Australia Award Scholarship: Eligibility, Application & Requirement (2024)

Under the Australia Awards Scholarship program, individuals from developing nations can enrol in TAFE and university programs in Australia full-time, either for undergraduate or graduate degrees. Most prestigious universities, like Australian National University, Macquarie University, University of Sydney, etc., offer scholarships for students. The primary goal of Australia Awards Scholarships, which are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is to meet the growing needs of Australia’s neighbouring nations. 

They give citizens of poor nations, especially those in the Indo-Pacific area, the chance to enrol in full-time undergraduate or graduate programs at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) establishments.

The research and study opportunities made possible by Australia Awards Scholarships equip recipients with the information and abilities needed to effect change and further the development of their home nations.

Features Of Award Scholarship By Australia

Australia offers the award scholarship which is highly beneficial for the students desiring to study abroad. It has the following features – 

1. include payment for a single economy class ticket (by direct travel) to and from Australia.
2. 100% of the tuition is awarded.
3. establishment allowance, which includes a one-time payment for books, other study supplies, and lodging in Australia.
4. includes living expenses at the department’s rate as well as overseas student health coverage for the scholar’s essential medical costs. 
5. The Australia Awards scholarship may also pay for fieldwork, reunion airfare, additional academic support, pre-course English language training expenses, and fieldwork, depending on eligibility and conditions.

Benefits Of Award Scholarship 

Australia Awards Scholarships are granted for as long as it takes the recipient, including any required prerequisite training, to finish the academic program as stipulated by the Australian higher education institution. In general, the following advantages are applicable:

1. full tuition expenses return airfare: the cost of one economy class ticket each way to and from Australia, taken via the most direct route
2. Establishment allowance: a one-time payment to help cover the cost of books, study supplies, and lodging
3. Contribution to Living expenditures (CLE): a biweekly payment made at a department-set rate toward essential living expenditures.
4. Introductory Academic Program (IAP): This mandatory program covers information on living and studying in Australia before formal academic studies begin. 
5. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): This program covers the scholar’s basic medical costs (excluding pre-existing conditions) for the duration of the award (for award holders only).
6. Pre-course English (PCE) costs: If considered required, PCE may be offered to students for training in Australia or their home country.
7. Eligible research students may be eligible for fieldwork (for research awards and Masters by coursework if fieldwork is mandatory) for one return economy class flight via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.
8. Additional academic support may be offered to guarantee a scholar’s academic success or to improve their academic experience. 

Things To Be Kept In Mind While Applying For Award Scholarship 

1. To be eligible for an Australia Awards Scholarship, applicants must sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia committing to abide by the scholarship’s terms.
2. After their scholarship is ended, recipients must leave Australia for a minimum of two years. If this isn’t done, the scholar will be responsible for paying back the entire amount of their award.
3. It is required that you submit your scholarship application and any supporting documentation.
4. Notification of Australia Award Scholarship decisions is sent by August 1.
5. Each participating country may have a different application date.
6. It is required of all to demonstrate fluency in the English language.
7. After completing their program, scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years.

Qualifications Required 

The following qualifying requirements must be met by candidates to be considered for an Australia Awards Scholarship:

• People who live in a participating nation, such as Bangladesh or India.
• Not living in Australia or New Zealand permanently.
• over the age of eighteen on February 1, the start date of the scholarship.
• English language proficiency as demonstrated by a current IELTS or TOEFL exam result.
• TOEFL-iBT: 78 PTE: 58 IELTS: 6.5
• meeting the prerequisites for admission to the Australian university of choice.
• meeting the Department of Home Affairs requirements for an Australia visa

Unless they have lived abroad for twice as long as they have resided in Australia, candidates cannot have previously received an Australia Award.

Application Process 

The following procedures must be followed by students to apply for the Australian Awards Scholarship:

Step 1: To find out if you qualify for the award, select your home nation and award category.

Step 2: Examine the course eligibility requirements when eligibility has been determined.

Step 3: Sign up and finish the Australian Awards online application

Documentations Required 

1. The following original documents, certified, together with any necessary English translations

• certificate of graduation with honors
• official transcripts from schools
• Birth certificates 

2. A certified copy of a citizenship document (passport, national identity card, etc.).

3. A succinct resume that lists duties, employment history, and research experience.

4. It is necessary to have one academic referee report and one additional referee report.

5. Applicants for PhD.s or research-based master’s degrees are required to submit two reports from academic referees.

6. Result copy of the English language exam (TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS).

7. The certificate’s validity must last until January 1st of the year the scholarship is awarded.

8. For those pursuing a PhD: Proof (communication via email or writing) that a possible supervisor has given the research idea their initial approval.

