Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships for Foreigners 2026

Join the first batch of Africans to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships for 2026.

If you are considering studying in Australia, we encourage you to read this article in its entirety. In this discussion, we will provide comprehensive information about Australia Awards Scholarships, including their advantages and the application process step by step.

Australia Awards Scholarships for 2026-2027 offer fully funded opportunities for international students. These scholarships are available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies and cover full tuition fees, travel allowances, living expenses, establishment allowances, and more.

Australia Awards Scholarships accept applications from international students who wish to pursue higher education at selected Australian institutions. The purpose of Australia Awards Scholarships is to aid the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in accordance with bilateral and regional agreements. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages these scholarships.

Overview of the Australia Awards Scholarships

Study Levels: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Institutions: Australian Institutions
Location: Australia
Opportunity Focus Areas: Engineering & Technology, Arts Business & Law, Medical and Applied Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery, Human, Health, and Social Sciences.
Duration of Program: Varies based on the chosen degree.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025. Click here to verify country-specific deadlines.

Also Read: How To Relocate to the UK Or Canada And Get A Job In 2025 | Full Guide

Scholarship Benefits of the Australia Awards Scholarships

Recipients of Australia Awards Scholarships receive the following benefits:

Complete tuition fees
A contribution towards accommodation costs, textbooks, and study materials
Return airfare—coverage for a single return economy-class flight to and from Australia via the most direct route
Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE)—a biweekly allowance for basic living costs, determined by the department.
Pre-course English (PCE) fees
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for the award holder only)—provided to cover the scholar’s basic medical expenses (excluding pre-existing conditions)
Introductory Academic Program (IAP)—a mandatory program before the start of formal studies that includes information about living and studying in Australia
Additional academic support may be available to help ensure a scholar’s success or to enhance their educational experience
For research awards and master’s programs with a research component that requires fieldwork, one return economy-class airfare may be available to eligible research students to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for Australia Awards Scholarships

To qualify for Australia Awards Scholarships, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

Required Language: English
Eligible Countries: Citizens from one of the participating nations in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. For the complete list of eligible countries, refer to the website.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old on 1 February of the year they begin the scholarship.
Applicants should not be citizens of Australia, possess permanent residency in Australia, or be seeking a visa for permanent residency in Australia.
Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country (as outlined on the Australia Awards website) and must be living and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship.
Applicants must not be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with anyone who holds or is eligible for Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency at any time during the application, selection, or mobilization phases (note: individuals from Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for a Student visa [subclass 500]).
Applicants must not have received a long-term Australia Award in the past unless they have lived outside of Australia for a duration equal to twice the time they spent in Australia (for example, an individual who was on an Australia Awards Scholarship in Australia for four years will not be eligible to apply for another scholarship until they have lived outside Australia for eight years).
Applicants must not be currently serving military personnel.
Applicants should have met any specific criteria set by the Program Area or their country’s government (for instance, having worked for a specified number of years in a relevant sector).
Applicants must meet all conditions required by the Department of Home Affairs to obtain a Student Visa. This may require the Program Area to withdraw an award offer if the recipient fails to meet visa conditions.
Applicants must fulfill the admission criteria of the institution where the award will be pursued (this may lead to the Program Areas needing to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot meet the institution’s admission requirements, which might not be known until the Program Areas request placement at selected institutions).
Applicants must not be seeking a scholarship for a course that is at a lower academic level than they already possess (e.g., seeking a Master’s scholarship when they already have a PhD).
Applicants must disclose any connections or relationships with employees at Program Areas (including locally engaged staff at posts) or with managing contractors so that the application is handled properly and transparently.

Also Read: 7 Scholarship Programs In USA that Can Lead to Permanent Residency

How to Apply for Australia Awards Scholarships

Please follow the instructions below to apply for Australia Awards Scholarships:

Applying online: Visit the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). When you register online, you’ll be required to answer several questions to determine your eligibility. You will then receive a unique registration number, username, and password. There is no need to submit your application right away. You can create a draft application form and modify it along with your supporting documents until the designated closing date listed on the relevant participating country profile.
Once your application is submitted, it cannot be altered. We highly recommend that applicants apply online well before the closing date since OASIS tends to experience high traffic leading up to that date, which may result in delays.
Consult the Applicant’s Online User Manual if you need assistance.
If you are unable to submit your application online, you can apply by mail. Please check your participating country profile for contact details to obtain a hardcopy application form and any necessary templates, such as referee reports (if applicable).