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July 9, 2024 by Amber Wilson

Government Scholarships in Australia for International Students: Choose Wisely

Australia is well known for its research-intensive education system. It is often attributed as an educational hub due to the government’s focus on quality education and academic excellence. Students from around the world are, hence, attracted towards the benefits that the higher education system of Australia offers:
  • Internship and Work Opportunities
  • Standard of Living
  • Worldwide Recognition
  • Multicultural Society
However, higher education is expensive for international students coming to Australia. Hence, to counter their financial issues, the government of Australia collaborates with various organisations and institutions to provide equal opportunities for students.  

Australia-Based General Scholarships for International Students

We will now look into the general scholarships offered by the government and various organisations in Australia for international students. A list of these scholarships is given below. [caption id="attachment_6201" align="alignnone" width="2152"] Blue and White Modern Sport Table League Instagram Post - 1[/caption]

1. Australia Research Training Programme (RTP) Scholarships

From the start of 2017, the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) stopped and was replaced by the Research Training Programme (RTP). The RTP provides funding to universities in Australia to help students from Australia and other countries during their Master's or Doctorate degrees. Since the programmes are research-intensive, the funding can help the students immensely.  
Target Universities 
  • Australian universities participating in RTP scholarships 
Target Degrees
  • Master or Doctorate degrees related to research at Australian universities
Target Group of People
  • Students from Australia and other countries
Number of Scholarships
  • The number of scholarships is not specified. 
Value of Scholarships
  • During your research degree, you can receive funding for your tuition fees. 
  • You can also be paid for your living expenses and other costs like travelling, printing, research, or health insurance.
  • You can get this help for up to 2 years for a Master's or 3 to 4 years for a Doctorate.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants can apply for the fellowship if the given criteria are fulfilled:
  • Be studying for a research degree at an Australian university
  • Be from Australia or another country
How to Apply
  • To apply, you need to get in contact with the university where you want to pursue your master’s or PhD. 
  • Each university provides students with a different application procedure and requirements. 
  • The deadline for applying is usually between April and October.

2. Australia Awards Masters Scholarships for Africa

Australia Awards offers scholarships for master's studies to eligible African candidates in Australia. The scholarships started in 2017 to facilitate postgraduate studies of African citizens. 
Target Universities 
  • Australian universities and technical colleges that are part of the programme.
Target Degrees
Apply for the scholarship if you want to pursue Masters in the following fields:
  • Agriculture, 
  • Health, 
  • Natural Resource Management, 
  • Public Policy, and 
  • Water and Sanitation.
Target Group of People 
Citizens of the Following Countries Can Apply for the Scholarships
Algeria Angola Benin Botswana
Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde
Central African Republic Chad Comoros Côte d'Ivoire
Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea
Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana
Guinea Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho
Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi
Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco
Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria
Republic of the Congo Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Senegal
Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa
Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Togo
Tunisia Uganda Zambia -
Number of Scholarships 
  • The number of scholarships is not specified.
Value of Scholarships
  • Full tuition fees, 
  • Flight fare to Australia and back, 
  • Funding for additional expenses to settle,
  • Living expenses, and
  • Health insurance.
Eligibility Criteria 
You can apply for this scholarship if you meet the given criteria:
  • Be between 25 and 50 years old when you apply.
  • Have worked for at least three years after getting your first degree.
  • Have a bachelor's degree that lasted for at least four years at a recognised institution.
  • Not already have a Master's degree or be studying for one.
  • Promise to go back to your job after finishing the course.
  • Meet the specific rules of your country and the general ones for the Australia Awards Scholarships.
How to Apply for Australia Awards Masters Scholarships for Africa
  • Look up the dates for your country and follow the instructions on how to apply. 
  • The deadline is usually around November to December.
Want to know more about the top Australian Universities? Read: Where to Apply in Australia?

