Australia Awards Scholarship is a long-term award administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The scholarship is formerly known as Australian Development Scholarship (ADS). This scholarship offers students from developing countries to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at the participating Australian University and TAFE Institutes(Technical and Further Education). The scholarship generally covers tuition fees, economic class tickets from and to Australia, establishment allowance, introductory academic program study, Health insurance, initial visa expenses. Students who want to study graduation and post-graduation courses in Australia will apply online by visiting their official website and in this article, we will provide you with information about the scheme, its eligibility criteria, benefits, application procedure, and much more.
Key Highlights of Australia Awards Scholarships
| Scholarship types | Merit-Based |
| Conducted by | Government bodies |
| Name of organization | Department of Home Affairs |
| Name of scholarship | Australia Awards Scholarship |
| Application deadline | N/A |
| Number of scholarships | 1985 |
| Amount | Variable |
| International students eligible | Yes |
| Official website | Australia Awards |
Also Read: Australian Maitri Scholarship for Indian Students
Objectives of Australia Award Scholarship
The Australia Awards Scholarship aims to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements. They will provide opportunities for people who belong to developing countries particularly those countries who are located in the Indo-Pacific region to undertake full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education Institutes. Opportunities provided by the Australia Award Scholarship develop the skill and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.
Benefits of Australia Award Scholarship
The Australia Award Scholarship will provide a minimum period which is necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, it will include any preparatory training and the benefits are given below:
- Full-time tuition fees
- Return air travel payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia via the most direct route
- The establishment allowance – a once-only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses textbooks study material.
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLG) – 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.
Number of Scholarships:
Not specified.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to receive a Scholarship, applicants must:
- be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February of the year of commencing the scholarship;
- be a citizen of a participating country (as listed on the Australia Awards website) and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship;
- not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia, or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently;
- not be married to, engaged to, 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 mobilization phases (note: residents of Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for a Student visa [subclass 500]);
- A person not currently serving military personnel;
- not have previously received a long-term Australia Award unless they have resided outside of Australia for twice the length of the total time that they were in Australia (for example, a previous awardee who has been on an Australia Awards Scholarship in Australia for four years will not be eligible to apply for another Australia Awards Scholarship until they have resided outside Australia for eight years);
- have satisfied any specific criteria established by the Program Area or the government of the applicant’s country of citizenship (e.g. having worked a certain number of years in an appropriate sector);
- be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken (this may mean that Program Areas will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Program Areas request a placement at selected institutions);
- be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs to hold a Student Visa. This may mean that the Program Area will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the visa requirements;
- Not be applying for a scholarship for a course of study at an academic level lesser than they have already achieved (eg applying for a Master’s scholarship when they already hold a Ph.D.); and
- Applicants must inform the Program Area of any connection or relationship to staff employed at Program Areas (including locally engaged staff at post) or with managing contractors so that the application may be properly and transparently managed.
Target Group
Citizens of one of the participating countries in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. See the complete list of participating countries.
Selection Process
All applications submitted for the Australia Awards Scholarship are considered on merit where every applicant is given equal opportunities. The scholarship selection process will be administered by Program Areas in various countries or regions. Therefore, the process varies according to the region/country.
Important Dates
Opening Date- Update Soon
Closing Date- Update Soon
Documents Required
- Certified copies of the following original documents along with their English translations (if required)
- graduation degree certificate
- Formal academic transcripts
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship document’s certified copy (such as national identity card or passport).
- Resume concisely detailing work history, responsibilities, and research experience.
- At least one academic referee report and one other referee report are required.
- Ph.D. or research-based master’s degree applicants must provide two academic referee reports.
- Copy of English language test (TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS) result.
- The certificate must be valid till January 1 of the scholarship’s commencement year.
For Ph.D. candidates: Evidence (e-mail or letter communication) that a potential supervisor has granted in-principle support for the research topic
Also Read: Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship
Application Procedure for Australia Awards Scholarship 2024
- The applicant should visit the Australia Awards website.
- On the homepage Check the opening and closing dates for your country, and select your country of citizenship/residency from the list of participating countries for specific information on eligibility, priority areas and how to apply.
- Some countries encourage and allow you to apply online while others require hard-copy applications.
- After that you have to fill the application form by filling required details or submitting documents.