aus awards scholarships policy handbook january 2015

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Australia
Awards
Scholarships
Policy
Handbook
January 2015
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You must read this Australia Awards
Scholarships Policy Handbook
carefully and fully understand
its contents before signing the
Contract with the Commonwealth of
Australia.
The handbook is provided to answer any questions you may
have about your scholarship. Please also read the other information
in your pre-departure pack and follow the instructions carefully.
For further assistance, please contact DFAT at
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Thisworkiscopyright.ApartfromanyuseaspermittedundertheCopyrightsAct1968,nopartmay
bereproducedbyanyprocesswithoutpriorwrittenpermissionfromtheCommonwealth.Requests
andinquiriesconcerningreproductionandrightsshouldbeaddressedtotheCommonwealth
CopyrightAdministration,Attorney‐General’sDepartment,Robert
GarranOffices,NationalCircuit,
BartonACT2600orpostedatwww.ag.gov.au
ISBN1920861777
Internet:www.dfat.gov.au
Contents

 i
AUSTRALIAAWARDSSCHOLARSHIPCYCLE vii
GLOSSARYOFTERMSANDACRONYMS 8
1.AustraliaAwards 11
1.1. AustraliaAwardsScholarships 12
1.2. Howtousethisscholarshipspolicyhandbook 12
1.3. Managementresponsibilities 14
2. ApplyingforanAustraliaAwardsScholarship 17
2.1. Eligibilitycriteria 17
2.2. Countryandregionalprofiles 18
2.3. Englishlanguagerequirements 18
2.4. Findinganappropriatecourseandinstitution 20
2.5. Typesofcoursesavailabletoapplicants 21
2.6. TypesofcoursesforwhichAustraliaAwardsScholarshipsarenotavailable 23
2.7.
 Applicationprocess 24
3. Fraud 26
4. Selection 27
4.1. Selectionprocessandcriteria 27
4.2. Reintegrationplans 28

4.3. Successfulandreserveapplicants 28
4.4. Advisingapplicantsofselectionoutcomes 29
5. Placement 30
5.1. Requestforplacementandplacement
offers 30
5.2. Preparationprograms 32
6. Acceptingthescholarshipanditsconditions 34
6.1. Acceptingthescholarship 34
6.2. Scholarshipconditions 34
6.3. Childprotection 38
6.4. Deferringanoffer 38
7. Pre‐departure 40
7.1. Pre‐departureinformation 40
7.2.
Family 41
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8. Visas 42
8.1. Visarequirementsforawardees 42
8.2. Visarequirementsforaccompanyingdependentfamilymembers 42
8.3. Visarequirementsforawardeeswithdisability 42
8.4. Visarequirementsforthecarerofanawardeewithdisability 43
8.5. Visaobligations 44
8.6. Applying
forafurtherstudentvisa(scholarshipextension) 44
8.7. Two‐yearexclusionrule 45
8.8. Earlycompletionofthescholarship 46
8.9. Post‐scholarshipexternallyfundedprograminAustralia 46
8.10. DebttotheCommonwealth 47
9. Awardeeswithdisability 49
9.1. Supportforpeople

withdisability 49
9.2. Applicantswithdisability 49
9.3. PrinciplesforprovidingdisabilitysupportforAustraliaAwardsScholarshipawardees 50
9.4. Assessingdisabilitysupportneeds 51
9.5. Reasonableadjustments 53
10. Scholarshipfeesandentitlements 56
10.1. Summaryofscholarshipcosts 56
10.2.
Establishmentallowance 58
10.3. Contributiontolivingexpenses 59
10.4. OverseasStudentHealthCover 60
10.5. Visacosts 62
10.6. Conditionsthatapplytotravel 62
10.7. Mobilisationtravel 63
10.8. Reunionairfare 63
10.9. Completiontravel 65
10.10. AustraliaAwardsLeadershipProgram
scholarshipfeesandentitlements 65
11. Generalsupportservices 66
11.1. Standardsforsupportservices 66
11.2. ArrivalinAustralia 66
11.3. Accommodation 66
12. Academicsupport 69
12.1. IntroductoryAcademicProgram 69
12.2. Supplementaryacademicsupport 69
12.3. Fieldwork 70
12.4. Fieldtrips 72
12.5. Workattachments,placementsorworkexperience 73
12.6. Academicprogress 73
13. Variationstothetermsofenrolment 76

13.1. Scholarshipconditionsandtermsofenrolment 76
13.2. Withdrawals 77
13.3. Extensions 78
13.4. Suspensions 79
13.5. Transfers
81
13.6. Upgrades 82
13.7. Reductions 84
13.8. Entitlementvariations 84
13.9. Terminations 85
14. WelfareIncidents 88
14.1. WhatisaWelfareIncident? 88
14.2. DFATNotificationandProcedureforWelfareIncidents 88
14.3. Principlesformanagingwelfareincidents 89
14.4.
WelfareIncident–GeneralResponsibilities 90
14.5. Conflict,HarassmentandBullying 92
14.6. HealthIssuesandScheduledHospitalisations 93
14.7. Deathofanawardee’sfamilymember 94
14.8. Pregnancy 95
14.9. ReferraltoCounsellingServices 95
14.10. VictimofCrimeOverseas 96
14.11. Absent
awardee 96
15. Criticalincidents 97
15.1. Whatisacriticalincident? 97
15.2. RoleofStudentContactOfficers 97
15.3. Notificationofcriticalincidents 98
15.4. Principlesformanagingcriticalincidents 100
15.5. Criticalincidentresponseandmanagement 101

15.6. Awardeeswho
arevictimsoforchargedwithacrimeinAustralia 102
15.7. Unexpectedoremergencyhospitalisationofanawardee 103
15.8. DeathofanAustraliaAwardsScholarshipawardee 104

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16. NaturalDisasters 107
16.1. Typesofnaturaldisasters 107
16.2. Naturaldisasters–CriticalIncidents 107
16.3. Naturaldisasters–WelfareIncidents 107
16.4. NaturaldisastersinAustralia 107
16.5. Naturaldisastersinanawardee’shomecountry 108
17. Returnhome 110
17.1.
 Finalisationofstudies 110
17.2. Returnhomebriefing 110
17.3. Finaldeparturedate 111
17.4. RemaininginAustraliaafterthescholarshipenddate 111
17.5. Returninghomeduetoillnessoraccident 112
17.6. Awardeeswhoareunfittotravel 115
17.7. Finalisationand
completionofascholarshiprecordinOASIS 116
17.8. Requestsforacademictranscripts 116
18. Alumni 118
APPENDIXA:Proformasforreunionairfaretravel 119
APPENDIXB:ScholarshipfeesandentitlementsforAustralianLeadershipAwardeeswho
commencedbefore2012 121
APPENDIXC:Criticalincidentreport
121
APPENDIXD:DFATNoObjectionLetter 123

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AUSTRALIA AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP CYCLE
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DFAT(ScholarshipsandAlumni
Branch&ProgramAreas)
 Developpolicy&guidelines
 Establishdesiredprogram
outcomes


Managecontractswith
stakeholders



Developandmanagescholarship
onlinesystems


Incorporatefeedbackfromalumni
intoprogramcreation


Promotionalactivities

Liaisewithpartnergovernmentsto
identifydevelopmentobjectives
andcapacitygapsandneeds

Awardees
 Submitapplicationform
 Short‐listedapplicantsare
interviewed
 ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
Provideon‐demandassistanceto
ProgramAreasforselection
processes
DFATProgramAreas
 Receiveenquiriesandapplications
 Conducteligibilitychecks&
shortlisting
 Arrangeselectionprocesses
 Checkapplicationdocuments
 Requestplacements
atinstitutions

 Awardeesacceptoffer
 Notifyinstitutionsofawardeeswith
disability/specialneeds

AWARDEE
SELECTION
PROGRAM
CREATION
PROMOTION
Applicant

ApplicantslearnaboutAustralia
AwardScholarshipsthrough
advertisement(employer,
newspaper,radio,mediarele ases
etc.)