3. Australian Awards Leadership programme

The Australian Awards Leadership programme works alongside the Australian Awards Scholarships (AAS). Around 200 exceptional AAS recipients from around the world get the chance to join the Leadership programme alongside their scholarship.  This programme brings these students together in Australia for: 
  • Leadership training, 
  • Discussions about development,
  • Opportunities to make essential connections.
Target Universities 
  • Various institutions in Australia are part of the programme.
Target Degrees 
  • Postgraduate courses (Masters or PhD). 
These courses must be related to your home country's priority areas for development.
Target Group of People for the Australian Awards Leadership Programme
Citizens of the Following Countries Can Apply for the Scholarship
Asia  Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia
Indonesia Laos Maldives
Mongolia Myanmar Nepal
Pakistan Philippines Sri Lanka
Timor-Leste Vietnam
Pacific  Federated States of Micronesia Fiji French Polynesia
Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru
New Caledonia Niue Palau
Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands
Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu
Wallis and Futuna
Africa  Algeria Benin Botswana
Côte d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of Congo Egypt
Ethiopia Ghana Kenya
Madagascar Malawi Mauritius
Morocco Mozambique Namibia
Nigeria Rwanda Senegal
Sierra Leone South Africa Tanzania
Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Middle East Occupied Palestinian Territories
Latin America
Value of Scholarships
All the AAL scholars are offered:
  • Equal value of AAS scholarship
  • A leadership development programme during their time in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must display: 
  • Their leadership skills, 
  • Academic abilities, and 
  • Their potential to make a difference in their home country.
How to Apply 
  • There is no separate form for the extra AAL programme. 
  • If you want to be considered for it, just mention it on your AAS application form. 
  • The deadline is the same as for the Australia Awards Scholarships.

4. Australia Awards Fellowships

Australia Awards Fellowships are part of a bigger plan to help develop leaders and make connections with developing countries. They are for people who are already leaders or have the potential to become leaders, especially in areas like social and economic development.
Target Universities
  • Australian organisations that have links with similar groups in eligible countries.
Target Degrees
  • Any specific topic related to development and foreign affairs from a list that includes the fields of Arts, Education, Health, and Water and Sanitation.
Target Group of People 
Citizens of the Following Countries Can Apply for the Fellowship
Asia/ Pacific Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia
China Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji India Indonesia
Kiribati Laos PDR Malaysia
Maldives Marshall Islands Mongolia
Myanmar Nauru Nepal
Niue Pakistan Palau
Papua New Guinea Philippines Samoa
Solomon Islands Sri Lanka Timor-Leste
Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu
Vanuatu Vietnam Wallis & Futuna
Latin America and the Caribbean Argentina Belize Bolivia
Brazil Colombia Costa Rica
Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic
Ecuador El Salvador Grenada
Guatemala Guyana Haiti
Honduras Jamaica Mexico
Nicaragua Panama Paraguay
Peru Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname Venezuela
Africa  Algeria Angola Benin
Botswana Burkina Faso Cameroon
Cape Verde Chad Comoros
Cote d'Ivoire Congo (Republic of) Congo (Democratic Republic of)
Egypt Gabon Gambia
Ghana Guinea (Republic of) Kenya
Lesotho Liberia Madagascar
Malawi Mali Mauritania
Mauritius Morocco Mozambique
Namibia Niger Nigeria
Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Seychelles
Sierra Leone South Africa Sudan
Swaziland Tanzania Togo
Tunisia Uganda Zambia
Zimbabwe
Other Turkey
Number of Fellowships 
  • The number of scholarships is not specified. 
Value of Fellowships 
  • Each Fellow can get up to $30,000.
Eligibility Criteria 
  • Be at least 18 years old when the fellowship starts.
  • Not have permanent residency in Australia or be applying for it.
  • Be a citizen of and living in an eligible developing country.
  • Not be in the military.
  • Not have a partner who is an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  • Have been working in your home country in a field related to the fellowship before starting.
  • Meet all the visa requirements from the Australian government.
  • Be able to take part in all the activities planned for the fellowship.
  • Travel without family members because the funding only covers the individual fellows, not their families.
  • Have a good level of English to join in with everything.
How to Apply
  • The Australian organisation needs to apply online through Smarty Grants by 29th March.

5. Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Programme for Developing Countries

The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship programme (ADB-JSP) helps students from certain Asian countries. The funding allows them to pay for their postgraduate studies in subjects such as economics, management, health, and more.  After finishing their studies, scholars are expected to help develop their home countries.
Target Universities
  • Specific universities practising in the ADB-JSP scholarship.
Target Degrees 
Postgraduate studies in subjects like: 
  • Economics, 
  • Management, 
  • Health, and 
  • Others related to development. 
Target Group of People 
  • The scholarship is for people from countries that borrow money from the Asian Development Bank.
Number of Scholarships
  • Around 300 scholarships are given out each year.
Value of Scholarships 
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Programme:
  • Covers tuition fees, 
  • Gives a monthly allowance for living and housing, 
  • Provides money for books, medical insurance, and travel expenses. 
It is usually for two years, but it can be extended if the scholar does well.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Must be from a country that borrows from the Asian Development Bank.
  • Need to get accepted into a master's or PhD course.
  • Should have done well in their first degree.
  • Must have worked full-time for at least two years after finishing their first degree.
  • Should be good at speaking and writing English.
  • Should be in good health.
  • Should be willing to go back to their home country after they finish studying.
Ineligible applicants for the scholarship programme are:
  • People who work for the Asian Development Bank or their families cannot apply. 
  • People who work at universities cannot apply.
  • Students already in another country cannot apply.
  • Students who are already enrolled in a graduate degree programme also cannot apply. 
How to Apply
  • Contact the university where you want to pursue your education and ask for information and application forms.
  • Inform them about your interest in the ADB-JSP Scholarship and that you are applying.
  • Fill out the provided forms and attach all necessary documents, including the ADB-JSP Information Sheet.
  • You do not need to apply separately to the Asian Development Bank.

6. Fulbright US Student programme

The Fulbright U.S. Student programme offers exciting opportunities for graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from the United States. Recipients get to study, research, or teach English abroad. Here is what you need to know:
Target Universities
  • Universities, Academic Institutions, and Organisations in 140 countries worldwide
Target Degrees
  • Any academic fields, including interdisciplinary ones. 
Target Group of People 
  • Citizens or nationals of the United States of America (USA)
Number of Scholarships 
  • Not specified
Value of Scholarships 
Benefits of the Fulbright US Student scholarship include: 
  • Health coverage, 
  • Support line access, 
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility for federal government jobs, and 
  • A stipend to cover living expenses during the grant period. 
The duration and specific benefits vary by award.
Eligibility Criteria
  • They must be U.S. citizens or nationals.
  • They must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent before starting the grant period. For arts applicants without a BA, four years of professional experience is acceptable.
  • They must meet the award's language requirements and demonstrate enough language skills to complete projects and adjust to life in the host country.
  • Applicants with a J.D. degree are eligible.
  • Doctors of Medicine can apply for academic study but not internships or residencies. They should apply to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar programme for research in hospitals or clinics. Medical research proposals should not involve clinical training, patient care, or contact.
How to Apply 
  • Apply online. 
  • The deadline for the competition is October 10, at 5 pm Eastern Time.
Interesting Read: Where to Apply in Sydney? 

7. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Programme for US Citizens

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship programme helps American undergraduates with limited money to study or work abroad. It further helps them develop skills in different languages and cultures that are important for America's safety and wealth.
Target Universities 
  • Universities and organisations outside the US.
Target Degrees 
  • Any programme for studying abroad and internships.
Target Group of People 
  • U.S. citizens who do not have much money to study or intern abroad.
Number of Scholarships
  • Around 3,000 scholarships are available.
Value of Scholarships 
  • The scholarship amount ranges from US$100 to US$5000. 
  • There is also a chance to get an extra award for learning a language that is really needed (up to US$8000).
  • The grant can be used for tuition, housing, books, travel, and other study or intern costs. 
The final amount depends on the student's needs, the length of the programme, and the strength of their application.
Eligibility Criteria
  • They must be a citizen of the United States.
  • They need to be studying at a college or university in the U.S., either for a two-year or four-year degree.
  • They must be getting or going to get a Federal Pell Grant.
  • They should be applying to or have been accepted into a study or intern programme that gives them credits.
  • Their programme should be in a country with a Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State.
You can only get the Gilman Scholarship once. If you have said no to it before, you can try again as long as you still meet all the rules. The Department of State might request changes to your programme if necessary. Their scholarship might also change if the health or safety situation in your country changes.
How to Apply 
You can study or intern abroad in spring, summer, fall, winter, or for a whole academic year. The application for the October Deadline opens in mid-August. It is for programmes starting between the start of December and the end of October. The deadline falls around the beginning of October, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

8. Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Award

The Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Award supports international students who want to do postgraduate studies (Master's or PhD) in Australia. It provides financial assistance for up to two years for Master's and four years for PhD programmes.
Target Universities
  • Universities or Higher Education Institutions in Australia.
Target Degrees 
  • Masters or PhD level studies in any field, either through coursework or research.
Target Group of People 
  • International students from the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
Number of Awards 
  • The numbers are not specified.
Value of Awards
  • Successful recipients receive a stipend of AU$3,000 per month, up to a maximum of AU$36,000 per year, paid for the duration of the award.
  • Recipients may also receive:
    • Travel allowance of up to AU$3,000 (or up to AU$4,500 in special cases).
    • Establishment allowance between AU$2,000 and AU$4,000, depending on the category and duration of the award.
    • Health insurance for the entire duration of the programme.
    • Travel insurance (except during the programme).
    • Students doing postgraduate studies (Masters or PhD) can also receive tuition fees of up to AU$30,000 per year, paid for the duration of their studies.
The scholarship lasts up to 2 years for Masters and up to 4 years for PhD programmes.
Eligibility Criteria
  • They must not be doing their leadership activity in their home country or a country where they hold citizenship, dual citizenship, or permanent residency. 
  • They must undertake their leadership activity in Australia.
  • They must be at least 18 years old when they start their leadership activity.
  • They should not be receiving any other Australian Government-sponsored benefits.
How to Apply
  • Applicants must submit a letter of admission (offer letter) from an Australian university for a Master's or PhD course for the relevant academic year.
  • Applications are done through the Endeavour Online (EOL) system. 
  • The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (AEDT) on November 15.

9. Endeavour Vocational Education and Training (VET) Leadership Award

The Endeavour VET Scholarship supports international students pursuing vocational education at Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Associate Degree levels in Australia for up to two and a half years.
Target Universities 
  • Universities or Higher Education Institutions in Australia.
Target Degrees
  • Diploma, 
  • Advanced Diploma, or 
  • Associate Degree level studies in any field offered at Australian universities.
Target Group of People
  • International students from the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
Number of Awards 
  • The number is not specified.
Value of Awards 
  • For the duration of the scholarship, recipients receive a stipend of AU$ 3,000 per month, up to a maximum of AU$ 36,000 per year.
  • Additional benefits include:
    • Travel allowance of up to AU$3,000 (or AU$4,500 in special circumstances).
    • Establishment allowance ranges from AU$2,000 to AU$4,000, depending on the award category and duration.
    • Health insurance for the entire duration of the programme.
    • Travel insurance (except during the programme).
    • Students pursuing VET study can also receive tuition fees of up to AU$ 13,000 per year, paid for the duration of their studies.
The scholarship lasts for 1 to 2.5 years.
Eligibility Criteria
  • They must not be doing their leadership activity in their home country or a country where they hold citizenship, dual citizenship, or permanent residency. 
  • They must undertake their activity in Australia.
  • They must be aged 18 years or older at the start of their leadership activity.
  • They should not be receiving any other Australian Government-sponsored benefits.
How to Apply 
  • Applicants must provide a letter of admission for the relevant academic year for a: 
    • Diploma, 
    • Advanced Diploma, or 
    • Associate Degree course at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO). 
  • Conditional admission letters are accepted at the time of application.
  • Applications are submitted through the Endeavour Online (EOL) system. 
  • The deadline falls around the middle of November.

