Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships scheme was established by the Australian Government as her contribution towards fostering education and building stronger ties with Pacific nations. The Scholarships offer a unique opportunity for individuals from the Pacific region to pursue higher education in Australia, contributing to personal growth and regional development. The Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships provide beneficiaries with opportunities to study at selected education institutions in the Pacific region and as well expose them to studying a wide range of disciplines at selected education institutions across the Pacific region. Potential leaders are by this scheme given the opportunity to gain and build the knowledge and skills to drive positive change, and influence their home country’s development.
Host Institution
The Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships are offered to people from the Pacific region to study at Pacific tertiary institutions in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia.
Level and Field of Study
Basically, the scholarship numbers and fields of study for each country are determined annually as part of Australia’s bilateral development assistance program with that country. However, some countries limit the level of study and give priority to certain fields of study to better meet their development needs.
For instance, the scholarships are offered to Papua New Guinea citizens under the Papua New Guinea Health Awards for courses in Midwifery, Nursing and Community Health Work. And to be eligible, applicants must first satisfy the eligibility and acceptance requirements of a participating Papua New Guinean health college or university they applied for.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship benefits between countries and institution of enrolment. However, Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships generally cover a return airfare from your home country to the country of study, academic and other compulsory fees, an establishment allowance and a living allowance paid fortnightly.
Note that in some countries, the living allowance may be paid at a higher rate when the student is joined long term by one or more family members. Airfares assistance is not available for family members.
Scholarship Duration
The scholarships are offered for the minimum period that the individual could be expected to complete the academic program. Scholarships may as well include preparatory programs such as English language tuition which is normally limited to one year.
Note that applicants considering studying for particular professions such as medicine, legal studies are expected to complete their practical training in their own country.
Scholarship Requirements and Conditions
If you are offered the scholarship you will be asked to sign an undertaking declaring that you will comply with the conditions of that scholarship. Partner countries may also impose their own conditions on the scholarship. The conditions include the following:
- Studying full time and meeting all course requirements
- Not changing enrolment without the prior written approval of the department
- Making satisfactory academic progress
- Complying with restrictions on employment in the country of study
- Accepting that the scholarship may be withdrawn by the Australian Government
- Returning to the home country on completion of the scholarship
- Restrictions on returning to the country of study or travelling to Australia within 2 years of the completion of the scholarship
- Repaying the total amount of the scholarship if condition (6) or (7) are not adhered to.
Please read the scholarship handbook for more information and other scholarships in Australia.