Australian government scholarships for international students provide generous funding covering full tuition, travel, and living expenses for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs. Explore flagship federal funding options and key eligibility requirements to help fund your studies in Australia.
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What Are Australian Government Scholarships?
Australian government scholarships are funded by the Australian Federal Government through departments such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Education. They aim to build international ties, support development in partner countries, and attract high-caliber research talent to Australia.
The main federal government scholarship programs include:
- Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS): For study at Australian institutions, targeted at emerging leaders from eligible partner countries.
- Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships (AAPS): For citizens of Pacific partner countries to study at selected institutions within the Pacific region.
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP): For high-achieving international candidates pursuing postgraduate research degrees (Master’s by Research and PhD).
Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)
The Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) program program is the best-known Australian government scholarship for international students. It's a highly competitive, government-funded award for students from eligible developing countries — particularly in the Indo-Pacific region — who show leadership potential and a commitment to their home country's development.
Key Highlights
- What is covers: Covers full tuition fees, return airfare, establishment allowance, and a contribution to living expenses (CLE). Includes health insurance and academic support services.
- Study Levels: Primarily focused on postgraduate study (Master’s degrees). Undergraduate and vocational education (VET) awards are strictly limited to selected Pacific nations and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- How to Apply: Most candidates apply through DFAT’s Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System (OASIS). However, specific countries (such as Indonesia) require application through a dedicated local portal or additional national selection steps. Always check your specific country profile before starting.
Note: Visit the official Australia Awards Scholarship website to check eligibility by country and apply directly.
Australia Awards for Pacific Scholarships (AAPS)
Australia Awards for Pacific Countries are a separate Australian government scholarship stream for citizens of Pacific partner countries, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and several others. Unlike the AAS, recipients study at selected tertiary institutions within the Pacific region rather than in Australia itself.
Key Highlights
- Full tuition: All course and academic fees.
- Travel: Return flights to and from your study location.
- Setup costs: A one-time payment to help you get settled when you arrive.
- Living expenses: A fortnightly allowance (this may increase if family relocates with the recipient, though the scholarship doesn't cover their flights).
Note: Application details and eligibility criteria can be found on the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships.
Research Training Program (RTP) & Regional Funding
Not all federal funding flows through DFAT. The Australian Department of Education funds major academic and regional grants:
- Research Training Program (RTP): Administered directly by participating Australian universities, the RTP provides tuition fee offsets, living stipends, and health cover allowances for exceptional international PhD and Master's by Research candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a scholarship funded directly by the Australian Government (usually through DFAT) rather than by a university, aimed at supporting students — mainly from developing and Pacific partner countries — to study in Australia or the Pacific region.
No. Australia Awards (AAS and AAPS) are limited to citizens of specific partner countries. However, programs like the Research Training Program (RTP) are open to international applicants from any country, provided they meet the academic requirements of the host university.
Most flagship federal awards—including AAS, AAPS, and RTP fee-offset scholarships—cover 100% of tuition fees. Many also provide living stipends, health cover, and travel allowances.
Applications for the Australia Awards Scholarships and Pacific Scholarships are lodged online through OASIS. Confirm your country's eligibility and deadline first on the official DFAT website.
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