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Financial Information for Local Postgraduate Students

This page has comprehensive information about fees, loans and scholarships for:

Local Postgraduate Coursework
Local Postgraduate Research

Coursework Course Fees

Most postgraduate coursework programs are fee-paying.

Fees are payable before each semester and relate to the cost of the units of study in that semester.

Fees are currently an allowable tax deduction in some circumstances. Check with the Australian Taxation Office for more details.

Some employers have schemes for assisting with fees.

There are two types of place for a local postgraduate coursework student and each type has its own associated loan system to help with costs:

Commonwealth Supported Places

A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are offered in some postgraduate coursework programs.

These must be applied for separately at the time of enrolling in your program and are awarded based on Academic Merit.

NB The Faculty wishes to advise that there are no available Commonwealth Supported Places in Masters by Coursework Programs for Semester 2, 2009.


Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS-HELP)

HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth supported places.

A HECS-HELP loan will cover all or part of the student contribution amount.

More HECS-HELP information

Students who are not in receipt of a Commonwealth Supported Place will need to read the FEE-HELP information below.

Fee-paying places and FEE-HELP

Commonweath supported places are limited and are not necessarily offered in every program. Students who do not apply for and/or are not offered a Commonwealth Supported Place will be fee-paying students.

FEE-HELP is an interest-free loan facility for eligible students who are enrolled in fee-paying, postgraduate non-research courses.

FEE-HELP enables students to obtain a loan from the Commonwealth Government to pay all or part of their tuition fees.


Eligible students repay their loan through the taxation system once their income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.

More FEE-HELP information

Refunds for Coursework Programs

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Research Course Fees

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) replaces the Research Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) Exemptions Scheme.

More RTS information

RTS covers tuition fees for local research students:





Doctor of Philosophy: 8 full-time or 16 part-time semesters
Master of Science by research: 4 full-time or 8 part-time semesters

In effect, this means that if local students complete their research degrees within the specified periods, they are not required to pay tuition fees.

Local students need not apply for an RTS fee exemption as they are awarded automatically.

If students take longer than the specified period to complete their degree, they may be liable to pay tuition fees. For more advice please contact the HECS and Fees Office in the Student Centre by or phone: +61 2 9351 5062.

Scholarships for Research Students

Current funding opportunities are available at the University of Sydney Research Office website.

Types of Research Scholarships for Faculty of Science students:

  • Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
  • University Postgraduate Award (UPA)
  • The Vice-Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)
  • Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Scholarships (2008 applications are now closed)

Only one application through the Research Office is necessary to be considered for all of the above. Application forms are available from the Research Office from 31 August.

Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must submit two separate applications: one for a Scholarship to the Research Office, and one for their place in a degree to the Faculty of Science Office.

Please note that deadlines for these applications often differ.

Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)

Awards are funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and are tenable at an Australian tertiary institution for doctoral and masters research degrees.

The benefits include:

  • A tax-exempt stipend valued at $19,231 per annum (2006 rate)
  • Relocation allowance
  • Thesis allowance

Competition for the APA is extremely high and successful applicants must have a first class Honours degree or equivalent.

More APA Information

A limited number of APA/UPAs are also available for Semester 2 commencement. Visit the Research Office website in mid-May for more information.

University of Sydney Postgraduate Award (UPA)

This award is funded by The University of Sydney and is not transferable to other institutions.

The University of Sydney Postgraduate Award has conditions and allowances similar to the APA.

Applicants for an APA will be automatically considered for a UPA.

More UPA Information

Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships are available to full-time local research candidates, normally PhD candidates, in any discipline or research unit associated with the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

The stipend is offered at the same rate as the Australian Postgraduate Award.

Applicants for an APA are considered automatically for a Faculty of Science Research Scholarship.


Read more about Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships.

The University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS)

Grants from $200 to $1,200 for:

  • Conference expenses
  • Expenses in connection with the use of, or visits to, specialist facilities directly related to the student's research.
  • Expenses in connection with learning specialist techniques directly related to the student's research.
  • Purchase of specialist books and periodicals directly related to the student's research.
  • Purchase of software or minor computer equipment that is essential to the student's research but is not normally available in the Department/School.

See the PRSS information page or contact your school or discipline.

Am I a Local Student?

You are a local student if you are:

  • An Australian citizen (including dual citizens)
  • A New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens)
  • An Australian permanent resident

You are an international fee-paying student if you hold a permit for temporary entry to Australia.

For example, if your status is: overseas student; permanent resident of New Zealand; diplomat; temporary resident who holds a permit for work purposes; refugee; or a dependent of any of the above.

For more information visit the International Office website.

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