PhD enrolments among domestic students in Australia have dropped sharply, according to new research, largely due to rising living costs and the inadequate federal stipend that supports postgraduate researchers. Universities Australia, which released the findings, highlighted an 8% decrease in enrolments between 2018 and 2023, exacerbated by the growing financial pressure on students.
Alexandra Paton, a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania, embodies the financial struggle faced by many in the field. Paton, who researches invasive species management, earns an annual stipend of $29,863—equivalent to a meagre $15 an hour.
For a 38-hour workweek, the stipend barely covers the basics, leaving her to live frugally and rely on secondary employment. “I can do what I love and that's fantastic, I can contribute to research in an important area. But I’m earning less than I did when I was 14 at McDonalds,” Paton told the ABC, who often finds herself foraging for food to stretch her limited resources.
An ABC report highlighted that Paton’s experience is not unique. Many PhD students resort to alternative forms of financial support, such as dumpster diving and taking on part-time jobs, just to get by. Paton’s frustration echoes the sentiment of other students who feel the system is not sustainable. “If the government is going to ask, why aren’t people doing a PhD, why would they? It’s insane. It’s a terrible system,” she said.
This financial strain is a growing concern for academic leaders. Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, emphasised that the decline in PhD enrolments could have long-term implications for Australia’s position as a global leader in education and innovation. He called for an increase in the base stipend to $36,000 annually, up from the current rate of $33,511 for 2025. While universities have the option to raise stipends up to $46,653, most cannot afford to do so due to budget constraints.
Jesse Gardner Russell, national president of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, said the stipend does not adequately reflect the value of the research conducted by PhD candidates. He compared the stipend to that of a Danish student receiving a significantly higher amount.
“We’re not calling for a six-figure stipend, we’re calling for a living wage that is meeting minimum wage,” he said. Many students, he noted, supplement their research by teaching or working in other capacities, contributing to longer working hours and increased stress.
While the stipend issue is a significant concern, some students, like Conor Clements from Macquarie University, find ways to make it work despite financial difficulties. Clements, a linguistics PhD candidate, acknowledged the challenges but noted that his lack of major financial responsibilities made the situation more manageable.
The impact on the country’s research landscape could be significant, experts warn. A 2019 survey revealed that half of PhD graduates hoped to leave academia for positions in business or the public sector.
To address these concerns, the Australian government has been considering recommendations from the Australian Universities Accord, a review of the higher education sector. One of the recommendations includes raising the PhD stipend, though Education Minister Jason Clare has indicated that some of the proposals are still under consideration.