Research Training Scheme (RTS)

RTS is a performance-based funding scheme administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Broadly, it provides block grants to eligible higher education institutions to support research training for domestic students undertaking doctorates and master's degrees that include 66.6 per cent or more research. Students provided with a place funded by the RTS are exempt from having to pay a contribution toward the cost of accredited courses up to a maximum period of four years' full-time equivalent study for a doctorate by research and two years' full-time equivalent study for a master's degree by research.

Students who exhaust their funding entitlement and continue their enrolment will be deemed to be fee-paying students. The fee level to be imposed will be at the discretion of the institution. Institutions may also provide research training on a fee-paying basis to students not provided with a place funded by the RTS. The fee level to be imposed will also be at the discretion of the institution. At this stage UNDA has agreed that no fees will be charged to any Australian citizen or permanent resident admitted to or currently enrolled at Notre Dame for a research higher degree. Assessment for eligibility of an RTS place and allocation takes place automatically. There is no need for students to apply separately for consideration for an RTS place.

Be aware that

RTS will be terminated, if students—

• cease to be enrolled students without requesting a period of approved leave (suspension of candidature);
• do not resume study at the conclusion of a period of approved leave or do not make arrangements to extend that period of approved leave;
• do not maintain satisfactory progress.