The Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 are free scholarships for students from developing countries. They pay for everything so you can study in Australia for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree at top universities.
Table of Contents
Applications are now open for the Australia Awards Scholarships 2026. This is a special program paid for by the Australian government (through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or DFAT). It helps students from developing countries study in Australia for free. You can study for an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, or a PhD. You can also study at top Australian universities or technical schools (called TAFE).
The main goal of these scholarships is to help partner countries grow and develop. Australia especially wants students from developing nations in the Indo-Pacific region to apply. When you get this scholarship, you study full-time in many different subjects. You learn skills and knowledge to help your home country grow in a good way when you return.
This scholarship covers all your costs. It pays your school fees. It also gives you money for living costs, flights to and from Australia, and health insurance. Because it pays for everything, it is very popular. Students in this program do exciting research, learn professional skills, and meet people from other cultures. This helps you grow and also helps your home country. If you dream of studying in Australia with no cost, this is your best chance.
Also Check DAAD Scholarship 2025 in Germany (Study Free!)
Full Details about Australia Awards Scholarships
Eligible Countries
Students from these countries can apply:
Asia
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
Pacific
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis, and Futuna.
Africa
Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia.
Middle East
Palestinian Territories.
Australia Scholarship 2026 Criteria
To apply, you must meet these rules:
- You must be 18 years or older by February 1 of the year your scholarship starts.
- You must be a citizen of one of the countries listed above.
- You cannot be a citizen of Australia.
- You cannot be married to (or in a relationship with) someone who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident during the application or selection time.
- You cannot be working in the military.
- You cannot have gotten a long-term Australia Award scholarship before, unless you have lived outside Australia for twice as long as you were in Australia.
- You must meet any extra rules set by your country or the scholarship program area.
- You must meet the entry requirements of the Australian school you want to attend.
- You must meet all requirements for an Australian student visa. If you can’t get the visa, the scholarship offer will be canceled.
- If you know someone working in the scholarship program, you must tell them when you apply.
Note: Always check the full rules in the official Australia Awards Policy Handbook (PDF) on their website.
Financial Benefits
The Australia Awards Scholarship is fully funded. This means it pays for everything you need:
- Full Tuition Fees: Your course fees are completely covered.
- Return Air Travel: The scholarship pays for your flight to Australia and back home.
- Establishment Allowance: A one-time payment to help you set up in Australia. It covers things like rent, books, and study supplies.
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): Money every two weeks to help with food, transport, and daily needs.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Health insurance for the whole time you study in Australia.
- Pre-Course English (PCE) Fees: If your English needs to improve, you get free English classes in your home country or in Australia before your main course starts.
- Academic Support: Extra help with your studies if you need it.
- Fieldwork Support (for research students): If you are a PhD student, you may get a free flight home or to Australia to do research for your thesis.
AAS Participating Universities
You can study at these top Australian universities and colleges with this scholarship:
- Australian Catholic University
- Aviation Australia
- Bond University
- Box Hill Institute TAFE
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Canberra Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Central Queensland University
- Charles Darwin University
- Charles Sturt University
- Chisholm Institute of TAFE
- Curtin University of Technology
- Deakin University
- Edith Cowan University
- Federation University
- Flinders University
- Griffith University
- Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
- James Cook University
- Kangan Institute
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
- Melbourne Polytechnic
- Monash University
- Murdoch University
- Queensland University of Technology
- RMIT University
- Southern Cross University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- TAFE NSW
- TAFE Queensland
- TAFE SA
- Tasmanian Polytechnic
- The Australian National University
- The Gordon Institute of TAFE
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of New England
- The University of New South Wales (including ADFA)
- The University of Newcastle
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- University College London
- University of Canberra
- University of South Australia
- University of Southern Queensland
- The University of Tasmania (including the Australian Maritime College)
- The University of Technology Sydney
- University of The Sunshine Coast
- University of Wollongong
- Victoria University
- Western Sydney University
- William Angliss Institute of TAFE
Deadline
The last day to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 is April 30, Annually.
To apply for Australia Awards Scholarships (Fully Funded), please click below.
Don’t miss this life-changing chance! If you are from one of the countries listed and dream of studying in Australia, apply as soon as possible. Visit the official Australia Awards website today to start your application. Good luck!
