Australia Awards Scholarships

About Australia Awards Scholarships

Australia Awards Scholarships are long term development awards administered by AusAID.
They aim to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements.

They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

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

Awards benefits

The Awards 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 of A$5,000 as a contribution towards as accommodation expenses, text books, study materials.
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) is a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by AusAID. From 1 January 2013, CLE payable to Scholars studying under an ADS is A$30,000 per year.
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP)—a compulsory 4-6 week program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on life and study in Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)—provided to cover the student'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 students only)—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.

Award conditions 

Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards scholarship will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship.
Awardees are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the awardee incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of their scholarship.

Supplementary programs

Australia Awards Leadership Program

Up to 200 outstanding Australia Awards Scholarship recipients across the globe will be offered a place in the Australia Awards Leadership Program in addition to their scholarship.
The program brings awardees together in Australia for leadership training, development discussions and the chance to build valuable networks.
The Australia Awards Leadership Program is supplementary to the Australia Awards Scholarships.

Allison Sudradjat Prize

The top Australia Award Scholarship recipients from Indonesia and PNG may also be eligible to receive an Allison Sudradjat Prize.
Allison Sudradjat Prize—Guidelines [PDF 89kb]
Allison Sudradjat Prize—Guidelines [Word 231kb]

Prime Minister's Pacific Program

The Prime Minister's Pacific Program (PMPP) is offered to recipients of an Australia Awards Scholarship from the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and East Timor, who are leaders or potential leaders in their country.
The program provides a combination of work placements and leadership training to build on awardees' academic experience. The aims of the program are to:

• assist nation building through strengthening institutional capacity and leadership in the Pacific and East Timor
• build strong and abiding links between people in Australia and countries in the Pacific.

Up to 120 eligible postgraduate scholars from the Pacific will receive an award between 2010 and 2014. For more details visit the program website (external website).