Australia’s government-funded scholarships; all you need to know

Australia’s government-funded scholarships; all you need to know

 

With Australia setting international standards for excellence in education, with eight of the country’s universities ranking in the world’s top 100 universities thanks to their world-class education, post-study work opportunities, and amazing quality of living, regardless of what course international students opt for, they’ll be met with unbeatable academic excellence and an excellent support system for international students. With most of the universities of the country ranking high globally year after year in rankings such as Times Higher Education, QS, and Shanghai Rankings. The Australian Education department is also committed to setting a standard for its international students, with the Australian government funding various scholarships so as to aid its domestic and international students. Listed below are a few of Australia’s Government scholarships-

Australia Awards Scholarships

About- Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The scholarship provides opportunities for people from developing countries, particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, with their aim being to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements. The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Scholarships develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries. Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training

What are the benefits of the Australia Awards Scholarships?

  • full tuition fees.
  • return air travel–payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route.
  • establishment allowance–a once only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, textbooks, study materials.
  • Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by the department.
  • Introductory Academic Program (IAP)–a compulsory program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on living and studying in Australia
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)–provided to cover the scholar’s basic medical costs (with the exception of pre-existing conditions)
  • Pre-course English (PCE) fees–if deemed necessary PCE may be available for students for in-country and/or in-Australia training.
    supplementary academic support may be available to ensure a scholar’s academic success or enhance their academic experience.
    fieldwork (for research awards and Masters by coursework which has a research component where fieldwork is compulsory) may be available for eligible research students for one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

Conditions for the Australia Awards Scholarship-

Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards Scholarship will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship.
Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the scholar incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of their scholarship.

What countries are participating in the Australia Awards Scholarship?

  • Asia- ASEAN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
  • Pacific- Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
  • Middle East- Palestinian Territories

How to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship?

Applying online- Go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). When you register online, you will be required to answer some questions to establish your eligibility. You will then be given a unique registration number, username and password.
You do not need to submit your application immediately. You can set up a draft application form and update it, and your supporting documentation, until the designated closing date as on the relevant participating country profile.
Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. We strongly advise applicants applying online to do so well before the closing date. OASIS experiences peak usage in the days leading up to the closing date and applicants may experience delays.

Applying by mail- If you are unable to submit your application online, you can apply by mail. Please check your participating country profile for contact details to obtain a hardcopy application form and any other templates such as referee reports (if applicable).
Completed hard copy application forms and supporting documentation must be submitted by the deadline specified by your country. See the opening and closing dates for each country.

Eligibility criteria

  • To apply for Australia Awards Scholarship, applicants must fulfil the following requirements-
  • Must be citizens and residents of a participating country.
  • Not a permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
  • Overs 18 years of age on February 1 of the scholarship’s commencement.
  • Proficiency in the English language, with a recent score of IELTS or TOEFL exam. IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL-iBT: 78, PTE: 58.
  • Must satisfy the entry requirements of the chosen Australian university.
  • Must fulfil the Australia visa requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Candidates must not have previously been a recipient of Australia Awards unless they have lived outside Australia for double the time period of staying in Australia.

What are the documents required?

  • Certified copies of the following original documents along with their English translations (if required)
    graduation degree certificate
  • Formal academic transcripts
  • Birth certificate
  • Citizenship document’s certified copy (such as national identity card or passport).
  • Resume concisely detailing work history, responsibilities and research experience.
  • At least one academic referee report and one other referee report is required.
  • PhD or research-based master’s degree applicants must provide two academic referee reports.
  • Copy of English language test (TOEFL, PTE or IELTS) result. The certificate must be valid till January 1 of the scholarship’s commencement year.
  • For PhD candidates: Evidence (e-mail or letter communication) that a potential supervisor has granted in-principle support for the research topic.

ACU Destination Australia International Scholarship

About- Destination Australia Scholarship Program is modelled for meritorious students who wish to receive financial aid to live and study in regional Australia. The scholarships, available to both domestic and international students, are funded by Australia’s Department of Education. Amongst the different scholarships in Australia, this ACU Destination Australia International Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship open for Australian as well as international students. The scholarship only covers the full-time tuition fees for undergraduate programs at Australian Universities. Destination Australia Scholarship (DAS) for International Students is available at Australian Catholic University (ACU). The award offers an opportunity for the student to undertake high-quality education, training and research in Australia. All nationalities are eligible.
Annually, the number of Australian universities and other tertiary providers of Destination Australia Scholarship change. For 2021, more than 400+ scholarships were awarded to the students. Scholarship recipients receive 15,000 AUD+1500 AUD for one academic year, post which their scholarship is renewed based on academic performance. The scholarship program covers tuition fees and living expenses of 1000+ recipients commencing higher education in Australia. Destination Australia Scholarship applicants need to apply to a recognized tertiary education provider who has been accepted as a partner for this program. Students can apply for Certificate IV to PhD, for the reception of this scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • Candidates must have an unconditional offer letter from the ACU.
  • Applicants must agree to live in a regional or rural area in Victoria, as classified by the Rural Remote and Metropolitan Area (PRMA) while studying.
  • Candidates must not have previously studied at ACU
  • Must qualify for IELTS, ACU English Test, etc
  • All the important documents and transcripts of the previous level of study must be provided.
  • If you’re an international student currently studying an Australian Year 12 qualification, you may need to apply to ACU through a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC).