DFATProgramAreas

Conductin‐countrypromotion,
targetingcandidatesinfieldsthat
alignwiththecountry’sdevelopment
objectives

Institutions
 PromoteAustraliaAwardsand
relevantcourses

 ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
ProvideProgramAreaswith

pre‐departurematerials
DFATProgramAreas
 Notifyapplicantsofselection
outcomes
 Arrangein‐countrylanguagetraining,
learningsupportand/orother
assistance
 Arrangeawardees’travelto
Australia,assistwithhealthchecks
andliaisonwiththeDepartmentsof
ImmigrationandBorder
Protection
onvisa
 Workwithinstitutionson
requirementsforawardeeswith
disability/specialneeds
 Providepre‐departurebriefings
Institutions
 Administerplacementoffers
PRE‐DEPARTURE
Awardees
 ArriveinAustraliaandundertakean
IntroductoryAcademicProgramand
commencetheirnominatedcourse
athostinstitution

Institutions
 Assistawardeestobecomesettled
onarrivalinAustralia
 ProvideanIntroductoryAcademic

Program(upto6weeks)
 Provideawardeeswithassistanceto
selectappropriatesubjects

ARRIVAL&
ENROLEMENT
Institutions
 Monitorawardeeprogress(including
formalsurveys)
 Identifyandaddressanyissuesthat
mayaffectawarde es’abili ty to
completetheirnominatedcourse
 NotifyScholarshipsandAlumni
Branchofanyawardeewelfareor
criticalincidentsthatmayaffectan
awardee’scapacitytosuccessfully
completetheirscholarship
 Administervariations
tothe
scholarshipwithapprovalfrom
ProgramAreasandScholarshipsand
AlumniBranch
 Provideforacademicandwelfare
supportneedsofawardees(including
disability/specialneeds)
DFATProgramAreas
 Authorisevariations
COURSE&
OUTCOMES
Awardees

 Participateinfurthereducationand
professionaldevelopmentactivities

ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
 Providesupplementaryeducation
andprofessionaldevelopment
activitiestoaselectgroupof
awardees

Institutions
 Providesupportservicesaspartof
theirinternationalstudentprogram
SUPPLEMENTARY
ACTIVITIES
Awardees
 Uponcompletionofstudies,return
tohomecountryforatleast2years

DFATProgramAreas
 Establishcontactwithnewreturnees
andprovidereintegrationassistance
 ProvideaccesstotheAustralia
AwardsAlumniNetwork(AAAN)
 Assistpartnerorganisationsin
implementingreintegrationplans
wherepossible.

Institutions

Arrangeawardees’returntravel

 NotifyProgramAreasofawardees’
departuredates
 Provideadviceandassistanceon
reintegrationinhomecountry
GRADUATION&
RETURNHOME
Awardees
 Participateinalumniactivities,,
selectionpanelsandpre‐departure
briefingsfornewawardees.
 Actasambassadorstopromote
Australiainthewidercommunity

DFATProgramAreas
 Provideprofessionalassistanceto
alumni
ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
 ProvidefundingforAlumniactivities
 Providesupportto
DFATpostson
alumniengagement

ALUMNI
Awardees
 Awardeesparticipateinon‐course
andpost‐coursesurveys
DFATProgramAreas
 Conducttracerstudiestomeasure
effectivenessofscholarships,
includinglinkageandleadership

outcomes
 ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
Conductreviewsandevaluationsas
determinedbyDFATpolicy

*Monitoringandevaluationatall
stagesofthe
cyclefeedintoprogram
design,selectionandappointment,
andprovidesthebasisforreportingto
theMinisterandParliament
MONITORING& 
EVALUATION*

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AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsPolicyHandbook,January2015
(A)=applicant/awardee (P)=ProgramArea (I)=institution (S)=ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS

Academicyear Australia’sacademicyearisthesameasthecalendaryear
Alumni AlumniaredefinedasAustralia AwardScholarshiporAustralianCentrefor
InternationalAgriculturalResearchawardrecipientswhohavesuccessfully
completedtheirscholarshipandreturnedhome
Applicant Apersonwhohasappliedfor,buthasnotyetreceived,a DFATfunded
scholarship
Arrivaldate ThedayonwhichanawardeearrivesinAustraliaatthecommencementof
theirscholarshipandregisterstheirarrivalwiththeirinstitution
Articulatingcourse Acourseofstudywhichprogressestoanothercourseofstudyatahigher
qualificationlevel.Alsoknownasapackageprograme.g.Mastersarticulating

toaPhD
DFAT DepartmentofForeignAffairsandTrade
Awardee ApersoninreceiptofaDFATfundedscholarship
Contributionto
livingexpenses
Afortnightlypaymenttoawardeesduringthescholarship,atarate
determinedbyDFAT
CRICOS TheCommonwealthRegisterofInstitutionsandCoursesforOverseas
Students
Deferral Whereanawardeedelaysthecommencementdateoftheirscholarshipuntil
laterintheyear
Dependent Spouse(apersonyouaremarriedto,oradefactopartner,includingsame
sexpartner)orchildrenunder18yearsofage
Establishment
allowance
Aone‐offallowance paidtoeachnewawardeewhentheycommencetheir
scholarship,tocontributetotheirstart‐upcosts
Extension AnyincreaseinthelengthofanAustraliaAwardsScholarship
Fieldofstudy Thevocationalareaofspecialisat ionorprincipalsubjectmatterofan
AustraliaAwardsScholarshipawardee’scoursee.g.agriculture,health,etc.
Fieldtrip Ashortclass‐basedexcursionforthepurposesofeducationorresearchto
provideawardeeswithexperiencesoutsidetheireverydaycourseactivities
Fieldwork Researchundertakeninthe home countryorAustralia aspartofan
awardee’scourse

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(A)=applicant/awardee (P)=ProgramArea (I)=institution (S)=ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch

