Liberian students can apply for many Australian university scholarships that are open to international applicants. This guide compares 15 current options for 2026–2027, using official government and university sources. It separates full research funding from tuition-only awards so you can estimate the costs that may remain.
Quick answer
The strongest full-funding routes are usually the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and university graduate-research scholarships. Coursework applicants can also find awards covering 20% to 100% of tuition. However, the current Australia Awards Africa country list does not include Liberia, so Liberian applicants should not rely on that program unless a future official intake list changes.
Australian scholarships for Liberians: key facts
| Scholarship | Study level | Verified benefit | Latest timing or application route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Government RTP | Research master’s/PhD | Fee offset, stipend and/or allowances, depending on university | Apply through a participating university; deadlines vary |
| Monash International Leadership | Undergraduate | 100% course fees | Automatic consideration after an unconditional offer |
| Monash International Merit | Undergraduate | AUD 15,000 a year, up to AUD 75,000 | Automatic consideration |
| Melbourne Graduate Research | Research master’s/PhD | Fee remission plus living and other benefits; up to AUD 135,000 | Automatic consideration with eligible research application |
| Sydney RTP/USYDIS | Higher degree by research | Stipend and possible tuition/OSHC support | Research scholarship rounds apply |
| ANU Chancellor’s International | Undergraduate/postgraduate coursework | 25% or 50% tuition reduction | Automatic consideration with admission |
| UNSW International Scientia Coursework | Coursework | Full tuition or AUD 20,000 a year | Term 1, 2027 deadline: October 30, 2026 |
| Griffith Vice Chancellor’s International | Coursework | 50% tuition | Trimester 1, 2027 deadline: November 28, 2026 |
| Griffith International Academic Merit | Coursework | 20% tuition | No separate scholarship application |
| Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International | Coursework | 100% or 50% tuition | Rolling; apply before the relevant trimester |
| Adelaide Academic Excellence | Undergraduate/postgraduate coursework | 50% tuition reduction | Assessment is tied to eligible admission |
| UWA Global Excellence | Undergraduate/postgraduate coursework | Up to AUD 48,000 for eligible 2026 undergraduate study or AUD 24,000 for eligible postgraduate study | Automatic assessment with course application |
| John Curtin Global Excellence | Coursework | 40% tuition for the course duration | Official directory lists September 1, 2027 |
| La Trobe High Achiever | Undergraduate/postgraduate coursework | Up to 25% of annual tuition | Automatic assessment |
| Newcastle Vice-Chancellor’s International Academic Merit | Eligible 2027 coursework | 30% of annual international tuition | Automatic assessment with admission |
Funding, courses and dates can change. Always open the official page linked below immediately before applying. A tuition scholarship is not the same as a fully funded award unless the provider also confirms living, travel, insurance and other support.
Is Australia Awards currently open to Liberian applicants?
No. As checked on August 16, 2026, Liberia is not on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s current list of eligible African countries for the Australia Awards intake. The Africa program also states that its 2027 intake is closed and that applications for the 2028 intake are expected to open in February 2027.
Older records of Liberian Australia Awards alumni do not prove eligibility for a current round. Check the official DFAT Africa intake information and the Australia Awards Africa application page when a new intake opens. You can also read our Australia Awards overview, but the official country list should always control your decision.
15 verified scholarship options
1. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
The RTP supports eligible domestic and overseas students undertaking a research master’s degree or doctorate at an Australian higher education provider. Universities receive the funding and decide their own selection process, award mix and application dates.
- Funding: an RTP fee offset, stipend and/or research-related allowances, depending on the university’s award.
- Best for: applicants with a strong research proposal and academic record.
- How to apply: choose a research program and supervisor, then follow that university’s admission and scholarship process.
Read the official Australian Government RTP guidance.
2. Monash International Leadership Scholarship
This competitive Monash University award is open to international students from all countries who hold an unconditional offer for an eligible undergraduate course. Recipients receive 100% of course fees for the points required to complete the degree.
- Funding: full course fees; it does not include Overseas Student Health Cover, accommodation or living costs.
- Availability: four scholarships a year.
- Application: eligible offer-holders are automatically considered.
Check the official Monash Leadership Scholarship page.
3. Monash International Merit Scholarship
Monash automatically considers eligible international undergraduate offer-holders for this merit award. It is broader than the Leadership Scholarship but covers only part of the total study cost.
