Australian Development Scholarships

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are scholarships for international students who wants to study in Australian Universities. Scholarship holders are required to return to their country of citizenship for two years after they have completed their studies to contribute to the development of their country.

Australian Development Scholarships are available for vocational education and training courses, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and PhD degrees at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

Fields of study: Study programs must relate to your country’s priority areas for development. These are listed on the participating country profiles.

Number of Scholarships: Up to 1000 Australian Development Scholarships are awarded each year across 31 countries with scholarships awarded equally between men and women.

The number of scholarships and fields of study are determined annually by each ADS participating country and in accordance with the Australian Government’s bilateral development assistance program. Some countries may limit the level of study (technical, undergraduate or postgraduate) and give priority to certain fields of study to better meet development needs and Australia’s specific aid objectives for each country.

Scholarship Worth: ADS are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education institution, including any preparatory training. The following benefits generally apply:

• Full tuition fees

• Return air travel—payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route

• Establishment allowance—a once only payment of A$5,000 as a contribution towards as accommodation expenses, text books, study materials

• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) is a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by AusAID. From 1 January 2012, CLE payable to Scholars studying under an ADS is A$28,000 per year.

• Introductory Academic Program (IAP)—a compulsory 4-6 week program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on life and study in Australia.

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)—provided to cover the student’s basic medical costs (with the exception of pre existing conditions).

• Pre-course English (PCE) fees—if deemed necessary PCE may be available for students for in-country and/or in-Australia training.

• Supplementary Academic Support may be available to ensure a Scholar’s academic success or enhance their academic experience.

• Fieldwork (for research students only)—may be available for eligible research students for one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a Scholarship, applicants must:

a. be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing the Scholarship

b. be a citizen of a participating country (as listed on AusAID’s Scholarship website) and be residing in and applying for the Scholarship from their country of citizenship

c. not be married or engaged to or be a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any of the application, selection or mobilisation phases or while on-scholarship in Australia

Note: Residents of Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau with New Zealand citizenship are eligible but must apply for an AusAID 576 student visa.

d. not be current serving military personnel

e. not be applying for another long-term AusAID scholarship unless they have returned to their home country and resided there* for twice the length of the total time that they were in Australia (for example, a previous Scholar who has been on AusAID scholarship/s in Australia for four years will not be eligible to apply for another AusAID scholarship until they have been home for eight years)

f. not hold or have held an Australian Government-funded scholarship (e.g. Endeavour Award) in the preceding two years, at the time of application

g. satisfy any specific criteria established by the applicant’s country and/or government of citizenship

h. be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the Scholarship is to be undertaken (this may mean that Post will need to withdraw a Scholarship offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Post requests a placement at selected institutions)

i. be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for an AusAID Student Visa 576 (this may mean that Post will need to withdraw a Scholarship offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the visa requirements)

Application Instructions: Only applications for ADS Master Awards for Africa is open at the moment. Check the open and close dates for your country, and select your country of citizenship/residency from the list of participating countries for specific information on eligibility, priority areas and how to apply.

If you intend to apply, you must read the Scholarships handbook. Some countries encourage and allow you to apply online while others require hard-copy applications. See your country page for specific information for your country.

There is usually one annual selection round in each country. Each Country Program has different timelines but deadline falls around March-April annually. The deadline for ADS Master Awards for Africa is on 14 December 2012.

It is important to read the how to apply page and visit the country specific pages, and the official website (link found below) for detailed and updated information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Visit the Australian Development Scholarships Webpage for more information about this Scholarship.