Foundation

program
Anintensivestudy programofupto12monthsofferedtoundergraduate
awardeeswhodonotmeettherequiredstandardfordirectentryintotheir
chosencourse
Introductory
AcademicProgram
Acompulsoryprogram providedbytheinstitution to orientnewawardeesto
theinstitutionanditssurroundingsbeforetheycommencetheiracademic
program
International
EnglishLanguage
TestingSystem
(IELTS)
AninternationalstandardisedtestofEnglishlanguageproficiencywhichis
acceptedbyAustralianinstitutions.Itmayalsobeusedtofulfilaneligibility
requirementfortheForeignAffairsorDefenceSector(subclass576)visa
InstitutionContact
Officer
AnofficerdesignatedbytheinstitutioninAustraliatobeitsmainpointof
contactwithDFAT
In‐country Intheapplicant’shomecountry,notinAustralia
Institution AustraliantertiaryeducationinstitutioncontractedbyDFATtoprovide
educationservicestoawardees
Long‐termaward Anaward(scholarship)supportingstudiesofmorethansixmonthstowardsa
courseofstudies,andwhichisrecognisedundertheAustralianQualifications
Framework
AustraliaAwards
LeadershipProgram
Aprestigiousprogramdesignedtoprovideawardeeswithleadership
developmentopportunitieswhiletheyareenrolledintheirmastersand

doctoralprograms
Managing
contractor
ApersonororganisationthatiscontractedbyaDFATProgramAreato
managetheimplementationofawards
OASIS OnlineAustraliaAwardsScholarshipsInformationSystem
Overseas OutsideAustralia
Panel Groupofpeopledrawntogetherforthepurposesofselectingawardees
Partner
government
AgovernmentthathasanagreementrelatingtoAustraliaAwardswith
Australia
Pearsontestof
EnglishAcademic
(PTEAcademic)
AninternationalstandardisedtestofEnglish language proficiencywhichis
acceptedbyAustralianinstitutions.Itmayalsobeusedtofulfilaneligibility
requirementfortheForeignAffairsorDefenceSector(subclass576)visa
Pre‐courseEnglish AnintensiveEnglish programprovidedtoawardeeswhoneedadditional
Englishlanguageskillsbeforestartingtheirqualificationstudies(in‐countryor
inAustralia)

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(A)=applicant/awardee (P)=ProgramArea (I)=institution (S)=ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch

Placementoffer Anofferofenrolmentmadebytheinstitution totheawardee.Theplacement
offerspecifiesthecourse,durationofstudyandalsoincludesanestimateof
theassociatedcostssuchasacademicfeesandstipendallowances
Placements(requestsandoffers)areprocessedinOASISbetweenthe

ProgramAreaand
theinstitution
ProgramArea DFATcountryprogram,oftenlocatedoutsideAustraliaandusuallyatan
Australiandiplomaticmission(EmbassyorHighCommission)
Post‐scholarship
externallyfunded
program
StudyorotheractivityundertakeninAustraliaafterawardeesfinishtheir
AustraliaAwardScholarshipstudies(e.g.PhD)
Preliminary
program
Coursesdeemednecessarybytheinstitutionto enableapostgraduate
awardeetosuccessfullycompletetheirqualificationinthetimeframe
specifiedbytheinstitution
Preparation
program
Oneormoreintroductorycoursesthataninstitutioncanrequireawardeesto
undertakebeforetheystarttheirchosencourse.Preparationprograms
includepre‐courseEnglish,preliminaryprogramsandfoundationprograms
Reintegrationplan Anawardee’sproposedstrategyforusingthenewskillsandknowledgewhen
theyreturnhomeattheendoftheirstudiesinAustralia
Requestfor
placement
ArequestonbehalfofanawardeemadethroughOASISbyanDFATProgram
Areaormanagingcontractorforaplacementofferfromaninstitution
Scholarship Along‐termaward(Australia Awards Scholarship)fundedbyDFAT
Sensitive
information
 (a)informationoranopinionaboutanindividual’s:
(i) racialorethnicorigin,or

(ii) politicalopinions,or
(iii) membershipofapoliticalassociation,or
(iv) religiousbeliefsoraffiliations,or
(v) philosophicalbeliefs,or
(vi) membershipofaprofessionalortradeassociation,or
(vii) membershipofa
tradeunion,or
(viii) sexualpreferencesorpractices,or
(ix) criminalrecord,
 thatisalsopersonalinformation,or
 (b)healthinformationaboutanindividual,or
 (c)geneticinformationaboutanindividualthatisnototherwisehealth
information
StudentContact
Officer
Thepersonappointedbytheinstitution toprovidesupportservicesto
AustraliaAwardsScholarshipawardees

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AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsPolicyHandbook,January2015
(A)=applicant/awardee (P)=ProgramArea (I)=institution (S)=ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch

Suspension Thetemporarycessationofanawardee’sstudy programandfinancial
supportfromDFAT
Termination DFAT’sdecisiontoend anawardbeforethecompletion ofstudy
TestofEnglishasa
ForeignLanguage
(TOEFL)
AninternationalstandardisedtestofEnglishlanguageproficiencywhichis
acceptedbyAustralianinstitutions.Itmayalsobeusedtofulfilaneligibility

requirementfortheForeignAffairsorDefenceSector(subclass576)visa
Variation Anychangetotheoriginalplacementoffermadetotherecipientofanaward
Vocational
educationand
training(VET)
Aqualificationleveldesignedtoskillworkersforparticularindustries.
VETispartofabroadereducationalnetworkinAustraliathatincludes
schools,universities,andadultandcommunityeducation
Withdrawal Whenanawardeechooses toceasetheirawardbeforecompletingthe
courseofstudy
1. Australia Awards

TheAustraliaAwardsareprestigiousinternationalscholarshipsandfellowshipsfundedbythe
AustralianGovernmentthataimtocontributetothelongtermdevelopmentneedsofAustralia's
partnercountries,inlinewithbilateralandregionalagreements.TheAustraliaAwardsareawhole‐of‐
governmentinitiativebringingtogetherscholarshipsandfellowshipsadministered
bytheDepartment
ofForeignAffairsandTrade,theDepartmentofEducationandtheAustralianCentreforInternational
AgriculturalResearch(ACIAR),offeringthenextgenerationofgloballeadersanopportunityto
undertakestudy,researchandprofessionaldevelopmentinAustraliaandforhigh‐achieving
Australianstodothesameoverseas.In2014,
theDepartmentofForeignAffairsandTradeinvested
$362.2millioninAustraliaAwards,enablingover4,400recipientsfrommorethan100countriesto
undertakestudy,researchandprofessionaldevelopment.


TheAustralianGovernmentrecognisesthateducationdevelops skillsandknowledge,buildsenduring
people,countryandprofessionallinks,andhasthepowertoinfluencepositivechange.TheAwards
strivetodevelopleadershippotentialandstimulatelastingchangebyempoweringaglobalnetworkof
talentedindividualsthroughhigh‐qualityeducationexperiencesinAustraliaandoverseas.Recipients

returnhomewithnewideasandknowledge,andtheabilitytomakeasignificantcontributiontotheir
homecountriesasleadersintheirfield.

TheAwardsalsodemonstrateAustralia'scommitmenttoprovidingeducationopportunitiesto
improvelivingstandardsandstimulateeconomicgrowthindevelopingcountries.ForAustralia,the
Awardsbuildanengagedandinfluentialglobalnetworkofleaders,advocatesandchange‐makersand
establishanetworkofambassadorsacrosstheworld.

