What financial aid options are available for international students from Africa to finance studies for a research PhD (distance/online/external) at an Australian university?
As someone tha finishesd a doctorate in Australia, I can tell you that there are practically no financial options for an external doctorate for international students. You can get financing to do it on site as there are many paid PhD positions but they are very competitive. You have to contact the school and look for PhD paid positions.
Why would there be any? The whole point is for cash-paying foreigners to subsidize Australian higher education. -=Steve=-
Exactly, the whole point of making available these programs to international students is to cash in. If the programs are free, why would be the point? Local students get financial aid from government funds but international don't pay taxes in Australia so why the Australian government should pay for their education? The workaround would be to become an Australian resident and do the course on campus but the post is referring to an external program.
Sometimes employers will contribute but they typically will require that the degree be relevant to a career track and often will require that the employee remain within the company for some period of time following conferral.