AAustralia

How to Apply for Australia Awards Scholarships: Full Guide for International Students

Australia awards scholarships application guide international scholars

Last updated: 27 Aug 2026

The Australia Awards Scholarships fund full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study in Australia for students from eligible developing countries, covering tuition, travel, and living costs. It is one of the most competitive fully funded programs available: administered by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as part of its international development partnerships.

The key to success depends on strategic preparation, understanding the requirements, and crafting an application that clearly communicates your vision, passion, and commitment to development.

Australia awards scholarships application guide | Summary

  • Sponsor: Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – DFAT)
  • Host Institutions: 60+ Australian universities and TAFE institutions (full list below)
  • Award Value: Fully funded
    • Full tuition fees
    • Return air travel
    • Establishment allowance
    • Living expenses (stipend)
    • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
    • Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
    • Fieldwork support for research students (where applicable)
  • Study Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Masters and PhD)
  • Study In: Australia
  • 2027 intake: Closed
  • Next intake: 2028
  • Expected opening: February 2027

 Eligibility

  • Citizen of an eligible participating country (this varies: check your country’s specific Australia Awards page)
  • Not an Australian permanent resident and not applying for an Australian residency visa
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent for postgraduate applicants
  • An English test (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) that meets your country’s requirement. Check the validity rule early, because a test that expires before your start date is a common reason applicants have to retake it. 
  • Not more than two years into another scholarship program
  • Willing to commit to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing the award

Each country may have additional eligibility conditions. Visit your country’s specific Australia Awards page for tailored details as your country profile may add more, such as age limits or work experience.

Common mistakes

  • Applying to the wrong scheme.
  • Relying on last year’s dates.
  • Choosing a course that doesn’t match your country’s priority fields.
  • Writing a generic personal statement instead of a development case.
  • Asking referees a week before the deadline.
  • Submitting in the last hour, when the portal is slowest.

How to Apply | Application Processes

Gaining a competitive scholarship like the Australia Awards requires painstaking planning. Below is a complete step-by-step breakdown:

Step i: Research and Confirm Eligibility

  • Visit the official Australia Awards website or your local Australian Embassy’s page.
  • Read your country profile and guidelines carefully. This matters more than any other tip in this guide. Each participating country has its own profile with its priority fields of study, extra eligibility rules, and required documents. Some countries do not offer undergraduate or PhD awards at all, and some accept applications through different procedures. A strong application to a level or field your country does not fund goes nowhere.

Step ii: Choose Your Course and University (Make sure you are applying to the right scheme)

The OASIS portal hosts several separate schemes, each restricted to certain citizens. Examples include Australia Awards Scholarships, Pacific Scholarships, the Mekong Australia Partnership, and ACIAR John Allwright Fellowships. Submitting under the wrong scheme is an avoidable mistake, so confirm which one applies to your citizenship.

  • Shortlist eligible courses and universities listed under Australia Awards.
  • Make sure the course aligns with your country’s priority areas (mentioned in the guidelines).

Step iii: What your documents must do

  • Development statement: This is the document that separates applicants. Reviewers want a specific problem in your country, a specific role you hold or will hold, and a specific reason the Australian course is the way to address it. “I want to help my country develop” is too vague to score.
  • CV: Show results, not duties. “Managed a school of 400 pupils” says less than “raised exam pass rates from 52% to 68% in two years.”
  • Referee letters. Choose referees who have seen your leadership, not only your marks. Give them your draft statement so their letters match it.
  • Academic and identity documents: Scan them clearly and keep file names consistent. Missing or unreadable uploads can make an application ineligible.

If you need help with structure, see our guides to the statement of purpose and recommendation letters.

    Step iv: Online Application Submission

    • Register and apply via the Online Australia Awards Information System (OASIS).
    • Fill out the application form accurately and upload scanned copies of your documents: this is where clearly connecting your studies to your home country’s development priorities matters most

    Step v: Await Shortlisting and Interview

    • Successful applicants are shortlisted for an interview.
    • Prepare to explain your study goals, career aspirations, and development impact if selected.

    Step vi: Final Selection and Visa Application

    • Selected candidates receive a formal scholarship offer.
    • You will then proceed to apply for your Australian student visa.

    Choosing a university

    Participating institutions vary by year and by country, and they include universities and some TAFE institutes. Instead of relying on a static list, check your country profile and DFAT’s current list of participating institutions. Pick a course whose content matches the priority areas in your profile.

    • Adelaide University

    • Australian Catholic University

    • Aviation Australia

    • Bond University

    • Box Hill Institute of TAFE

    • Canberra Institute of Technology

    • Central Queensland University

    • Chisholm University of TAFE

    • Charles Darwin University

    • Charles Sturt University

    • Curtin University of Technology

    • Deakin University

    • Edith Cowan University

    • Federation University

    • Flinders University

    • Griffith University

    • Holmesglen Institute of TAFE

    • James Cook University

    • Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE

    • La Trobe University

    • Macquarie University

    • Monash University

    • Murdoch University

    • Queensland University of Technology

    • RMIT University

    • Southern Cross University

    • Swinburne University of Technology

    • TAFE NSW

    • TAFE SA

    • The Australian National University

    • The University of Melbourne

    • The University of New England

    • The University of New South Wales (UNSW)

    • The University of Newcastle

    • The University of Queensland

    • The University of Sydney

    • The University of Western Australia

    • University of Ballarat

    • University of Canberra

    • University of Southern Queensland

    • University of the Sunshine Coast

    • University of Tasmania (including the Australian Maritime College)

    • University of Technology Sydney

    • University of Wollongong

    • Victoria University

    • Western Sydney University

    • William Angliss Institute of TAFE

    Tips for a Competitive Application

    • Start early: OASIS applications are lengthy and benefit from multiple review passes
    • Explicitly connect your study and career goals to your country’s stated development priorities, not just your personal interest in the field
    • Tailor your essay responses and CV specifically to this scholarship rather than reusing generic material
    • Ask a mentor or, ideally, a past Australia Awards recipient to review your application before submission

    Application Status and Key Dates

    • Applications for the 2027 academic intake are now closed (previous cycles ran from February 1 to April 30, 2026).
    • Applications for the next intake (2028 intake) are scheduled to open on February 1, 2027.
    • Always check with your local Australian Embassy or the Australia Awards country profile for correct deadlines.

    Questions applicants ask

    Is Australia Awards 2027 still open?

    No. The 2027 Africa intake is closed. The next intake is scheduled for 2028.

    Can I apply if I already hold another scholarship?

    Only if you are less than two years into it; check the specific rules for your situation with your country’s Australia Awards office

    Does the scholarship cover dependents?

    This varies by award and country thus, confirm directly through your country’s Australia Awards profile, as it isn’t guaranteed across all awards.

    What happens if I don’t meet the minimum two-year return commitment?

    This is a binding condition of the award; check your country’s specific terms before applying if you’re unsure you can commit to it.

    Is a Development Impact Statement the same as a Statement of Purpose?

    They serve a similar function, but Development Impact Statements specifically emphasize how your studies will benefit your home country’s development priorities. See our SOP writing guide for structuring either document.

    If you are weighing this against other options, see the AAUW Fellowship for a US-based alternative aimed at international and African women, or the Türkiye Bursları Scholarships if you are open to studying outside Australia.

    Official Page: Australia Awards Scholarships

    Australia Awards Africa – Application information:
    Australia Awards Africa official application page

    Australia Awards Africa – Eligibility:
    Australia Awards Africa eligibility requirements

    Australia Awards Africa – Types of Awards:
    Australia Awards Africa scholarship types