What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees.
- A single return economy airfare to and from Australia.
- An establishment allowance towards accommodation, textbooks and study materials.
- A fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses, at a rate the department sets.
- Overseas Student Health Cover for the length of the award (for the award holder only).
- A compulsory Introductory Academic Program before formal study, and pre-course English training where it is needed.
Who can apply
- Citizens of a participating country: in Africa these include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among 25.
- Undergraduate or postgraduate study, full time, at a participating Australian institution.
- Willingness to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia and accept the award's conditions.
Which nationalities can apply
Citizens of 52 countries can apply. Countries with an Australia Awards round for study starting in 2027 (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Niue and Wallis and Futuna also take part but are not on the board's nationality list). Official list, as of Oct 13, 2026.
See all 52
Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How to apply
- Find your country on DFAT's list of opening and closing dates, which names the office that runs your country's applications (Australia Awards Africa for the African countries).
- Apply online during your country's window. For study starting in 2027, most countries' window ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026.
- If selected, choose a participating institution and course with the Australia Awards office before the award starts.
Before you apply: things to know
- Scholars must leave Australia for at least two years after the scholarship ends; staying on creates a debt for the whole cost of the award.
- The round for 2028 study has not been announced; DFAT publishes the dates on its opening and closing dates page.
- Health cover is for the award holder only, not for family members.