The RTP Allowances cover some costs related to the ancillary expenses associated with HDR degrees. These allowances include:

In order to complete a HDR program within the RTP period of support (refer Section 2.2) it is reasonable to expect full-time HDR candidates treat their studies as full-time work. Anything less than a commitment of 37.6 hours per week on a regular basis over the life of the degree will affect a timely completion. The expectation for part-time study is at least 50% of the full-time load. Candidates awarded an RTP Stipend may undertake paid employment during the period of their candidature providing they do not contravene Section 1.1.1 (2).

Paid employment commitments during the period of candidature will not be accepted as grounds for an extension of either candidature or RTP entitlements.

Candidates must ensure that the Australian Government’s contribution to their research training via a RTP Scholarship is acknowledged in all publications arising from their research project

This acknowledgment must occur at any time during or after the completion of the HDR degree when the recipient of a RTP scholarship, their supervisor or any other party publishes or produces material such as books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works which relate to the research project carried out by the candidate in receipt of an RTP scholarship.

As of 1^st January 2017, eligible candidates who were previously awarded an RTS (Research Training Scheme) Place were transitioned to an RTP Fee-offset scholarship and candidates in receipt of an APA were transferred to an RTP Stipend Scholarship.

Notification of the transition, the period of support via RTP Stipend and/or RTP Fee-offset and estimated contribution amounts were communicated to all impacted candidates in December 2016.

All conditions within this policy apply to candidates transferred to these scholarships.

To be considered eligible for the award of a stipend, applicants must:

Candidates may request part-time enrolment at the time of application for a stipend scholarship where they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Where part-time enrolment is granted, the stipend will be paid at a rate of 50% of the full-time stipend amount. Stipends awarded at part-time rates are not tax-exempt and recipients are encouraged to seek independent tax advice. Additional requirements for eligibility may be applied to specific scholarship programs or project related stipends. Additional requirements may include but are not limited to:

Additional requirements for a stipend must be set prior to scholarship advertising and available on the website and scholarship application form.

Specific criteria for eligibility for stipend scholarships offered by Federation University are presented in the HDR Scholarship Guidelines.

To be considered eligible for the award of a fee scholarship, applicants must

Application and offer processes are set out in the Research and Research Training Policy, HDR Candidate Procedure and Guidelines

Recipients of stipends that have been awarded in association with a specific project or industry partner may be required to relinquish their scholarship where a change of project is approved. Substantial changes to the nature of the research project must be approved by the external party for stipend payments to continue.

A proposed change in research topic must show that suitable supervision for the new research topic is available, and the proposal must be endorsed by the Research Centre and approved by the Dean, Graduate Research. There will be no extension to the total duration of the Scholarship (either stipend, or fee scholarship) arising from change in either research topic or a change in supervisory team, or both.

Significant changes to a candidate’s research topic may require the candidate to undertake the Confirmation of Candidature process again should this be so decided by the RHDC.

Information regarding institutional transfer and RTP Fee-Offset scholarships can be found in the HDR Candidate Procedure.

Where an applicant previously held an RTP Stipend, the stipend will not transfer to Federation University and the applicant must apply for a stipend via the standard process described here and in the HDR Scholarships Guidelines.

Transfer to Federation University will not normally be allowed for candidates who have completed more than two years EFTSL of a doctoral program or six months EFTSL of a master’s program.

Candidates requesting to change to full-time / part-time candidature may apply stating the reasons for the requested change. Applications for change to conditions of candidature must obtain the endorsement of the Principal Supervisor and the funding body, where appropriate. Candidates requesting a change from full-time to part-time candidature, who hold a stipend, may be required to relinquish the stipend.

Applicants requesting to change to part-time candidature who are approved to retain their stipend should note that stipends awarded at part-time rates are not tax-exempt and recipients are encouraged to seek independent tax advice.

Processes for transferring from research masters degree to a PhD are described in the HDR Candidate Procedure.

RTP Stipend and University funded Scholarship recipients:

If a candidate transfers from a master’s degree to a doctoral degree, the total duration of the RTP Stipend and RTP Fee-Offset Scholarship will be up to three years from the date that the candidate commenced the master’s degree. Periods of support and requests for extension as per section 1.2.2 and 1.3.2 apply.

Applications for transfer between programs must be approved by the Dean, Graduate Research. Recipients of stipends that have been awarded in association with a specific project or industry partner may be required to relinquish their scholarship where they request to transfer from a Masters by Research program to a doctoral degree. Program conversions must be approved by the external party for stipend payments to continue.

Transfers from a doctoral program to a masters program will only be considered where an extension for candidature has not already been approved. Where a candidate has already exceeded the maximum allowable time for a Masters by Research candidate, their thesis must be submitted within six months of their transfer request, or part-time equivalent and any stipends will be terminated on approval of the conversion request.

Applications for transfer between programs must be supported by the Principal Supervisor and approved by the Dean, Graduate Research.

