Terms and conditions

These Terms and Conditions are aligned with the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025 and the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth). 

1.1. These Terms and Conditions outline the eligibility requirements, benefits, obligations, and administration of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships at RMIT University.

1.2. These Terms and Conditions should be read in conjunction with the University policies and procedures documented in the Policy Register.

1.3. RMIT University reserves the right to adjust these Terms and Conditions at any time and will notify all scholarship holders in writing of any adjustments. For definitions of terms used in this document, refer to the Glossary.

2.1. Research scholarships at RMIT are awarded through a fair, transparent, merit-based selection process, having regard to the University’s commitment to equity and diversity. There are two types of research scholarships: stipend scholarships and fees offset scholarships, as summarised in the table below.

2.2. The Federal Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) provides funding for stipend scholarships (with associated allowances) and fees offset scholarships. RTP Stipend Scholarships provide a living allowance (stipend) paid to awardees on a fortnightly basis. RTP Fees Offset Scholarships cover the tuition fees for the program and do not directly provide funds to candidates. The duration of Fees Offset scholarship is four years for full-time PhD candidates and two years for Masters by Research candidates. RTP Allowances – such as relocation costs, personal leave and parental leave – are detailed in Section 8 of this document.

2.3. RMIT University stipend scholarships, fees offset scholarships and allowances are provided to research candidates based on these Terms and Conditions.

2.4. These Terms and Conditions apply to all research scholarships awarded through RMIT’s research scholarship rounds, including scholarships funded by Colleges, Schools and external sources (e.g., Industry partners, Australian Research Council grants) where this document has been nominated as the applicable Terms and Conditions. Scholarship values and specific conditions may vary depending on the funding source and scheme. Any such variations, including additional or differing terms, will be clearly communicated to awardees by the scholarship provider and detailed in the scholarship Offer Letter.

2.5. If you have been awarded a scholarship funded by your College, School or supervisor, contact your School to discuss the individual allowances and entitlements applicable to your scholarship. The full allowances listed in these Terms and Conditions may not apply to your individual situation.

3.1. To be eligible for a scholarship under these Terms and Conditions, a student must meet the eligibility requirements Australian Commonwealth’s and RMIT’s eligibility requirements.

3.2. To meet the Commonwealth eligibility requirements, an applicant must be eligible to enrol, or currently be enrolled, in an HDR program at RMIT; and not be receiving any other Commonwealth award or scholarship designed to offset HDR tuition fees.

3.3. To meet RMIT’s eligibility requirements, an applicant must satisfy the scholarship-specific restrictions set out below.

3.3.1. For RTP Stipend Scholarships: the applicant must not have previously held a Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship (unless it was terminated within six months of payments commencing) and must not have previously held an RMIT-funded scholarship that was voluntarily relinquished.

3.3.2. For the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship (VCPS): the applicant must not have undertaken any prior higher degree by research candidature in the last three years.

3.3.3. If applying for a research masters, the applicant must not already hold a research doctorate, a research masters, or an equivalent qualification. 

3.3.4. If undertaking a research doctorate, a scholarship applicant must not hold a research doctorate or an equivalent research qualification unless they are an Australian and New Zealand citizen undertaking a second PhD in which case they are eligible for the RTP Fee Offset scholarship only.

3.3.5. Currently enrolled candidates, and candidates transferring to RMIT from another institution, must not have consumed more than 3.0 Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) in a PhD program or 1.0 EFTSL in a Master’s by Research program prior to the scholarship commencement.

4.1. Applications for research scholarships must be submitted in the form approved and by the date determined by RMIT. RMIT will select candidates in accordance with the HDR and RTP Scholarships Policy.

4.2. RMIT will only offer a research scholarship to a candidate as a result of:

4.2.1. an application lodged as part of a competitive selection process; or

4.2.2. RMIT agreeing to continue a research scholarship for a candidate already in receipt of one who is transferring from another university (see clause 10.1).

