Australia Awards Scholarships

Scholarship to Study Abroad r

Australia Awards Scholarships

Australian Government
Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degrees

Deadline: 29 April 2026 (annual)
Study in:  Australia
Course starts 2026

Brief description: 

Australia Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), provide opportunities for people from developing countries, 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.

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.

Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:

The scholarship benefits generally include: full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Introductory Academic Program (IAP), Pre-course English (PCE) fees, etc. See the complete list of benefits at the official website.

The 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.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to receive a Scholarship, applicants must:

  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 mobilisation 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. not hold convictions of criminal activities (including in their home country) including those relating to Child Protection and PSEAH;
  8. recipients under the Pacific Secondary School Scholarship Program (PSSSP) who have completed their secondary school education in Australia in the year prior are eligible to apply for a long-term Australia Award;
  9. 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);
  10. 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);
  11. 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;
  12. not be applying for a scholarship for a course of study at an academic level lower than already achieved (e.g. be applying for a Master’s scholarship when they already hold a PhD); and
  13. 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.

Read the complete eligibility criteria in the Australia Awards Policy Handbook (PDF)

Application instructions:

Applications are currently closed.

Check the open and close 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. Applications can be done online or by mail (if unable to apply online). The deadline is 29 April 2026 except for Tonga which is still to be announced.

It is important to read the how to apply page and visit the country specific pages, and the official website (link found below) for detailed and updated information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website:  http://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/Pages/australia-awards-scholarships.aspx

Related Scholarships: Australia Scholarships for International Students

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The Ultimate Guide to Australia Awards Scholarships: How to Win This Fully Funded Opportunity

Studying abroad is an incredible way to fast-track your career, but the financial burden can look intimidating. From soaring international tuition fees to the daily cost of living, self-funding a world-class degree isn’t always realistic.

If you are looking for a completely life-changing opportunity that covers every single expense, the Australia Awards Scholarships should be at the absolute top of your list. Managed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), this highly prestigious program brings the next generation of global leaders to study in Australia completely free of charge.

What Makes the Australia Awards So Special?

Unlike typical partial scholarships that only slice off a small percentage of your tuition, the Australia Awards are fully funded. The Australian government isn’t just looking for smart students; they are investing in community development leaders, innovators, and changemakers from developing nations, particularly across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

The core objective of the program is to equip you with specialized knowledge at a top-tier Australian university so you can return home and drive tangible social and economic development in your home country.

What Does the Fully Funded Package Cover?

  • Full Tuition Fees: Covers 100% of your course costs for your entire undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

  • Return Air Travel: A one-off, economy class ticket from your home country to Australia at the start of your studies, and a return ticket when your degree wraps up.

  • Establishment Allowance: A lump-sum payment provided immediately upon arrival to help you secure housing, buy study materials, and settle in comfortably.

  • Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): A regular bi-weekly stipend deposited to cover day-to-day food, transport, and basic living costs.

  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Full medical insurance for the entire duration of your visa to ensure your health is fully protected.

  • Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A mandatory multi-week preparatory course before your main classes start, helping you adapt seamlessly to the Australian academic system.

Eligibility Criteria: Do You Qualify?

Because the competition spans multiple continents, the selection framework is incredibly precise. While specific priority fields vary depending on your country of citizenship, the baseline international requirements remain standard:

  1. Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old on February 1st of the year you begin your scholarship studies.

  2. Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible participating country (including Nigeria and several other developing nations).

  3. Residency Rules: You cannot be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency, or be married to/engaged to someone who holds Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

  4. Return Home Commitment: This is non-negotiable. You must formally commit to returning to your home country to live and work for at least two years after completing your studies. If you leave early, you are legally required to repay the full cost of your scholarship.

  5. English Language Proficiency: You must meet the specific entry standards of your chosen Australian university.

Before you sit for your language exam, it is crucial to know which test suits your strengths. Review our detailed guide comparing IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL to see which language test is easiest to pass to give yourself an immediate competitive edge.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

The application cycle generally opens early each year (typically around February) and closes around late April or May for studies commencing the following year. Missing a document means instant disqualification, so executing each stage carefully is key.

1
Verify Your Country’s Specific Requirements
Phase 1
1.Verify Your Country’s Specific Requirements:Phase 1.

Visit the DFAT website and download your country’s specific priority profile. This document tells you exactly what courses (e.g., public health, agriculture, engineering) they are willing to fund for your specific nation.

2
Select Your Target Courses
Phase 2
2.Select Your Target Courses:Phase 2.

Choose two courses at participating Australian institutions. You do not necessarily need a formal admission letter when applying for the scholarship, but you must meet the academic prerequisites.

3
Register on the OASIS System
Phase 3
3.Register on the OASIS System:Phase 3.

Create an account on the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). Fill out your bio-data and obtain your unique application reference number.

4
Draft Your Development Impact Essays
Phase 4
4.Draft Your Development Impact Essays:Phase 4.

Answer the core essay questions. You must prove exactly how your chosen degree directly solves a specific infrastructure, economic, or social problem in your home community.

5
Upload Certified Documents & Submit
Phase 5
5.Upload Certified Documents & Submit:Phase 5.

Upload your degree transcripts, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and professional reference letters. Ensure every single copy is officially certified or notarized before hitting submit.

Insider Strategy: How to Make Your Application Irresistible

The review board evaluates thousands of brilliant minds. To make the final cut, you need to understand that this is a development award, not just an academic prize.

1. Align Your Vision with the SDGs

When drafting your essays, explicitly tie your career ambitions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If you want to study renewable energy, explain how that choice powers rural communities in your home state, creating jobs and advancing sustainable local production.

2. Craft Flawless Personal Statements

Your statement of purpose needs to show clarity, grit, and continuity. If your writing layout feels chaotic, it detracts from your real capability. To make sure your story flows with perfect logical structure, check out our blueprint on how to write winning scholarship essays and format academic statements. This single step will separate your application from thousands of generic drafts.

3. Choose the Right Referees

Do not just pick the professor who gave you an “A”. Pick supervisors or mentors who have seen you lead projects, manage teams, or handle community challenges. The scholarship board heavily values practical, verifiable leadership qualities over purely theoretical brilliance.

Crucial Warning: Honesty is strictly monitored throughout the evaluation process. Providing fraudulent academic transcripts or plagiarizing any portion of your development essays will result in a permanent, lifetime ban from all Australian government programs.

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