Before you apply, you need to understand what you are applying for.
What are the Australian Awards?
The Australia Awards are prestigious, transformational scholarships, fellowships and short courses offered to emerging leaders from developing countries for study, research and professional development in Australia and the region so they can return home and contribute to their nations’ development, prosperity and resilience. For more than 70 years, the Australian Government has supported the education of emerging leaders from developing countries, through the Colombo Plan in the 1950s to today’s Australia Awards. More recently, the New Colombo Plan is supporting Australian undergraduates to live, work and study in the Indo-Pacific. This two-way educational exchange underpins Australia’s bilateral relations with the region and the broader global community by building enduring institutional and people-to-people links.
The purpose of the scholarship
The Australian Government’s development policy Australian aid: promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability recognises that tertiary education is an important component of any investment in development.
The benefits of studying in Australia
Australia Awards contribute to the long-term objectives of promoting growth and stability in our region, as well as strengthening links between people and organisations to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. They equip recipients with the skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to the economic and social development of their own countries, in effect, building the human resource capacity of partner countries within mutually agreed development sectors.
All recipients of Australia Awards become part of the Australia Global Alumni, connecting them to Australia and to each other – building an engaged and influential global network of leaders and advocates, and establishing a network of ambassadors for Australia and its first-class education system.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are eligibility requirements for the scholarship. That is, to be eligible to receive an Australia Awards Scholarship, applicants must (have):
- Achieved an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 or higher (with no band less than 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score. Scores must be valid on 1 January 2023.
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing the scholarship
- Be residing and working in PNG at the time of application
- Not be married, engaged 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 of the scholarship
- Not be currently serving military personnel
- Not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently
- Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award in the previous four years
- Be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken
- Not hold convictions of criminal activities (including in their home country) including those relating to Child Protection and PSEAH
How to apply for an Australia Awards scholarship.
Before you apply
- Check the opening and closing dates for your country
- 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.
- 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.
Furthermore, if you are wondering about the Australia Awards application form, the application form and many more details will be shared to you on Monday 28 April 2025, 2PM (Central African Time). This virtual meeting will be focused on Questions and Answers Only. Click here to join and discover more about the Australia Awards application form and other processes.
Benefits of the Scholarship
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, text books, 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 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.
Post-Scholarship Opportunities
Australia Awards Scholarship alumni are welcome to various post-scholarship opportunities, including:
- Career Advancement: Leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sectors.
- Networking Opportunities: Where they get to build connections with professionals and industry leaders in Australia and globally, enhancing career prospects and fostering collaboration.
How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship, click on this link where you will find your country. Then you can apply.
FAQs
Where can I get more information about the Australia Awards program?
The Australian Government has appointed Palladium International as the Managing Contractor of Australia Awards Africa. Palladium is responsible for the administration and logistical management of the Australia Awards Africa program. If you have a specific question that is not addressed on the website, please contact Palladium by directing your queries to enquiries@australiaawardsafrica.org
Find more FAQs and answers here.
Recap
- The Australia Awards Scholarship 2025 is a prestigious, transformational scholarship offered to emerging leaders from developing countries for study, research, and professional development in Australia.
- For you to be qualified for this scholarship, you must be: proficient in English language; at least 18 years old; residing and working in the country at the time of application and not married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Application Process requires you to check opening and closing dates for your country and read the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook
- Benefits of the Scholarship include full tuition fees, return air travel and Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE).
People working in provincial locations, women and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply.
PLEASE NOTE: All scholarships must be taken up in the year for which they are awarded. Should an awardee not be able to commence study by November 2025, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
We at INFO360 wish you the best!
