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AusAid Scholarship (DFAT, or Australia Awards) is a long-term award administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They aim to contribute in line with bilateral and regional agreements, to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries. They offer opportunities for people from developing countries, especially those countries in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies at participating Australian universities and institutions of Technical and Further Education (TAFE).
AusAid Scholarship’s study and research opportunities develop the individuals’ skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to their own country’s development.
AusAid Scholarship Benefits
AusAid Scholarship is offered to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training, for the minimum period required for the individual. The benefits generally apply as follows:
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by the department.
- establishment allowance–a once only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, text books, study materials
- fieldwork (for research awards and Masters by coursework which have 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
- full tuition fees
- 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
- return air travel–payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route
- supplementary academic support may be available to ensure a scholar’s academic success or enhance their academic experience.
Applicants who wish to accept an AusAid Scholarship will be required to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the scholarship conditions. Scholars are required to leave Australia for at least two years after their scholarship is complete. If they fail to do so, the scholar will incur a debt for the total accrued cost of their scholarship.
AusAid Scholarship Participating Countries
This list consists of all the countries which are eligible for AusAid Scholarship.
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Cambodia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Ghana
- India
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Territories
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Republic of Palau
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Zambia
Australia Awards Africa Scholarships 2020
Scholarships for Masters level studies, in Australia, are being offered to eligible African candidates. Applications open annually, in September. For AusAid Scholarship, the priority sectors reflect areas identified as priorities by partner governments, and those in which Australia is recognized as having world-leading expertise and experience. Agricultural productivity, extractives and public policy are current priority sectors.
The applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of their country to be considered for a scholarship. The following requirements generally apply:
- Citizen of an eligible African country
- Demonstrate a clear vision of how the knowledge gained through the scholarship will be used to improve policy, practice or reform in their home country
- For Australia Awards Scholarships, applicants must be applying for their first master’s degree
- For Australia Awards Scholarships, applicants must be at least 25 years and not older than 52 years at the date of application
- For Australia Awards Short Courses, applicants must be at least 25 years and not older than 55 years by June 2021
- Meet relevant post-graduate work experience requirements
- Mid-level to senior-level professional, currently employed in a relevant field
- Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Satisfactory English proficiency to enable full participation in a training course delivered in English
- Satisfy all requirements of the Australian Government for the appropriate student visa (subclass 500)
If you success to meet all these criteria, click here to apply for an award.
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships give opportunities to study at selected educational institutions in the Pacific region for people from Pacific developing countries. The Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships aim to give people the opportunity to gain and build knowledge and skills to drive positive change, and to influence the development of their home country.
Participating countries are:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- Niue
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Wallis and Futuna
At Pacific tertiary institutions in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, and Wallis and Futuna, Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships are currently being offered to study at. If you intend to apply for an Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship, you must read the Policy Handbook on Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships. In each participating country, scholarship inquiries should be addressed to the relevant Australian diplomatic mission there.
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships are currently being offered to people from the Pacific to study in tertiary Pacific institutions in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia. Papua New Guinea citizens are not currently eligible to undertake Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships at universities outside of Papua New Guinea.
The scholarships are offered for the minimum amount of time that the individual could expect to complete the academic program. Stipends may include preparatory programs (including English tuition) normally limited to one year. Applicants considering studying for specific professions (e.g. medicine, legal studies) should note that in their own country they are expected to complete their practical training. Only in exceptional circumstances do scholarships include a practical training period required for professional registration.
How to Apply
There are two ways to apply for AusAid Scholarship, online and by mail.
Applying Online
Go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). You’ll be required to answer some questions when you register online to determine your eligibility. A unique registration number, username, and password will then be provided.
You don’t need to submit your application straight away. You can set up and update a draft application form and your supporting documentation, as per the relevant participating country profile, until the designated closing date.
Once you’ve submitted your application you can’t change it. We strongly advise online applicants to do so well before closing date. In the days leading up to the closing date, OASIS experiences peak usage and applicants may experience delays. If you need help, see the Applicant’s Online User Manual.
Applying by Mail
If you cannot submit your application online, you may request it by mail. To obtain a hardcopy application form and any other templates such as referee reports (if applicable) please check your participating country profile for contact details. Completed application forms for a hard copy and supporting documentation must be submitted within the time limit specified by your country.
