Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious, government-funded awards that let high-potential students from Australia’s partner countries complete full-time degrees at participating Australian universities—covering tuition, living costs, health insurance, flights, and settling-in expenses. This guide explains eligibility, what’s funded, the step-by-step application, documents, selection, and the two-year return-home rule, plus insider tips to make your file stand out.

Quick snapshot

• What it covers: full tuition fees; a Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) paid fortnightly; Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC); a one-off Establishment Allowance; and return economy airfare (one arrival + one departure ticket). Some recipients may receive academic prep, fieldwork support, and supplemental tutoring where needed.
• Eligible levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD (research) depending on your country’s priority list. Some countries restrict to postgraduate only.
• Who can apply: citizens of designated participating countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa (selected), and other regions; each country office sets detailed rules and priority fields.
• Key condition: awardees must return to their home country and reside there for at least two years after finishing the scholarship studies.

Application status & dates (check your country page)

Application windows vary by country and year. For studies commencing in 2026, most countries closed earlier in the year; a few exceptions (e.g., Singapore) had later windows. For the next intake, always confirm the timeline on the official Opening & Closing Dates page and your Participating Country page before preparing documents.

What the scholarship covers (detailed)

• Tuition fees: paid directly to the university for the standard program duration.
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): a stipend paid fortnightly to help cover accommodation, food, transport, and daily needs (rate set by the program and updated periodically).
• OSHC: full Overseas Student Health Cover for the scholarship period.
• Establishment Allowance: one-off payment to help with bond/linen/textbooks/devices on arrival.
• Return air travel: one economy ticket to Australia at the start and one ticket home at the end of the award (most direct route).
• Academic support: where relevant, pre-course English, bridging classes, research fieldwork support, and tutorial assistance.

What it doesn’t cover

Personal travel, dependants’ school fees, private accommodation upgrades, and expenses beyond the standard program length are not covered. Bringing family is your choice; be sure you can afford the additional costs and comply with visa conditions.

Eligibility (what almost every country requires)

• Citizen (and typically resident) of an eligible participating country; not an Australian citizen/PR.
• Meet university admission standards for the chosen degree (academic background + English requirement).
• Apply for a field that aligns with your country’s priority development areas (varies by country).
• Can commit to the two-year return-home requirement after completion.
• Can satisfy Australian student visa and health requirements.

Country priorities & levels (why some applicants can’t do undergrad)

Australia Awards are a development program. Each country office sets priority sectors (e.g., health, climate, governance, infrastructure, education) and the levels it will fund that year. Many countries fund Master’s only; some allow PhD; a smaller group permits high-impact Undergraduate programs. Always read your country page before choosing a degree.

The two-year return-home rule (don’t ignore this)

When your award ends, you must leave Australia and live in your home country for a minimum of two years. This is a legal condition of the award. Time spent back in Australia during that period generally extends your two-year clock. Plan your career moves accordingly.

How to apply (step-by-step plan)

1. Check eligibility & dates: open your Participating Country page, confirm eligible levels and priority fields, and note the opening/closing dates for your year.
2. Choose a degree & university: shortlist programs tightly linked to your country’s development priorities. Confirm they’re offered by participating universities and that you meet entry prerequisites.
3. Line up referees early: typically two or three references (at least one academic). Give them bullet points about your impact, leadership, and how the degree links to your home country’s needs.
4. Prepare documents: passport, transcripts and grading scale, degree certificates, English test (if required), CV, references, and a proof of employment or community service if your country requires it.
5. Write targeted statements: explain the development problem you’ll help solve, why this degree in Australia is essential, and how you’ll implement change back home within 3–5 years.
6. Submit online before the deadline. Many countries use the OASIS portal; some use local portals. Upload clean, legible PDFs.
7. If shortlisted: be ready for interviews, a technical test in some fields, and verification calls to referees/employers.
8. Conditional offer & placement: if selected, you’ll receive scholarship and university placement guidance (sometimes including pre-course English and arrival logistics).

