Your Ultimate Guide to Securing the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS)

Scholarship Benefits and Entitlements

AAS provides a highly comprehensive benefits package, ensuring scholars can dedicate their full attention to their studies without financial burdens. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the scholarship typically covers:

• Full Tuition Fee Coverage: All academic fees associated with your chosen course are completely covered.
• Return Air Travel: A single return, economy-class flight to and from Australia via the most direct route.
• Establishment Allowance: A one-time payment upon arrival to assist with initial expenses like accommodation, textbooks, and study materials.
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): A regular fortnightly stipend to cover basic living costs, paid at a rate determined by DFAT.
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A mandatory orientation program before your formal studies begin, providing vital information about living and studying in Australia to ease your transition.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Comprehensive health insurance for the entire duration of your award, covering essential medical needs (pre-existing conditions are not included).
• Pre-course English (PCE) Language Training: If deemed necessary based on your application, the scholarship may fund intensive English language training either in your home country or in Australia.
• Supplementary Academic Support: Additional academic assistance, such as workshops or tutoring, is available to ensure your academic success.
• Fieldwork Support: For research-based programs (PhD or a Master's with a compulsory research component), an allowance may be provided for one return flight to conduct fieldwork in your home country or within Australia.

Key Scholarship Conditions

Accepting an Australia Awards Scholarship means entering into a formal contract with the Commonwealth of Australia. Applicants must understand and agree to several binding conditions:

• Compliance with Scholarship Policy: You must agree to abide by all the conditions outlined in the official scholarship handbook.
• Two-Year Home-Country Residency Rule: Upon completing your studies, you are required to depart Australia and reside outside of it for a minimum of two years.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to meet the two-year residency requirement will result in you incurring a debt to the Australian Government for the full, accrued cost of your scholarship.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

The application process is competitive and requires careful preparation. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of success:

1. Verify Eligibility and Priority Areas

The first crucial step is to confirm you meet all the requirements. Visit the official DFAT country profile for your nation to check specific criteria, such as minimum GPA, work experience, and English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL). Critically, you must also understand the priority development areas for your country, as aligning your application with these will significantly strengthen it.

2. Prepare Your Essential Documents

Start gathering your documentation well in advance. Commonly required documents include:

• Copy of your birth certificate or national ID card.
• Certified copies of your academic transcripts and degree certificates (in original language and official English translation).
• An official English language test certificate (IELTS or TOEFL iBT).
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Letters of recommendation (referee reports) from professional or academic contacts.
• Well-written essays that directly address the questions in the application form.

3. Apply Online via OASIS

All applications must be submitted through the Online Australia Awards Scholarship Information System (OASIS). Read the user guide carefully before you begin. Avoid submitting your application at the last minute to prevent potential technical issues.

4. The Selection Process

After the deadline, your application undergoes a rigorous selection process. This typically includes an initial eligibility check, a detailed assessment of your application and essays, and finally, an interview for shortlisted candidates. Prepare thoroughly for each stage.