The Australia Awards Africa Scholarship program integrates Master’s, Fellowship, and Short Course opportunities with the aim of fostering capacity building and advancement in critical sectors. By doing so, it effectively supports the sustainable development goals and facilitates social and economic progress for African nations. By bolstering African leadership and expertise in areas including agriculture and food security, climate change and adaptation, renewable energy, mining governance, and countering terrorism and violent extremism, Australia Awards directly advance Australia’s interests in the security, stability, and prosperity of the African continent. Our primary concentration is on sectors that involve common interests between Australia and African nations, and in which Australia possesses exceptional expertise on a global scale.
In numerous ways, the Australia Awards Africa program advances and bolsters Australian economic diplomacy and development objectives:
Acquiring new proficiencies, alumni contribute to the progress of their nation.
African nations acknowledge and appreciate Australia as a dependable collaborator and reservoir of knowledge. As a result, associations are forged between individuals and organizations from Africa and Australia, fostering long-lasting partnerships and prospective collaboration.
Applicants for the Australia Awards must be mid- to senior-level professionals of distinction, representing the public, private, and community sectors (civil society).
In accordance with the Australia Awards scholarship program, more than 2,000 African scholars have studied in Australia since 2004. This comprises more than one thousand postgraduate academics who have completed doctoral and master’s degrees in Australia.
Participants from the following countries may submit their applications: Egypt, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; the deadline for applications is 2024.
Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized groups are strongly encouraged.
The application period for 2024 commencement will span from 1 February to 1 May 2023.
Australia Honors Graduates
Alumnae of the Australia Awards constitute a dynamic and influential international network comprising advocates, change agents, and leaders. An increasing cohort of Australia Awards Africa alums who have successfully completed their academic careers in Australia hold positions of prominence within the private sector, government, regional organizations, and civil society.
By mobilizing a group of volunteer champions throughout the continent, the Australia Awards Alumni Ambassador program harnesses the immense potential of alumni to promote and represent the Australia Awards program in Africa and further elevate Australia’s profile in the region. At present, alumni associations in Africa number 24.
The Australia Awards in Africa Women in Leadership Network offers alumni women from numerous African nations opportunities for professional development.
Scholarships from Benefits Australia Awards Africa are granted for the minimum duration required to successfully complete the academic program as designated by the Australian educational institution, preparatory training included.
Recipients of scholarships will receive:
Round-trip air travel
A one-time establishment allowance upon arrival; a contribution of the full tuition fee towards living expenses;
Overseas student health insurance for the duration of the introductory academic program scholarship Additional academic support fieldwork allowance for research students and master’s by coursework with a required fieldwork component
Methods of application
By 11:59 p.m. AEST on April 29, 2023, applications must be submitted electronically via the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). Registration and verification of eligibility are prerequisites for the submission of an application. Submissions of applications and/or accompanying materials subsequent to the designated deadline will be disregarded.
Applicants for Australia Awards Africa scholarships are required to fulfill all eligibility criteria outlined in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
Additionally, applicants must satisfy country-specific requirements and submit pertinent documentation in support of their application.
The selection method
After determining eligibility, applications will be shortlisted; only those who make the shortlist will be contacted. A component of the selection procedure will be an interview.
Candidates will be evaluated based on:
The potential impact of academic competence, particularly in relation to development outcomes in eligible African countries, as well as professional and personal leadership qualities, including pertinent work experience.
In late 2023, successful candidates will be notified. Travel is contingent upon fulfilling the stipulations set forth by the federal Department of Education on behalf of the Australian Government, in addition to the corresponding requirements of state and territory governments.
Candidates are obligated to attend the following:
The university’s Introductory Academic Program and course counseling pre-departure briefing, in addition to any other mandatory preparatory study upon arrival in Australia.
Detailed information
For inquiries concerning the application process, please contact inquiries.australiaawards.org via email.
Destination Australia finances tertiary education providers that qualify and offer scholarships to international and domestic students for the purpose of studying and residing in regional Australia.
The Program for Destination Australia:
Supports tertiary education institutions in regional and remote areas of Australia through the promotion of activities that foster expansion and sustainability.
Provides international and Australian students with the chance to participate in research, education, and training of the highest caliber, while also gaining practical experience in remote and regional Australia.
Guarantees equitable distribution of the economic, social, and cultural advantages that international students contribute.
Assists in the remediation of skill deficiencies by giving precedence to domestic and international students enrolled in courses that are in line with the Skills Priority List.
Funds scholarships to enable underrepresented domestic students to attend tertiary institutions in regional Australia.
Regional locations are those that are situated beyond the Major Cities of Australia, as defined by the Destination Australia Program in accordance with the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Australia’s Destination in 2025-2026
Scholarship funding of up to $15,000 per student, per year, is available to approximately 550 domestic and international students who commence their studies in 2024 as part of the 2024 round of the program.
How do qualified candidates submit scholarship applications?
Scholars submit scholarship applications directly to reputable educational institutions.
In order to qualify for a Destination Australia scholarship, applicants must satisfy the subsequent requirements throughout the scholarship’s term:
In the 2024 academic year, enroll in a new full-time course of study with an approved provider. The course must be of a level from Certificate IV to PhD under the Australian Qualifications Framework and have a duration of one to four years. Students are required to reside in a regional area both before and throughout the study period, as per the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure.
Regarding a foreign student:
Those who maintain a legitimate student visa throughout the scholarship’s duration are eligible to accept a full-time study program offer that is registered on CRICOS.
Students seeking information regarding scholarship opportunities should reach out to their preferred institution of higher education.