- Funding: AUD 15,000 per year, up to AUD 75,000 over five years.
- Availability: 20 awards a year.
- Application: no separate scholarship form for eligible candidates.
See the official Monash International Merit Scholarship.
4. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
Eligible domestic and international applicants to a graduate research degree are automatically considered for the University of Melbourne’s graduate research awards.
- Funding: full fee remission plus living, relocation and health-cover benefits for qualifying recipients.
- Published value: benefits are listed at up to AUD 135,000; the 2026 full-time living allowance rate is AUD 39,500 a year.
- Application: submit a complete eligible graduate research application by the relevant course deadline.
Review the official Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships.
5. University of Sydney RTP and USYDIS
The University of Sydney offers Australian Government RTP and University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarships to eligible international higher-degree research students.
- Stipend: AUD 42,754 a year for 2026 and AUD 44,293 a year for 2027, according to the university.
- Other support: qualifying awards can include a 100% tuition fee offset and Overseas Student Health Cover.
- Deadline: use Sydney’s official research scholarship rounds; dates depend on the intended research period.
Check Sydney’s official international RTP page.
6. ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The Australian National University automatically considers eligible overseas students who apply for an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program.
- Funding: a 25% or 50% tuition fee reduction for the standard duration of the degree.
- Application: no separate scholarship form is normally required.
- Important: award category and exclusions can affect eligibility, so confirm the scholarship in your admission outcome.
Read the official ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship details.
7. UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship
This is one of the highest-value coursework options in the list. Applicants need an offer for an eligible UNSW program and must submit the scholarship application and supporting evidence.
- Funding: full tuition or AUD 20,000 per year toward tuition for the minimum duration of the program.
- Current round: Term 1, 2027 applications opened July 15, 2026.
- Verified deadline: October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEST.
Open the official UNSW Scientia Scholarship round.
8. Griffith Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship
High-achieving international students beginning an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree can compete for Griffith University’s major tuition award.
- Funding: 50% of tuition fees for the degree, subject to ongoing conditions.
- Academic threshold: a minimum GPA equivalent to 6.0 on Griffith’s 7-point scale.
- Verified deadline: November 28, 2026 for Trimester 1, 2027; that trimester begins March 1, 2027.
See Griffith’s official Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship page.
9. Griffith International Academic Merit Scholarship
Applicants who do not receive the 50% award may still be considered for Griffith’s broader academic merit scholarship.
- Funding: 20% of tuition fees for the duration of an eligible degree, subject to the award conditions.
- Application: no separate scholarship application is required; Griffith assesses eligible admission applications.
- Best next step: submit a complete course application early enough for offer and visa processing.
Use Griffith’s official international scholarships directory.
10. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
Deakin’s competitive award is for new international coursework students with excellent academic results and evidence of leadership or community contribution.
- Funding: 100% or 50% of tuition fees for the normal course duration.
- Academic guide: applicants generally need an 85% average or equivalent.
- Deadline: applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but Deakin recommends applying before the relevant trimester.
Read Deakin’s official Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship requirements.
11. Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship (50%)
Adelaide University’s Academic Excellence Scholarship is a high-value tuition award for outstanding international students commencing eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework.
- Funding: a 50% reduction in international tuition fees for the published scholarship period.
- Selection: highly competitive and based on academic achievement.
- Before applying: check eligible programs, intake rules and any exclusions on the current official page.
Check the official Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship.
12. UWA Global Excellence Scholarship
The University of Western Australia automatically assesses high-achieving international students from all countries, including Liberia, for this 2026 tuition award when they apply for an eligible course and provide final transcripts.
- Funding: up to AUD 48,000 over four years for eligible undergraduate study, up to AUD 36,000 over three years, or up to AUD 24,000 over two years for eligible postgraduate coursework.
- Academic guide: at least an equivalent ATAR of 85 for undergraduate applicants or a UWA weighted average mark of 65 for postgraduate applicants.
- Application: no separate scholarship form; UWA Admissions assesses the course application and final academic record.
- 2027 warning: UWA says scholarship offerings are reviewed annually, so a 2026 award is not guaranteed after deferral to 2027.
Check the official UWA Global Excellence Scholarship.
13. John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship
Curtin University’s John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship is listed in the Australian Government’s Study Australia scholarship directory for eligible international students.
