Australia Awards Scholarships: requirements, benefits and deadline

Australia Awards Scholarships, run by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), fund full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and TAFE institutions for people from developing countries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

Country
Australia
Level
Undergraduate and postgraduate
Funding
Fully funded
Next deadline
Next round not yet announced (the round for study in 2027 closed on 30 April 2026)

Official website

What it covers

  • Full tuition fees
  • A single return economy airfare to and from Australia
  • An establishment allowance towards accommodation, textbooks and study materials
  • A fortnightly contribution to living expenses (CLE)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover for the award holder, and a compulsory Introductory Academic Program before your studies
  • Where needed, pre-course English training and supplementary academic support

Who can apply

  • Be a citizen of a participating country; eligibility rules, priority fields of study and required documents are set per country in its country profile
  • Participating countries include Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and 25 African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria
  • Study a programme that relates to your country’s priority areas for development
  • Not be an intending migrant or hold Australian permanent residency; scholars must leave Australia for at least two years after the scholarship
  • Flying aircraft, nuclear technology and military training cannot be studied
  • English requirements depend on the institution and your country’s rules

Key dates

Last round (study starting in 2027)
Opened 1 February 2026 and closed 30 April 2026, 14:00 AEST, for most countries
Shortlisting
Only shortlisted applicants are contacted, typically by mid-August
Next round
Dates for study starting in 2028 have not been published yet; check the official opening and closing dates page

How to apply

  1. Find your country in the list of participating countries and read its country profile and the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
  2. Choose a course at a participating Australian institution that matches your country’s priority areas.
  3. Apply online through OASIS (Indonesia and the Philippines use their own portal), or by mail where your country allows it, before your country’s closing date.
  4. If shortlisted, you will be contacted by email.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Australia Awards Scholarships cover?

Full tuition fees. A single return economy airfare to and from Australia. An establishment allowance towards accommodation, textbooks and study materials. A fortnightly contribution to living expenses (CLE). Overseas Student Health Cover for the award holder, and a compulsory Introductory Academic Program before your studies. Where needed, pre-course English training and supplementary academic support.

Who can apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships?

Be a citizen of a participating country; eligibility rules, priority fields of study and required documents are set per country in its country profile. Participating countries include Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and 25 African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Study a programme that relates to your country’s priority areas for development. Not be an intending migrant or hold Australian permanent residency; scholars must leave Australia for at least two years after the scholarship. Flying aircraft, nuclear technology and military training cannot be studied. English requirements depend on the institution and your country’s rules.

When is the Australia Awards Scholarships deadline?

Next round not yet announced (the round for study in 2027 closed on 30 April 2026). Last round (study starting in 2027): Opened 1 February 2026 and closed 30 April 2026, 14:00 AEST, for most countries. Shortlisting: Only shortlisted applicants are contacted, typically by mid-August. Next round: Dates for study starting in 2028 have not been published yet; check the official opening and closing dates page.

How do I apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships?

Find your country in the list of participating countries and read its country profile and the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook. Choose a course at a participating Australian institution that matches your country’s priority areas. Apply online through OASIS (Indonesia and the Philippines use their own portal), or by mail where your country allows it, before your country’s closing date. If shortlisted, you will be contacted by email.

Sources: DFAT: Australia Awards Scholarships · DFAT: Australia Awards opening and closing dates · DFAT: Australia Awards frequently asked questions (checked 26 September 2026)

Compare dates across programmes in the scholarship deadlines calendar.

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