Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) now known as Australia Award Scholarship provide ways for people from developing countries, particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, to participate in the full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities as well as Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
The scholarship benefits generally are full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Introductory Academic Program (IAP), Pre-course English (PCE) fees, etc. There are more benefits on the official website.
The scholarships are offered through the period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program (undergraduate/postgraduate) specified by the Australian higher education institution, as well as any form of preparatory training.
To be eligible to receive the Scholarship, pls do note the following criteria’s
Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February of the year of commencing the scholarship;
Applicants must be a citizen of one of the participating countries (as listed on the Australia Awards website) and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from their country of citizenship;
Applicants must not be a citizen of Australia, but hold permanent residency in Australia or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently;
Applicants must not be married to, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any time during the application, selection, or mobilization phases (note: residents of Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for a Student visa [subclass 500]);
Applicants must not be a currently serving military personnel
Applicants must not have received a long-term Australia Award previously unless they have resided outside of Australia for twice the length of the total time that they were in Australia (for example, a previous awardee who has been on an Australia Awards Scholarship in Australia for four years will not be eligible to apply for another Australia Awards Scholarship until they have resided outside Australia for eight years)
Applicants must not hold convictions of criminal activities (including in their home country) including those relating to Child Protection and PSEAH
All recipients under the Pacific Secondary School Scholarship Program (PSSSP) who have completed their secondary school education in Australia in the year prior are eligible to apply for a long-term Australia Award
Applicants must have satisfied any specific criteria established by the Program Area or the government of the applicant’s country of citizenship (e.g. having worked a certain number of years in an appropriate sector)
Applicants must be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken (this may mean that Program Areas will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot achieve the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Program Areas request a placement at selected institutions);
Applicants must be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs to hold a Student Visa. This may mean that the Program Area will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the visa requirements;
Applicants must not be applying for a scholarship for a course of study at an academic level lower than already achieved (e.g. be applying for a Master’s scholarship when they already hold a Ph.D.)
Applicants must inform the Program Area of any connection or relati onship to staff employed at Program Areas (including locally engaged staff at post) or with managing contractors so that the application may be properly and transparently managed. thank
How to Apply
Applicants should get information on the open and close dates for one’s country, and select the country of citizenship/residency from the list of participating countries for specific information on eligibility, priority areas, and how to apply. Applications can be done online or by mail (if unable to apply online). The official deadline date is 29 April 2022 except for Tonga which is yet to be announced.
It is important to read on how to apply on the website page and visit your country-specific pages, as well as the official website (link found below) for detailed and updated information on how to apply for this scholarship and other related information on the Scholarship Award.