4.3. RMIT will offer a research scholarship in writing and will advise the candidate of the assistance to which they are entitled, the terms and conditions, the period of support, and the estimated value of Australian Government support for the scholarship.

4.4. Stipend and International Fees Offset Scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience. Priority is given to applicants who:

4.4.1. have achieved a high distinction (80% or above at RMIT) in the final two years of their qualifying program(s);

4.4.2. are considered by RMIT to have an equivalent level of academic attainment, taking into account previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience; or

4.4.3. are or will be enrolled and primarily based at an RMIT Australian campus.

5.1. Scholarship awardees must enrol and commence their RMIT program in the calendar year the scholarship was awarded, unless RMIT determines otherwise at its discretion. Commencement cannot be deferred into the following calendar year.

5.2. All scholarship awardees are expected to maintain their enrolment in their HDR program at RMIT and to make satisfactory academic progress throughout their program.

5.3. All scholarship awardees are expected to be enrolled on a full-time basis. A part-time stipend scholarship may be approved only where a candidate can demonstrate that they meet the grounds set out in clause 5.4. International candidates must additionally meet any conditions attached to their student visa.

5.4. The grounds for approving a part-time stipend scholarship are:

5.4.1. having primary carer responsibilities for a pre-school child;

5.4.2. having primary carer responsibilities for school-aged children as a sole parent with limited access to outside support;

5.4.3. having primary carer responsibilities for an invalid or disabled spouse, child or parent; or

5.4.4. having a medical condition that limits the capacity to undertake full-time study (supported by medical certification from a qualified healthcare practitioner).

5.5. In considering applications for a part-time scholarship, RMIT must be satisfied that the applicant’s circumstances are such that it would not be reasonable to expect full-time study. Work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for converting a stipend scholarship to part-time.

5.6. A candidate who holds a part-time stipend scholarship may revert to full-time study at any time with RMIT’s permission. RMIT may also require part-time scholarship holders to convert to full-time if the exceptional circumstances that gave rise to part-time eligibility no longer apply.

5.7. Stipends for part-time scholarships are not tax exempt.

5.8. RTP Stipend holders may undertake paid part-time employment, provided it does not impede progress towards completion of their research degree. Work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the scholarship duration.

5.9. RMIT may approve a scholarship holder to conduct substantial amounts of research at an organisation outside the higher education sector. Such approval will not normally be granted in the first six months of the scholarship, unless the candidate is subject to a Collaborative Research Training Agreement.

5.10. During periods of overseas research approved by RMIT, the scholarship holder must remain enrolled at RMIT and any stipend is to be paid to an Australian bank account.

6.1. The duration of a full-time stipend scholarship is three years and six months for a candidate undertaking research doctorate studies, and two years for a candidate undertaking a research masters. Part-time duration is seven years for research doctorate studies and four years for research masters studies.

6.2. The duration of a stipend scholarship will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:

6.2.1. towards the degree prior to the commencement of scholarship; or

6.2.2. towards the degree during suspension of the stipend scholarship (unless the study was undertaken overseas as part of a Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award); or

6.2.3. previously while receiving an Australian postgraduate coursework award.

6.3. The duration of a stipend scholarship will be increased in accordance with relevant Leave Entitlements in the HDR and RTP Scholarships Procedure and these Terms and Conditions.

6.4. RMIT may, in its absolute discretion and on a case-by-case basis, grant candidates a single stipend extension of up to 3 months only. Senior supervisors may submit a request for a stipend extension to the School of Graduate Research on behalf of the candidate. Scholarship extensions should only be requested when candidates are progressing well to submission. Candidates who have not successfully completed the third Milestone are ineligible to apply for a stipend extension.

6.5. If a part-time stipend scholarship is converted to full-time then the period of time that the candidate has been in receipt of the stipend scholarship immediately prior to the conversion will be halved for the purpose of determining the remaining duration of the stipend scholarship.

