Australia Awards Scholarships for Developing Countries (Africa & Asia Countries)

The Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The scholarship, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), provides opportunities for people from developing countries.

The major people targeted in the Australian government Scholarships awards are particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

They aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements.

The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Scholarships develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.

Australia Awards Scholarships Description

• Host Institution(s): Any of the Participating Australian Institutions
• Level/Field(s) of study: Undergraduate or Postgraduate Programmes that are related to your country’s priority areas for development which are listed on the participating country profiles.
• Australia Awards are not available for training in areas related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology, or military training.
• Number of Scholarships: Not specified.
• Target group: Citizens of one of the participating countries in Asia, Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. See the complete list of participating countries.

Australia Awards Scholarship Benefits

Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training. The following benefits generally apply:

• Full tuition fees
• Return air travel–payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route
• Establishment allowance–a once only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, textbooks, study materials
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by the department.
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP)–a compulsory program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on living and studying in Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)–provided to cover the scholar’s basic medical costs (with the exception of pre-existing conditions)
• Pre-course English (PCE) fees–if deemed necessary PCE may be available for students for in-country and/or in-Australia training
• Supplementary academic support may be available to ensure a scholar’s academic success or enhance their academic experience
• Fieldwork (for research awards and Masters by coursework which has a research component where fieldwork is compulsory) may be available for eligible research students for one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

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Australia Awards Scholarship 2022- 2023 Eligibility

To be considered for an Australia Awards Scholarship or Australia Awards Short Course, applicants must meet their country’s eligibility requirements. In general, the following requirements apply

1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February of the year of commencing the scholarship;
2. Be a citizen of a participating country (as listed on the Australia Awards website) and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship;
3. Not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia, or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently;
4. Not be married to, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any time during the application, selection, or mobilization phases (note: residents of Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for a Student visa [subclass 500]);
5. Not be current serving military personnel;
6. Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award unless they have resided outside of Australia for twice the length of the total time that they were in Australia (for example, a previous awardee who has been on an Australia Awards Scholarship in Australia for four years will not be eligible to apply for another Australia Awards Scholarship until they have resided outside Australia for eight years);
7. Have satisfied any specific criteria established by the Program Area or the government of the applicant’s country of citizenship (e.g. having worked a certain number of years in an appropriate sector);
8. Be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken (this may mean that Program Areas will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Program Areas request a placement at selected institutions);
9. Be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs to hold a Student Visa. This may mean that the Program Area will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the visa requirements;
10. Not be applying for a scholarship for a course of study at an academic level lesser than they have already achieved (eg be applying for a Master’s scholarship when they already hold a Ph.D.); and
11. Applicants must inform the Program Area of any connection or relationship to staff employed at Program Areas (including locally engaged staff at post) or with managing contractors so that the application may be properly and transparently managed.

How to Apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship

Online Australia Scholarships Application

Go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). When you register online, you will be required to answer some questions to establish your eligibility. You will then be given a unique registration number, username, and password.

You do not need to submit your application immediately. You can set up a draft application form and update it, and your supporting documentation, until the designated closing date as on the relevant participating country profile.

Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. We strongly advise applicants applying online to do so well before the closing date. OASIS experiences peak usage in the days leading up to the closing date and applicants may experience delays.

Before you apply for Australia Awards Scholarships:

1. Check the opening and closing dates for your country, and select your country of citizenship/residency from the list of participating countries for specific information on eligibility, priority areas, and how to apply. See the participating countries page for opening and closing dates.
2. If you intend to apply, you must read the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook. The handbook provides information including general eligibility requirements, selection processes, entitlements, and responsibilities. Note that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade may revise and update the handbook at any time without notice.
3. Some countries encourage and allow you to apply online while others require hard-copy applications. See your participating country profile for more information

How to Apply for Australia Awards Scholarships by Mail

If you are unable to submit your Australia Awards Scholarship application online, you can apply by mail. Please check your participating country profile for contact details below to obtain a hardcopy application form and any other templates such as referee reports (if applicable).

Completed hard copy application forms and supporting documentation must be submitted by the deadline specified by your country. See the opening and closing dates for each country.