The Australia Awards Scholarships, previously known as the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), offer exceptional opportunities for individuals from developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
These scholarships are aimed at fostering positive change by building capacity in areas crucial to the development of participating countries.
Host Institution(s)
The scholarship can be pursued at any of the participating Australian institutions, including universities and TAFE institutions.
Fields of Study
The scholarships are available for undergraduate or postgraduate programs that align with the priority development areas of the applicant’s home country. Applicants are encouraged to select courses that match these priority sectors as listed on their country’s specific Australia Awards profile.
Please note: The scholarships are not available for courses related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology, or military training.
Number of Scholarships
The number of scholarships available is not specified.
Target Group
The scholarships are available to citizens of one of the participating countries located in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. A full list of participating countries can be found on the official Australia Awards website.
Scholarship Benefits
The Australia Awards Scholarships offer substantial support for international students. Benefits typically include:
- Full tuition fees
- Return air travel
- Establishment allowance
- Contribution to living expenses (CLE)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees
These benefits are provided for the minimum duration required for the applicant to complete their program, including any necessary preparatory training.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet several criteria to be eligible for the scholarship:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old on 1 February of the year they intend to start their scholarship.
- Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of a participating country, residing in their country of citizenship.
- Residency and Visa Restrictions: Applicants cannot be Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or hold a visa to live in Australia permanently.
- Relationship Restrictions: Applicants cannot be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency during the application and selection process.
- Military Service: Applicants must not be current serving military personnel.
- Previous Awardees: Individuals who have previously received a long-term Australia Award are ineligible unless they have lived outside of Australia for at least twice the length of time they spent in Australia (e.g., four years in Australia requires eight years of living outside).
- Criminal Records: Applicants must not have criminal convictions, including those related to child protection and sexual exploitation.
- Other Criteria: Some programs may have specific criteria based on the applicant’s country or sector. Applicants must also meet the admission requirements of their chosen institution and be eligible to hold a student visa.
How to Apply
Applications for the Australia Awards Scholarships will open on 1 February 2025. To apply, visit the official website and select your country of citizenship or residency to view specific application instructions, eligibility criteria, and priority areas for your country.
The deadline for submitting applications is 30 April 2025, 11:59pm AEST. Applications can be submitted online or by mail if online submission is not possible. It is crucial to review the detailed guidelines for how to apply, which can be found on the official website.
Important Information
Before applying, applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the Australia Awards Policy Handbook and the country-specific pages to ensure that they meet all eligibility requirements and understand the application process.
For further details, visit the official Australia Awards website:
Australia Awards Scholarships
Related Scholarships
Additionally, there are other Australia Scholarships for international students that might align with your goals. Explore the website for more information on similar opportunities.
