Australia Awards Scholarships, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are long-term awards designed to address the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in alignment with bilateral and regional agreements.
These scholarships offer opportunities for individuals from developing countries, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region, to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
The scholarships aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of recipients, enabling them to drive change and contribute to development in their home countries.
Benefits
Australia Awards Scholarships cover the minimum period necessary to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training. The benefits typically include:
- Full tuition fees
- Return air travel: Payment for a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia via the most direct route.
- Establishment allowance: A one-time payment to help with accommodation expenses, textbooks, and study materials.
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): A fortnightly stipend to cover basic living expenses, at a rate determined by the department.
- Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A compulsory program covering information on living and studying in Australia, held prior to the commencement of formal academic studies.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Coverage for basic medical costs (excluding pre-existing conditions) for the duration of the award.
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees: If necessary, PCE may be available for in-country and/or in-Australia training.
- Supplementary academic support: Available to ensure academic success or enhance the scholar’s academic experience.
- Fieldwork: For eligible research students and those in Masters by coursework programs with a research component, fieldwork may include one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their home country or within Australia.
Award Conditions
Applicants who accept an Australia Awards Scholarship must sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia, agreeing to comply with the scholarship’s conditions.
Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years upon completing their scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the scholar incurring a debt for the total cost of their scholarship.