How realistic is a funded PhD in Australia (Feb 2027) with 3.7 GPA and 0 publications, if i start now?

I’m looking for some blunt advice on my chances of getting a PhD admission with a stipend in Australia for the February 2027 intake. I want to research at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity, specifically moving from industry into academia.

My Background: I have a Master’s in Computer Science from a mid-level university in Texas with a 3.7 GPA. I’ve worked in Identity and Access Management (IAM) using SailPoint, Okta, and Active Directory for 3 years. However, I have zero research experience and no publications to my name. My AI/ML knowledge is currently limited to my Master's coursework.

Over the next few months, I plan to learn things on what i wanna do, write and submit a paper (or at least a pre-print), and find a supervisor. I’m aiming to have everything ready for the scholarship application deadlines in August 2026.

My Questions:

Is a stipend (RTP) actually possible? Will 3 years of IAM industry experience help my ranking, or will I be rejected immediately because I have no publications?

Is a 4-month prep window realistic? Can I reasonably go from "zero research" to "competitive for a supervisor" in such a short time?

Should I aim for Feb 2027 or is this too ambitious? If I'm wasting my time on this cycle without a high-tier publication, I'd rather know now.