AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE (AUSTRALIA AWARDS)
ASEAN-Australia Awards Scholarships
full · masters
- Fully funded master'sAward type
- ~A$120,000 (est.) total packageEstimated value
- 11 eligible ASEAN countriesWho can apply
- Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders ProgramLeadership component
- Return airfare + arrival grantMobility support
- AustraliaWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€120k
Max amount
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
Brunei
Country
Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia Awards)
Provider
The ASEAN-Australia Awards Scholarships are a strand of the Australian Government's Australia Awards aimed at citizens of 11 eligible ASEAN-region countries for master's study at Australian universities. The programme supports leaders who will advance the 4 priority areas of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific: maritime cooperation, connectivity, economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. It is fully funded and typically covers return airfare, an establishment (arrival) grant, full tuition, a living stipend, an introductory academic programme, comprehensive Overseas Student Health Cover, supplementary academic support, and fieldwork funding for research students. Selected scholars also join the Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders Program. Eligible nationalities are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. Applicants must show a strong academic record, leadership potential, relevant work experience and English proficiency, must not be serving military personnel, and must not have held a long-term Australia Award within the previous 4 years. Women, people with disabilities and people from marginalised groups are encouraged to apply. Application channels differ by country, and the cycle typically closes around the end of April. Because benefits, eligible-country processes and deadlines are reset each round, confirm the current-cycle figures on the official Australia Awards page before applying.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full coverage of master's tuition fees at the Australian host university for the duration of the programme.
- Living stipend — A contribution to living expenses (CLE) paid regularly during study; the overall package is estimated at roughly ~A$120,000 (est.) depending on course length and city.
- Airfare and arrival grant — Return economy airfare to and from Australia plus a one-off arrival/establishment grant to help with settling-in costs.
- Health cover — Comprehensive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the scholar for the duration of the award.
- Academic and fieldwork support — An introductory academic programme, supplementary academic support, and fieldwork funding for research students and coursework programmes with mandatory fieldwork.
How to apply
Application channels differ by country: some apply through Australia Awards Indonesia, others through their national Australia Awards process, all via the Australian Government's online systems.
- Check your country process — Confirm whether you apply through Australia Awards Indonesia (for Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) or your own national Australia Awards process.
- Confirm eligibility — Check nationality, academic, English, leadership and Australian visa/health requirements, and that you meet the focus-area criteria.
- Prepare your application — Gather transcripts, evidence of work experience, English test results and a statement aligning your goals with the ASEAN Outlook priorities.
- Submit online — Apply online through the relevant Australia Awards system (e.g. OASIS) before the deadline for your country.
- Interview and pre-departure — Shortlisted applicants attend an interview; selected scholars complete course advising, a pre-departure briefing and university orientation before travel.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam or Timor-Leste.
Academic recordA strong academic background suitable for master's study by coursework or research at an Australian university.
English proficiencyMeet the English-language requirement, usually through IELTS or TOEFL at the level set by the programme.
Leadership and focus areasShow leadership potential and commitment to one or more ASEAN Outlook priority areas: maritime, connectivity, economic development and the SDGs 2030.
Award and other conditionsNot be serving military personnel, not hold a relationship granting Australian/NZ residency (with exceptions), be medically fit, and not have held a long-term Australia Award in the previous 4 years.
Women, people with disabilities and people from marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Relevant work experience is preferred and strengthens the application.
Eligible countries
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste
Deadlines
Master's 2026/2027~30 April 2026 (est.)
Selection
After an initial screening, promising candidates are shortlisted and invited to interview, where panels assess academic ability, leadership qualities, relevant work experience and potential contribution to the ASEAN vision for the Indo-Pacific. Successful candidates are notified later in the cycle and then complete course advising, a pre-departure briefing and university orientation before starting study.
Verified sources
- Australia Awards - official siteaustraliaawards.gov.auofficial
About the provider
Australia Awards are international scholarships and short courses funded by the Australian Government, primarily through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They build leadership and people-to-people links between Australia and partner countries, including across the ASEAN region and the Indo-Pacific.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the ASEAN-Australia Awards Scholarships?
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Citizens of 11 ASEAN-region countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.
What level of study does it fund?
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It funds master's degrees by coursework or research at Australian universities.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It covers tuition, a living stipend, return airfare, an arrival grant, health cover, academic support and fieldwork funding.
What is the Indo-Pacific Emerging Leaders Program?
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It is a leadership development component that ASEAN-Australia Award scholars take part in alongside their studies.
Which subjects can I study?
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A wide range of subjects is open, effectively all fields, provided your study aligns with the ASEAN Outlook priority areas.
What is the deadline?
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The cycle typically closes around the end of April; for the next round this is estimated at ~30 April 2026 (est.). Confirm your country's date officially.
How much is the award worth?
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The full package is estimated at roughly ~A$120,000 (est.) depending on course length and city; check the official page for current figures.
Do I need work experience?
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Relevant work experience is preferred and strengthens your application, though the core requirement is a strong academic record and leadership potential.
Are there restrictions on past awards?
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Yes. You should not have held a long-term Australia Award scholarship within the previous 4 years, and serving military personnel are not eligible.
Is there an interview?
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Yes. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview assessing academics, leadership and contribution to the ASEAN Indo-Pacific vision.
How do I apply if I am from Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand?
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Applicants from these countries apply online through Australia Awards Indonesia; others follow their own national Australia Awards process.
Where do I confirm the latest details?
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Check the official Australia Awards website for the current-cycle benefits, country processes and deadlines before applying.