Australia Awards Scholarships: Fully Funded Study in Australia

Australia Awards Scholarships: Fully Funded Study in Australia The Australia Awards Scholarships are the Australian Government’s flagship international scholarship program, and they’re among the most generous fully funded awards available to students from developing countries. Managed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the program has helped build leaders across nearly 50 partner countries by funding full undergraduate and postgraduate study at Australian universities.

Looking for more scholarships? Check out our Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters 2027

What Makes Australia Awards Stand Out

This isn’t a narrow, single-field scholarship — it covers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study areas at participating Australian institutions. Recipients aren’t just funded to study; they’re chosen for their potential to return home and drive real development impact, which is why the program places heavy weight on leadership potential and community contribution, not just academic scores.

Australia Awards Scholarships What the Scholarship Covers

Successful applicants typically receive:

• 100% of tuition fees
• Return airfare to and from Australia
• A living allowance for the duration of the course
• Health insurance coverage
• A fieldwork allowance for eligible research and coursework students
• Academic support and mentoring throughout the program

Looking for more scholarships? Check out our Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028: Fully Funded Study in the USA

Australia Awards Scholarships Who Can Apply

Australia Awards Scholarships are only open to citizens of specific DFAT-approved partner countries — roughly 50 nations across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Some major countries, including India, are not eligible, so it’s essential to check the current list before assuming you qualify.

General eligibility includes:

• Being a citizen (not permanent resident) of an eligible partner country
• Meeting the minimum English language requirement — typically IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0 (or an equivalent PTE/TOEFL score)
• Meeting work experience requirements, which vary by country and study level (often at least 2 years for postgraduate applicants)
• Meeting the specific admission requirements of your chosen Australian institution
• Agreeing to return to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing your studies

Eligibility details, priority study areas, and required documents differ by country, so always check your specific country page before applying.

Australia Awards Scholarships Application Timeline

Australia Awards runs on an annual cycle:

• Applications for a given intake year typically open on February 1 and close on April 30 (2:00 PM AEST) of the prior year
• For example, the 2027 intake round already opened and closed within this window
• Final outcomes are usually announced between October and December
• The next cycle (2028 intake) is expected to open around February 2027

Because deadlines are strict and vary slightly by country and scholarship stream (some Pacific-nation streams run on separate windows), always confirm your exact dates on the official application portal before you plan around a specific date.

Australia Awards Scholarships How to Apply

1. Confirm your country of citizenship is on the current DFAT partner country list
2. Create an account on the official Australia Awards application portal (OASIS)
3. Select your intended study area and nominate up to three study options and institutions
4. Prepare required documents: academic transcripts, English test results, CV, and any country-specific documents
5. Submit your complete application before the deadline — late or incomplete applications are not accepted

Australia Awards Scholarships Official Link

• Official application portal (OASIS)

Always apply directly through the official OASIS portal or your regional Australia Awards office — the program never charges an application fee.

Looking for more scholarships? Check out our University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027

Australia Awards Scholarships Final Tips

• Start preparing early; English test scores and reference documents can take weeks to arrange
• Focus your application on how your study plan connects to your home country’s development needs — this program prioritizes impact, not just grades
• Double-check your country’s specific priority study areas, since some fields are favored over others depending on region
• Watch the OASIS portal directly for exact opening dates each cycle, since these can shift slightly year to year

Eligible countries, deadlines, and requirements change between cycles, so always confirm current details on the official OASIS portal before applying.