The Australia Awards Africa Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship offered by the Australian Government to eligible African professionals who want to study for a Master’s degree at an Australian institution.
The scholarship supports people who can use their education, professional experience and leadership skills to contribute to development in their home countries.
Applications for the 2027 intake have closed. The official Australia Awards Africa website states that applications for the 2028 intake will open in February 2027. The exact opening and closing dates have not yet been published.
Nigerian applicants can apply because Nigeria is among the eligible countries listed for the 2027 Africa intake. However, citizenship alone does not guarantee eligibility. Applicants must also meet the programme’s academic, professional and other conditions.
Australia Awards Africa Scholarship
The Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships funded by the Australian Government. They provide people from eligible developing countries with opportunities to gain knowledge and professional skills through study in Australia.
The Africa programme focuses on developing professionals who can contribute to economic and social development across the continent.
Unlike some international scholarships that accept applications from students at different academic levels, the Australia Awards Africa Master’s scholarship is specifically for eligible applicants seeking a Master’s qualification.
Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Australia Awards Africa Scholarship |
| Sponsor | Australian Government |
| Host country | Australia |
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Eligible applicants | Citizens of participating African countries |
| Eligible institutions | Participating Australian tertiary institutions |
| Application method | Online through OASIS |
| 2027 intake status | Closed |
| Expected 2028 application opening | February 2027 |
| Official programme website | Australia Awards Africa |
Eligible Countries for Australia Awards Africa
The official country profile for the 2027 intake lists the following eligible countries:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Botswana
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The country list may be reviewed for future application rounds. Applicants should check the 2028 country profile when it becomes available rather than assuming that the 2027 list will remain unchanged.
Priority Courses and Fields of Study
Applicants should choose a Master’s programme that relates to the development priorities of their country. Not every course offered by an Australian university will qualify. For the 2027 intake, the Australia Awards Africa programme identified these priority areas:
- Agriculture and food security
- Climate change
- Foreign policy and international security
- Gender, disability and social inclusion
- Mining and energy
Australia Awards Africa Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
The following conditions come from the official website for the intake of applicants. They are useful for understanding the programme.
1. Citizenship and residence
Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible African countries and normally be living in and applying from their country of citizenship. Exceptions are provided for people working for an African regional organisation or serving on a diplomatic mission for their home country.
2. Age requirement
Applicants for the 2027 intake had to be at least 25 years old on 1 February 2027.
3. Work experience
Applicants were required to have at least five years of postgraduate work experience in a field related to their proposed course of study.
4. Employment status
Applicants had to be employed at the time of applying.
5. Academic qualification
Applicants must already hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to an Australian undergraduate qualification.
6. Previous Master’s degree
Applicants must not already hold or be undertaking a Master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification in their home country.
7. Previous Australia Awards
Applicants who had previously received a long-term Australia Award were not eligible under the 2027 Africa profile.
8. English language requirement
The 2027 profile specified the following minimum English-language scores:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5, with no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 84, with at least 21 in each subtest |
| PTE Academic | Overall 58, with no communicative skill score below 50 |
The profile stated that test results had to be valid on 1 January 2027. It also provided an exemption for applicants whose first language is English and who completed their education in English.
Australia Awards Scholarship Benefits
The Australia Awards Africa Scholarship provides financial support for the minimum period required to complete the approved academic programme. The benefits listed in the official 2027 intake information include:
- Full tuition fees.
- Return air travel.
- A one-time establishment allowance on arrival in Australia.
- A contribution towards living expenses.
- Overseas Student Health Cover for the scholarship period.
- An introductory academic programme.
- Supplementary academic support.
- A fieldwork allowance for eligible research students and Master’s coursework students whose programmes require fieldwork.
- Reasonable accommodation support for scholars with disabilities who need it.
The scholarship is intended to support recipients throughout their approved study period, subject to the programme’s conditions.
Required Documents for Australia Awards Africa
The official 2027 Africa profile listed these additional documents:
- International passport as proof of citizenship.
- Undergraduate degree certificate.
- Undergraduate academic transcript.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Employer referee report.
- Academic referee report.
- IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic certificate, where required.
Applicants must also provide other supporting documents required under the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and their country-specific instructions.
Do not rely on this list as the final 2028 checklist. The next intake profile may introduce or change document requirements.
How to Apply for Australia Awards Scholarship
Applications for the Africa programme are submitted online through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS).
Follow these steps when the next application period opens:
- Visit the official Australia Awards Africa website.
- Read the latest application information and confirm that your country is eligible.
- Review the academic, age, employment, work-experience and English-language requirements.
- Check the priority fields and identify a suitable Master’s programme.
- Open the OASIS application portal through the official programme website.
- Register and complete the online application.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Review your information carefully and submit before the official deadline.
Applicants should read the country profile and application instructions before submitting. The Australian Government advises applicants to check their country’s specific requirements because conditions can differ between participating countries.
Australia Awards Africa Selection Process
The selection process includes eligibility checks and shortlisting. Only shortlisted applicants are contacted for an interview.
The 2027 Africa profile stated that candidates would be assessed on:
- Academic competence.
- Their potential to contribute to inclusive development in Africa.
- Professional and personal leadership qualities.
- Relevant work experience.
The programme also encourages applications from women, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
Australia Awards Scholarship 2028 Application Deadline
The 2027 intake application period opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026. Applications for that intake are now closed. According to the Australia Awards Africa website, the next round, for the 2028 intake, is expected to open in February 2027.
The exact 2028 deadline has not yet been announced. Applicants should check the official programme website for the confirmed dates before submitting an application.
Official Website and Application Portal
For the latest eligibility rules, country information, application dates and instructions, use the official websites below:
Applicants should begin with the Australia Awards Africa website and follow its application instructions to access the correct application route.
Frequently Asked Questions About Australia Awards Africa
Is the Australia Awards Scholarship currently open?
No. Applications for the 2027 intake closed on 30 April 2026. The next Africa Master’s scholarship round is expected to open in February 2027 for the 2028 intake.
Can Nigerians apply for Australia Awards Africa?
Yes. Nigeria was included in the official list of eligible countries for the 2027 Africa intake. Nigerian applicants must also meet the programme’s other requirements, including age, employment, work experience and academic qualifications.
Does the Australia Awards Africa Scholarship cover undergraduate studies?
No. The Africa scholarship described in the 2027 intake profile provides opportunities for eligible applicants to obtain a Master’s qualification in Australia.
Is the Australia Awards Scholarship fully funded?
The official programme information lists full tuition fees, return air travel, an establishment allowance, a contribution towards living expenses and other academic and health-support benefits.
Do applicants need work experience?
Yes. Under the 2027 Africa intake conditions, applicants needed at least five years of postgraduate work experience in a field related to their proposed study and had to be employed when applying.
What is the minimum age for the scholarship?
For the 2027 intake, applicants had to be at least 25 years old on 1 February 2027. The age requirement for the 2028 intake should be checked when the new profile is released.
Where can I submit the Australia Awards application?
Applications for the Africa programme are submitted online through OASIS. Applicants should access the application instructions through the official Australia Awards Africa website.
Nkedugists update: The 2027 application round has closed. We will update this page when the Australian Government publishes the confirmed 2028 application dates and country-specific requirements.