TheAwardsalsocontributetotheproductivityofAustraliaandthedevelopmentofpeople‐to‐people
linksbetweenAustralia,ourregionalneighboursandthebroaderinternationalcommunity.


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(A)=applicant/awardee (P)=ProgramArea (I)=institution (S)=ScholarshipsandAlumniBranch

1.1. Australia Awards Scholarships
1.1.1. AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsaimtocontributetothelong‐termdevelopment
needsofAustralia'spartnercountriesinlinewithAustralia’saidprioritiesand
bilateralandregionalagreements.Theyprovideopportunitiesforpeoplefrom
developingcountriestoundertakefull‐timeundergraduateorpostgraduatestudyat
participatingAustralianuniversitiesandTechnicaland
FurtherEducation(TAFE)
institutions.
1.1.2. TheAustralianGovernmentencourageswomenandpeoplewithdisabilitytoapply
forAustraliaAwardsScholarships(formoreinformationonsupportforawardees
withdisabilityseeChapter9).AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsaimtoempower
womentoparticipateintheeconomy,leadershipandeducation,andenhancethe
livesofpeoplewithdisability.
1.1.3. ThestudyandresearchopportunitiesprovidedbyAustraliaAwardsScholarships

developtheskillsandknowledgeofindividualstodrivechangeandcontributetothe
developmentoutcomesoftheirowncountry.
1.1.4. Toensure
thedevelopmentimpactofAustraliaAwardsScholarships,allawardees
mustreturnhomeon completionoftheirstudiessotheycancontributeto
developmentintheircountry.AwardeesarerequiredtoleaveAustraliafora
minimumoftwoyearsaftercompletingtheirscholarship.Failuretodosowillresult
inthe
awardeeincurringadebttotheCommonwealthofAustraliaforthetotal
accruedcostoftheirscholarship.
1.1.5. AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsgenerallycoverthefollowingfeesandentitlements:
(seeChapter10forfurtherdetails.)
i. fulltuitionfees
ii. returnairtravel
iii. establishmentallowance
iv. contributiontolivingexpenses
v. anIntroductoryAcademicProgram
vi. OverseasStudentHealthCover
vii. Initialvisaexpenses.
1.1.6. Subjecttorequirementsandeligibility,AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsmayalso
cover:
i. pre‐courseEnglishlanguagetrainingfees
ii. supplementary
academicsupport
iii. fieldwork(forresearchpurposesonly)
iv. reunionairfare(forunaccompaniedawardees).
1.1.7. TheAustralianGovernmentdoesnotprovideanyfinancialorothersupportforthe
dependentsofawardees.Awardeesareresponsible,includingfinancially,fortheir
familymemberswhoaccompanythemtoAustralia.



1.2. How to use this scholarships policy handbook
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
1.2.1. Thishandbookprovidestheguidingpolicyandinstructionsforthosemanagingor
undertakingtheAustraliaAwardsScholarships.Institutions,applicantsorawardees,
DFATofficers(andtheirmanagingcontractors/sub‐contractors)haveaccesstothis
handbook.Theyshouldbefamiliarwithitscontentsandunderstandtheirrolesand
responsibilities.
1.2.2. Institutions,applicants,
awardees,DFAT(andtheirmanagingcontractorsandtheir
sub‐contractedCaseManagers)mustreadandcomplywiththishandbook.Tohelp
usersidentifythesectionswhicharemostrelevanttothem,oridentifyactionsthey
needtotaketocomplywiththepolicy,thishandbookdifferentiatesusersby
colouredboxesand
iconsforeachgroupofusers.Thekeyforeachuserisatthe
bottomofeachpage.
1.2.3. Scholarshipspolicyorinstructionmostrelevantforapplicantsor
awardees.

1.2.4. ScholarshipspolicyorinstructionmostrelevantforProgramAreas(and
theirmanagingcontractorandcasemanagers).

1.2.5. Scholarshipspolicyorinstructionmostrelevantforinstitutions.

1.2.6. ScholarshipspolicyorinstructionmostrelevantfortheScholarshipsand
AlumniBranch.

1.2.7. OASISisDFAT’sinternet‐baseddatamanagementsystem.ItenablesDFAT,managing
contractorsandinstitutionstoaccessacentraliseddatabasetoelectronicallyenter
andstoredata,processapplicationsandmanageawards.DFATprovidesuserswith
anOASISusermanualandinitialtraining.
1.2.8. Thishandbookstipulateswhenactions
needtobetakeninOASISat eachstageof
theprocess.Foradetaileddescriptionofthese,ProgramAreasandinstitutionscan
refertotheOASISusermanualandquickreferenceguides.
1.2.9. Thishandbookunderpinsthecontract:
i. betweenDFATandinstitutionstoprovideeducationservices,and
ii. betweentheawardeeandtheAustralianGovernment.
1.2.10. Aninstitutionshouldusetheguidanceinthishandbook,togetherwithitsknowledge
andexperience,tomakedecisionsthatareinthebestinterestsoftheAustralian
Government,theawardeeandtheinstitution.

Policy handbook review and update
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
1.2.11. Asnoted,this handbookformspartofthecontractualarrangementsbetween
awardees,institutionsandDFAT.Itisreviewedonaregularbasistomaintainits
relevanceandconsistencywithcurrentDFATpolicy.
1.2.12. DFATreservestherighttoamendthishandbookandwillprovidetimelynotification

ofanychanges.
However,itisthereader’sresponsibilitytocheckthehandbook
regularly.
1.3. Management responsibilities
1.3.1. Thefollowingsummarisesresponsibilitiesforusersofthishandbook.
Scholarships and Alumni Branch
1.3.2. TheScholarshipsandAlumniBranchisresponsiblefor:
i. developingandmaintainingDFATscholarshippoliciesandconditions,
andensuringconsistencyintheiradministration
ii. assistingProgramAreaswithpromotion,selectionandmobilisationprocesses
iii. determininginAustraliaarrangementsforAustraliaAwardsScholarships
iv. managingcontractswithinstitutions
v. monitoringandreportingtheglobalperformanceofAustraliaAwards
Scholarships
vi. managingOASISandtrainingforDFAT,managingcontractorsandinstitution
staff
vii. managingwhole‐of‐governmentrelationshipsinCanberra
viii. developingandmaintainingalumnipoliciesandprovidingsupporttoProgram
Areas
ix. leadingonDFAT’sparticipationintheAustraliaAwards.
DFAT Program Area
1.3.3. DFATProgramAreasarein‐countryofficesorDFATcountryprogramsin
Canberra(desks),andworkcollaborativelyonthefollowingpolicytasks:
i. liaisingwithpartnergovernmentsandrelevantauthoritiesonAustraliaAwards
Scholarshipsmatters
ii. organisingthenominationprocessandpromotingawards
iii. processingapplications(hardc opy andonline)
iv. managingtheAustraliaAwardsScholarshipsselectionprocesswithassistance
fromtheScholarshipsandAlumniBranchasrequired
v. ensuringthatallselectionprocessesareequitableandtransparentandthat

