The Australia Awards Scholarships, run by the Australian Government and formerly known as the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), open the door for people from developing countries to study full time at Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The program puts a strong emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region, but citizens of participating countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East are eligible.
For African applicants, this is one of the most comprehensive awards available. It covers your degree from start to finish and ties your study to your home country’s development priorities, so the skills you build are meant to come back home with you.
You can pursue either an undergraduate or postgraduate program, as long as it aligns with the priority development areas listed on your country’s profile. Note that the award does not support training related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology, or the military.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition fees
- Return air travel
- An establishment allowance to help you settle in
- Contribution to living expenses (CLE)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees
- Funding for the minimum period needed to complete your program, including any preparatory training
The full list of inclusions is published on the official website.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ Be at least 18 years of age on 1 February of the year your scholarship begins
- ✔ Be a citizen of a participating country and be residing in and applying from your country of citizenship
- ✔ Not be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and not be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently
- ✔ Not be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone who holds or is eligible for Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency during the application, selection, or mobilisation phases
- ✔ Not be currently serving in the military
- ✔ Not have held a previous long-term Australia Award unless you have lived outside Australia for twice the length of your earlier stay
- ✔ Have no convictions for criminal activity, including matters relating to Child Protection and PSEAH
- ✔ Meet any extra criteria set by your country’s government or the Program Area, such as a minimum number of years of relevant work experience
- ✔ Be able to meet the admission requirements of the Australian institution you wish to attend
- ✔ Be able to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs requirements for a Student Visa
- ✔ Not be applying for a course at a level lower than a qualification you already hold
- ✔ Declare any connection or relationship to Program Area staff or managing contractors
Application tips for African students
- Start with your country profile. Open and close dates, priority sectors, and specific eligibility rules differ by country, so read your country’s page carefully before drafting anything.
- Align your study choice with development priorities. Applications are judged on relevance to your country’s listed priority areas — pick a course that clearly serves that need and explain the link directly.
- Sort out English-test logistics early. If you need IELTS or TOEFL to meet institution admission requirements, book your sitting months ahead, since seats and result turnaround can be slow in some African cities.
- Get transcripts and certificates certified. Have official copies certified and, where needed, translated into English well before the deadline so a paperwork delay doesn’t sink your application.
- Build a focused statement. Connect your past work or study, the course you’ve chosen, and what you’ll contribute back home into one clear story.
- Prepare for the visa and admission steps. An award offer can be withdrawn if you can’t meet the institution’s admission criteria or the Student Visa requirements, so treat both as part of your real timeline.
- Apply well before 30 April 2026, 14:00 AEST. Submit online if you can, or by mail if online access isn’t possible, and don’t leave it to the final day.
How to apply
Applications are managed by country. Check the open and close dates for your country, then select your country of citizenship or residency from the list of participating countries to find specific eligibility, priority areas, and instructions. You can apply online or, if you cannot apply online, by mail. The deadline is 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST. Read the how-to-apply guidance and your country-specific page carefully, and confirm all details on the official website: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarships
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships?
Citizens of participating countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East who are residing in and applying from their country of citizenship, and who meet the full eligibility criteria. Check the official list of participating countries to confirm your country is included.
What does the scholarship cover?
It generally covers full tuition fees, return air travel, an establishment allowance, a contribution to living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover, the Introductory Academic Program, and Pre-course English fees, making it a fully funded award.
What levels of study are supported?
You can apply for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programs at participating Australian universities and TAFE institutions, provided the course relates to your country’s development priorities.
Are there any fields that are excluded?
Yes. Australia Awards are not available for training related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology, or military training.
When is the deadline?
The annual deadline is 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST, with courses starting in 2027. Open and close dates can vary by country, so verify yours on your country profile.
Can previous Australia Award recipients apply again?
Only if they have lived outside Australia for twice the total length of time they previously spent in Australia under a long-term Australia Award.