- Funding: 40% of tuition fees for the duration of the course.
- Listed closing date: September 1, 2027.
- Important: confirm that your citizenship, course and intake satisfy Curtin’s current conditions before making plans.
View the official Study Australia listing and Curtin’s international scholarship directory.
14. La Trobe High Achiever Scholarship
La Trobe automatically assesses eligible international applicants with strong academic results for this undergraduate and postgraduate coursework scholarship.
- Funding: up to 25% off annual tuition fees for the course duration.
- Application: no separate scholarship application is normally required.
- Check carefully: eligible courses, citizenship conditions and intake dates may change.
Review the official La Trobe High Achiever Scholarship.
15. University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor’s International Academic Merit Scholarship
This 2027 scholarship is designed for high-achieving international students commencing an eligible coursework degree at the University of Newcastle.
- Funding: 30% of the gross annual international tuition fee for the standard program duration.
- Availability: up to 270 awards are listed for 2027.
- Application: eligible admission applicants are assessed automatically; exclusions include higher degrees by research and some sponsored students.
Check the official Newcastle scholarship page.
How to choose the right scholarship
- Choose your study type. Coursework applicants should prioritize tuition awards. Research master’s and PhD applicants should investigate RTP and university research scholarships.
- Check nationality and course eligibility. “International students” can still be narrowed by country, campus, faculty or program exclusions.
- Calculate the unfunded balance. Include remaining tuition, visa charges, Overseas Student Health Cover, flights, accommodation and living costs.
- Check admission first. Many university awards require a full or unconditional offer, while others assess you automatically with the course application.
- Use the provider’s timezone. Australia has several time zones. Submit at least a few days early rather than converting a deadline at the last minute.
Documents to prepare
- passport biodata page;
- certified academic transcripts and completion certificates;
- English-language test results where required;
- curriculum vitae;
- personal or scholarship statement tailored to the published criteria;
- two strong academic or professional references when requested;
- research proposal and evidence of supervisor contact for research degrees;
- proof of leadership, volunteering or community impact for awards that assess those qualities.
Do not reuse one generic statement for every scholarship. Match each claim to evidence and answer the provider’s actual selection criteria.
Application strategy for Liberian students
Build a balanced shortlist: one or two highly competitive full-fee awards, several partial-tuition awards and at least one affordable backup program. Compare the net cost after funding, not just the scholarship percentage. A 50% award at a high-fee program can still cost more than a smaller award at another university.
For more Australian funding routes, see our guide to Destination Australia scholarships. That program has its own participating institutions, locations and annual conditions, so verify the latest official round before applying.
Student visa and scam checks
A scholarship does not guarantee university admission or an Australian student visa. After receiving a Confirmation of Enrolment, use the Department of Home Affairs’ official Student visa (subclass 500) guidance and document checklist tool. Requirements and financial evidence can change, so do not rely on an old amount copied by a blog.
Never pay an individual to “guarantee” an award. Confirm that email comes from the university or government domain, submit through the official portal, and do not send passport or bank documents through social media messages.
Frequently asked questions
Can Liberian students get a fully funded scholarship in Australia?
Yes, but full funding is competitive. RTP and university graduate-research awards are the clearest routes for research students. Some coursework awards cover full tuition, but applicants may still need money for living costs, travel, health cover and visa requirements.
Can Liberians apply for Australia Awards in 2027?
Not under the current Africa eligibility list checked on August 16, 2026: Liberia is not listed, and the 2027 intake is closed. Recheck DFAT when the 2028 intake opens because country eligibility can change.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
It depends. Monash, ANU, Griffith Academic Merit, UWA, La Trobe and Newcastle can assess eligible applicants automatically. UNSW Scientia and Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s require additional scholarship steps. Follow each official page.
Should I apply before receiving admission?
Start the course application early. Many scholarships require an offer before the scholarship form can be submitted, while research awards may be assessed as part of the admission process.
Which scholarship is easiest to win?
No legitimate provider guarantees selection. Automatic partial-tuition awards may have a broader pool than full-fee awards, but you must still meet academic, course and intake requirements.
Final checklist
Confirm your course and nationality eligibility, read the current conditions, calculate expenses not covered by the award, prepare certified evidence, and submit before the provider’s deadline. Save a copy of the official scholarship page and your completed application. For a broader official search, use the Australian Government’s Study Australia scholarship guidance.