How to Apply?

  • To be considered for this merit award, applicants in need to take admission for undergraduate study at the Ballarat campus of ACU. After taking enrollment, applicants will automatically consider this academic fund.
  • Supporting Documents: Applicants do not need to provide any supporting documentation for the award. The records submitted with your admission application will use to assess your academic merit.
  • Admission Requirements: Applicants need to gather certified copies of all the necessary documents for their application. Including transcripts and completion certificates, passport, evidence of English proficiency, evidence of work experience, professional registration and reference letters. And any other materials which can support your application and are relevant to your course. Note: Copies of your official documents will need to be certified.
  • Language Requirement: Applicants must have an excellent knowledge of the English language. Also, have a certificate (including IELTS, OET and the ACU English Test), If you come from a non-English speaking country.

What are the benefits of the ACU Destination Australia International Scholarship?

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering financial support through Destination Australia International Scholarship. The value of up to $45,000 will provide for students in a three-year course, and $60,000 for students in a four-year course. Payments will grant in instalments of $7,500/semester.

Australia Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
About- Amongst all the scholarships in Australia, the Australia Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is exclusively for international students wanting to pursue a research degree or research master’s program. It covers the complete tuition fee along with a grant stipend for living costs. The RTP scholarship ranges for a time period of 2 years for a research master’s and 3 years for a 3-year research doctorate degree. The value of this scholarship is around AUD 28,587 per annum made fortnightly. AGRTP-International scholarships are awarded to postgraduate researchers from overseas* with exceptional promise on the basis of academic merit and research potential. The Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships (AGRTPS) (International) are specifically intended to support international students to undertake a Higher Degree by research at Flinders University. The scholarship is tenable for up to three years for a Research Doctorate degree and up to two years for a Research Masters’s degree. Successful applicants are required to undertake full-time study and must be commencing a higher degree by research in Australia for the first time.

The RTP provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to HEPs to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters’s degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs).

The objectives of the RTP scheme are to:

  • provide flexible funding arrangements to support the training of domestic students and overseas students undertaking HDRs at Australian HEPs
  • deliver graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labour markets.
  • support collaboration between HEPs and industry and other research end-users
  • support overseas students undertaking HDR studies at Australian HEPs

Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:

  • tuition fees offset
  • stipend for general living costs
  • allowances related to the ancillary cost of research degrees.
  • RTP scholarships are available to domestic and overseas students enrolled in an accredited HDR course at an Australian HEP. RTP scholarships are available for a maximum period of two years for a research master’s. Under temporary arrangements being enacted in 2020 to reduce impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, this maximum period is being extended to two years and six months (full-time students), at the discretion of HEPs.

Benefits of AGRTP Scholarships

  • The AGRTPS pays the international student tuition fees charged by Flinders University for a Higher Degree by research.
  • The AGRTPS includes an international tuition fee offset, a living stipend paid at the rate of $28,594 (2021 rate), which is tax-exempt and indexed annually, and Overseas Health Care cover.
  • An AGRTPS student who moves to Adelaide from overseas is eligible for an establishment allowance (after arrival at Flinders) of up to $1,485 to assist with relocation costs and airfares, provided receipts can be produced by the student.
    Eligibility requirements for AGRTP Scholarships Qualification
  • Applicants must satisfy the University’s academic entry requirements for a Masters’s degree by research or Doctorate by research.
  • Applicants are required to have successfully completed a degree at least the equivalent/comparable to an Australian First Class Hons degree(this is a four-year degree with a major research project in the final year)
  • Applicants must have met the English proficiency levels set by Flinders University for international students at the time of application.
  • Students for whom English is a foreign language will need to provide evidence of their English language competence.
  • Applicants must not hold an equivalent Higher Degree by research qualification. Applications are only open to students commencing a Higher Degree by research in Australia for the first time.
  • Applicants must not hold Australian citizenship, Australian permanent resident status or New Zealand citizenship. Please see the attached conditions of award for full eligibility criteria.

How to apply?

Interested and qualified? Go to the Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) on student-flinders.studylink.com to apply

To apply for an AGRTPS and FIPRS, you will need to first submit an application for admission to a Higher Degree by research (PhD or Master of Arts by research) followed by an application for the International RHD Scholarship Group.

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