Each year, the Australian government funds more than 1,000 international students with its flagship Australia Awards Scholarship programme. Whatever your background or study level, the huge support on offer could make an incredible difference to your dream of an education in the country. While applying for it is a competitive process, we're here to give you the best possible chance of success. Begin with our guide to the Australia Awards Scholarship scheme: how it works, what it offers, and how you could be part of it.
What is the Australia Awards Scholarship?
The Australia Awards Scholarships are an offer of big financial and personal support to international students from the Australian government. Every year, they are awarded to new undergraduates, postgraduates and vocational students.
Specifically, they target "emerging leaders from developing countries". This comes with the stipulation that scholars must return home to share their learning for at least two years after completing their studies.
What does it offer?
Australia Awards Scholarships provide a range of support to recipients, but the most significant part of this is financial. They cover:
- Tuition fees
- Travel to and from Australia
- Establishment allowance (a one-off payment to get you started)
- Contributions to living expenses (paid once every two weeks)
- Health insurance (OSHC)
- Pre-sessional English course fees (if required)
In addition, Australia Award scholars benefit from an introductory academic programme. This short course prepares you for life and study in Australia, and is compulsory. In some cases, further academic support can be provided to help you make the most of your education in the country.
You may also be invited to exclusive events that can make your Australian experience even more successful and enjoyable. Even after completing your studies, you will remain connected to your fellow scholars. The Australia Awards alumni network offers ongoing support, and encourages its members to help inspire future applicants.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to international students from 55 different countries and territories. Most of these are in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Among them are Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh. For a full list and further requirements, you can go here.
If English is not your first language (or you have not previously studied in it), you will need to meet additional language requirements. Applicants generally need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0), or a comparable score in the TOEFL or PTE tests.
In some cases, you may be able to apply with a lower score. For IELTS, this must be 6.0. If successful, you must then complete English language training, either in your home country, or Australia.
What can I study?
While undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational courses are all acceptable for an Australia Award scholarship application, there are restrictions on the ones you can choose.
Specifically, your course must be part of what is considered a priority area for your home country. This is intended to ensure that you will return there with skills and experience that can make an important difference.
As an example of this, Pakistan has priority areas of "climate change, gender equality, water security, agriculture, governance, and inclusive development". Scholarship applicants from the country must therefore show that their intended studies can deliver a positive contribution in these areas.
Every country has different priority areas, and so it is important to check whether those in yours match your study goals. Full details can be found on the relevant country page on the Australia Awards website.
In addition to this, there are other exceptions. Notably, students from some countries may only apply for postgraduate courses. This will also be noted on their Australia Awards information pages. Furthermore, you cannot apply for the scholarship if you plan to study an undergraduate course that you could also study in your home country.
You can also not apply for the scholarship to study at a level at which you already have a qualification. So, if you have an undergraduate degree, you must apply for a postgraduate course.
How do I apply?
Applications are made through the official Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). After signing up for an account on the system, you can begin filling in your application form, which will comprise 19 sections. Within these, you will need to provide a range of information.
The details required can vary depending on where you are from, but will include:
- Passport
- CV
- Educational history (including your degree transcript or certificate)
- English language test certificate
- Course choices (maximum of two)
- Referees
As well as this, you will need to complete a supporting statement that expresses your motivations for studying in Australia, and how that would benefit your home country. This is broken down into four sections, each giving you 400 words to explain:
- Why you chose your planned institution(s) and course(s)
- How your studies will contribute to your career
- How you have contributed to solving a challenge and implementing change or reform
- What practical plans you have to build on the things you gain from a scholarship (personal or professional), and anything that may prevent you from completing them
If you are unable to submit an application online, you may be able to do so on paper. The option to do this is only available in some countries, and so it is a good idea to look at the information given for the one where you are based. If this is not clear, you may be able to contact the people in charge of applications there directly.
When should I apply?
Applications open each February for students looking to come to Australia in the following academic year. In 2025, the deadline is April 30, at 23:59 (AEST).
When will I be told the outcome of my application?
The timeline for responses to Australia Awards Scholarship applications varies depending on your location, but if shortlisted, you should hear back in the middle of the year. In some cases, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
If you make it through to the next stage, you can expect to be asked to take part in an interview. Some countries may also require you to complete a written test. Both tasks are an opportunity to show exactly why you should be selected, and so it is wise to prepare carefully.
After this stage, scholarship recipients will be chosen. Again, the timeline can vary, but you should find out if you have been selected towards the end of the year. This should give you the time to get ready for your studies in Australia at the start of the following year.
What other scholarships are available in Australia?
More than just a single scholarship offering, the Australia Awards are a wider government programme that promotes study in the country. As part of this, there are several other scholarships and schemes for international students.
These include the Australia for ASEAN scholarships, which fund master's students from Southeast Asia, and the Australia Awards Fellowships, which are aimed at senior and mid-career professionals.
Other major funding opportunities include the Research Training Programme. This scheme, which is open to Australian and international students, supports research at doctoral and master's level. Over a period of three or four years, it can pay for your tuition fees, research costs and annual living expenses of up to AUD 52,352.
In addition to the above, there are many more great financial awards available in the country. Start exploring them now with our list of the top scholarships in Australia. Then, take our advice on writing a scholarship application – it might just help you get an Australia Award. And if you are still interested in studying elsewhere in the world, you can discover other governments' fully funded scholarships for international students.
Chat with Couru
