“Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia & New Zealand 2025: Study Without Fees”

You’re dreaming of studying abroad but worried about soaring tuition and living costs. Good news—you’re not alone, and there are pathways to live and learn in Australia or New Zealand without paying a dime. In this post, you’ll discover the top fully funded scholarships for international students in 2025, so you can focus on your future instead of finances.

Why Fully Funded Scholarships Matter to You

You want a world-class education, global experiences, and career opportunities—but you’re hesitant about high costs. Fully funded scholarships eliminate that worry. They typically cover:

• Full tuition and university fees
• Living allowance
• Travel and airfare
• Health and travel insurance
• Research or thesis support (especially for graduate students)

These benefits let you focus on learning, building networks, and planning your future. For New Zealand, fully funded scholarships often include all major expenses, making your academic journey financially stress-free (UpGrad).

Overview: Scholarships Table

Here’s a snapshot of standout fully funded scholarships available in Australia and New Zealand, including deadlines, benefits, and eligibility.

Deep Dive: Top Scholarships in Detail

1. Australia Awards Scholarships

This flagship scholarship, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is fully funded—covering tuition, airfare, living costs, and course materials (DFAT). It targets students from developing countries and covers undergraduate through to PhD levels. The 2025 round closed on April 30 (Scholarships for Development, DFAT) — get ready early for the next opening.

2. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships

Ideal for Masters and PhD candidates, these awards offer fully funded research positions. Deadlines vary, but applications for 2025 are open or rolling (Scholarships for Development).

3. UNSW Green Fellowships + PhD Support

UNSW launched a $14 million fellowship designed to attract global talent, covering salary and relocation, plus PhD scholarships to train Australia’s future leaders in AI, green hydrogen, and more (The Australian). If you’re ready for cutting-edge research, this could be your launchpad.

4. Macquarie University Early Acceptance Scholarship

This isn’t fully funded, but still significant—eligible Indian students can receive AUD 10,000 annually (about 25% of tuition) for UG or PG coursework (The Times of India).

5. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Offered by the New Zealand government, Manaaki covers full tuition, training components, and English language support – truly fully funded (nzscholarships.govt.nz). The 2025 deadline was February 28 (Scholarships for Development)—watch for next year’s opening.

6. University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship

This merit-based scholarship provides full funding for undergrad, masters, and PhD students. It’s flexible, with rolling or annual timelines (Scholarship Roar, Scholarships for Development).

7. William Georgetti Scholarship

A premier postgraduate scholarship offering NZD 20,000/year (Masters) or up to NZD 45,000/year (PhD, abroad) (Wikipedia). If you’re highly motivated and academically excellent, consider applying via your NZ university.

8. SIT Zero Fees English/Foundation Scholarships

These provide free English or foundation programs for international students gearing up for main programs. Though highly valuable, note that this scheme is being phased out post-2023 (Wikipedia).

Your Roadmap: How to Apply & Succeed

• Start Early: Openings like Australia Awards and Manaaki have strict application windows.
• Tailor Your Application:
  • Craft outstanding personal statements.
  • Secure strong recommendation letters.
  • Demonstrate leadership, community impact, or academic potential.
• Track Deadlines: Note all dates and plan ahead.
• Use University Resources: Contact scholarship or admissions offices for insights and clarity.
• Apply Widely: For example, if you miss Manaaki, try University of Waikato or William Georgetti instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a fully funded scholarship without IELTS?

Sometimes yes. New Zealand universities may accept TOEFL, PTE, or waive English proficiency tests based on prior education (UpGrad).

What GPA do I need?

Competitive applicants often need a GPA of 3.0+ (US scale) or 70–80% (nomadcredit.com, UpGrad). For elite awards like William Georgetti, expect much higher (GPA ~8/9 in NZ scale) (Wikipedia).

Do any scholarships cover family or dependents?

Most do not—they focus on the student alone. A few PhD-level awards may offer limited allowances for dependents—check each provider’s terms (UpGrad).

Will New Zealand scholarships ever reopen if missed?

Yes—several options like University of Waikato run rolling entries, while national programs open annually. Bookmark official pages and set reminders.

Any tips to improve my chances?

Absolutely—start planning early, tailor every application, and highlight leadership, your “why,” and your potential impact. Reach out to mentors or current scholarship holders.

Conclusion

You now have a clear roadmap to the top fully funded scholarships in Australia and New Zealand for 2025. Whether it’s government-backed schemes like Australia Awards and Manaaki, prestigious research funding via UNSW or University of Melbourne, or more targeted awards like William Georgetti—there’s an opportunity for you.

Take the next step: choose your top 2–3 fits, mark the deadlines, prepare your application documents, and reach out for support. Your global study story can begin—with funding that lets you reach for excellence, not stress.

Safe travels—and may your scholarship journey be full of opportunity and success!