Apply Now! 2025 Australia Awards scholarships for International Students

Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They are designed to contribute to Australia’s development cooperation with partner countries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The awards provide opportunities for students from developing countries to study at participating Australian universities and TAFE institutions. These scholarships are intended to build capacity, enhance leadership qualities, and foster links between Australia and our partner countries.

The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Scholarships develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries. Australia Awards are prestigious, transformational scholarships and short courses offered to emerging leaders from developing countries for study, research and professional development in Australia and the region so they can return home and contribute to their nations’ development, prosperity and resilience.

The Australian Government’s development policy Australian aid: promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability recognises that tertiary education is an important component of any investment in development. Australia’s international development assistance in Africa helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance political stability. This post focuses on requirements and application processes for African international students. 

Priority fields of study for Africa

The priority areas of study for eligible African countries in this application round are: 

• Climate change 
• Agriculture and food security 
• Mining and energy 
• Foreign policy and international security 
• Gender, disability, and social inclusion

Australia Awards Scholarships Benefits

Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training. The following benefits generally apply:

• full tuition fees
• return air travel–payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route
• establishment allowance–a once-only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, textbooks, study materials
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – 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.

Note: Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards Scholarship will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship.

Who is eligible to apply?

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, candidates from eligible African countries must also meet the following conditions:

• Be a minimum of 25 years of age on 1 February 2025.
• At a minimum, have 5 years of post-graduate work experience, working in a field relative to their field of study.
• Be a citizen of Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship, unless working for an African Regional Organisation or working on diplomatic mission for their home country.
• Not already hold or be undertaking a Master’s degree or equivalent (equivalent to a Master’s degree in home country).
• Already hold an undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree).
• Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award.
• Meet the minimum English language proficiency of at least 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0 (an internet-based TOEFL score of at least 84, with a minimum of 21 in all subtests, or PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50). Scores must be valid on 1 January 2025. (Excluding candidates if their first language is English and they have undertaken their education in English).

What to do before applying for the Australia Awards Scholarships

• 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. See the participating countries page for opening and closing dates.
• If you intend to apply, you must read the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook. The handbook provides information including general eligibility requirements, selection processes, entitlements, and responsibilities. Note that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade may revise and update the handbook at any time without notice.
• Some countries encourage and allow you to apply online while others require hard-copy applications. See your participating country profile for more information.

Australia Awards scholarship application process

Interested scholars who meet the above entry requirements are encouraged to take the following steps to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship: 

• All applications must be lodged online through OASIS at https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/
• Applicants must submit all the relevant supporting documents listed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook which include a Passport, Undergraduate Degree Certificate, undergraduate Academic Transcript, Curriculum Vitae, Employer Referee Report, Academic Referee Report, and ELTS/TOEFL/Pearson Test Certificate. 

Australia Awards Scholarships selection process

• Applications will be shortlisted for a selection interview after eligibility checking.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria: 

– academic competence 

– potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Africa 

– professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience. 

• Successful candidates will be notified in late 2024.
• Awardee travel is subject to meeting the requirements of the Australian Government, as determined by the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Education, and by the relevant Australian State or Territory governments.

Australia Awards Scholarships Preparatory training

Successful applicants will be required to attend:

• Course counselling
• Pre-departure briefing
• University’s Introductory Academic Program
• Other required preparatory study on arrival in Australia.

Direct all further inquiries to the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook

Click on the link below for more details and application: https://australiaawardsafrica.org/