The Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 are now open for African applicants. These prestigious international awards, offered by the Australian Government, support the next generation of global leaders in developing countries.
The Australia Awards Scholarships provide citizens of eligible African countries with the opportunity to obtain a Master’s qualification at an Australian tertiary institution.
Recipients gain world-class knowledge and skills to drive positive change in their communities while fostering enduring people-to-people connections with Australia.
Applicants are assessed based on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence, and, most importantly, their potential to contribute to inclusive development in eligible countries.
Australia Awards strongly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
Additional support is available through the Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI Support Hub) to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all scholars.
Successful applicants will commence their studies in 2026.
Eligible Countries
The Australia Awards Scholarship in Africa 2026 is open to the following countries:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 Entry Requirements
To be eligible for Australia Awards Scholarships, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must meet the requirements listed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
- Be at least 25 years old on 1 February 2026.
- Have a minimum of five years of post-graduate work experience in a field related to their intended study.
- Be employed at the time of application.
- Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries and applying from their country of citizenship (unless employed by an African Regional Organisation or on a diplomatic mission for their home country).
- Hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree.
- Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award.
- English Language Proficiency – Meet the minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL or PTE Academic scores). Scores must be valid on 1 January 2025. (Exemptions apply for candidates whose first language is English and who have completed their education in English).
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Fields of Study Covered by the Scholarship
The Scholarship covers the following priority fields of study:
- Agriculture and food security
- Climate change
- Foreign policy and international security
- Gender, disability, and social inclusion
- Mining and energy
Scholarship Benefits
Australia Awards scholarships cover the minimum period necessary for the recipient to complete their academic program, including any preparatory training. Scholars will receive the following benefits:
- Return air travel – A round-trip ticket from the scholar’s home country to Australia.
- Establishment allowance – A one-off payment upon arrival in Australia to assist with accommodation and study-related expenses.
- Full tuition fees – Paid directly to the university.
- Contribution to living expenses – A stipend to help cover daily living costs.
- Introductory Academic Program – A program to help scholars adjust to studying in Australia.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – Health insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
- Supplementary academic support – Additional assistance if required.
- Fieldwork allowance – Available for research students and Master’s by coursework students with a compulsory fieldwork component.
- Disability support – Reasonable accommodation for scholars with disabilities who require additional support.
How to Apply for Astralia Awards Scholarships 2026
The applicants must apply online through the Online Australia Awards Scholarship Information System (OASIS).
Applicants must submit the required supporting documents as specified in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
In addition, applicants must provide:
- Passport (Proof of Citizenship)
- Undergraduate Degree Certificate
- Undergraduate Academic Transcript
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Employer Referee Report
- Academic Referee Report
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Certificate (Proof of English Language Proficiency)
Successful candidates must provide original documents for verification.
Selection Process
Applications undergo a screening and shortlisting process based on eligibility criteria.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Candidates will be assessed on:
- Academic competence
- Potential to contribute to inclusive development in Africa
- Professional and personal leadership attributes, including work experience
Successful candidates will be notified in late 2025.
Travel arrangements will be subject to meeting Australian Government requirements and any regulations set by Australian State or Territory governments.
Preparatory Training
Successful applicants will be required to complete the following before commencing studies in Australia:
- Course counselling
- Pre-departure briefing
- University’s Introductory Academic Program
- Additional preparatory studies if required
Application Deadline
The applications must be submitted within the following period:
- Opening Date: 1 February 2025
- Closing Date: 30 April 2025 (11:59 PM AEST)
Late applications and/or supporting documents received after the deadline will not be considered.
Further Information
For more details about the Australia Awards Scholarships, Australia’s aid program, and studying in Australia, visit:
For information on visa requirements and scholarship entitlements, refer to the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
Contact Details
For further inquiries, contact Australia Awards Africa:
- Address: Boardwalk Office Park, 107 Haymeadow Road, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa
- Telephone: +27 67 421 6340 (South Africa) / +254 708 608 580 (Kenya)
- Email: [email protected]
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