Australia Awards Scholarships for Development 2026-2027

Offered by the Australian Government, the Australia Awards Scholarships for Development aim to help promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance socioeconomic stability in partner developing countries. Successful applicants are trained to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to drive change and build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Australia Awards scholarships focus on supporting eligible countries to strengthen government systems, enhance policymaking in priority sectors, improve economic governance, and build trade and business capabilities. This scholarship to study in Oceania is available for Undergraduate, master PhD and research students. You can study in a variety of disciplines available at partner institutions in Australia.

This Australian Government Scholarship program is fully funded and provides necessary funds for the normal duration of the candidate’s program. Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence, and, most importantly, their potential to impact development challenges in their country. Eligible women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Details

• Host Institutions: Partner Institutions in Australia (please see the list below).
• Number of awards: Not specified.
• Duration: Duration of the candidate’s program.
• Target group: Open to citizens of the following countries:
  Asia ( Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam);
  Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna);
  Africa (Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe).

Australia Awards Scholarships for Development Benefits

This scholarship to study in Australia is a fully funded program that funds the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training. The following benefits generally apply:

Australia Awards Scholarships are granted for the minimum duration required for a recipient to finish their designated academic program at an Australian higher education institution, which may also cover any essential preparatory training. The comprehensive benefits package generally includes the following:

• Full Tuition Fees – The full cost of tuition for the duration of the course is covered directly by the scholarship.
• Return Air Travel – A single economy class airfare for the most direct route to and from Australia.
• Establishment Allowance – A one-off payment to assist with accommodation expenses, textbooks, and study materials.
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – A regular fortnightly stipend to support basic living costs, at a rate set by the department.
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP) – A compulsory pre-course program designed to help scholars adjust to living and studying in Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – Provided for the duration of the award for the scholar only, covering basic medical expenses (excluding pre-existing conditions).
• Pre-course English (PCE) Fees – Available where necessary, offering in-country and/or in-Australia English language training.
• Supplementary Academic Support – May be provided to enhance academic success or enrich the overall study experience.
• Fieldwork Support – For eligible research students and coursework masters with a compulsory research component, one return economy airfare may be provided for fieldwork within Australia or to the scholar’s country of citizenship.

Australia Awards Participating Institutions

Below is the list of universities and institutions that can host students for the Australia Awards Program 2026-2027.

1. Adelaide University
2. Australian Catholic University
3. Aviation Australia
4. Bond University
5. Box Hill Institute of TAFE
6. Canberra Institute of Technology
7. Central Queensland University
8. Chisholm University of TAFE
9. Charles Darwin University
10. Charles Sturt University
11. Curtin University of Technology
12. Deakin University
13. Edith Cowan University
14. Federation University
15. Flinders University
16. Griffith University
17. Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
18. James Cook University
19. Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE
20. La Trobe University
21. Macquarie University
22. Monash University
23. Murdoch University
24. Queensland University of Technology
25. RMIT University
26. Southern Cross University
27. Swinburne University of Technology
28. TAFE NSW
29. TAFE SA
30. The Australian National University
31. The University of Melbourne
32. The University of New England
33. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
34. The University of Newcastle
35. The University of Queensland
36. The University of Sydney
37. The University of Western Australia
38. University of Ballarat
39. University of Canberra
40. University of Southern Queensland
41. University of the Sunshine Coast
42. University of Tasmania (including the Australian Maritime College)
43. University of Technology Sydney
44. University of Wollongong
45. Victoria University
46. Western Sydney University
47. William Angliss Institute of TAFE

Australia Awards Scholarships for Development Eligibility

In order to apply for this government scholarship, applicants must be:

• be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February of the year of commencing the scholarship;
• be a citizen of a participating country (as listed above) and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship;
• not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently;
• not be married to, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any time during the application, selection, and mobilization phases (note: residents of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for a student visa);
• not be current serving military personnel;
• not have previously received a long-term Australian Award in the previous four years);
• not hold convictions for criminal activities (including in their home country) including those relating to Child Protection and PSEAH;
• have satisfied any specific criteria established by the Program Area or the government of the applicant’s country of citizenship (e.g. having worked a certain number of years in an appropriate sector);
• be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken (this may mean that program areas will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Program Areas request a placement at selected institutions);
• be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs to hold a student visa. This may mean that the Program Area will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the visa requirements;
• not be applying for a scholarship for a course of study at an academic level lower than already achieved (e.g. be applying for a Master’s scholarship when they already hold a PhD);
• applicants residing in the immediate region to which they would be willing to grant an award (e.g. Pacific Island countries considering applicants from other eligible Pacific Island countries), noting that the award will be reported as belonging to the applicant’s country of citizenship.

why study in Australia?

Australia’s top-notch educational system and rich cultural offerings make it a popular choice for international students. Australia is a great country to study and launch a career in, as it has a robust economy, a low unemployment rate, and an abundance of job prospects.

Australia not only offers useful advantages but also a distinctive and fascinating study experience. There is something for everyone in Australia, from its breathtaking landscapes, diversified animals, and booming cities to its internationally famous beaches and active cultural scene. Students will find it simple to immerse themselves in the local culture and develop lifetime friends during their time in the nation due to its excellent standard of living and welcoming climate.

How to Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships for Development

Eligible applicants who would like to be considered for this Oceania scholarship program need to click on the “apply” button below and follow instructions to apply. Some countries encourage and allow you to apply online, while others require hard-copy applications. See your participating country profile for more information.

The application deadline is April 30, 2026. For more details on the Australian Awards Scholarships for Development, please visit the official page.