connectionsorrelationshipsbetweenapplicantsandstaffemployedinProgram
Areasorwithmanagingcontractorsaredisclosedandmanagedappropriately
vi. forwardingplacementrequeststoinstitutionsinOASISbythedeadline,and
ensuringthatdocumentsaccompanyingtherequestshavebeenproperly
certified
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vii. notifyingallapplicantsoftheoutcomeoftheselectionprocess
viii. holdingfunctionsforawardeesasappropriate
ix. advisingtheScholarshipsandAlumniBranchandinstitutionsofawardeeswith
disabilitywhorequireadditionalassistance,liaisingwithinstitutionsto
determinethelevelofsupporttheyrequireandprovidinganyadditionalsupport
forawardeeswithdisability
x. arrangingin‐countrypre‐courseEnglishwhererelevant
xi. providingguidancetoawardeesaroundvisaapplicationprocess
xii. arrangingtraveltoAustraliaforawardeesandrecordingtraveldetailsinOASIS
xiii. requestingcharacterand/orpolicechecksfromawardeesandensuringtheseare
receivedbeforeawardeesdepartforAustralia
xiv. providingpre‐departurebriefingstoawardees,includingDFATalumniwhere
possible
xv. processingandapprovingAustraliaAwardsScholarshipvariationsinOASISandin
accordancewithcurrentpolicyandfinancialdelegations
xvi. overseeingperformanceandcontractualmattersrelatingtothemanaging
contractor(ifapplicable)
xvii. managingengagementwithAustraliaAwardsalumniandalumninetworks.

1.3.4. AnumberofProgramAreashavecontractedin‐countrymanagementofAustralia
AwardsScholarshipstoamanagingcontractorandsub‐contractedCaseManagers.
Forthepurposesofthishandbook,referencestoProgramAreasmayrelateto
responsibilitiesofeitherProgramAreas,managingcontractor,orCaseManagers
dependingoneachcountryprogram’sinternalarrangementsandthedivisionof
responsibilities.
1.3.5. Therolesandresponsibilitiesofmanagingcontractorsaregenerallysetoutintheir
agreementwithDFAT.However,ProgramAreasareresponsibleforclearlydefining
responsibilitieswiththemanagingcontractorandensuringthattheyareawareofall
guidanceonAustraliaAwards,includingthishandbook.Thisresponsibilityextendsto
sub‐contractors.
Institutions
1.3.6. TertiaryeducationinstitutionscontractedbyDFATareresponsibleforin‐
Australiamanagementofawardeesinaccordancewiththishandbookand
theircontractwithDFAT.Managementresponsibilitiesinclu de:
i. respondingtoProgramAreas’requestsforplacinganawardee
ii. meetingtheacademicandpastoralrequirementsofawardeesfromtimeof
arrivaluntilthecompletionoftheiraward,including,wherenecessary,
interveningearlytoensureacademicsuccess
iii. ensuringrecordsinOASISareup‐to‐dateandaccurate
iv. providinginformationtoDFATabouttheawardeesonrequest
v. managingfinancesinaccordancewiththecontract
vi. managingrisksinaccordancewiththecontract
I
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
vii. providingreasonableassistance,includingmakingreasonableadjustments,for

awardeeswithdisability.
viii. ReportingallcriticalandwelfareincidentstoDFAT.
1.3.7. InstitutionContactOfficer:
i. Institutionsmustnominateacontactofficerwhoseroleistoactastheprime
contactforliaisonbetweentheinstitutionandDFATonmattersnotdirectly
relatedtoawardees,suchasDFAT’scontractwiththeinstitution.
1.3.8. StudentContactOfficers:
i. Aninstitution’sappointedStudentContactOfficersarethepointsofcontactfor
awardeesinrelationtoAustraliaAwardsScholarshipsandanythingoverand
abovetheroleoftheinstitution’sstudentservicesarea.Theinstitutiondecides
howtomanagethesearrangements,includingtherolesandresponsibilitiesof
thecontactofficers.
Applicants and awardees
1.3.9. Applicantsareresponsibleforreadingandunderstandingthepolicies
underpinningAustraliaAwardsScholarships.
1.3.10. Awardeesareresponsibleforprovidingcomplete,trueandaccurateinformationat
alltimesincluding,butnotlimitedto,theinformationprovidedintheirawardand
visaapplications.
1.3.11. Applicantsandawardeesmustnotgivefalseormisleadinginformationatanytimein
relationtotheirAustraliaAwardsScholarshipsapplicationorwhilestudyingin
Australia.Givingfalseormisleadinginformationisaseriousoffenceunderthe
CriminalCodeAct1995.
1.3.12. Awardeesareresponsiblefortheir academicandpersonalconductasdefinedin
Chapter6ofthishandbookandforcomplyingwiththeircontractwiththe
CommonwealthofAustralia,whichtheymustsigntoacceptthescholarshipoffer.
A
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
2. Applying for an Australia Awards Scholarship
2.1. Eligibility criteria
2.1.1. TobeeligibletoreceiveanAustraliaAwardsScholarship,applicantsmust:
i. beaminimumof18yearsofageatthetimeofcommencingthe
scholarship
ii. beacitizenofaparticipatingcountry(aslistedontheAustraliaAwardswebsite)
andberesidinginandapplyingforthescholarshipfromtheircountryof
citizenship
iii. notbemarried,engagedto,oradefactoofapersonwhoholds,oriseligibleto
hold,AustralianorNewZealandcitizenshiporpermanentresidency,atanytime
duringtheapplication,selectionormobilisationphases(note:residentsofCook
Islands,NiueandTokelauwithNewZealandcitizenshipareeligiblebutmust
applyforaForeign Affairs or Defence Sector (subclass576)visa
iv. notbecurrentservingmilitarypersonnel
v. notbeacitizenofAustralia,holdpermanentresidencyinAustraliaorbe
applyingforavisatoliveinAustraliapermanently
vi. notbeapplyingforanotherlong‐termAustraliaAwardunlesstheyhaveresided
outsideofAustraliafortwicethelengthofthetotaltimethattheywerein
Australia(forexample,apreviousawardeewhohasbeenonanAustraliaAwards
ScholarshipinAustraliaforfouryearswillnotbeeligibletoapplyforanother
AustraliaAwardsScholarshipuntiltheyhaveresidedoutsideAustraliaforeight
years)
vii. havesatisfiedanyspecificcriteriaestablishedbytheProgramAreaorthe
governmentoftheapplicant’scountryofcitizenship(e.g.havingworkeda
certainnumberofyearsinanappropriatesector)
viii. beabletosatisfytheadmissionrequirementsoftheinstitutionatwhichthe
awardistobeundertaken(thismaymeanthatProgramAreaswillneedto
withdrawanawardofferiftherecipientcannotsatisfytheinstitution’s
admissionrequirements.ThismaynotbeknownuntilProgramAreasrequesta

placementatselectedinstitutions)
ix. beabletosatisfyallrequirementsoftheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorder
ProtectiontoholdaForeign Affairs or Defence Sector (subclass576)visa.This
maymeanthattheProgramAreawillneedtowithdrawanawardofferifthe
recipientcannotsatisfythevisarequirements.
x. ApplicantsmustinformtheProgramAreaofanyconnectionorrelationshipto
staffemployedatProgramAreasorwithmanagingcontractorssothatthe
applicationmaybeproperlyandtransparentlymanaged.

