Australia Awards Scholarships 2026

Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international scholarships funded by the Australian Government, primarily through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They are intended to support people from eligible partner countries to study in Australia and gain knowledge, leadership skills, and professional networks that can contribute to development in their home countries.

The programme is commonly offered for postgraduate study, especially Master's degrees, and in some participating countries may also support other higher education levels such as undergraduate or doctoral study. Awards are taken up at participating Australian universities and are usually aligned with priority development fields identified for each country or region.

These scholarships are generally fully funded. Support commonly includes full tuition fees, return international travel, an establishment allowance, a living stipend, Overseas Student Health Cover, and introductory academic support. Depending on the award category and study programme, recipients may also receive preparatory English training, supplementary academic assistance, and limited research or fieldwork support.

Eligibility is country-specific. Applicants are typically required to be citizens of an eligible partner country, meet the academic entry requirements for their chosen course, demonstrate leadership potential, and show a clear commitment to returning home after study to contribute to national development. Applications from women, persons with disabilities, and people from underrepresented groups are often encouraged.

Applications are usually submitted through the Australia Awards application system or the relevant country/region programme process, and applicants should always check the guidance for their own country because eligible levels, priority fields, deadlines, and document requirements can differ. In most cases, applicants should prepare academic transcripts, identification documents, references, and evidence supporting their study and development goals.