the University of Adelaide there are international scholarships offering 15% or 30% tuition reduction for 2025 commencement. (international.adelaide.edu.au)
Don’t ignore these — sometimes applying to the institution early (including scholarship-application component) improves your chance.

4. Destination Australia Scholarships (Regional)

Funded by the Australian Government. Designed to attract students (including international) to regional Australian campuses instead of major city ones. (Scholarships)
Example value: Up to AUD 15,000 per year (for the eligible program) for international students who study full time at eligible regional campuses. (Scholarships)
Key requirements: new full-time enrolment, residency in regional area (as defined by Australian Bureau of Statistics), valid student visa. (Scholarships)
If you’re open to studying outside Sydney/Melbourne, this is a strong option.

5. Tuition-Fee Reductions / Discounts for International Students

While not always “free”, many universities offer substantial reductions to tuition fees. For example: the Edith Cowan University (ECU) 2025/2026 “Australian Qualification International Scholarship” offers a 20% reduction in tuition fees. (ECU)
Also, the University of Tasmania offers international scholarships like “Tasmanian International Scholarship” with 25% tuition fee reduction. (University of Tasmania)
Use these strategically: If you cannot get full-funding, a major reduction + your own cost-management strategy may still allow you to study in Australia at minimal cost.

6. Merit-Based International Scholarships

Often awarded purely or primarily on academic merit, and sometimes extra qualities (leadership, research, nationality). (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)
These are great if you already have strong grades and perhaps extra-curricular achievements.
Examples: “High Achiever” scholarships, Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship at various universities.
Application tip: Highlight your achievements, leadership potential, volunteer work, and clearly articulate your goals in your application.

7. Research-Institution / Departmental Scholarships

If you are going for a very specific field (engineering, health, environment, IT), many departments in Australia offer special PhD/masters by research scholarships. (Applyindex)
These may require finding a supervisor, submitting a research proposal, and demonstrating match with research priorities of the university.
Good pathway if you have a clear research direction and want to be in Australia’s research ecosystem.

8. Partial Fee Waivers + Living Support

Even if you don’t get full “free” tuition, partial waivers combined with living cost support can bring your cost dramatically down. (Santamonica Study Abroad Pvt. Ltd.)
Many students assume “all or nothing” — but reducing cost significantly can be almost as good as free, especially if you manage living costs well.
Consider budgeting living expenses and looking for cheaper/off-campus housing.

9. Scholarships for Under-represented Nationalities or Regions

Many scholarship schemes prioritise students from certain countries or regions. For instance, AAS is targeted at students from developing partner nations. (studyaustralia.gov.au)
If you come from a country that is under-represented but eligible, emphasise how your studies will contribute to your home country or region — this often improves your selection chances.

10. Fee Discounts + Bursaries for Regional/Remote Study

Studying in regional campuses (outside major cities) often means lower cost of living + specific subsidies. For example, the Charles Sturt University offers international student merit scholarships with 30% fee discounts. (Charles Sturt University)
If you are flexible about location, this could be a smart strategy: lower fees + lower cost of living.

How to Prepare & Maximise Your Chances

Getting one of these scholarships is competitive. Use the following checklist to boost your odds:

Research early: Bookmark the scholarship pages (e.g., AAS website, university scholarship pages) and note deadlines.
Check eligibility precisely: Citizenship, age, previous study, English test scores, full-time enrolment.
Build your academic profile: Good grades matter. Merit-based scholarships care a lot about transcripts.
Demonstrate leadership / community impact: Many scholarships prefer applicants who will contribute to their home country or to society.
Craft a compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP): Clearly state your goals, why Australia, why that university/scholarship, and how you will give back.
Get strong references: Use referees who know you well, can speak to academic quality and leadership potential.
Prepare your English test: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE requirements vary—have your test early so you’re ready.
Apply for your university programme early: Often scholarship applications require first applying to the university’s course and receiving an offer (sometimes conditional).
Budget living costs: Even if tuition is covered, you’ll need to plan living costs, travel, books, etc. Australia is more affordable in some regional campuses than big cities.
Follow up: After applying, track status, respond to requests from university/scholarship office, don’t miss any further documentation deadlines.