Selection Process 

All applications submitted for the Australia Awards Scholarship are considered on merit where every applicant is given equal opportunities. The scholarship selection process will be administered by Program Areas in various countries or regions. Therefore, the process varies according to the region/country.

Factors Influencing Scholarships Awarded by Australia

• academic proficiency
• both individual and professional attributes
• ability to impact the development issues faced by the home nation

Each participating nation generates a shortlist of applicants based on these and numerous more considerations. The number of students is determined by the regional availability of Australia Awards Scholarships. To assess each applicant’s suitability, the selection process may involve additional activities such as group participation sessions in addition to the interviews with the shortlisted students.

Following that, a list of candidates with their top choice of course and institution is produced by each participating nation. Australian institutions evaluate placement requests, and if an applicant meets the requirements for admission, they will process a placement offer. This also applies to getting a student visa for Australia.

Details For The Grant 

Recipients of Australia Awards scholarships will have to agree to abide by the terms of the scholarship by signing a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia. The following terms shall be accepted by the applicant upon signing the contract:

1. Once a scholarship term is over, recipients will need to leave Australia for a minimum of two years. If this isn’t done, the entire amount of the scholarship must be repaid.
2. In the event that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has agreed to postpone the scholarship’s start date until it is satisfied that the winner is prepared to commence, recipients must begin their official studies in the year in which they are granted.
3. Only the course for which the scholarship is awarded may be taken by students, who must also abide by the policies of the institution, take exams, turn in all necessary assessment materials, and complete their coursework by the scholarship’s expiration date.
4. Recipients are required to abide by Australian law and behave in a way that protects DFAT’s reputation

Award Scholarship For Indian Students 

A Masters-level Australia Awards Scholarship program for India has been launched by the Australian Government to facilitate the development of relationships with the upcoming generation of gifted Indian business and community leaders.

The Australian Government offers the esteemed Australia Awards Scholarships as an international program. Through coursework and interactions with Australian public and private sector organizations, beneficiaries gain the knowledge and abilities to influence change in their field of choice and contribute to the establishment of long-lasting relationships with Australia.

Outstanding Indian graduate students from particular high-achieving schools are eligible to apply for scholarships to study in priority disciplines at one of Australia’s top universities. These are for the 2021–2022 academic year:

• Agriculture and Agribusiness
• Resources and Energy for Construction
• Strategic Studies and Engineering Security

Candidates must be from one of the designated target universities. They especially encourage women, individuals with disabilities, and other historically marginalized groups to apply.

Conclusion 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government oversees the long-term Australia Awards Scholarship program. They seek to fulfill bilateral and regional agreements by meeting the needs of Australia’s partner nations. They give citizens of poor nations, especially those in the Indo-Pacific area, the chance to enroll in full-time undergraduate or graduate programs at Australian universities that are participating. Keeping all the information mentioned above in mind, students from around the world can apply for the award scholarship and can take advantage of the benefits provided by the scholarship. 

FAQs 

What are the benefits provided by the Award Scholarship Australia? 

Australia Awards Scholarship are granted for as long as it takes the recipient, including any required prerequisite training, to finish the academic program as stipulated by the Australian higher education institution. Benefits include reimbursement for one’s return flights, living expense contributions, complete tuition, and health insurance.

What are the scholarship conditions? 

Additionally, candidates must fulfill the following unique requirements:

• Once they have finished their studies, scholars are supposed to return to India.
• Scholarships need to be applied for by 2021. The scholarship will be cancelled if the winner is unable to start their studies by November of the award year.
• Recipients are expected to actively participate in pertinent Australia Awards alumni networks and events after their scholarship has ended.

Can I apply for a scholarship through Destination Australia and an Australia Awards scholarship at the same time?

Although recipients of Australia Awards Scholarships are not permitted to hold another Australian government award concurrently, you are still free to apply for other scholarships.

Can I apply for an award if I have permanent residency or if I want to migrate?

No. Those with permanent status in Australia or those wanting to migrate are not eligible for Australia Awards. After receiving their scholarship, recipients must leave Australia for a minimum of two years. The awardee will become indebted for the entire amount of the award’s accumulated costs if they don’t comply.

What Courses Are Not Provided By Award Scholarship?

Australia Awards are not provided for military training, nuclear technologies, or aviation-related training.