Australia Awards Scholarship: What You Need to Know

This article will provide you with the detailed information about Australia Awards Scholarship.

This scholarship is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It is available to students from developing countries to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities, including the University of Melbourne

The Australia Awards Scholarship generally covers tuition fees, Economy class tickets from and to Australia, establishment allowance, introductory academic program, Student Health Insurance, and initial visa expenses. Also, it offers a contribution to the applicant’s choice of accommodation in Australia

The Australia Awards scholarship is available in the majority of top-ranking universities like Australian National University, Macquarie University, University of Sydney, etc

The Australia Awards scholarship is open for students from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific to study undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in top Australian universities.

To Know more about Australia Awards Scholarship Keep on reading this article!

Australia Awards Scholarship: Key Highlights

Country: Australia

Financial coverage: Fully Funded

Eligible Regions: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Palestinian Territories

Important Dates for 2023: Application Open: 1st Feb 2023, Application Close: 30 Apr,2023

Australia Awards Scholarship: Objectives

● The Australia Awards Scholarship aims to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements

● The Australia Awards Scholarship will provide opportunities for people who belong to developing countries particularly those countries who are located in the Indo-Pacific region to undertake full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education Institutes

● Opportunities provided by the Australia Award Scholarship develop the skill and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.

Australia Awards Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria

● Applicants must be citizens and must be residing in a participating country (as indicated on the website) and apply for Australia awards scholarships from their country of citizenship

● Applicants must not be Australian citizens, have permanent residence in Australia, or apply for a visa to live in Australia permanently

● Applicants shall not be married, engaged, or de facto to a person who possesses or is eligible to maintain Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence.

● Applicants must not be currently serving military personnel

● They must not have previously received a long-term Australian Award unless they have resided outside of Australia for twice the time they were in Australia (for example, a previous recipient who has been on an Australian Scholarship for four years will not be eligible to apply for another Australia Awards scholarship until they have resided outside Australia for eight years)

● Applicants must meet all the specified criteria of the program/field such as having the requirement of work experience for certain countries.

● Applicants must also admission requirements of the host university

Important Note: The scholarships in Australia will be revoked if the recipient cannot meet the visa requirements

Australia Awards Scholarship: Application Process

To apply for the Australian Awards Scholarship, students must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Choose your home country and award type to check whether you are eligible for the award.

Step 2: Once eligibility is established, review the course eligibility criteria

Step 3: Register and complete the online application form for the Australian Awards.

Australia Awards Scholarship: Documents Required

Certified copies of the following original documents along with their English translations (if required)

● Graduation degree certificate

● Formal academic transcripts

● Birth certificate

● Citizenship document’s certified copy (such as national identity card or passport).

● Resume concisely detailing work history, responsibilities, and research experience

● At least one academic referee report and one other referee report is required

● Ph.D. or research-based master’s degree applicants must provide two academic referee reports

● Copy of English language test (TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS) result

● The certificate must be valid till January 1 of the scholarship’s commencement year.

Important Note: For Ph.D. candidates: Evidence (e-mail or letter communication) that a potential supervisor has granted in-principle support for the research topic

Australia Awards Scholarship: Selection Process

All applications submitted for the Australia Awards Scholarship are considered on merit where every applicant is given equal opportunities. The scholarship selection process will be administered by Program Areas in various countries or regions Therefore, the process varies according to the region/country

Factors affecting Australia Awards Scholarships

● Academic competence

● personal and professional qualities

● capability to influence the home country’s development challenges

Based on these factors and many others, each participating country produces a list of shortlisted candidates The number of students depends on the Australia Awards Scholarships available to the region. Shortlisted students are interviewed and the selection process may include other activities like group participation sessions to measure the suitability of applicants

After that, each participating country produces a list of candidates, with their first preference course and institution Placement requests are reviewed by Australian universities and based on merit, they process a placement offer to applicants fulfilling the admission eligibility criteria This includes obtaining an Australian student visa as well.

Australia Awards Scholarship: Benefits

In general, the following benefits apply:

● Full tuition fees will be covered

● Return round-trip economy class tickets to and from Australia will be provided with the most direct airline

● A one-time establishment grant will be provided as a contribution to the cost of accommodation, textbooks, and study materials.

● A biweekly living expense contribution to basic living expenses will be paid at a rate determined by the department.

● The introductory Academic Program is a mandatory program prior to the start of formal academic studies covering information on how to live and study in Australia, the cost will be covered by the scholarship.

● Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) for the duration of the award is provided, it will cover the student’s basic medical costs

● Pre-Course English Fees (PCE): If deemed necessary, the PCE may be available to students for in-country and/or Australian training

● Supplemental academic support may be provided to ensure a student’s academic success to enhance their academic experience

● Fieldwork may be available to research students eligible for a return economy class airfare via the route plus direct to your country of citizenship or within Australia.