How to apply - International research students

If you start your application form on or after 19 August 2025, the referee reports will be managed entirely online.

Once you submit your application through the online application portal, the referee report form will automatically be emailed to your nominated referees.

There’s no need to send the form yourself—just ensure your referees’ contact details are accurate when completing your application.

You can check if your referees have provided their report via your Applicant Portal. You are also able to modify your referee contact details if necessary.

Important: It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees submit the referee form. We will not assess your application until two referee reports have been received.

Sometimes reference request emails may be filtered into junk or spam folders. Please ask your referees to check these folders if they haven’t received the email shortly after you submit your application.

If your referees have any issues with the online form, they should contact international.admissions@acu.edu.au.

If you started your application prior to 19 August 2025, consider starting a brand new application which includes the online referee form. Otherwise, please follow the instructions below to organise your referee reports:

• Download our referee report template below and complete Section 1.
• Once you have completed Section 1, email the template to each of your nominated referees for them to complete the remainder of the report.
• Instruct your referees to send their completed report directly to the International Admissions Office (not back to you) by email at international.admissions@acu.edu.au.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees return the reports to the International Admissions Office. We won't consider your application until two referee reports have been received.

Download referee report template

You will need to submit a 2,000-word research proposal in a text-searchable PDF or Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

Writing a research proposal can feel overwhelming, but remember perfection isn’t expected. You’re not required to have all the answers at this stage. Your proposal is a starting point, laying the foundation for your research journey and helping us understand your ideas, interests, and potential.

Learn more about the requirements for your research proposal

You will need to demonstrate English language proficiency if:

• English is not your first language, or
• Your previous university studies were not completed in English or in an approved English-speaking country.

You can meet this requirement by providing results from a recognised English language test or evidence of prior qualifications taught in English. Any test or qualification must have been completed within two years of your intended course start date. For full details, refer to Appendix C of the Higher Degree Research Policy, which outlines the English language requirements for HDR programs.

View English language requirements

You will need to provide materials that demonstrate your academic background and research achievements. These include:

• An academic resume (CV) including academic qualifications, relevant employment and research experience, publications, awards, prizes, scholarships, and exhibitions or performances
• Copies of any completed research, such as published articles, book chapters, thesis extracts, or research reports
• A copy of your thesis from any previously completed degree, along with examination reports
• Certified copies of transcripts for any higher education study you have undertaken to date.

You will need to provide a certified identification document, such as:

• A birth certificate
• A citizenship certificate
• A passport (including any relevant visa pages)

Scholarships are available to support you in your studies. In the online application form, you’ll be asked to indicate one of the following:

• You have external sponsorship to fund your research degree
• You are applying for a Scholarship-Supported Research Project (which includes a stipend scholarship) — you’ll need to provide the name of the specific project and any other information that the project requires
• You would like to be considered for a stipend scholarship

View scholarships

You are required to nominate two referees who can speak to your academic and research capabilities.

Referee reports are confidential and submitted directly from the referee to the university via our online application system. During the application process, you’ll be asked to enter the names and email addresses of your referees. Please ensure their email addresses are entered correctly. 

Once you submit your application, your referees will receive an email invitation with a link to complete the online reference form. Let them know to expect this email, and advise them to check their junk or spam folders if they don’t see it.

It is your responsibility to ensure both referees complete and submit their reports. Your application will not be assessed until both forms have been received.

If you're applying for a scholarship with a specific closing date, your referee reports must be submitted within one week of that deadline.

By logging into your applicant portal (ACU Apply Online) you can:

• Monitor the status of your referee reports 
• Resend a reference request
• Update a referee’s email address
• Nominate a new referee if needed

Regularly checking your portal helps ensure your application progresses without delays.

You’ll be notified once both references have been received and your application is ready for assessment.

If your referees experience any issues with the online form, they can contact: international.admissions@acu.edu.au.

Note: If you applied through an agent, you will need to log in to your applicant portal (ACU Apply Online) using the email address your agent supplied in your application. If you haven't logged in previously, you can select "I have forgotten my password" to receive an email with instructions to set your password. If you have difficulties with this process, please confirm with your agent the email address they provided to the University.