How to Apply for a Scholarship in Australia

Studying in Australia is a distant dream for students who yearn to live in a high-standard society and step across the halls of Australia’s most prestigious universities. Thanks to Australia’s wide range of scholarship programs which provide generous assistance to top-performing students from across the globe.

Scholarships in Australia are provided based on the following factors: country of origin, academic achievements, social engagements, and the degree program they choose to pursue. We have compiled a list of the best scholarship programmes available for international students looking to study in Australia.

Table of Contents

1. Australia Awards
2. ACIAR Fellowships
3. Australia-APEC Women in Research

1. Australia Awards

The Australia Awards is the most famous scholarship program granted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). For 2019, the department allocates $305 million for 3,186 scholarships under the Australia Awards to be given to international students from more than 55 developing countries. Usually, the awards are given to those students coming from Australia’s partner countries so as to help them in their economic development. The Australia Awards has several types that cater to different eligibility criteria.

Australia Awards Scholarships

• This type of scholarship can be applied for by full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students from participating countries in Asia, the Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.
• Australia Awards Scholarships cover the following expenses:
  • Tuition fees until the end of the study program in Australia
  • Airfare to and from Australia
  • Establishment allowance (accommodation, books, other study materials)
  • Fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE)
  • Introductory Academic Program (AP) on the basics of living and studying in Australia
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Pre-course English (PCE)
  • Fieldwork expenses
  • Other supplementary academic support
  • Participating countries in the Australia Awards Scholarships are listed on the table below.

  Asia	Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, and Vietnam
  Africa	Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia
  Pacific	Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna
  Middle East	Palestinian Territories

• Applications for this scholarship can be made online or through mail depending on the country of origin. Each country also has a separate due date for the submission of applications.
• It is also important to note that there are priority areas for each country. This means that specific degree programs, i.e. economics, administration, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, are given more priority than other degree programs. This of course depends on the country of origin of each applicant.
• Successful applicants for the Australia Awards Scholarships will sign a contract stating that they will return to their home countries for two years after completing their degree program in Australia. If this condition is not met, the scholar will pay the total scholarship expenses back to the DFTA.
• Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
• This type of scholarship can be applied for by full-time undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate students from participating countries in the Pacific.
• The participating countries for this scholarship are as follows: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
• The Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships are given so as to help the Pacific region in their development of professionals who will soon contribute to their countries’ progress.
• This scholarship may be used for the applicant’s studies in a university in one of the following countries in the Pacific: Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia.
• Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships cover the following expenses:
• • Tuition fees
  • Airfare to and from the country of your choice
  • Academic fees
  • Establishment allowance
  • Fortnightly living allowance

  2. ACIAR Fellowships

  The ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) Fellowships focus on providing assistance to agricultural scientists involved in ACIAR-supported research projects, particularly those from the Indo-Pacific, East Africa, and South Pacific. This can be applied for by prospective postgraduate international students looking to study among universities in Australia. This fellowship scheme has two types, the John Allwright Fellowship and the John Dillon Memorial Fellowship.

  John Allwright Fellowship

  • The John Allwright Fellowship provides support for agricultural researchers as they stay in Australia for an ACIAR project. It also gives assurance of support should they decide to continue their research in their respective countries of origin.
  • In 2018, a total of 100 fellowships were given to successful applicants.
  • The primary criterion for the John Allwright Fellowships is an involvement with an ACIAR project.
  • Generally, the fellowship covers all the expenses related to the research project being completed.

  John Dillon Memorial Fellowship

  • The John Dillon Memorial Fellowship provides support for agricultural scientists and economists from ACIAR partner countries.
  • This fellowship honors Professor John L. Dillon’s enthusiasm and passion for international agricultural research.
  • Annually, a total of 10 fellowships are given to successful applicants.
  • The primary criterion for the John Dillon Memorial Fellowships is an involvement with an ACIAR research project.
  • Australian nationals may also apply for this type of ACIAR fellowship.

  3. Australia-APEC Women in Research Program

  The Australia-APEC Women in Research program is dedicated to assist female researchers from developing APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative) countries. It is endorsed by the APEC in 2014 to empower women in the field of research.

  • Eligible applicants for this scholarship are those coming from the following countries: Chile, People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • The Australia-APEC Women in Research award covers the following costs:
  • • Travel allowance
    • Establishment allowance
    • Monthly stipend
    • Monthly family allowance (if applicable)
  • Generally, the fellowship covers AUD 8,000 to AUD 23,000.
  • The fellowship is good for one to four months of stay in Australia.
  • To apply for this fellowship, applicants need to secure the following documents:
  • • Duly accomplished application form
    • Duly accomplished Applicant Sponsor Nomination form
    • Copy of Residency or Citizenship (passport, national identity card, birth certificate)
    • Transcript of records
    • Referee Reports (from academic supervisors, department heads, workplace managers)
    • Language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL)
    • Research curriculum vitae
    • List of publications
  • Annually, a total of 10 fellowships are awarded to high-achieving female researchers.

  Australia’s high standard of living should not be a hindrance to study in one of the world’s best study abroad destinations. Scholarships in Australia are great options to consider for students who require education and tuition costs assistance. Students just need to find the programme that best suit their needs.