Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships are open now until 30 April 2025 11:59 AEST (19:44 NPT).
Australia Awards Scholarships 2026
Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in eligible countries. 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. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and people from other marginalised groups.
Priority fields of study
The priority areas of study for Nepal are:
- Climate Change
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Economic Development
- Education
- Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
- Governance
- Natural Resource Management
- Sustainable Infrastructure Development.
The governments of Australia and Nepal regularly review these areas of study together and adjust the emphasis of the program. Detailed information on priority areas of study can be found at: Home – Nepal – Australia Awards.
Australia Awards benefits
Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training. Scholarship recipients will receive the following:
- return air travel
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- full tuition fees
- contribution to living expenses
- introductory academic program
- overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship
- supplementary academic support,
- fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Eligibility criteria
Below is a guide to the general eligibility requirements applicants must meet. Please review the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook for a comprehensive list.
Personal criteria
Applicants must:
- be over 18 years old
- be a citizen of Nepal and currently residing in, and applying, from Nepal
- not be 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 be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently
- not be current serving military personnel.
Study program criteria
Applicants must:
- have a proposed study program within one of the identified priority sectors
- be applying for a master’s program with a proposed course of study of no more than two years
- have not completed a qualification that is deemed to be equivalent to the Australian qualification they 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
Applicants must 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
Applicants must possess one of 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), or
- TOEFL (Internet-based) 84 or higher (with all subtest scores 21 or higher), or
- 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.
Required documents
- Passport
- Copy of original degree certificates issued by examination boards including School Leaving Certificate (SLC) or equivalent and above (not character or migration certificates)
- Academic transcripts specifying divisions/ grades from SLC or equivalent onwards
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE certificate (valid on 1 January 2025, or later per university requirement)
- Master’s degree by coursework applicants: two referee reports (one academic and one professional) (in specified format)
- Master’s degree by research applicants: three referee reports (two academic and one professional) (in specified format)
- Development Impact and Linkages Plan (in specified format)
- Curriculum Vitae* (in specified format)
- Employment letter (if currently employed) and all past employment experience letters
- Master’s degree by research applicants only: research proposal and evidence of communication with potential supervisor providing in-principle support for research proposal (in specified format)
Application & selection process
- Lodging an application
- Eligibility checks
- Assessment
- Shortlisting
- Interview and recommendation
- Scholarship offer
Information Session Registration for Australia Awards-Nepal
Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships are open now until 30 April 2025 11:59 AEST (19:44 NPT).
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