Australia Awards Papua New Guinea
Australia Awards PNG
Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders for development. Through study and research, awardees develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Papua New Guinea.
Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and those from the provinces.
Australia Awards – About Us
Australia Awards Papua New Guinea are designed to promote knowledge and leadership, and enduring ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Our goal is to contribute to building a qualified workforce, filling critical human resource gaps, and supporting good leadership in Papua New Guinea, thereby assisting with addressing the nation’s economic and development challenges.
Australia Awards Papua New Guinea offers three study options:
- Australia Awards Scholarships for Papua New Guineans to study primarily postgraduate courses in Australia;
- Australia Awards In-PNG Scholarships for Papua New Guineans to study in PNG to meet critical workforce gaps; and
- Australia Awards Short Course Awards for Papua New Guineans to undertake short-term professional development study in Australia.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries. The opportunities provided develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.
Equal Opportunity
Australia Awards are merit-based scholarships. We are committed to ensuring an equal representation of women and men and that persons with disability and people living and working in rural areas are provided fair access to pursuing further studies under an Australia Award.
PNG Priority Sectors
Every year, both the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea agree on priority sectors that will target key development areas. In PNG these include: agriculture, education, governance, health, law and justice, transport and infrastructure.
Australia Awards Papua New Guinea Priority Sectors
Stories
From secondary school teacher to university lecturer
Noelynn Darius’s commitment and qualification through Australia Awards PNG have elevated her from a secondary school teacher to a university lecturer.
“I am a devoted alumna of the Papua New Guinea Australia Alumni Association. Being a member of this professional association has fashioned me to attain and perform in my new role as a lecturer here at the University of Goroka, as of this year. This network has been really profitable,” she claims.
From security guard to programs director
From a small hamlet in Guniba, Popondetta, Oro Province to the bustling city of Port Moresby, Christopher Usuka has proven that with hard work and perseverance, one can overcome any challenge and achieve success.
When Christopher was not selected for the high school of his choice, he came to Port Moresby to look for a paid job. He took up a short computer accounting course while working his first job as a security guard, but his passion for the creative arts eventually led him to apply for Theatre Arts courses at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Tears in the eyes of children
Confronted by the abuse of women and children she witnessed while working in a Family Support Center, Mary Balupa took up studies in counselling to equip herself to better help her community. “I saw the tears in the eyes of children who were neglected because of polygamy and violent relationships. I understand them well because I am a survivor too, with my children,” says Mary, an Australia Awards alumna.