Documents checklist (typical)

• Passport bio page (valid through the first study year).
• Official transcripts for all tertiary studies (with grading scale).
• Degree certificates/diplomas.
• English test (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) if required for your course and country.
• CV (2–4 pages): education, roles, outcomes, leadership, community work.
• Reference letters (on letterhead, signed, with contact details).
• Employer letter (if your country prioritises in-service candidates).
• Development statement (see template below).

Template: the development statement that wins

1. Problem (8–12 lines): define a measurable challenge in your country (who is affected, scale, cost, and why current policy or practice is falling short).
2. Proposed solution (8–12 lines): the change you will lead or contribute to (policy reform, program design, technology, service model) and evidence that it works.
3. Why this degree in Australia (6–10 lines): the exact coursework/research units and labs/centres you’ll leverage.
4. Implementation back home (6–10 lines): partners, timeline, budget ballpark, risks and mitigations.
5. Impact & measurement (5–8 lines): KPIs you will track for 12–36 months after graduation.

Selection criteria (what panels really look for)

• Development relevance: your study program maps to your country’s priority sectors, with a plausible pathway to implementation.
• Leadership & influence: evidence you can mobilise teams, budgets, or communities and work across differences.
• Academic readiness: achievement consistent with success in the target program (GPA, research, relevant skills).
• Feasibility & integrity: realistic plan, consistent documents, clear timeline; readiness to honour the two-year return rule.

Interview prep: five questions to rehearse

1. Which national strategy or policy does your project support, and how will your study unlock a bottleneck?
2. Describe a time you built consensus among groups with conflicting interests. What changed?
3. How will you measure impact in months 6, 12, and 24 after you return?
4. What specific Australian expertise (course, centre, supervisor) is essential—why not study locally?
5. What’s your plan to honour the two-year return and still progress your career?

Common mistakes that sink applications

• Generic essays: no mention of your country’s priority sectors, no KPIs, no implementation partner.
• Weak referee choices: friends or colleagues who can’t speak to outcomes and leadership.
• Document mismatch: names/dates don’t align across passport, transcripts, and forms.
• Late submissions: portals often close at the minute stated—upload early.
• Ignoring degree prerequisites: missing core subjects or English standard for the chosen course.

After you win: pre-departure to graduation

• Pre-departure briefing: expectations, visa steps, and two-year rule reviewed.
• Arrival & settlement: use the Establishment Allowance for essentials; activate OSHC; open bank account.
• Academic success: attend orientation, meet program advisors, and use writing/statistics support early.
• Research students: agree a realistic Gantt chart with your supervisor in month 1 and review quarterly.
• Alumni network: join your country’s Australia Awards alumni group to find mentors and jobs aligned with national priorities.

Family, work, and visa practicals (high-level)

Visa settings, dependant rules, and work limits can change. Read your latest DFAT guidance and Department of Home Affairs updates. If you plan to bring dependants, budget carefully—Australia Awards does not pay for dependants’ travel, school fees, or living costs.

Sample timeline (for a typical Master’s intake)

1. Sep–Dec (year before applications): shortlist degrees; find course prerequisites; book English test if needed.
2. Jan: gather transcripts, letters, and proof of employment/community roles.
3. Feb–Apr: submit application within your country window (varies); monitor email for updates.
4. May–Jul: interviews and verifications; conditional outcomes issued.
5. Aug–Nov: visas, pre-departure briefing, and travel booking.
6. Late Jan/Feb: semester starts at most Australian universities.

Quick FAQs

Is it really “fully funded”? Yes—tuition, standard living stipend (CLE), OSHC, establishment allowance, and one return airfare are included. You still need personal funds for extras.

Can I change programs after arrival? Only with formal approval. Choose carefully up front.

Can I stay in Australia after graduating? You must return home for two years first. Trying to change status early can breach your contract.

Do all countries offer PhD or Undergraduate? No. Levels depend on your country’s yearly priorities.

Next steps (start here)

1. Open the Participating Countries page for your country and read the local rules.
2. Check the Opening & Closing Dates page for the current intake window.
3. Align your degree with a priority sector and draft the development statement using the template above.
4. Ask referees now; submit early; triple-check document consistency.

• This overview is for guidance only. Always rely on the official DFAT/Australia Awards pages for current rules, dates, and benefits.