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Prepare for English language requirements now. Applications will open 1 February 2025 and close 30 April 2025.

Australia Awards Scholarships offer world class postgraduate education for emerging leaders to make a difference in their home country’s development, with strong links to Australia.

Scholarships applications for master’s degree programs commencing in 2026 will open 1 February to 30 April 2025.

Scholarships support programs within these priority development sectors:

  • Climate Change
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
  • Governance
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Sustainable Infrastructure Development.

Check eligibility criteria including English language test requirements, and prepare to apply.

Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and people from other marginalised groups.

Eligibility Criteria

Please visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/aus-awards-scholarships-policy-handbook.pdf for a comprehensive list of general eligibility requirements.

Personal criteria:

  • Over 18 years old
  • Citizen of Nepal and currently residing in and applying from Nepal
  • Not married to, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
  • Not applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently
  • Not a current serving military personnel

Study program criteria:

  • Proposed study program is within one of the priority sectors offered
  • Applying for a master’s program with proposed course of study not more than two years
  • Have not completed a qualification that is deemed to be equivalent to the Australian qualification you are applying for – Scholarships will not be available for courses of study in Australia where the applicant already has achieved that qualification and the qualification is deemed to be equivalent to the Australian qualification at the same level.

Academic and work experience criteria:

  • Possess one of the following:
    • a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree and minimum three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree; or
    • a three-year bachelor’s degree with at least a one-year master’s degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree; or
    • a two-year bachelor’s degree with at least a two-year master’s degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree.

English language test score criteria:

  • Possess one the following English language test scores valid on 1 January 2026 (If an institution requires an extended test validity timeframe, applicants must meet the institution’s requirements):
    • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 or higher (with all band scores 6.0 or higher)
    • TOEFL (Internet-based) 84 or higher (with all subtest scores 21 or higher)
    • PTE (Academic) 58 or higher (with all communicative skill scores 50 or higher).

Women, people with disability, members of traditionally marginalised groups and public servants will be considered for eligibility with IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 or higher (with all band scores 5.5 or higher) or an equivalent TOEFL (Internet-based) or PTE (Academic) test score. However, if offered an Australia Awards Scholarship, these applicants must meet the English language requirements of their preferred university and degree before commencing study.

Applicants with disability who require testing accommodations are encouraged to register early for English language tests.

For any clarification, please contact the Australia Awards – Nepal office.

Information sessions and events

Australia Awards – Nepal office organises information sessions for prospective applicants. Eligible applicants are highly encouraged to participate in one of these sessions. Interested applicants can register via the following link.

Register here

What are Australia Awards?

Australia Awards are prestigious international Scholarships and Short Courses funded by the Australian Government. Australia Awards equip recipients with the skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to the economic and social development of their own countries.

All recipients of Australia Awards become part of the global alumni network, connecting them to Australia and to each other — building an engaged and influential global network of leaders and advocates, and establishing a network of ambassadors for Australia and its first-class education system.

An important area of focus for Australia Awards is the empowerment of women and the inclusion of people with disability and individuals from disadvantaged social groups.

What are Australia Awards Scholarships?

Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term development awards administered by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements.

They provide opportunities for people from developing countries, particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian institutions.

For Nepal, Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for master’s degree study in fields agreed with partner governments and aligned with Australia’s development, economic and public diplomacy priorities.

The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Scholarships develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.

Note: The updated Nepal information for Intake 2026 will be published on 1 February 2025. Applicants are requested to check the 2026 version when available.

 

What benefits are provided?

Australia Awards Scholarships 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. Benefits include full tuition fees, return airfares, contribution to living expenses and medical insurance. Please check the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook for detailed information about Scholarship benefits and entitlements.

 

Scholarship conditions

Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards Scholarship will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the Australia Awards Scholarship. Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their Scholarship.

 

Name of the site Description 
Australia Awards information – Australian Government website This is the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) dedicated page about how to apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship.
OASIS (User Guide) Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships must be submitted online through DFAT’s Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System (OASIS). The OASIS User Guide will help you through the application process.
Universities and Courses in Australia The Australian Government’s Study Australia website has everything you need to know about studying, living and working in Australia as an international student, including a course search tool to help you find and compare courses before making your choice.
List of Australia’s universities Australia is home to 42 universities. The Study Australia website lists them all, including links to each university’s own website, and provides a map that shows campus locations across all Australian states and territories.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) The Australian Government’s Department of Education maintains a register of all Australian education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas, and the courses that each provider offers.
Scholarship applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements specified by Australia Awards for their country. DFAT will accept results from any of the English language tests outlined at these links.
Department of Home Affairs (Student Visa: sub class 500) To study in Australia, you must hold a valid student visa (subclass 500). This page from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs provides more information.

 

Please be wary of false advertising and scams. Only refer to this website’s resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website here for information regarding the application process for Australia Awards Scholarships. No money is paid for an Australia Awards opportunity at any stage of the process.