Keyword-Rich Subheadings You’ll Actually Find Useful

To make sure this article is SEO-friendly and addresses what you are searching for, here are sub-headings with high-CPC keywords:

“Fully Funded Scholarships Australia 2025 International Students”

You’ll see that many scholarships on offer in 2025 are open to international students and are described as “fully funded” or close. For example, “fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students” is the title of a guide. (University Living)

“Australian Government Scholarships International Students Free Tuition”

The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) fits this exactly — full tuition, free tuition for the recipient, and support for living expenses.

“Study in Australia Scholarships for Developing Countries 2025”

This is highly relevant if you are from a developing country. The AAS in particular is targeted at developing partner countries. (studyaustralia.gov.au)

“University Scholarship Australia International Students fee waiver”

Many university-specific scholarships give large fee waivers (e.g., 20%, 30%, or full). The University of Adelaide’s 15% or 30% fee reductions are an example. (international.adelaide.edu.au)

“Regional Australia Study Scholarship International Students 2025”

If you are open to studying in regional Australia (outside major cities), the Destination Australia scholarship is a great fit. › Up to AUD 15,000/year for international students studying in regional areas. (idp.com)

“How to apply for Australia study scholarship 2025 step by step”

Application process information: For example, how to apply for AAS is clearly outlined. (dfat.gov.au)
This subheading will help you find actionable steps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I really study in Australia for free as an international student?
Yes — if you secure a full scholarship that covers tuition and major living costs. The AAS is a key example. But “free” often means you still budget for some minor costs (books, personal expenses, travel to/from Australia if not covered).

Q2: What kind of scholarships cover living expenses in Australia?
Some do. For example, AAS includes a “Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses”. (dfat.gov.au) Research-based scholarships (like RTP) also often include stipends.

Q3: Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship and the university?
Often yes — you apply for admission to the university/course, and then for the scholarship. For some university-specific scholarships, you might be automatically considered; for others, you submit a separate application. Check each case carefully.

Q4: What are the most common requirements?

Excellent academic record
English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Full-time enrolment
Statement of purpose (why you want the scholarship, your goals)
Possibly community/leadership involvement or alignment with development goals
Specific citizenship/residency criteria (for government scholarships)

Q5: How early should I apply?
Very early. Deadlines can be many months before the commencement of study. For instance, some scholarships close in January for the February semester. (Scholarships) Make sure you give yourself enough time for application, supporting documents, getting an offer, student visa.

Q6: Are there scholarships for undergraduate students too?
Yes — many. While research scholarships often target masters/PhD, there are undergraduate (UG) scholarships for international students (and sometimes large fee discounts) at Australian universities. (GD CONNECT)

Q7: What about studying in a “regional” area of Australia to get a cheaper cost?
Yes — studying in regional campuses is often cheaper for cost of living, and there are dedicated scholarships (such as Destination Australia) to incentivise it. It’s a great strategy if you are flexible about location.

Q8: Once I finish my study, are there work opportunities?
Yes — international students in Australia usually can work part-time during semester and full time in breaks (subject to visa rules). Also, post-study work visas may be available depending on study level and course. Always check the most recent visa regulations.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever thought: “Studying abroad in Australia is too expensive for me”, you’ll want to think again. With the scholarships above — especially government-funded ones like AAS, the RTP, or university-specific fully funded offerings — you undeniably have real pathways to studying in Australia for free or near-free in 2025.

Here’s what I encourage you to do right now:

Pick one or more scholarships above that match your profile (level of study, citizenship, university preference)
Visit the official scholarship page (links provided) and note the deadline
Begin gathering your transcripts, English test results, references, and craft a strong statement of purpose
Apply to your target Australian university early, and in parallel apply for the scholarship
Budget for your living costs, research city vs regional campuses (regional may cost less)
Keep your record clean, maintain strong grades, and highlight your leadership/community involvement

You could be just a few proactive steps away from launching an incredible study-in-Australia experience — without the massive debt.

Go ahead — explore the links, pick your scholarship, and start your application journey today. Your future self will thank you.

This blog post is for informational purposes. Always verify details on official scholarship webpages, as conditions, deadlines and eligibility can change.