Australian Government International Scholarship 2027

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

The Australian Government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is committed to building strong global partnerships by supporting education and skills development worldwide. DFAT works to promote Australia’s international interests while contributing to sustainable development, economic growth, and long-term cooperation between countries.

Through its scholarship programmes, the Australian Government provides international students with the opportunity to study at leading Australian institutions, gain valuable skills, and contribute positively to their home countries and communities after graduation.

Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded, long-term study opportunities supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

These scholarships are designed to help students from developing countries, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region, gain valuable education and research experience in Australia.
 

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

The Australian Government is inviting students to apply for their international scholarship programme, for the 2027 academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded to students from developing countries, for studies in priority fields (Undergraduate or Postgraduate), at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

The scholarship is open to students from the following countries:

  • Africa: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
  • Pacific: Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

The fields of study differ by country – Africa’s priority fields of study include:

  • Agriculture and Food Security
  • Climate Change
  • Foreign Policy and International Security
  • Gender, Disability, and Social Inclusion
  • Mining and Energy

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Australian Government International Scholarship.
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

MORE ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Australia Awards Scholarships cover the full length of your approved study programme at an Australian university. This includes any required foundation or preparatory courses you need before starting your main qualification.

The scholarship will provide cover for the following expenses:

  • Full tuition fees paid directly to the university
  • Return flights to Australia, including one economy-class ticket to Australia at the start of your studies and one return ticket at the end
  • Establishment allowance, a once-off payment to help with initial costs such as accommodation, textbooks, and study materials
  • Living allowance (CLE), paid every two weeks to help cover basic day-to-day expenses like food and transport
  • Introductory Academic Program (IAP), a compulsory orientation that prepares you for studying and living in Australia
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your scholarship, covering essential medical care (excluding pre-existing conditions)
  • English language training (if required), provided either in your home country or in Australia before your course begins
  • Additional academic support, where needed, to help you succeed in your studies
  • Fieldwork support (for eligible Master’s and research students), including return economy-class travel for compulsory research fieldwork either in Australia or in your home country

Scholars will be required to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • You must be a citizen of one of the African, Asian or Pacific countries listed above
  • You must be 25 years or older on on 1 February 2027
  • You must have completed and hold an undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree)
  • You must NOT already hold or be undertaking a master’s degree or equivalent (equivalent to a master’s degree in home country)
  • You must wish to pursue full time undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Australia
  • You must be willing to study at one of the participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions (see the list here)
  • You must be willing to drive change and contribute to development in your own country
  • You must be willing to leave Australia for a minimum of 2 years after completing your scholarship
  • You must have a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate work experience, working in a field relative to your field of study
  • You must be employed at the time of applying for the scholarship
  • You must NOT have previously received a long-term Australia Award
  • You must meet the minimum English language proficiency of at least 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0 (an internet based TOEFL score of at least 84, with a minimum of 21 in all subtests, or PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50). Scores must be valid on 1 January 2026 (excluding candidates if their first language is English and they have undertaken their education in English)
  • You must read the Australian Government International Scholarship Intake Information for African students (.pdf)

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Applications must be submitted online at: Australian Government International Scholarship Application

Read the Australian Government International Scholarship Application Guide before applying.

Applicants should download and read the following:

 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

30 April 2026 (at 14:00 AEST).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Australian Government directly:
African students:
Email: enquiries@australiaawardsafrica.org

For students from Asian and Pacific countries, find the email address for your country here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/participating-countries
 

Please do NOT contact the Australian Government if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in February 2026.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.