2.1.2. ProgramAreasmayconsiderthefollowingexceptionsto2.1.1(ii)in
relationtoapplicantsbeingrequiredtoapplyfromtheircountryof
citizenship:
i. applicantsworkingfortheirgovernmentinathirdcountry
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
ii. applicantsre sidingintheimmediateregiontowhichtheywouldbewillingto
grantanaward(e.g.PacificIslandcountriesconsideringapplicantsfromother
eligiblePacificIslandcountries),notingthattheawardwillbereportedas
belongingtotheapplicant’scountryofcitizenship.
2.2. Country and regional profiles
2.2.1. Applicantsmustreadtheapplicablecountryorregionalprofilefordetails
ontheapplicationprocess,asopeningandclosingdatesforapplications,
countryspecificrequirements(includingEnglishlanguage)and
documentationrequirementsmayvary.Theprofilescanbefoundat
/>

2.3. English language requirements
2.3.1. AnapplicantorawardeewillmeetDFAT’sEnglishlanguagerequirementsfor
receivinganAustraliaAwardsScholarshipiftheirfirstlanguageisEnglishandifthey
haveundertakentheireducationinEnglish(evidencedbytheiracademic
transcripts).
2.3.2. NotethatsomeinstitutionsmaystillrequireevidenceofEnglishlanguage
proficiency,and
ProgramAreasrelyingontheabovemayneedtocheckwhether
Australianinstitutionsacceptapplicantsfromparticularregionsorwithparticular
qualificationsfromEnglishlanguageinstitutions.
i. whereanapplicantorawardeedoesnotmeetDFAT’sEnglishlanguage
requirements(seeSection2.3.1),theawardeewillneedtoprovideanacademic

Englishlanguagetestresultthatmeetstheinstitution’sacademicEnglish
languagerequirementtestsbeforecommencingtheapprovedmaincourseof
studies.ThebelowareacceptedEnglishlanguagete sts:
o InternationalEnglishLanguageTestingSystem(IELTS)
o TestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage(TOEFL)
o PearsonTestofEnglishAcademic(PTE
Academic)
2.3.3. Awardees’Englishlanguagetestresultsmustbevalidat1Januaryoftheyearin
whichtheawardeeiscommencingstudiesinAustralia(IELTS,TOEFLscores,andPTE
Academicarevalidfortwoyearsafterthetestdate).Ifaninstitutionrequire sa
differenttestvaliditytimeframe,awardees
mustmeettheinstitution’s
requirements.
2.3.4. ThefollowingscoressetarerecommendedbytheScholarshipsandAlumniBranch
forallAustraliaAwardsScholarshipawardees:
i. anAcademicIELTSresultwithanoverallscoreofatleast6.5,withnobandless
than6.0,or

ii. apaper‐basedTOEFLoverallscore
ofatleast580,withaminimumof4.5inthe
testofwrittenEnglish,or
iii. aninternet‐basedTOEFLscoreofatleast92,withaminimumof21inall
subtests,or
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iv. PTEAcademicoverallscoreof58withnocommunicativeskillscorelessthan50.

2.3.5. Whereaninstitution’sacademicEnglishlanguagerequirementishigherthanDFAT’s
requirementforthemaincourseofstudy,theawardeemustmeettheinstitution’s
requirement.
2.3.6. IfaProgramAreaelectsnottohave
anEnglishlanguagecutoff,ortohavealower
cutoffthanrecommendedinSection2.3.4(whichwillbespecifiedincountry
profile),theProgramAreamustnotaccept:
i. lowerthantherelevantinstitutionEnglishlanguageentryscorefordirectentry
intothecourse
ii. scoresthataremorethanhalfapointlowerontheIELTS(ortheequivalent
TOEFLorPTEAcademic)thantherelevantinstitution’sEnglishlanguageentry
requirement
forawardeesundertakingpre‐courseEnglishinAustralia.
Pre-course English training in Australia
2.3.7. CountryprogramsmayelecttoprovideEnglishtrainingtoawardeesintheirhome
countryortheimmediateregion.Thefollowingpolicyrelatestopre‐courseEnglish
traininginAustralia.

2.3.8. Anawardeewhodoesnotmeettheinstitution’srequirementsmaybeableto
undertakepre‐courseEnglishlanguagetrainingin
Australia.Thistrainingmaybe
providediftheawardeeis:
i. withinhalfapointoftherequiredIELTS,or
ii. within25pointsofthepaper‐basedTestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage,or
iii. within10pointsoftheinternet‐basedTestofEnglishasaForeign
Languageor
iv. within7pointsofPTEAcademic.
2.3.9. Pre‐courseEnglishtraininginAustraliaisforamaximumofsixmonths.Exceptionsto
thissixmonthmaximummustbeagreedwiththeScholarshipsandAlumniBranch.
Pre-course English language training in-country
2.3.10. Pr ogramAreasmayelecttoprovidepre‐courseEnglishlanguagetraining
incountry,priortomobilisation.
i. ProgramAreasareadvisedthat,onaverage,sixmonthsofEnglishlanguage
trainingwillresultinadvancing
o HalfanIELTSpoint
o 25pointsTOEFLpaper‐based
o 10pointsTOEFLinternet‐basedor
o 7pointsPTEAcademic
ii. ItisuptoProgramAreastodetermineonwhatbasistheyprovidein‐country
Englishlanguagetraining,andwhethertrainingisprovidedpriortooraftera
provisionalofferofanaward.
2.3.11. Pr ogramAreaswilldeterminewhenapplicantsorawardeesneedtoprovideevidence
oftheirEnglishlanguageabilitiesandadviseapplicantsaccordingly.ProgramAreas
mustprovidetheevidenceinOASISwhenrequestingaplacementfortheapplicantat
aninstitution.
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

2.3.12. Beforemakingaplacementoffer,institutionsshouldgivecareful
considerationtotheEnglishlanguagetrainingthatanawardeemay
require.Theinstitutionmayofferanin‐AustraliaPre‐CourseEnglish
programonlyiftheawardeeiswithinhalfanIELTSpointortheequivalentTOEFL
scoreorPTEAcademicscoreoftheinstitution’sminimumEnglishlanguage
requirements.
2.3.13. Aninstitutionmustnotacceptanawardeeiftheyareunlikelytoreachthestandard
ofEnglishrequiredforthemaincourseofstudieswithinthesixmonthsofPCE
training.
2.4. Finding an appropriate course and institution
2.4.1. ScholarshipsareavailableonlyforcoursesthatarelistedontheCommonwealth
RegisterofInstitutionsandCoursesforOverseasStudents(CRICOS),whichisthe
officialAustralianGovernmentwebsitethatlistsallAustralianeducationproviders
thatoffercoursestopeoplestudyinginAustraliaonstudentvisas.
2.4.2. Scholarshipapplicantsarenotrequiredtohaveanofferofplaceatan
Australianinstitutionwhentheyapply.However,applicantsmusthave
researchedtheirpreferredcourses,includinginformationprovidedon
institutionwebsites,andensurethatitisincludedontheCRICOSRegister.Theonly
exceptionisqualifyingorpreliminarycourses,whichdonotneedtobelistedinthe
CRICOS.TheRegisterisavailableatwww.cricos.deewr.gov.au,thoughapplicantsare
encouragedtoresearchmorebroadlyforinformationoncourses.Applicantsare
askedtodotheirresearchcarefullybeforecompletingtheapplicationform.Once
theapplicationissubmitted,coursepreferencescannotbechanged.
2.4.3. ApplicantsareexpectedtoundertakeresearchontheAustralianinstitutionsthatmay
providethemostappropriatecourseofstudywhichmeetstheirneeds.The
AustralianGovernmentwebsitewww.studyinaustralia.gov.auisagoodplacetostart.

