Australia Awards Scholarships in Africa

Return flights, full tuition fees, a contribution to living expenses, a one-off establishment allowance, introductory academic program, overseas student health cover and supplementary academic support. Check current rates in the DFAT handbook.

Fields: Agriculture and food, Environment and climate, Public policy and governance, Social sciences, Development studies, Engineering

Citizens of 25 listed countries

Eligible country codes: DZ, AO, BW, CI, CD, EG, ET, GH, GN, KE, MG, MW, MU, MA, MZ, NA, NG, RW, SL, ZA, TZ, GM, UG, ZM, ZW

• You must be a citizen of one of the 25 eligible countries, including Nigeria, and live in and apply from your country of citizenship, unless you work for an African regional organisation or a diplomatic mission.
• You must be at least 25 on 1 February of the intake year and have at least five years of post-graduate work experience in a field relevant to your study (three years for applicants with a disability).
• You must be employed when you apply. Paid work counts, internships do not.
• You must hold an undergraduate degree and not already hold or be studying for a master's degree, and not have had a long-term Australia Award before.
• Priority fields for the 2027 intake: agriculture and food security, climate change, foreign policy and international security, gender disability and social inclusion, and mining and energy.
• English: IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 84, or PTE Academic 58, unless English is your first language and you studied in English. Nigerian citizens are not asked for a separate test certificate.

Applications open on 1 February and close on 30 April (11:59pm AEST) for study starting the following year. The 2027 intake closed on 30 April 2026. The 2028 intake opens in February 2027.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

• Passport as proof of citizenship
• Undergraduate degree certificate and academic transcript
• Curriculum vitae
• Employer referee report and academic referee report
• English language test result, if required for your country
• Other supporting documents listed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook

1. 1

   Step 1: Check eligibility

   Use the Check Eligibility and Apply pages on australiaawardsafrica.org. You must meet all criteria or the application will not be considered.
2. 2

   Step 2: Prepare documents and referees

   Ask your employer and an academic referee for signed reports on letterhead. Late documents are not considered.
3. 3

   Step 3: Apply online in OASIS

   Applications are lodged in the OASIS platform through the Australia Awards Africa website between 1 February and 30 April.
4. 4

   Step 4: Eligibility check and interview

   Applications are checked, then shortlisted candidates are interviewed. Only shortlisted people are contacted. An Australian university offer is not needed to apply.
5. 5

   Step 5: Preparation before departure

   Successful candidates attend course counselling, a pre-departure briefing and the university's Introductory Academic Program, and need to meet Australian visa requirements.

• Only master's study at an Australian institution is offered. PhDs are not available under this program.
• Award terms, including any requirement to return home after study, are set in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook. Read it before accepting.
• Scholars are not given extra funds for family members to travel or live in Australia.

• Start early. Gather degree certificates and referee reports before February because the window is only three months.
• Choose a priority field and show clearly how your work and your return would benefit your country's development.
• Make sure your employer will support you and give a frank, specific referee report.
• The list of eligible countries and priority fields can change each year. Check the 2028 information when it appears in early 2027.

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

• Australia student visa

Checked against these official pages on 17 Oct 2026.

• Australia Awards Africa, Apply page (intake status) (opens in a new tab)
• Australia Awards scholarships information for study commencing in 2027, Africa (opens in a new tab)
• Australia Awards Africa FAQ (opens in a new tab)