Eligibility

✅ General Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age on 1 February of the scholarship commencement year

Citizenship & Residency

• Must be a citizen of an eligible country (see participating countries below)
• Must be residing in and applying from your eligible home country at the time of application
• NOT a citizen of Australia or New Zealand
• NOT hold or be applying for Australian or New Zealand permanent residency
• NOT married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone who holds Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence

Military Service

• NOT currently serving military personnel

Previous Scholarships

• Must NOT have received a long-term Australia Award in the previous four years

Criminal Record

• Must NOT hold convictions of criminal activities, including those related to Child Protection and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH)

Academic Requirements

• For Bachelor's degrees: Completion of secondary education equivalent to Australian Year 12
• For Master's degrees: Hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record
• For PhD programs: Hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) with a research component
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements (see below)
• Meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen Australian university

📚 English Language Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of these accepted tests:

Important Notes:

• Test results must be valid until 1 January of the year you commence studies
• Test results are valid for two years from the test date
• Higher scores may be required by individual universities
• English language training may be available if you are within half a point of required scores

Exemption: If English is your first language AND you completed your education in English (evidenced by transcripts), you may be exempt from testing requirements.

💼 Professional Requirements

• Work Experience: Minimum work experience varies by program (typically 2+ years for Master's programs)
• Employment Sector: Must be working in or planning to work in a priority development sector
• Leadership Potential: Demonstrate capacity to contribute to your country's development
• Return Commitment: Must commit to returning to your home country for at least 2 years after completing your scholarship

🎯 Priority Development Sectors

Australia Awards focus on candidates working in these priority sectors:

Core Sectors:

• 🏥 Health - Public health, health management, nursing, medical research
• 📚 Education - Teaching, education leadership, curriculum development
• 🌾 Agriculture & Food Security - Agricultural development, food systems
• 🏛️ Governance - Public administration, policy, law, justice
• 🌍 Climate Change & Environment - Environmental management, sustainability, disaster risk reduction
• 🏗️ Infrastructure - Engineering, urban planning, water and sanitation
• ⚖️ Gender Equality & Social Inclusion - Women's empowerment, disability inclusion
• 💼 Economic Development - Trade, finance, business development

Note: Priority sectors may vary by country. Check your country profile for specific priorities.

🌏 Eligible Countries (35+ Countries)

Asia Region (17 countries)

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

Pacific Region (16 countries)

Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

Africa Region

Select countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (contact your local program for current list)

❌ Who is NOT Eligible?

You are NOT eligible if you:

• Are applying for a qualification at the same or lower level than you already hold
• Have previously received an Australian Government scholarship (with some exceptions)
• Are currently residing outside your home country (unless working for your government in a regional capacity)
• Have family connections to Australia or New Zealand through citizenship, residency, or marriage
• Are applying for military training or nuclear technology studies
• Cannot satisfy Department of Home Affairs visa requirements

📋 Additional Requirements

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• Applicants must declare any connections or relationships with staff at:
  • DFAT Program Areas (including locally engaged staff)
  • Managing contractors
• This ensures transparent and fair selection processes

Character Requirements

• Must provide character/police checks before departure
• Must satisfy Australian character requirements for visa purposes

Health Requirements

• Must meet Australian health requirements for Student visa (subclass 500)
• Pre-existing medical conditions must be disclosed
• May require medical examinations

🎓 Course Eligibility

Scholarships ARE available for:

• Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses (select countries)
• Bachelor's degrees (if not available in your home country)
• Master's degrees (by coursework or research)
• Doctorate (PhD) programs (subject to partner government approval)

Scholarships are NOT available for:

• Undergraduate courses available in your home country
• Training in nuclear technology or flying aircraft
• Legal workshops
• Distance/external study programs (except under specific conditions)
• Military or counter-intelligence training
• Courses you've already completed or equivalent qualifications

Maximum Duration:

• Bachelor's: 4 years
• Master's: 2 years
• PhD: 4 years
• Preparation programs: up to 12 months additional

🔍 Special Considerations

People with Disability

• Australia Awards are inclusive and strongly encourage applications from people with disability
• Additional support and reasonable adjustments will be provided
• Early disclosure enables better support planning

Women in Development

• Priority consideration for female applicants in male-dominated sectors
• Focus on countries with gender gaps in education

Geographic Diversity

• Preference for applicants from rural or underserved regions

📅 Application Timeline (Typical)

Important: Application dates vary by country. Always check your specific country profile at: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/participating-countries