Applicantsmustincludetheircourseandinstitutionpreferenceswhensubmitting
theirapplicationforaScholarship.

2.4.4. Institutionsmayofferin‐countryinformationsessionsandalsohave
extensiveinformationontheirindividualwebsites.Aninstitutionmay
recommendaqualifyingorpreliminarycoursetobetakenaspartofthe
awardee’sacademicprogram.

2.4.5. ProgramAreasmayalsoassistapplicantstomakeaninformeddecisionon
themostappropriatecourseofstudyandlocation.


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2.5. Types of courses available to applicants
2.5.1. ThetypesofcoursesavailableforstudyunderaScholarshipwilldependonthe
applicant’shomecountrygovernmentand/orDFATpolicy.AustraliaAwards
Scholarshipsmaybeavailableforthefollowingtypesofcourses:
i. VocationalEducationandTraining(VET)courses
ii. Bachelordegree(undergraduate)courses
iii. Masterdegreecourses
iv.
Doctoratedegree(PhD)programs

2.5.2. AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsdonotsupportcompletionofstudiesalready
commencedinAustralia.
Bachelor degrees
2.5.4. ThemaximumdurationofstudypermittedforaBachelordegreeisfouryears.
DoubleBachelordegreesarepermittedsolongasbothareincludedintheoriginal
offerandbothcanbecompletedwithinfouryears.
2.5.5. InstitutionsmayrecommendanawardeeundertakingaBachelordegree
todoanHonoursyearbysubmittingaCourseTransfervar iationinOASIS
(referSection13.5.5).
2.5.6. InstitutionsmustseekapprovalfromProgramAreasbeforeinvitinganawardeeto
undertakeanHonoursprogram.Institutionsshouldprovidetheawardee’ssubject
resultswhenseekingapproval.
2.5.7. Approvalmustbesoughtbytheinstitutionnolaterthanthreemonthsbeforethe
awardee’sscholarshipcompletiondate,toallowtimeforthe ProgramAreatoassess
therequest,includingseekingpartnergovernmentapprovalwhererelevant.
Master degrees
2.5.8. ThemaximumdurationforaMasterdegreeprogramistwoyears.
WhereanawardeestudyingaMastersbyResearchreturnstotheirhomecountry
beforetheirfinalthesisissubmitted,awrittensubmissiontimeline(agreedbythe
awardeessupervisor)mustbegivenbytheawardeetotheirStudentContactOfficer

tobeuploadedintoOASIS.Themaximumdurationtosubmitathesisafterreturning
homeisoneyear.Failuretosubmitthethesisinthistimeperiodwillresultinthe
awardeehavingtheirscholarshipcompletionrecordedasafail.
2.5.9. Masterdegreeprogramsmaybeofferedbycoursework,by
researchorbya
combinationofcourseworkandresearch.Mastersbyresearchoracombinationof
courseworkandresearchshouldbeofferedonlytothoseapplicantswhohave
demonstratedtheneedforhigh‐levelresearchskillsinordertoundertakeresearch
orteachingortosuperviseresearchersupontheirreturnhome.


2.5.3. ApplicantsmustreadtherelevantCountryorRegionalProfileorcheck
withthenearestDFAToffice(ortheManagingContract or’soffice)tofind
outwhattypesofcoursesareavailabletothem.Forexample,some
ProgramAreasdonotprovidescholarshipsforundergraduateorPhDstudies.
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2.5.10. DoubleMasterdegreesarepermittedonlywhenbothareincludedinthe
institution’soriginalofferandbothcoursescanbecompletedwithintwoyears.
2.5.11. TheonlyexceptiontothismaximumdurationistheMasterofDiplomacyatthe
AustralianNationalUniversity(ANU),whichtheAsia–PacificCollege
ofDiplomacyat
theANUoffersaspartofdoubleMasterdegreeprogram.TheMasterofDiplomacyis
notofferedasastand‐alonecourseandthedoubledegreemaytakeuptothree
yearstocomplete.Onlyapplicantswitharelevantbackgroundindiplomacywho
willreturntotheoriginal
organisationatthecompletionoftheirscholarshipwillbe
consideredforthiscourse.




2.5.13. IfProgramAreassupportanawardeetoundertaketheMasterof
DiplomacyaspartofadoubleMasterprogram,ProgramAreasare
requiredtorecordbothcoursesinOASISattheplacementstagewiththe

conditionoftheawardeepassingtheirfirstMasterqualificationwiththerequired
grade.


Doctorate (PhD) programs
2.5.15. ThemaximumdurationforaPhDisfouryears.
2.5.16. Whereanawardeereturnstotheirhomecountrybeforetheirfinalthesisis
submitted,awrittensubmissiontimeline(agreedbytheawardeessupervisor)mustbe
givenbytheawardeetotheirStudentContactOfficertobeuploadedintoOASIS.The

maximumdurationtosubmitaPhDthesisafterreturninghomeisoneyear.Failureto
submitthePhDthesisinthistimeperiodwillresultintheawardeehavingtheir
scholarshipcompletionrecordedasafail.

2.5.17. Studyatdoctoratelevel(PhD)maybesubjecttopartnergovernmentapproval.
Normally,
approvalisgivenonlywheretheapplicantoccupies,orisexpectedto
occupy,aseniorpositionrequiringindividualresearchorthesupervisionandtraining
ofotherresearchersinaresearchorganisation(e.g.universityorresearchcentre)in
theapplicant’shomecountry.
2.5.12. ApplicantswishingtoundertaketheMasterofDiplomacyattheANUas
partofadoubleMasterdegreeprogrammustidentifythiscourseintheir
applicationform.PleasenotethatitisatthediscretionofProgramAreas
toapproveorrejecttheMasterofDiplomacydependingonProgramAreas’budget
andpolicy.
2.5.14. ApplicantswishingtoundertakeaMastersbyresearchmustinvestigatean
appropriatesupervisor.Australianhighereducationinstitutions’websites
identifytheinstitution’sareasofresearchstrength.Applicantsshould
supplyevidenceofpastresearchundertakenandhighlightoutcomes.
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Articulated study programs
2.5.18. Anarticulatedstudyprogramisonethatcombinesalowerandhigherlevelcourseof
study,leadingtoawardofthehigherqualification.Examplesincludeavocational
courseprovidingadirectpathwaytoauniversityundergraduatecourseofstudy;or
aGraduateDiplomaleadingdirectlytoaMasters,ora
Mastersleadingdirectlytoa
PhD.
2.5.19. Scholarshipsareavailableforarticulatedstudyprograms,subjecttotherelevant
CountryorRegionalProfile,butmustnotcomprisemorethantwocoursesorhavea
totaldurationinexcessofthemaximumdurationpermittedforthehigher
qualification(referSection5.2.9).
Preparation programs
2.5.20. Preparationprogramsarecoursesdeemednecessarybytheinstitutiontoenablean
awardeetosuccessfullycompletetheirqualificationinthetimeframespecifiedin
CRICOS.Suchprogramsmaybeformalor informal,forexamplebridgingcoursesor
specialintensivecourses,andmaynotleadtoarecognisedqualification.
2.5.21. Preparationprograms
include:
i. pre‐courseEnglish(seeSection2.3)
ii. qualifyingorpreliminaryprogram sforpostgraduateawardees
iii. foundationprogramsforundergraduateandvocationaleducationandtraining
awardees.

