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Australia's flagship development scholarship pays full tuition, return airfare, health cover, a one-off AUD 5,000 establishment allowance and a living allowance of roughly AUD 36,230 a year. Scholars can study at more than 40 universities and TAFE institutions on DFAT's official participating list, nine Australian universities sit in the QS top 100, and every scholar commits to at least 2 years of service back home. Applications go through one online portal, and the round runs once a year.
For students tracking Australia Awards Scholarships 2027, the programme is run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The 2027 round has closed, so this guide also helps you prepare for the next one. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Is the Australia Awards Scholarship Worth Considering?
It is one of the few awards that pays tuition, living costs, health cover and travel together, and it is built to produce development leaders rather than only graduates. If you are weighing study in Australia against a self-funded degree, this scholarship removes the main barrier. Self-funded students must show AUD 29,710 a year for living costs alone to get a student visa, and that is before tuition and travel.
The destination itself is strong. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, nine Australian universities landed in the global top 100, and UNSW overtook the University of Melbourne to become the country's top-ranked university for the first time. Standard student visa holders can also work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term, which makes Australia a practical place to study. The scholarship adds something extra: your course is matched to your country's development needs, so your degree has a clear purpose.
Who Can Apply, and Where Does Your Country Fit In?
The Australia Awards South Asia and Mongolia programme is open to eligible citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia. Other regions, including Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Africa, operate separate Australia Awards programmes with their own participating countries and eligibility requirements.
Applications are submitted through the OASIS portal, and each participating country has a country profile outlining priority study fields, eligibility conditions, and required documents. Always refer to your country's official profile, as requirements can differ between programmes.
To qualify, applicants must generally be citizens of a participating country, meet the academic and English-language requirements of their chosen institution, and satisfy any country-specific work experience criteria. Applicants cannot hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency or be applying for permanent residency in Australia. Scholarship recipients must also sign a contract agreeing to leave Australia for at least two years after completing their scholarship.
If your country is not included in the relevant participating list, you cannot apply through that programme. If you're planning to study in Australia, check your country's official Australia Awards profile before preparing an application. If you're ineligible, consider other scholarships available to international students.
Where Do the Participating Institutions Rank?
DFAT's official participating list names more than 40 universities and TAFE institutions. Current QS World University Rankings 2027 positions for the participating universities that made the global top 100: UNSW 19, University of Melbourne 22, University of Sydney 28, ANU 29, Monash University 31, University of Queensland 40, University of Western Australia 77, Adelaide University 79 and University of Technology Sydney 87.
Beyond the top 100, the list also includes universities and institutes across the country. By city:
Sydney: UNSW, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University.
Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Swinburne University of Technology.
Canberra: The Australian National University, University of Canberra.
Brisbane and Queensland: University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, James Cook University.
Perth: University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University.
Adelaide: Adelaide University, Flinders University.
The list also includes TAFE institutions such as TAFE NSW, TAFE SA and William Angliss Institute, plus Aviation Australia, which offer hands-on, applied programmes. Which institutions and levels you can choose depends on your country profile, so check it before you shortlist.
What Can You Study?
Your course must align with the priority fields published in your country profile. Applications that do not match are unlikely to be considered. In South Asia the scholarship mainly supports full-time postgraduate study, typically a master's degree by coursework or research.
Commonly funded areas: public policy and governance, health, education, agriculture, environment and climate, engineering and infrastructure, and economics. The India country profile is the only reliable guide to which of these apply to you.
Not covered: the Policy Handbook lists courses for which the scholarship is not available, so read that section before you choose a program.
Level of study: some regions fund bachelor's and PhD study, but the South Asia and Mongolia program focuses on postgraduate study. Check which level applies to your country.
What Does It Cost?
Without a scholarship, international tuition in Australia is high. Typical estimates for a year of study include:
Bachelor's: roughly AUD 20,000–45,000 a year
Master's by coursework: roughly AUD 22,000–55,000 a year
Living costs: Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive, while Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth run lower
Self-funded students must show AUD 29,710 a year for living costs on top of tuition and travel to meet the student visa financial requirement, and Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory. Fees vary by university and course, and estimates differ between sources, so confirm figures on each university's website.
The scholarship pays tuition in full for your approved programme. Under the Policy
Handbook, Australia Awards Scholarships generally cover:
Full tuition fees and return air travel
A one-off establishment allowance, reported by participating universities at AUD 5,000
A fortnightly contribution to living expenses, set by DFAT at about AUD 99.26 a day (roughly AUD 36,230 a year) from the start of 2026
An Introductory Academic Program and Overseas Student Health Cover
Initial visa expenses
Depending on your circumstances, the scholarship may also cover pre-course English training, supplementary academic support and fieldwork for research. DFAT reviews rates over time, so check the current Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook before you plan your budget.
How Do You Apply?
Read the Policy Handbook and your country profile first, then work through these steps.
Choose a course: pick a program at a participating institution that fits your country's priority fields.
Prepare documents: academic transcripts, proof of work experience, referee reports and a statement explaining your study plan and what you will do after returning home.
Apply through OASIS: late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Assessment and interview: eligible applicants are assessed and shortlisted for interview, with screening by DFAT and partner government representatives.
Offer and contract: if selected, you sign the scholarship contract and prepare for your visa and pre-departure briefings.
Applications open once a year and exact dates differ by country, so confirm them on the official Australia Awards site. Start gathering documents well before the portal opens, because referee reports and a strong study plan take months.
What Scholarships Are Available?