10. Endeavour Executive Fellowships

The Endeavour Executive Fellowship supports professional development opportunities for high achievers in business, industry, education, or government, both for non-Australians and Australians, lasting from 1 to 4 months. Applicants must be nominated by a senior official in their host organisation, which should be physically located in their host country.
Target Degrees
  • Business, 
  • Industry, 
  • Education, or 
  • Government.
Target Group 
Citizens of the Following Countries Can Apply for the Fellowships
America Argentina Bolivia Brazil
Canada Chile Colombia
Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador
French Guiana Guatemala Honduras
Mexico Nicaragua Panama
Paraguay Peru Suriname
United States of America Uruguay Venezuela
Asia Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia China (People's Republic) Hong Kong SAR
India Indonesia Japan
Korea (Republic of Korea South) Laos Macau
Malaysia Maldives Mongolia
Myanmar Nepal Pakistan
Philippines Singapore Sri Lanka
Taiwan Thailand Timor-Leste
Vietnam
The Carribean Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados
Belize Cuba Dominica
Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe
Guyana Haiti Jamaica
Martinique Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago
Europe Austria Belgium Bulgaria
Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic
Denmark Estonia Finland
France (including Reunion) Germany Greece
Hungary Ireland Italy
Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg
Malta Netherlands Norway
Poland Portugal Romania
Russian Federation Slovakia Slovenia
Spain Sweden Switzerland
Ukraine United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland)
Middle East Afghanistan Bahrain Iran
Iraq Jordan Kuwait
Lebanon Oman Qatar
Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey
United Arab Emirates Yemen
Pacific Fiji French Polynesia Kiribati
Marshall Islands Micronesia (Federated States) Nauru
New Caledonia New Zealand (including Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) Palau
Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands
Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu
Wallis and Futuna
Number of Fellowships
  • The number is not specified.
Value of Fellowships 
  • The fellowship is worth up to $AUD 18,500 and includes:
  • Travel allowance ($AUD 3,000)
  • Establishment allowance ($AUD 2,000)
  • Monthly stipend ($AUD 3,000, up to the maximum duration on a pro-rata basis)
  • Health and travel insurance.
Eligibility Criteria 
  • They must be at least 18 years old at the start of the programme.
  • They must be citizens and/or permanent residents of a participating country.
  • The proposed programme should commence after January 1 and no later than November 30. Those who started or will start before that are not eligible.
  • They should provide all necessary supporting documents.
  • They should not currently hold or have completed an Australian Government-sponsored scholarship or fellowship.
  • They cannot apply for a category in which they have already completed an Endeavour Scholarship or Fellowship.
How to Apply 
  • Applications are submitted through the Endeavour Online (EOL) system. 
  • The deadline falls around the end of June.

How to Get a Scholarship to Study in Australia?

Higher education in Australia is costly and can be academically challenging. However, that should not deter you from pursuing your passion. Stop stressing about finances and the negative impact of these things on your studies. How so? Get a scholarship that suits you and your financial status the best. Then, continue to perform well for the annual renewal of your scholarship. Though the real issue of “how to get a scholarship” persists. If you are an international student and need support or feedback on your scholarship applications, you can contact counsellors at CounsellingX. Find the counsellors of your liking and connect with them for a free consultation.  Additional Information: Why Personalised Admission Counselling?
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