2.5.22. Preparationprogramscanbeuptoamaximumof12months.Thetotalprogramof
activities(i.e.acombinationofthepreparatoryprogramsandthemaincourseof
studies)mustnot
resultinthescholarshipdurationbeingmorethan12months
longerthanthemaincourse.
2.6. Types of courses for which Australia Awards Scholarships are
not available
2.6.1. AustraliaAwardsScholarshipsarenotavailablefor:
i. undergraduatecoursesthatrequiremorethanfouryearsofstudy(e.g.medical
andveterinaryscienceprogramsthattakefiveormoreyearstocomplete)
ii. undergraduatecoursesthatareavailableattertiaryeducationinstitutionsinthe
awardee’shomecountry
iii. trainingin
areasrelatedtonucleartechnologyorflyingaircraft
iv. legalworkshops
v. studybydistanceorexternalmodeinAustraliaunlessaspartofCRICOS
registeredcoursewherethemajorityofunitsareundertakenintheprimary
institutionandtheexternalcomponentisnomorethan25percentof
thetotal
semesterstud y load
vi. studybydistanceorexternalmodewhileresidingoutsideAustraliaunlessas
partofCRICOSregisteredcoursewherethemajorityofunitsareundertakenin
Australiaandtheexternalcomponentisnomorethan25percentofthetotal
semesterstud y loadandwith
thepriorapprovaloftheProgramArea
vii. militarytraining
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viii. trainingincounter‐subversionmethods,thesuppressionofpoliticaldissentor
intelligenceprocurement.
2.6.2. Generally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.
2.6.3. Thisisnotanexhaustivelist,andexcludedprogramsofstudyarenotlimitedtothe
above.
2.7. Application process
2.7.1. TheCountryandRegionalProfilesdetailtheopeningandclosingdatesfor
applicationsandwhichmethodofapplicationisacceptableforthatcountryor
region.NotallProgramAreasareabletoreceiveapplicationsviatheonline
applicationfacilityinOASIS.
2.7.2. Itisimportantthatapplicantsreadandfullyunderstandandcomplywith
therelevantCountryorRegionalProfilebeforesubmittinganapplication.
GuidanceforapplicantsonusingtheOnlineApplicationfacilityOASISisat:
/>guide.aspx.
2.7.3. Applicantswillneedtosupplyanumberofdocumentstosupporttheirscholarship
applicationincluding,butnotnecessarilylimitedto:
i. acertifiedcopyoforiginalformaldegreegraduationcertificate(i.e.testamur)
and,ifnotinEnglish,acertifiedtranslationofthedegree
ii. acertifiedcopyoforiginalformalacademictranscript/sand,ifnotinEnglish,a
certifiedtranslationcopyofthetranscript/s
iii. acertifiedcopyofacitizenshipdocument(e.g.passportornationalidentitycard)
iv. acertifiedcopyoforiginalbirthcertificateand,ifnotinEnglish,acertified
translation
v. acurriculumvitae(CV)brieflydetailingworkhistoryandresponsibilities(and
researchexperience,ifrelevanttotheapplication)
vi. refereereports:atleastoneacademicrefereereportandatleastoneother

refereereport(e.g.aworksupervisor).MastersbyResearchorPhDapplicants
shouldprovidetwoacademicrefereereports.Atemplateforthepreferred
formatofarefereereportisavailableat />awards/Pages/how‐to‐apply.aspx
vii. acertifiedcopyoforiginalEnglishlanguagetest(IELTSORTOEFL)results
certificatevaliduntil1Januaryoftheyearinwhichthestudieswillcommence.
(Forexample,asresultsarenormallyvalidfortwoyears,thetestdatewould
needtohavebeentakenafter1January2014foranapplicationforascholarship
tocommencestudiesin2016)
viii. PhDcandidatesonly‐evidence(e.g.letteroremailcommunication)thatthe
applicanthasreceivedin‐principlesupportfortheirresearchtopicfroma
potentialsupervisor.
2.7.4. SeeSection2.7.7forrequirementsofcertificat ion.
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2.7.6. ProgramAreasmayneedtosubmit,onbehalfofasuccessfulapplicant,an
applicationformfortherelevantinstitutioninadditiontotherequestfor
placementtomeettheirinstitution’sspecificenrolmentrequirements.
Document certification
2.7.7. Documentsaccompanyingascholarshipapplicationthatrequirecertificationmust
becertifiedinaccordancewiththerequirementsbelow.
2.7.8. Theoriginaldocumenthasbeensightedandthecopyhasbeensworntobeatrue
copyoftheoriginalbyanauthorisedpersonatoneofthefollowing:
i. theofficial
recordsdepartmentoftheinstitutionthatoriginallyissuedthe
document/s,or

ii. anAustralianoverseasdiplomaticmission,or
iii. aNotaryPublic.
2.7.9. Theauthorisedpersonmust:
i. write‘Thisisacertifiedtruecopyoftheoriginaldocumentassightedbyme’,
and
ii. signandprinthis/hername,
address,contacttelephonenumber,professionor
occupationororganisationandthedateverified,and
iii. includetheofficialstamporsealoftheverifier’sorganisationonthecopy,ifthe
organisationhassuchastamp.
2.7.10. Whereaninstitutionhasspecificdocumentcertificationrequirements,theawardee
mustmeettheinstitution’srequirements.

2.7.11. Pr ogramAreasmayelectatwhichstageoftheapplicationorselection
processtheyrequirecorrectlycertifieddocuments,providedthatcertified
copiesareinclu dedineachrequestforplacementatanAustralian
institution.

2.7.5. PhDcandidatesonly–ifanAustraliaAwardsScholarshipisawarded,anadditional
researchproposalforProgramAreastosubmittoinstitutions.
2.7.12. Applicantscannotverifytheirowndocuments,eveniftheybelongtooneof
thecategorieslistedinSection2.7.8,anddocumentscannotbeverifiedby
apersondirectlyrelatedtotheapplicant.Ifanapplicanthasstudiedunder
apreviousname,theymustsupplydocumentaryevidencetoprovetheirchangeof
name,suchasamarriagecertificate,deedpollregistrationorotherregistration.The
documentationmustshowtheirpreviousname/sandtheircurrentname/s.
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