6.6. If a full-time research scholarship is converted to part-time research scholarship then the period of time that the candidate has been in receipt of the stipend scholarship immediately prior to the conversion will be doubled for the purpose of determining the remaining duration of the stipend scholarship.

6.7. If a candidate submits their research for examination prior to the end of the stipend scholarship, stipend payments will cease from the day on which the candidate submits their thesis.

7.1. RMIT will pay the full value of a stipend scholarship unless the scholarship is reduced or ceased due to circumstances including, but not limited to, the candidate commencing after the approved start date, suspending the scholarship, or the scholarship being terminated.

7.2. RMIT must make fortnightly payments directly to candidates. Payments outside the fortnightly pay cycle cannot be facilitated. If a payment is missed, candidates will be back-paid in the next pay cycle.

7.3. Scholarship recipients share responsibility for ensuring they are not overpaid. If RMIT determines that a candidate has been overpaid, the candidate must repay the full amount within 30 days of being requested to do so.

7.4. Annual stipend rates are available on the RMIT Research Stipend Scholarships website and are determined in accordance with annual rates published by the Commonwealth Government.

7.5. Visa fees and renewal fees, and any fees not covered by the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy, are not covered by these scholarships.

7.6. OSHC is provided to international students awarded an RTP or RMIT-funded Stipend scholarship, through the University’s preferred provider. Cover is provided for the duration of the student visa as follows:

7.6.1. PhD students: up to 57 months with single cover only.

7.6.2. Master of Research (MRes) students: up to 33 months.

7.7. Additional fees may apply if the student requires couple or family OSHC coverage. Cover will only be provided while the candidate is active in their program and will not be provided for candidates who have discontinued their studies.

8.1. Scholarship allowances are provided for RMIT centrally funded and Commonwealth Government funded (RTP) stipend scholarships. Candidates in receipt of a college or school stipend scholarship will be notified in their offer letter if their scholarship includes any additional allowances.

8.2. The relocation allowance covers the cost of relocating the recipient, their spouse and dependents to a new place of residence where this is necessary to enable the candidate to undertake the HDR. Reimbursement is available up to AU$515 per adult and AU$255 per dependent child subject to a maximum total reimbursement of AU$1,540 per candidate.

8.3. For scholarship holders relocating within Victoria, the relocation allowance is only payable where the candidate is relocating to Melbourne from a location at least 200 km outside the Melbourne metropolitan area.

8.4. Claims for the relocation allowance must be submitted no later than six months after arrival at RMIT via the RMIT Connect Portal. Applicants who already reside in Melbourne, or who relocated prior to receiving their scholarship offer, are not eligible for the relocation allowance.

8.5. VCPS recipients are eligible to receive a research support allowance of up to $5,000 per annum for the duration of the scholarship to support research activities directly associated with the HDR. Eligible costs include but are not limited to travel to conduct fieldwork or attend conferences or workshops, and the purchase of specialised equipment. This allowance is managed through the school where the scholarship holder is enrolled.

8.6. Candidates in receipt of a full-time stipend scholarship are entitled to 20 working days of paid recreation leave per year. Candidates in receipt of a part-time stipend scholarship are entitled to 10 working days per year. Recreation leave entitlements accrue over the life of the stipend scholarship and roll over to subsequent years.

8.7. Candidates on a stipend scholarship are entitled to 10 working days of paid personal leave per year (5 working days for part-time candidates). This entitlement accrues over the life of the scholarship and rolls over to subsequent years.

8.8. Where accrued personal leave is insufficient, candidates may access up to 60 additional working days of paid personal leave over the life of their stipend scholarship, provided a medical certificate is supplied. Personal leave entitlements may also be used to cover leave for family caring responsibilities.

