Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen, residing in and applying from South Africa
- Minimum age (25 years by 1 February of the intake year in the round reviewed)
- Holds an undergraduate degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree
- At least five years of relevant post-graduate work experience
- Currently employed, with employer support for the period of study
- Has not previously held a long-term Australia Award
- Not already holding or currently completing a Master's degree
- Meets English-language and Australian student visa requirements
Documents Needed
- Valid passport
- Certified degree certificate(s) and academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Employer reference / support letter
- Academic referee report
- Proof of English language proficiency (where required)
About Australian Government International Scholarship
The scholarship marketed generally as an "Australian Government International Scholarship" corresponds to the Australia Awards Africa programme, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It funds full-time Master's degree study in Australia for citizens of eligible African countries, including South Africa, with the expectation that graduates return home to apply their skills.
Funding Details
The award is a fully funded scholarship covering return airfare, an establishment allowance, full tuition fees, a contribution to living expenses, a mandatory pre-course Introductory Academic Programme, overseas student health cover, pre-course English training where required, and fieldwork allowances for applicable programmes.
Where You Can Study
Study takes place at an Australian tertiary institution offering a relevant Master's programme. Priority fields of study are set each intake; for the round researched, priority areas for African applicants included agriculture and food security, climate change, and mining and energy.
About Australia Awards Africa
Australia Awards Africa is the Australian Government's flagship scholarship and short-course programme for the continent, funded and administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as the cornerst…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
The award targets established, mid-to-senior-level South African professionals rather than recent graduates. Applicants must be South African citizens residing in South Africa, hold an undergraduate degree, and have substantial relevant post-graduate work experience. Applicants must be employed at the time of application and demonstrate how the qualification will contribute to development outcomes in South Africa or the region.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship still open to South Africans?
Yes. South Africa is a listed eligible country under the Australia Awards Africa programme. However, applications are seasonal: the round found during research (for a 2027 intake) opened 1 February 2026 and closed 30 April 2026, which has already lapsed as of 27 August 2026. A new round for a later intake is expected to open around February of the following year, but had not yet been advertised at the time of this review.
Is this for undergraduate or postgraduate study?
It funds full-time Master's (postgraduate) study in Australia, not undergraduate study, and is aimed at experienced professionals rather than school-leavers.
Where do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the Australian Government's Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) once a round is open.
Who funds and administers the award?
It is funded by the Australian Government and administered through the Australia Awards Africa programme on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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