
About Studying in Australia
Applications open now!SCAM ALERT - Beware of fake Australia Awards Scholarships websites being shared on social media accounts
There have been reports of fake websites offering scholarships and visas to international students. Please be advised that Australia Awards Scholarships does not engage any agents or individuals to process scholarship applications. Application must be completed and submitted through the Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System: https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/
Australia Awards Scholarships
Applications for Intake 2026 are open now – register to attend an Information Session!
Australia Awards Scholarships offer more than a degree. You gain an internationally recognised qualification and a life-changing experience in Australia.
Australia’s international development assistance in Papua New Guinea helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance political stability.
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, recipients 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 development challenges in Papua New Guinea.
Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability, and the provinces.
Australia Awards Benefits
Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.
Scholarship recipients receive:
- return air travel
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- full tuition fees
- contribution to living expenses
- introductory academic program
- overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship
- supplementary academic support
- fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Georgina Kiele Scholarship for Women in Cyber Security
Australia Awards Papua New Guinea announces the Georgina Kiele Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity. This scholarship honors a pioneering figure in PNG’s IT sector and offers aspiring female cybersecurity professionals the opportunity to study in Australia, gain practical experience, and build valuable connections. Apply now to carry forward Georgina’s inspiring legacy!
Eligibility requirements
You must meet the following eligibility requirements to register:
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February of the year of commencing the scholarship
- Be a citizen of PNG and resident and employed in PNG, and committed to returning after studies.
- Not be a citizen of Australia, hold permanent residency in Australia or be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently
- Not be married, engaged or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any time during the application, selection or mobilisation phases of the scholarship
- Not be currently serving military personnel
- Be applying for a progressive tertiary qualification (i.e. a masters degree if the applicant already has a bachelor degree; another masters in a different subject area or field of specialisation if the applicant already has a masters from a PNG institution)
- Have at least two years’ work experience. (People with disability are exempt from this requirement.)
- Must meet minimum English language proficiency requirements. For example, IELTS overall score of 6.5 or higher (with no band less than 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score.
- Be able to take up the scholarship in the year in which it is awarded. Should an awardee not be able to commence study by November of their award year, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
- Be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken
- Able to meet the Australian visa requirements (subclass 500) and not applying for a visa to live in Australia.
- Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award in the previous four years)
- Not hold convictions of criminal activities (including in their home country) including those relating to Child Protection and PSEAH.
- Meet all eligibility requirements detailed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook, available at: https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/australia-awards-scholarships-policy-handbook
Applicants from PNG Government Agencies
In addition to the country-specific conditions noted above, public servant applicants covered by General Order No. 6 on overseas training for public service staff must also meet the Government of Papua New Guinea requirements, including:
- employment in a public sector agency for two years after permanent appointment
- applicant is listed in their agency’s Learning and Development Plan
- nomination from applicant’s employment agency and endorsement from the Department of Personnel Management.
For details on General Order No. 6, public servant applicants may contact their agency human resource officers or the Department of Personnel Management. More information for public service applicants can be found here.
Australia Awards does not work through any education agents.
Australia Awards Alumni Stories
Australia Awards Intake 2019 is Open
Applications are now open for Australia Awards Scholarships in 2019 but competition is tough and successful applicants will be mostly drawn from highly targeted sectors.
Australia Awards Allison Sudradjat Prize Winners 2017
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Bruce Davis presented Ruline Pokote Ketauwo and Stanley Raka with the Allison Sudradjat Prize for 2017. The Award is given in memory of Allison Sudradjat, a former senior Australian Government staff...