8.9. Parental leave is available to:

8.9.1. Primary Carers: Stipend scholarship holders who have completed 12 months of study while in receipt of their stipend are entitled to a minimum of 20 weeks of paid parental leave for each child of whom they will be the primary carer, on the birth or adoption of the child.

8.9.2. Partners: Candidates who are the partner of the primary carer of a child and who have completed 12 months of study while in receipt of a stipend scholarship are entitled to a maximum of 3 weeks of paid parental leave over the life of the scholarship, on the birth or adoption of a child.

8.10. Paid parental leave extends the length of the scholarship.

8.11. Candidates in receipt of a full-time stipend scholarship are entitled to 10 working days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year. Candidates in receipt of a part-time stipend scholarship are entitled to 5 working days per year. This entitlement does not accrue and does not roll over to subsequent years. Note: Family and Domestic Violence Leave is a new entitlement introduced under the 2025 Guidelines.

8.12. All scholarship holders must notify the School of Graduate Research of any approved leave before it occurs. 

8.13. All leave entitlements are forfeited when the stipend scholarship is terminated.

9.1. A scholarship holder must promptly notify RMIT of any change in circumstances that may affect their eligibility to continue receiving scholarship entitlements, including:

9.1.1. any proposed change to student load (full-time or part-time); or

9.1.2. failure to maintain enrolment at the University.

9.2. Candidates may apply to RMIT for a leave of absence while in receipt of a scholarship. The approval for leave will be at the discretion of RMIT.

9.3. If the proposed leave is to commence after the first six months of tenure and is of less than twelve months’ duration, a College or School may, at its discretion, approve the leave.

9.4. If the proposed leave of absence is to commence within the first six months of tenure or if the accumulated period of suspension(s) is of more than twelve months’ duration, the candidate must follow the process outlined at the Enrolment, leave and changes to candidature webpage. Applications for leave of absence must be submitted online (RMIT login required) to the School of Graduate Research at least one month prior to the proposed date of the leave.

9.5. The end date of the research scholarship will be extended for any periods of approved leave of absence. As candidates are not enrolled during a leave of absence, they must not undertake their research during this period.

9.6. If a candidate becomes ineligible for their stipend scholarship while still enrolled, they may apply to suspend their stipend payments. Applications should be submitted in writing to the School of Graduate Research via the RMIT Connect Service Portal at least one month before the proposed commencement of the suspension.

9.7. Suspension of stipend payments does not extend the duration of the stipend scholarship.

10.1. The continuation of any stipend scholarship in relation to a program transfer is at the discretion of the receiving university and will always be subject to that university having sufficient funding and its own applicable policies.

10.2. By approving a transfer to, or within, RMIT by an RTP Scholarship recipient, RMIT commits to providing the equivalent RTP Scholarship at RMIT rates for the remaining standard duration of the scholarship in the new program. 

10.3. RMIT-funded stipend scholarships cannot be transferred to another university. 

10.4. Candidates may request a transfer of their RTP stipend scholarship to another university; however, RTP scholarship support provided through RMIT will cease upon cancellation of enrolment at RMIT.

10.5. A student’s period of support will not be increased beyond the standard scholarship duration limits as a result of an approved transfer.

10.6. Candidates who upgrade from a research master’s to a research doctorate degree will have their scholarship extended to the standard duration of a PhD scholarship. Conversely, candidates who downgrade from a research doctorate to a research masters will have their scholarship reduced to the standard duration of a research masters scholarship.

11.1. RMIT will terminate a research scholarship in any of the following circumstances:

11.1.1. the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in these Terms and Conditions;

11.1.2. the candidate ceases to be enrolled full-time and approval for part-time study has not been obtained;

11.1.3. within two weeks of the candidate submitting their thesis or project for examination;

11.1.4. the candidate completes their course of study;

11.1.5. RMIT determines that the candidate is not carrying out their research in accordance with these Terms and Conditions;

11.1.6. the candidate has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as outlined in the HDR Progress Management Procedure; or

11.1.7. the candidate has committed serious misconduct as defined in the Student Conduct Policy, including the provision of false or misleading information.

