Applications are accepted from February to April every year for studies commencing the following year.

Applicants may expect to know the results of their application by August.

The number of scholarship placements is determined by the Australian Government and may vary yearly.

Australia Awards has two categories – open and targeted. The open category is offered to Filipino leaders from both public and private sector who are interested to pursue postgraduate studies in Australia and implement a development project in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the targeted category is offered to Australia’s key partner agencies delivering priority development initiatives. The partner organisation nominates applicants from their agency who are expected to contribute to their organisational development upon return.

Applicants, whose interest is in a course different from his/her bachelor’s degree, can still be considered depending on their relevant work experience and career goals. In the application form, applicants must demonstrate how they would use the knowledge and skills they would gain from study program to implement their Re-Entry Action Plans (REAPs).

For the open category, all proposed study should align with the following priority areas here.

You may select any participating university in Australia. Please visit https://cricos.education.gov.au to search for courses and universities. You may also refer to www.australian-universities.com/list for a list of Australian universities. Note that currently, scholarship awards in the Philippines only support postgraduate programs.

Click on the eligibility section of the website for a full description of the eligibility criteria.

No. You should not apply directly to universities in Australia. The Australia Awards Scholarships secretariat will assist in placing you once you are awarded with the scholarship.

No. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be residing in the Philippines at the time of their application.

There is no age limit.

Yes. However, an offer letter from a university in Australia is not a requirement for the Australia Awards Scholarships and is not a guarantee that the applicant shall be awarded a scholarship.

You must have cumulative professional work experience of at least 2 years. Your current or immediate past employment must be in the Philippines. On-the-Job-Training (OJT), internships and volunteer work will not be credited to work experience. Any probation period will be included as part of the two-year calculation.

No. Work experience does not have to be continuous or with the same employer.

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements of the scholarships.

Yes. Applicants must have completed all obligations to their previous scholarship upon application.

Yes.

Yes. You would need to apply for credit to reduce the time required for you to achieve the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This is done once the secretariat confirms that you have passed the interview. You would need to submit additional documents (e.g., description of work experience from your current/past employers, certification of courses taken, etc.) to support this request for RPL.

Applicants are not required to submit English proficiency certification during application.

However, this will be required after you passed the initial screening and interview.

English certification can be IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.

Applicants are required to submit a graduate certificate with GWA/GPA (see sample under Resources tab) of their highest completed degree.

No. However, universities may require candidates to show evidence of relevant work experience during the placement period.

Yes. However, please note that result of the English proficiency test is not required during the initial application. It will be required only if you passed the interview.

Applicants from non-partner government organisations need not obtain an endorsement on initial application. Endorsements are only required after the secretariat confirms that you passed the interview.

Yes, scholars are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week).

The maximum study duration is 1.5 years for master’s programs and 4 years for PhD programs.

Successful candidates are required to return to the Philippines for at least two years after completion of the scholarship to contribute to the development of the country through his/her REAP.

Before awardees take up an offer of a scholarship, they will need to enter into a legal agreement with the Australian Government. This agreement will contain detailed information about awardee responsibilities. This condition is indicated in the Scholarships Handbook.

Yes, awardees may bring their family members (spouse/partner and children below 18 years old) to Australia as dependents. However, dependents can only join awardees in Australia 3 months after the awardee commences his/her scholarship. Please note that the Australian Government does not provide any financial or other support for the dependents.

REAPs implemented in a private organisation must be under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

The REAP should be completed within 1-2 years upon the return of the awardee.

Applicants must obtain sign-off from the host organisation after the secretariat confirms that they are shortlisted for interview.

No, the program will not be granting financial help in the implementation of the REAP. However, awardees are allowed to look for alternative funding from other organisation or institution.

No. Australian universities will provide support to awardees who are deaf learn the Australian sign language.

No, their work is to care for the scholar full-time.

No. The scholar will recommend his/her preferred carer. However, we do work with the scholar to make sure that he/she choses the appropriate carer for his stay in Australia.

No. Australia Awards will assess if a carer is required for a scholar with disability.

No. Scholars will need to align their chosen programs and REAPs with the priority areas for the specific intake they are applying for.

The Australia Awards and the awardee’s chosen Australian university will help the scholar look for accommodations that fits his/her need.