Australia Awards Scholarships are the Australian Government's flagship awards for students from partner countries, including Pakistan, and they are among the most generous scholarships in the world: full tuition, return airfare, a living allowance, health cover and academic support, for undergraduate, master's and PhD study. They are also highly competitive and tightly tied to development priorities. This guide explains what the scholarship covers, who can apply, and how the application process works for the next cycle.
What the scholarship covers
Australia Awards are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and offered through the Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System, known as OASIS. Successful scholars receive full tuition fees paid directly to the university, a single return economy airfare, a one-time establishment allowance for accommodation and study materials, a fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of the award, and academic support including an Introductory Academic Program before formal study begins. Some awards also include pre-course English training and fieldwork or research allowances where the programme requires them.
The scholarship covers the full duration of the approved programme, and scholars are required to return home for at least two years after completing their studies. That return requirement is not a footnote: it is a core condition of the award, and applicants are expected to show how their study will contribute to development in their home country. For Pakistan, Australia Awards have historically been offered at master's level, with priority fields set by DFAT and the Pakistan country programme — check the current priority areas before choosing a course, because a brilliant application in a non-priority field will not be funded.
Who is eligible
Applicants must be citizens of a participating partner country, must not hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, and must meet the academic and English requirements of their chosen Australian university. Each country programme sets its own additional criteria, such as age limits, work-experience requirements, or restrictions on applicants who already hold a comparable qualification. For Pakistan, applicants have typically needed a completed bachelor's degree for master's awards and relevant professional experience; the exact criteria change between cycles, so the country profile on the Australia Awards website is the only authoritative source.
English requirements usually follow the university's own admission standards, commonly IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score, though some universities and fields ask for more. If your English score is close but not yet at the required level, some awards include pre-course English training in Australia — but do not count on it. A strong, current English result submitted with the application is far safer than a promise to improve later.
The application timeline
For the 2027 intake, applications opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST for most countries, including Pakistan. The 2028 intake is expected to follow the same annual pattern — opening in February 2027 and closing in April 2027 — but the official schedule had not been released at the time of writing, so treat those months as an expected window and confirm them on the official Australia Awards website when the cycle opens. Shortlisting and interviews typically follow in the months after the deadline, with results announced several months later and study commencing the following year.
Apply through OASIS, not through a university agent. You will need academic transcripts, a current CV, a development-impact statement explaining how your study will benefit your home country, and referee details. The development-impact statement is where most applications are won or lost: it must be specific about a problem in your country, the skills your chosen programme will give you, and the role you will take on return. Generic claims about helping your country are not enough; name the organisation, sector or community you will work with.
After the award: obligations and preparation
If you are selected, you will attend a pre-departure briefing, complete the Introductory Academic Program in Australia, and begin your degree with ongoing academic support. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress, comply with your visa conditions, and return home for at least two years after completion. Scholars who fail to return, or who do not complete their programme, may be required to repay the award — read the scholarship conditions carefully before accepting.
Prepare early even if the next cycle is months away. Improve your English score now, gather attested transcripts, identify two referees who know your work well, and research Australian universities and courses in your priority field. The strongest Australia Awards applications are built over a year, not assembled in the final week before the deadline. And beware of anyone charging a fee to apply: the official application through OASIS is free, and no agent can guarantee selection.
Frequently asked questions
What does Australia Awards cover? Full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance, a fortnightly living contribution, health cover and academic support.
When do applications open? For the 2027 intake, 1 February to 30 April 2026; the 2028 cycle is expected to follow the same February–April pattern — confirm on the official site.
Must I return home after studying? Yes. Scholars must return home for at least two years after completing their studies.
Can I apply through an agent? Applications are made directly through the OASIS portal; the official application is free and no agent can guarantee selection.
Related guides on Pakunii
NUST NET 2027 Guide · Digital SAT 2027 Guide · IELTS Academic Guide · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027
Sources and verification: DFAT/Australia Awards: 2027 intake 1 Feb–30 Apr 2026 (14:00 AEST); full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, fortnightly living contribution, OSHC; two-year return-home condition. 2028 dates and Pakistan priority fields to be confirmed on the official Australia Awards website.