Candidates in receipt of an RTP Stipend may apply for one six-month EFTSL extension to scholarship, as per section 1.3.2. Extensions are not guaranteed and will only be granted where exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

Candidates in receipt of an RTP Fee-Offset scholarship should refer to section 1.2.2.

Candidates in receipt of other scholarship types should refer to their Letter of Offer regarding the availability of stipend or fee scholarship extensions. Where a scholarship is fully or partially funded by an external partner, extensions may only be granted where the funding body approves the extension request and funding is available.

An international candidate who becomes an Australian permanent resident after commencing their scholarship, must notify the University immediately. The candidate will be transferred to a RTP Fee-Offset place, as described in the RTP Policy. Where a candidate pays full fees and has not advised the University of their permanent residency status prior to the semester census date, fees must still be paid by the candidate.

All HDR candidates are allocated a supervisory panel consisting of a Principal Supervisor and at least one Associate Supervisor, who is a University staff member. Supervisor responsibilities, supervisory panels and registration requirements are described in the HDR Supervision Procedure and associated Guidelines.

Candidate minimum resources, induction and orientation, and research environment requirements are described in the HDR Candidate Procedure and associated documents.

10.1.1. Advertised scholarships of Federation University may be withdrawn or awarded at the discretion of the University. Offers of externally funded scholarships are subject to approved funding contracts.

10.1.2. The length of the stipend and/or fee scholarship will be provided to candidates in their Letter of Offer to Admission of Candidature or their Letter of Scholarship Offer.

10.1.3. Any special conditions, milestones or external partner requirements will be set out in the Letter of Offer of Admission to Candidature or their Letter of Scholarship Offer

10.1.4. Scholarship will not commence until the candidate returns a signed Acceptance of Offer acknowledging the terms in 1.3.

10.1.5 Scholarship offers may be withdrawn where candidates cannot commence their study by the required commencement date on their letter of offer.

10.2.1. The scholarship must commence within the dates specified in the Letter of Offer to Admission of Candidature or Letter of Scholarship Offer.

10.2.2. Commencement of scholarships cannot be deferred. Where a candidate defers their offer to take up a HDR place, an offer of scholarship will be withdrawn.

10.2.3. Scholarship payments will not commence unless a candidate is enrolled.

10.3.1 Candidates must maintain eligibility for their scholarship conditions as outlined in their letter of scholarship offer

10.3.2 Candidates must be enrolled and actively participating in their research to receive scholarship payments, other than paid leave entitlements.

10.3.3 Candidates must participate in required milestones within the designated period.

10.3.4 Candidates must maintain satisfactory progress throughout their candidature.

10.4.1. Where a candidate is granted approved leave from studies from their HDR program, their scholarship will be suspended until they return from leave.  The duration of the scholarship will be extended by the duration of the leave from studies.

10.4.2. The scholarship will not be suspended for the period where a candidate takes a leave of absence. Request for paid leave must be supported by relevant documentation, e.g. medical certificates or verification of personal circumstances. Paid leave provisions are set out in Section 8.

Scholarships will be terminated where:

10.5.1. The candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria,

10.5.2. The maximum duration of the scholarship has been reached,

10.5.3. The candidate fails to return from an approved period of leave from study

10.5.4. On submission of thesis for examination

10.5.5. The candidate has committed serious misconduct, including the provision of false or misleading information,

10.5.6. Candidature has been terminated due to unsatisfactory progress, e.g Show Cause

10.5.7. The candidate fails to re-enrol, with no response to attempts at communication from the University,

10.5.8. The candidate takes unapproved leave, with no response to attempts at communication from the University

10.5.9. The candidate fails to participate in a formal progress review and does not respond to reasonable requests to do so.

10.5.10. The candidate ceases to be a full-time candidate, and exceptional circumstances do not apply

10.5.11. The University and / or funding body deems that the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence,

10.5.12. A doctoral candidate fails to confirm within their first twelve months of full-time candidature.

Stipends that have been terminated and have not reached the end of their funding period may be reinstated in the following instances:

10.6.1. A candidate is required to re-enrol after examination to undertake revision of the thesis and re-submit for examination

10.6.2. After a show cause proceeding finds that the candidate’s enrolment should not be terminated, and the Principal Supervisor and Dean of Graduate Studies approve the continuation of the scholarship.

10.6.3. Where unsatisfactory progress, unapproved leave or progress reporting issues have been resolved and reinstatement of the scholarship is approved by the Principal Supervisor and Dean of Graduate Studies.

A candidate may relinquish their RTP Scholarship (stipend or fee offset) at any time by notifying the Dean, Graduate Research in writing that they no longer require the support.

If the University has reason to believe that a candidate in receipt of a stipend has provided false or misleading information in relation to their eligibility for receipt of the stipend, awarding of the stipend, any other matter covered by this procedure it will re-assess the candidate’s entitlement. The candidate may be required to repay any stipend benefits to which they are not entitled.