Higher Degree Research Fees

The information below describes the fees that may be applied if you are studying a HDR program. The fees and conditions that apply to you may vary depending on your study program, your study mode and your domestic or international student status.

Tuition fees only cover the cost of your tuition. They do not cover other costs associated with your study such as accommodation, travel, books, equipment, relocation and living expenses.

Click here to read more about fees and costs for HDR Candidate.

Master of Research Fees

Domestic students

In Stage 1 (Programwork) of the program, you will be enrolled in a Bachelor of Research Studies. In this stage of the program, you will be enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported Student and you will be liable to pay student contribution fees calculated on a per subject basis.

There is no fixed cost for this stage of the program. You can calculate an estimate of your fees in advance based on the student contribution bands of the subjects you plan to study.

You may be eligible to defer your student contribution fees via the Australian Government HECS-HELP loan scheme.

In Stage 2 (Research) of the program, you will be enrolled in the Master of Research and supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP). You will not be required to pay tuition fees for this stage of the program, unless you exceed your maximum allowable candidature time.

Refer to the Tuition Fee Schedules below for further details about overtime fees.

Australian Government Financial Support

The Bachelor of Research Studies to Master of Research arrangements described above may impact your eligibility for Australian Government financial assistance, including Centrelink and ABSTUDY. Depending on your personal circumstances, the amount of financial support you are eligible to receive may also be impacted.

If you are in receipt of these payments, we recommend that you seek advice from Centrelink before accepting an offer in the Master of Research program.

International students

You will be required to pay tuition fees in both Stage 1 (Programwork) and Stage 2 (Research) of the program. The fees vary depending on your area of study and must be paid in full in advance of the study semester.

Refer to the Tuition Fee Schedules below for further details about international fees.

Master of Philosophy and Doctorate Fees

Domestic students

Your tuition fees are covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP). This means that you will not be required to pay tuition fees, unless you exceed the maximum candidature time for your program.

If you do exceed your maximum candidature time, you will be charged overtime tuition fees for any additional sessions that you require to complete and submit your thesis. These fees can be substantial and you need to consider your financial situation if you do not think that you will be able to submit your thesis before your maximum submission date. Overtime tuition fees are applied on a per semester basis.

Refer to the Tuition Fee Schedules below for further details about overtime fees.

International students

You are required to pay tuition fees for the duration of your program, applied on a per semester basis.

If you exceed your maximum candidature time, we will continue to charge you tuition fees for any additional semesters that you require to complete and submit your thesis.

If you have been awarded a scholarship, you may also be awarded a tuition fee waiver. This means that you will not be required to pay tuition fees, unless you exceed the maximum duration of the fee waiver.

If you have not been awarded a scholarship, you cannot be awarded a tuition fee waiver.

Refer to the Tuition Fee Schedules below for further details about international fees.

Graduate Certificate in Researcher Engagement, Development and Impact Fees

Domestic students

You are required to pay tuition fees for the duration of this program.

Tuition fees for upcoming intakes are to be confirmed.

International students

This program is not currently available to international students.

Tuition Fee Schedules

Student Services and Amenities Fees

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) provides Western Sydney University with a contribution towards the cost of providing student services and amenities.

All students are required to pay these fees which are charged twice per year and calculated based on your study load. All domestic and international, full-time and part-time, scholarship and non-scholarship HDR candidates are required to pay these fees.

Frequently asked questions

Information about fees will be sent to your student email account.

You can use My Student Records (mySR) to access your Student Fees (Statement of Account). This will detail any fees payable, due dates and methods of payment.

If you are required to pay tuition fees, your fees are calculated on a per session basis before the session commences.

If you are required to pay tuition fees, your fees will be due on the first day of the session. You should refer to the important dates page for information about session dates.

You should refer to the SSAF information page for the details about when SSAF is due, the cost of the fees and how to make a payment.

No, you cannot apply for a tuition fee waiver. Tuition fee waivers are only available to international candidates that are supported by a scholarship.

If you are an international candidate and a scholarship holder with a tuition fee waiver, this will be automatically applied to your student record.

The University does not offer financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition fees.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for other financial support through our assistance programs.

Yes, you can submit a request for a fee payment plan if you are experiencing financial hardship. The terms and conditions of the fee payment plan can be negotiated with the University.

The University reserves the right to not agree to a fee payment plan.

If you cannot pay your outstanding fees or you fail to meet your obligations in a fee payment plan arrangement, we may terminate your enrolment in your program.

If you complete your program and you cannot pay your outstanding fees, you will not be eligible to graduate from your program until the fees have been paid.

You can contact the Graduate Research School for advice about HDR fees. Please submit your enquiry here.