Destination Australia Scholarship
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Destination Australia Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
The Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded, covering full tuition fees, return economy-class air travel, an establishment allowance (a one-time payment for accommodation, textbooks, and study materials), a fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) (approximately AUD 34,000 per year), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire study period, Introductory Academic Program (IAP) fees, and Pre-course English (PCE) fees if required. Depending on the program and duration, the total annual award value can comfortably exceed ₹40-50 lakh, with a 2-year Master's potentially reaching ₹50-60 lakh.
Inclusions
Age Limit:Minimum 18 years of age on 1 February of the year commencing the scholarship (i.e., February 1, 2027).
Nationality & Residency:Citizen and current resident of a participating country (primarily in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East) and applying from their country of citizenship.
Australian Status:Must not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia, or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently.
Relationship Status:Must not be married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with someone who holds or is entitled to hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency during key phases of the scholarship.
Return Home:Committed to returning to their home country for a minimum of two years after completing the scholarship. Failure to do so will result in incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of the scholarship.
Work Experience:Most countries require at least two years of relevant work experience. People with disability may be exempt from this requirement. Fresh graduates with less than one year of work experience are rarely selected unless they demonstrate extraordinary credentials or are from priority demographic groups.
Study Level:Must be applying for a progressive or higher-level tertiary qualification (e.g., a Master's degree if already holding a Bachelor's; another Master's in a different subject area if having a Master's from a home country institution). Not applying for a course of study at an academic level the same or lower than already achieved.
English Proficiency:Must meet minimum English language proficiency requirements. Generally, an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0), or a TOEFL iBT minimum 84 (with a minimum of 21 in all sub-tests), or a PTE Academic overall score of 58 (with no communicative skill score less than 50). Scores must be valid on January 1, 2027.
Course Alignment:The study program must relate to the applicant's country's priority areas for development.
Previous Scholarships:Not currently holding or have previously received a long-term Australia Award or another Australian Government-funded scholarship.
Admission & Visa:Must meet Australian institution course requirements and all visa requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Must be enrolled in Undergraduate, Masters, PhD.
Financial & Category
Selection Process
The selection process for Australia Awards Scholarships is highly competitive and merit-based
Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence, leadership potential, and commitment to contributing to development outcomes in their home countries
The evaluation considers strategic thinking, ability to achieve results, capacity for building productive working relationships, communication skills, negotiation skills, and personal integrity
Shortlisted candidates are typically notified by mid-August
Successful applicants will be placed in participating Australian universities by country teams
direct university contact is not required during the application phase for placement.
Renewal Policy
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
Renewal beyond the initial awarded duration is not typically part of the scholarship conditions, as it is designed to cover the full program length
Continued eligibility and satisfactory academic progress would be implicitly required to maintain the scholarship throughout the awarded period.
Application Process
- 1Check Eligibility & Country Profile
Before applying, thoroughly review the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and your specific country profile on the official Australia Awards website. This will detail country-specific eligibility criteria, priority areas of study, and document requirements.
- 2Register on OASIS
Go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) portal. You will answer preliminary eligibility questions and, if eligible, receive a unique registration number, username, and password.
- 3Complete Application Sections
Log in to OASIS and fill out all required sections, including: - Personal Details: Enter information exactly as it appears on official documents (citizenship, residency, passport). - Contact Details: Provide residential and mailing addresses, and contact numbers. - Employment Details: List current and previous employment, including position title, organization, dates, and a summary of duties and responsibilities. - Proposed Study Program: Detail your intended course, institution, CRICOS code, academic level, field, and duration. For research degrees, include a research title, objectives, methodology, and how it addresses development needs. - Qualifications: List all academic qualifications, starting with the highest, including institution, country, and dates. - English Language Details: Provide information on your English proficiency, including test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic). - Supporting Statement: This is a crucial section where you explain your course choice, how it aligns with your career goals, demonstrates leadership potential, and contributes to development impact in your home country. Adhere to word limits. - Professional Memberships: List any relevant professional associations or memberships.
- 4Upload Documents
Upload all required supporting documents as specified in your country profile and the Policy Handbook. Ensure files meet format and size limits. Clearly name your files.
- 5Review and Submit
Carefully read the declaration, tick the acknowledgment checkbox, and submit your application. Double-check all sections before submission, as editing may be limited afterward. Key Dates for 2027 Intake: Applications typically open on February 1, 2026, and close on April 30, 2026 (14:00 AEST). It is highly recommended to submit applications well before the deadline to avoid technical issues due to heavy portal traffic.
Documents Required
Important Dates
Application Deadline
Continuous Enrollment / Check Official Portal
The Destination Australia Scholarship application deadlines vary by the participating tertiary education provider. Students must apply directly to their chosen regional Australian institution, which will have its own specific opening and closing dates for the 2026/2027 academic intake. For example, the University of Wollongong's domestic student applications for the Destination Australia Scholarship for 2026 closed on April 12, 2026.
Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.
Scholarship Quick Facts
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.Is the Destination Australia Scholarship still available for new applicants in 2026/2027?
No, the Australian Government announced that there would be no further funding rounds for the Destination Australia Program (DAP) from July 1, 2024. This means new Destination Australia Scholarships are not being offered directly by the federal government. However, universities that previously participated might offer similar regional scholarships under different funding. The Australia Awards Scholarships are the primary Australian Government-funded study-abroad scholarships for international students from eligible developing countries for the 2027 intake.
Q.What does the Australia Awards Scholarship cover financially?
The Australia Awards Scholarship is fully funded, covering all major expenses. This includes full tuition fees, return economy-class airfare to and from Australia, a one-time establishment allowance to help with initial costs (accommodation, textbooks, study materials), a fortnightly living allowance (Contribution to Living Expenses - CLE) of approximately AUD 34,000 per year, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and if necessary, Pre-course English (PCE) fees and supplementary academic support.
Q.Am I required to return to my home country after completing the Australia Awards Scholarship?
Yes, a strict condition of the Australia Awards Scholarship is that recipients must return to their home country for a minimum of two years after completing their studies. This is to ensure scholars contribute to their nation's development. Failure to comply with this 'two-year return rule' will result in the scholar incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of their scholarship.
Q.What is the application deadline for the Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 intake?
Applications for the Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 intake typically opened on February 1, 2026, and closed on April 30, 2026, at 14:00 AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Applicants are strongly advised to check the specific opening and closing dates for their country on the official Australia Awards website, as these can vary.
Help & Contact Support
Official Support
Need Application Help?
If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.
Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Australian Government website before final submission.
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