The Australia Awards Africa Programme is inviting applications for the Australia Awards 2026 academic year Intake.
Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of eligible African countries with the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at an Australian tertiary institution.
The Australia Awards are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries. Through study and research, recipients gain the skills and knowledge to drive change and foster long-term people-to-people connections with Australia.
The scholarships focus on developing expertise to influence change in partner countries while strengthening human resource capacity in mutually agreed development sectors in Australia.
Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.
More information on Australia Awards, Australia’s aid programme, and studying in Australia can be found through the following links:
Degree level
Master’s
Deadlines
Closing date: 30 April 2025 (11:59 PM AEST)
Applications and supporting documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Fields of study
The priority areas of study for eligible African countries in this application round are:
- Agriculture and food security
- Climate change
- Mining and energy
- Foreign policy and international security
- Gender, disability, and social inclusion
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
In addition, candidates must:
- Be a citizen of South Africa, residing and applying for the scholarship from South Africa (unless working for an African Regional Organisation or on a diplomatic mission for South Africa);
- Be 25 years or older by 1 February 2026;
- Have at least 5 years of post-graduate work experience in a field relative to their study;
- Be employed at the time of application;
- Hold an undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree);
- Not already hold or be undertaking a Master’s degree or equivalent;
- Must be a mid-to-senior-level professional;
- Demonstrate a clear vision of how the scholarship will contribute to policy, practice, or reform in their home country
- Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements;
- Not have previously received a long-term Australia Award; and
- Meet all visa requirements for the Australian Government’s Student Visa (subclass 500).
What the Scholarship Offers
- Return air travel;
- Once-off establishment allowance upon arrival;
- Full tuition fees;
- Contribution to living expenses;
- Introductory Academic Programme (IAP) – a compulsory programme covering study and life in Australia;
- Overseas Student Health Cover for basic medical costs during the scholarship;
- Pre-course English (PCE) fees – if required;
- Fieldwork allowance (for research students and coursework master’s programmes with a compulsory fieldwork component);;
- Reasonable accommodation for scholars with disabilities.
- Successful applicants must attend:
- Course counselling
- Pre-departure briefing
- University’s Introductory Academic Programme
- Other required preparatory study on arrival in Australia.
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS). Applicants must submit all relevant supporting documents as listed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook by 30 April 2025
Required Supporting documents:
- Passport (Proof of Citizenship);
- Undergraduate Degree Certificate;
- Undergraduate Academic Transcript;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Employer Referee Report;
- Academic Referee Report and
- Proof of English Language Proficiency.
Successful candidates must present original documents for certification.
Contact
For queries, contact Australia Awards Africa:
Email:
Telephone: +27 67 421 6340
Documents and links
2026 Intake – Masters Brochure
Application and Selection Process
Masters Pre-interview Information
How to apply for an Australia Awards scholarship
Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
