Australia is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Nepali students, and it has more scholarship money available than most people realise — from the fully funded government Australia Awards to automatic university merit discounts. This guide covers every major scholarship pathway for Nepali students heading to Australia.
Quick Overview — Best Australian Scholarships for Nepal
| Scholarship | Level | Value | 2027 Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | Master’s | Fully funded | April 30, 2027 |
| RTP (Research Training Program) | PhD / Master’s by Research | Fully funded (tuition + stipend) | Varies by university |
| Flinders AGRTPS | PhD | Fully funded + AUD $36,061 stipend | June 18 annually |
| University merit scholarships | UG / Master’s | AUD $5,000–$20,000/year | Varies by university |
| Destination Australia | UG / PG | AUD $15,000/year | Varies by university |
1. Australia Awards Scholarships
The flagship Australian government scholarship for developing countries — one of the most valuable fully funded awards available to Nepali students. Nepal is a priority country for Australia Awards.
- Level: Master’s by Coursework and Master’s by Research only — not undergraduate or PhD (separate RTP exists for PhD)
- Coverage:
- Full tuition fees at any eligible Australian university
- Return economy airfare (Kathmandu–Australia)
- Living allowance (Establishment allowance + monthly contribution)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Pre-course English training if required
- Academic support programme
- 2027 cycle: Applications opened February 1, 2026 and closed April 30, 2026. The 2028 cycle is expected to open February 1, 2027. Monitor australiaawardsnepal.org for the opening announcement.
- Return obligation: Recipients must return to Nepal for at least 2 years after completing their scholarship — this is a contractual obligation signed with the Australian government
Who is eligible (Nepal-specific)
- Nepali citizen currently residing in Nepal
- Relevant professional work experience (generally 2+ years — specific requirements published each cycle)
- Academic qualification meeting Australian master’s entry requirements
- English proficiency — valid test results as at January 1 of the scholarship year
- Nepal priority fields (for 2026 intake): Education, health, governance, economic infrastructure, water and sanitation, agricultural development, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Aligning your proposed study with these priorities significantly strengthens your application.
- Women, people with disability, and traditionally marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply — these groups receive additional consideration in selection
How to apply
- Create an account on the OASIS portal — the Australia Awards online application system
- Complete the application form — includes personal statement, proposed study, development impact plan, and references
- Submit before April 30 each year at 11:59 PM AEST (this is 19:44 NPT — plan accordingly)
- Shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews — only shortlisted candidates are contacted; unsuccessful applicants are not individually informed
- Successful candidates receive a conditional scholarship offer and then apply to Australian universities with Australia Awards’ support
Official Nepal portal: australiaawardsnepal.org
2. Research Training Program (RTP) — PhD Scholarships
The RTP is the Australian government’s main scholarship for PhD (and Master’s by Research) students at Australian universities. Unlike the Australia Awards (which are government-to-government), RTP scholarships are administered by individual universities — you apply to the university, which allocates RTP funding to competitive candidates.
- Coverage: Full tuition fee offset (you pay no tuition), living allowance stipend (approximately AUD $32,000–$36,000/year), and relocation allowance
- How to access: Apply directly to a PhD or Master’s by Research programme at any Australian university. Strong candidates are automatically considered for RTP funding. You need a confirmed supervisor before applying.
- Deadlines: Each university has its own RTP application rounds — typically February and August each year
- For Flinders University specifically, the AGRTPS is a dedicated international PhD scholarship built on RTP. See the EduNepal AGRTPS guide — deadline June 18, 2026
3. University Merit Scholarships
Most Australian universities offer automatic merit scholarships for high-achieving international students. These range from AUD $5,000 to AUD $20,000+ per year and are awarded based on academic record. Some are automatic with your offer; others require a separate application.
Examples relevant to Nepali students:
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships — tuition waiver + living stipend for PhD and MPhil students
- University of Queensland International Scholarships (UQ International) — AUD $10,000 one-time award for top-ranked international master’s applicants
- Monash International Merit Scholarship — AUD $10,000 for undergraduate; AUD $10,000 for postgraduate. Automatic with strong grades.
- University of Sydney International Scholarship — up to AUD $40,000 over 4 years (undergraduate) for top international students
- RMIT International Excellence Scholarship — AUD $10,000 for postgraduate coursework programmes
- Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) — University of Adelaide; full tuition + living for PhD and master’s by research students
⚠️ Check each university’s scholarship page directly after applying for admission — many automatic merit awards are not widely advertised and are confirmed with or shortly after your offer letter.
4. Destination Australia Scholarships
A lesser-known Australian government scholarship specifically for international students choosing to study in regional Australia (outside major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
- Value: AUD $15,000 per year
- Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
- Condition: Must study at a participating university in a regional area of Australia — not Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane campuses
- Why this is relevant for Nepal: Regional universities like University of New England, Charles Sturt University, Central Queensland University, and Federation University have lower overall costs than major city universities — the AUD $15,000 scholarship stacked on lower tuition makes total cost of study significantly lower
- Check participating universities and apply through individual universities: destinationaustralia.gov.au
5. Rotary Peace Fellowship
- Level: Master’s degree or Professional Development Certificate
- Field: Peace studies, conflict resolution, and international development specifically. One of the partner universities is the University of Queensland, Australia.
- Coverage: Fully funded — tuition, living stipend, airfare, and field study experience
- Eligibility: Demonstrated commitment to peace and conflict resolution through professional experience; open to all nationalities including Nepal
- Application: rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships
Study in Australia — Key Practical Information for Nepali Students
- Student visa required: Unlike India, Nepali students do need an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500). Required documents include Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), proof of financial capacity, English proficiency, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Tuition fees: AUD $20,000–$45,000/year depending on programme and university. Engineering and medicine are at the higher end.
- Living costs: AUD $21,041/year is the minimum living costs amount required for Australian student visa (Subclass 500). Actual costs vary by city — Sydney and Melbourne are most expensive, Adelaide and regional cities are more affordable.
- Post-study work rights: Australia’s Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows 2–6 years of post-study work depending on the qualification level and study location. Note: Australia Awards recipients must return to Nepal before applying for post-study work.
- English requirements: IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall (no band below 5.5 for most courses). PTE Academic 50–58 equivalent. Australia Awards requires valid test results as of January 1 of the scholarship year.
Which Australian Scholarship Is Right for You?
| Profile | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Working professional, 2+ years experience, wants fully funded master’s | Australia Awards — apply by April 30 annually |
| Research-active professional, wants PhD | RTP (via university application) or Flinders AGRTPS (June 18 deadline) |
| Strong academic record, any level | University merit scholarships — automatic with strong application, check each university directly |
| Flexible on location, open to regional Australia | Destination Australia (AUD $15,000) + regional university lower fees = best overall value |
| Peace / development sector background | Rotary Peace Fellowship at UQ — fully funded, highly prestigious |
Useful Links
- Australia Awards Nepal: australiaawardsnepal.org
- Australia Awards OASIS Application Portal: oasis.dfat.gov.au
- Destination Australia: destinationaustralia.gov.au
- Flinders AGRTPS guide (EduNepal): Flinders AGRTPS — Full Guide
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