Australia Awards Scholarships—formerly referred to as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS)—offer individuals from developing nations, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region, the chance to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Australian universities or Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
Host Institutions
The scholarships are available at a variety of participating Australian universities and institutions.
Study Levels and Fields
Recipients can enrol in undergraduate or postgraduate programs aligned with their country’s priority development areas, as outlined in the participating country profiles. However, courses related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology, and military training are excluded.
Scholarship Availability
The total number of scholarships is not specified.
Target Audience
The scholarships are designed for citizens from eligible countries across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. A complete list of eligible countries is available on the official website.
Benefits and duration
Recipients of the Australia Awards Scholarship typically receive:
- Full coverage of tuition fees
- Return airfare
- An establishment allowance
- Contributions towards living expenses (CLE)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees
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The scholarship is valid for the minimum time required to complete the academic program, including any preparatory training. For a full list of benefits, refer to the official website.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old by 1 February of the scholarship’s commencement year.
- Hold citizenship in an eligible country and apply from their home country.
- Not hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or be seeking a permanent visa to live in Australia.
- Not be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone holding Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency (exceptions apply for residents of Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau).
- They do not currently serve as military personnel.
- • They must not have previously received a long-term Australia Award unless they have lived outside Australia for twice the duration of their previous award.
- Be free of any criminal convictions, including those related to child protection.
- Meet any additional criteria set by their country of citizenship, such as professional experience requirements.
- Satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen institution and the visa requirements of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.
- • Avoid seeking funding for a lower-level academic program than what you have previously completed, such as applying for a master’s degree when you already hold a PhD.
Applicants must disclose any relationships with staff involved in administering the scholarships to ensure transparency. The full eligibility details are outlined in the Australia Awards Policy Handbook.
Application Process
Applications open on 1 February 2025 and close on 30 April 2025 at 11:59 PM AEST.
Applicants should verify the specific dates and guidelines for their country of citizenship, including eligibility requirements and priority fields of study. Submissions can be made online or by mail if online access is unavailable.
For detailed information on the application process, visit the official website: Australia Awards Scholarships.
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