Australia Awards Scholarships are a long-term initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade designed to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements. The scholarships provide opportunities for individuals from developing countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. By offering study and research opportunities, the Australia Awards Scholarships aim to develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to the development of their own countries.
The priority areas of study for eligible African countries in the current application round are climate change, agriculture and food security, mining and energy, foreign policy and international security, gender, disability and social inclusion. Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards Scholarship will be required to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship. Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship, failing which they will be liable to repay the total accrued cost of their scholarship.
The scholarship generally covers full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses, introductory academic program, overseas student health cover, pre-course English fees, and supplementary academic support. Applicants from eligible African countries must meet several conditions, including being a minimum of 25 years of age on 1 February 2025, having at least five years of post-graduate work experience in a field relative to their field of study, and not already holding or undertaking a Master’s degree or equivalent. The application deadline for study commencing in Australia in 2025 is 30 April 2024. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through OASIS at https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/.