The Australia Awards are the headline award: full tuition plus living and travel support for citizens of eligible countries studying fields listed for their country. For students outside those countries, or in other fields, the most accessible options are merit scholarships from individual universities, which cover part of tuition rather than all of it.
Australia Awards Scholarships: full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, living allowance and health cover for citizens of participating countries.
ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship: a tuition fee reduction for the duration of the degree. ANU lists a dedicated India category at 25 percent, and other categories at 25 or 50 percent. ANU states there is no separate application.
Other university scholarships: many participating universities run their own merit awards for international students. Amounts and rules change, so check each university's scholarship page.
The Australia Awards are the most generous award here but also the most competitive. Selection takes months after applications close, and the round runs only once a year, so a missed window means a long wait.
What Is the Career Picture, and What Are Your Work Rights?
This is a development scholarship, so the career outcome differs from a normal study-abroad degree: you return home to apply your skills in government, civil society, education or private-sector roles that match your course.
Return commitment: you must leave Australia for at least 2 years after your scholarship ends. Alternative arrangements need DFAT approval.
Priority sectors: health, public policy, education, agriculture, environment and infrastructure are where careers tend to sit, and the return commitment is built around putting those exact skills to work at home.
During study: standard student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight in term and unlimited hours in breaks. Scholarship holders should confirm their own conditions in the Policy Handbook and with their university before taking any job.
After graduation: Australia's standard Temporary Graduate visa, which gives graduates time to work after study, isn't realistically the pathway for Australia Awards scholars given the 2-year return commitment. If you want to work in Australia later, plan for that after the return period and check the visa rules at that time.
Alumni network: scholars join the wider Australia Awards community, which helps with professional connections at home.
What Are the Best Student Cities in Australia?
Sydney is the largest city and home to UNSW, the University of Sydney and UTS, with the biggest job market and the highest living costs.
Melbourne hosts the University of Melbourne, Monash and RMIT, with a strong student culture at a high cost close to Sydney.
Canberra is the capital and home to ANU, well suited to public policy and government-related study.
Brisbane hosts the University of Queensland and QUT, at a lower cost than Sydney or Melbourne.
Perth hosts UWA, Curtin and Murdoch, with mid-range costs and a more relaxed pace.
Adelaide is generally the most affordable of the big student cities, home to Adelaide University and Flinders.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't apply if your country isn't on the participating list. The scholarship is limited to eligible countries, however often it gets recommended generally.
Don't pick a subject outside your country's priority fields. Off-list applications are unlikely to succeed.
Don't write a generic study plan. Explain exactly what you will do after you return.
Don't assume you can stay and work in Australia straight after graduating. The 2-year return commitment affects this pathway.
Don't leave referee reports and transcripts to the last week. Referees need time.
Don't miss the window. Late applications are not accepted, and the round runs only once a year.
Who Is the Australia Awards Scholarship Best Suited For?
Mid-career professionals from eligible countries with relevant work experience and a clear plan to return to the same sector.
Public policy, health and education candidates aiming for a master's at a participating university.
Engineering, agriculture and environment graduates whose field matches a priority area in their country profile.
Applicants who want a fully funded master's and are ready to come home and contribute.
Consider alternatives if your country isn't eligible, such as ANU and other university scholarships or Chevening; if you want to work in Australia immediately after graduating, the 2-year return rule affects that option; or if you need a fast timeline, selection takes months after applications close.
How Can We Help?
Planning a fully funded study-abroad application involves several important decisions, from checking eligibility and choosing the right university to preparing documents, interviews and your student visa. Since many scholarships open only once a year, getting the process right can make a significant difference to your plans.
My Study Offers, a global education platform for students, helps you compare study destinations and manage your application journey in one place. For scholarships such as the Australia Awards, we can help you check eligibility, shortlist suitable universities and programmes, prepare application and interview responses, organise visa documents, and plan your academic and career goals.
FAQs
Q1. Is Australia a good study destination for international students?
Yes. Nine Australian universities rank in the global top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, led by UNSW at 19, and standard student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term. Costs are high without funding, which is why scholarships matter.
Q2. How much does it cost to study in Australia?
Tuition runs roughly AUD 20,000–45,000 a year for bachelor's degrees and AUD 22,000–55,000 for master's coursework, depending on the university. Self-funded students must also show AUD 29,710 a year for living costs to meet the student visa financial requirement.
Q3. What scholarships are available for international students in Australia?
The Australia Awards give full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance, a living allowance and health cover to eligible citizens. University awards, such as the ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship, typically cover part of tuition.
Q4. Can I work while studying in Australia?
Standard student visas allow up to 48 hours a fortnight in term and unlimited hours in breaks. Scholarship holders should confirm their own conditions in the Policy Handbook and with their university, because they may differ from a standard student.
Q5. Which fields do the Australia Awards prioritise?
Each country has its own priority fields in its country profile, commonly covering areas such as health, public policy, education, agriculture, environment and infrastructure. Applications that do not align with your country's priorities are unlikely to be considered, so read the India profile before you choose a course.
Q6. What are the career options after graduating on an Australia Awards scholarship?
You must return home for at least 2 years to apply your skills in government, civil society or private business. After that return period, you can consider Australian work visas separately. The standard Temporary Graduate visa isn't realistically available to you beforehand given the return commitment.
Article source: https://article-realm.com/article/Business/85473-Australia-Awards-Scholarships-2027-Eligibility-Benefits-and-Application-Process.html
URL
https://mystudyoffers.com/country/study-in-australiaFully funded Australia Awards Scholarships: full tuition, airfare, health cover and a living allowance at 40+ institutions. Check eligibility, benefits and how to apply.
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