FAQ

Please visit our website www.australiaawardsafrica.org. If you have a specific question that is not addressed on the website, contact Palladium. Palladium is the Managing Contractor engaged by the Australian Government for the administration and logistical management of the Australia Awards in Africa. Direct your queries to enquiries@australiaawardsafrica.org.

Currently, the Australia Awards program offers two types of Awards:

• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Short Course Awards

For more information on the types of Awards, go to https://australiaawardsafrica.org/awards/types-of-awards/

The Australian Government does not support primary or secondary studies under the Australia Awards program

Australia Awards Scholarships are only offered to selected candidates to undertake postgraduate studies. Candidates applying must already hold a Bachelor’s degree.

PhD scholarships are currently not offered under the Australia Awards program.

Applications generally open on 1 September each year.

On the Australia Awards website, click on the “Apply for an Award” button. Select your country and the award type you would like to apply for and then check your eligibility. If you meet the eligibility criteria for your country proceed with your application.

You can apply for a scholarship if you are a citizen of an eligible country and you meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes, you may apply if you meet the eligibility criteria for an award, however, it will not guarantee that you will be awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship.

Australia Awards Scholarships

Entitlements include the following:

• The full costs of tuition fees for up to two years
• An economy class flight to and from Australia. Note: Excess baggage and travel insurance charges are not covered
• An approximate annual stipend of AUD30,000 to cover living expenses while in Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which covers basic medical costs
• A once-off Establishment Allowance of AUD5,000 to assist with the costs of starting life in Australia and commencing the course (e.g. course books and materials, rental deposits, household items, etc.)
• Scholars, whose families remain in their home country, may be entitled to a reunion airfare allowing them to travel home, midway through the course. This is only available to scholars whose course is for two years or longer.

Short Course Awards

Entitlements include the following:

• The full costs of tuition fees for the duration of the course
• Mobilisation travel from the home country to the course delivery location(s), and return to the home country Note: Excess baggage and travel insurance charges are not covered
• Visa expenses
• A modest per diem
• Accommodation
• Medical insurance for the duration of the short course.

Australia Awards offers support to all women, particularly those who may face difficult circumstances or barriers to their full participation in the program. This support is offered at all award stages. Women who believe that they may need support should discuss their requirements with their Palladium Alumni officer early in the process. In addition, they should contact Social.inclusion@australiaawardsafrica.org. For more information on the support provided to women, go to “Approach to Gender Equality”.

The Australian Government’s strategies Promoting Opportunities for All: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and Australian Aid: Promoting Prosperity, Reducing Poverty, Enhancing Stability provide a framework that ensures equal opportunities for women to participate in all Australian aid programs. Australia Awards is keen to ensure that women participate equally in the program and have equal opportunities to benefit from the Awards. Women are encouraged to apply and will be supported, as applicable, at all stages of the scholarship.

In addition, the Women in Leadership Network, which comprises female alumni, has been established to support those women wishing to participate. The network also gives peer support to female scholars. For more details, please email alumni@australiaawardsafrica.org

As set out in Development for All 2015 2020: Strategy for strengthening disability-inclusive development (http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Documents/development-for-all-2015-2020.pdf), the Australian Government is committed to offering educational opportunities to eligible people with disabilities. Australia Awards is committed to disability inclusion. Persons living with a disability, who are eligible, are encouraged to apply for the awards. Award applicants are encouraged to disclose having a disability from the onset. Having a disability will not disadvantage individuals in the application or selection process. Instead, applications will be considered like any other. Reasonable adjustments will be made, where possible, to ensure equitable participation by anyone who is identified as requiring support during all elements of the activity cycle. All personal information provided is protected by the Australian Privacy Act and will not be shared without consent.

For further information on disability inclusion at Australia Awards visit:

http://awardslocal.local/about-australian-awards/information-for-people-with-disability/

All individuals, including those who are HIV positive or living with other chronic illnesses, can apply for an award. The program promotes equal opportunities for all applicants. Successful applicants will need to consider how to manage their condition while in Australia. The Overseas Student Health Cover/Overseas Visitors Health Cover usually has a waiting period, during which pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.

After disclosing a condition, individuals will be advised of the options to consider in managing their condition while in Australia. Disclosure is encouraged for the purposes of developing a support plan. Any personal information provided is protected by the Australian Privacy Act and will not be shared without consent. For more information, visit HIV-and-Australia-Awards

Successful candidates of Australia Award Scholarships are able to apply for their spouse and children to join them in Australia by applying for dependent visas. This is normally only possible after arriving in Australia following commencement of the course and with the approval of the University. The process will be explained at the pre-departure briefing.

It is important to note that Australia Awards does not provide any additional financial support for one’s family to travel to or live in Australia.

Short Course Awards participants cannot apply for a visa for their dependents.

Australia Awards scholars are required to attend a Pre-Departure briefing, usually held in October of the year before they go to Australia. This briefing provides essential information and advice about living and studying in Australia. These events are held in a number of locations across Africa. The program will cover the cost of one’s attendance if the event is not held in one’s home city. Spouses are encouraged to attend the pre-departure briefings. However, this will be at their own cost.

Short Course Awards participants are encouraged to read all the pre-departure material that they are sent by the training provider, research host institution in Australia or Palladium.

Scholars with a disability or chronic illness, as well as pregnant individuals, are encouraged to notify Palladium before mobilising to Australia. This will ensure that the required information and support is provided while in Australia.

In addition, scholars are encouraged to conduct their own research on life in Australia. Please visit the ‘Life in Australia’ section of the Study in Australia website for some useful information that may assist you with your research.