11.2. If a research scholarship is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error.

11.3. If RMIT knows or has reason to believe that a candidate has provided false or misleading information in relation to their research scholarship, RMIT must immediately re-assess the candidate’s entitlement to the scholarship. If the scholarship is Commonwealth-funded, RMIT must also notify the Department of the suspected offence.

11.4. Current scholarship holders have the right to request a review of any decision made by RMIT in relation to their scholarship. In the event of a dispute, the candidate should first approach their research supervisor, who will direct the candidate through the appropriate channels within RMIT University.

11.5. The Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development has the authority to review decisions made on the allocation of a scholarship.

12.1. Recipients of RTP Stipend and Fees Offset Scholarships (and their supervisors and other parties) must acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution in a prominent place in any published or produced material — including books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works — that relates to the research project carried out under the scholarship.

12.2. The acknowledgement must include the following form of words:

“This research was supported by the Commonwealth through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship [DOI: https://doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220].”

12.3. If the student holds an ORCID, they must also acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution by including the RTP DOI (https://doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220) in their ORCID record.

These Terms and Conditions are based on the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025. All scholarships funded by the Australian Government and RMIT are administered by the School of Graduate Research. For further information, contact Admissions and Scholarships via the RMIT Connect portal.

Act

The Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth).

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training, which specifies the standards for qualification levels and learning outcomes.

Candidate

A person who is enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program at RMIT University.

Collaborative Research Training Agreement (CRTA)

A formal agreement between RMIT University and one or more external organisations that establishes the arrangements for collaborative Higher Degree by Research training and supervision.

Department

The Australian Government Department of Education.

Dependent

For the purposes of relocation allowances, a person for whom the scholarship holder has assumed financial and/or legal responsibility and who relocates with the scholarship holder.

Domestic student

Has the same meaning as in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth).

Equivalent Full-Time Study Load (EFTSL)

The measure used by RMIT University and the Australian Government to calculate a candidate’s study load and determine eligibility, scholarship duration and other enrolment-related entitlements.

Fees Offset Scholarship

A scholarship that covers the tuition fees for an HDR program and is funded by the Australian Government or RMIT University.

Full-time study

Enrolment in an HDR program on a full-time basis in accordance with the University’s enrolment requirements.

HDR

Higher Degree by Research.

International student

A student who is not a domestic student as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth).

Leave of Absence (LOA)

An approved period during which a candidate temporarily ceases enrolment in their HDR program in accordance with University policy.

Masters by Research

A Level 9 Masters Degree (Research) as defined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Milestone

A mandatory assessment or review point within an HDR candidature used to monitor academic progress and determine whether candidature should continue.

ORCID

An Open Researcher and Contributor ID — a persistent digital identifier that uniquely distinguishes a researcher and connects them with their research outputs and activities.

Part-time scholarship

A stipend scholarship held while a candidate is enrolled on a part-time basis with the approval of RMIT University.

Research Doctorate

A Level 10 Doctoral Degree (Research) or Doctoral Degree (Professional) as defined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Research Scholarships

Scholarships administered by the School of Graduate Research to support HDR candidates.

Research Training Program (RTP)

The Australian Government Research Training Program.

RMIT / RMIT University

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

School of Graduate Research (SGR)

The organisational unit within RMIT University responsible for the administration of Higher Degree by Research admissions, scholarships, candidature and examinations.

Scholarship holder

A candidate who has accepted and is in receipt of a research scholarship administered under these Terms and Conditions.

Stipend Scholarship

A scholarship that provides a living allowance to support a candidate while undertaking an HDR program and may also include a Fees Offset Scholarship and approved scholarship allowances.

Suspension

In relation to a Stipend Scholarship, an approved period during which scholarship payments cease while the scholarship holder remains enrolled in their HDR program.