Tuition fees
Tuition fees are set annually, and are calculated based on your specific enrolment for each semester. As a domestic graduate research candidate, you'll be offered Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to offset your tuition fees. You'll still need to pay the annual Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
It’s important you read and understand the University’s current Tuition fee terms and conditions before accepting your offer and enrolling.
About graduate research scholarships
The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) provides funding to Australian universities to help eligible domestic candidates undertake a graduate research degree with a complete fee offset.
All domestic students who are admitted to a Masters by Research or Doctoral degree at the University of Melbourne will receive a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship. If you applied for a graduate research course by the application closing date, you'll automatically be considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship.
If accepted to the course, you'll be exempt from paying tuition fees for your course. This exemption is valid for up to four years if you're enrolled in a doctoral program and up to two years if you're enrolled in a Masters by Research course.
Australian fee place
While your tuition fees will be covered by an RTP Scholarship, if you choose to enrol in additional courses or subjects that are not related to your graduate research studies, you may incur additional costs such as tuition fees (if it's an Australian fee-paying place). Learn about additional coursework subjects.
Tuition fees are calculated based on your annual course fee and each subject’s study load (EFTSL value).
You can pay your tuition fees upfront, or defer via FEE-HELP if eligible.
Other fees and expenses
Student Services and Amenities Fee
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)* goes towards providing you with essential services and support when you study. The amount you're charged depends on whether you're a full-time or part-time student.
You can pay your SSAF upfront, or if you're eligible, defer payment through the Australian Government’s HELP scheme using SA-HELP assistance.
*Graduate researchers who submit their thesis on or before 31 March (early completers) will be exempted for that academic year. Similarly, candidates who commence their research after 1 October (late commencers) will be exempted.
Study and living expenses
You'll need to consider additional costs, fees, and other incidental expenses related to your studies, such as administrative charges or materials and resources. While most research-related costs are covered, some non‑tuition fees may still apply, refer to the Tuition fee terms and conditions for details on non‑tuition fees.
Visit Accommodation to find out about housing options and costs.
Funding support and scholarships
As a domestic graduate research candidate, you'll be offered a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to offset your tuition fees. You may also be offered a Graduate Research Scholarship to assist with living expenses.
There are other financial loans, scholarships and bursaries that can help you with fees and expenses:
- We offer over 1,200 scholarships and bursaries. Some cover part or all of your course fees, and others are one-off grants. Search Scholarships.
- Visit Support and Wellbeing for advice on student loans, hardship grants and other support.
- You may be eligible for Australian Government support payments. See Centrelink benefits and support.
The University also supports applicants who receive scholarship support from other funders. If you're applying for an external scholarship, this should be detailed in your application.
Frequently asked questions
Domestic graduate research students are offered a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship, meaning tuition fees are covered for the standard course duration.
The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) provides funding to Australian universities to help eligible domestic candidates undertake a graduate research degree with a complete fee offset. The Program also allows the University to offer RTP stipend scholarships.
Learn more about RTP on the Department of Education website.
As a domestic graduate researcher, you will need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) and potentially other incidental costs related to your research.
Most research-related costs will be covered by the University, but you should budget for living expenses, travel and other miscellaneous costs.
Domestic graduate researchers may be eligible for additional scholarships, stipends and bursaries. Available options are listed on the Scholarships website.