Frequently Asked Questions

General

What can I study?

K

Applications will be accepted for all fields of study except for general business courses and education management. Please check the Brochure for Intake 2025 for the priority fields of study.

Studies in fields other than the priority fields of study will be considered if the applicant convincingly demonstrates how they will impact on development challenges in Laos upon their return.

Please also note that Australia Awards are not available for training in areas related to flying aircraft, nuclear technology or military training.

What is CRICOS?

K

CRICOS stands for “Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students”. Courses offered to overseas students by the partner institutions are assigned with CRICOS Codes.

A course CRICOS code is a 6-digit number with 1 capitalised letter; e.g. 008927K (PhD of Applied Geology); 083295D (Master of International Finance).

It is important to remember that a course without a CRICOS code is NOT offered to international students.

DO NOT be confused with the University CRICOS Provider code which is a 5-digit number with 1 capitalised letter, e.g. Monash University CRICOS Provider is 00008C.

Where can I study?

K

Can I apply for an award if I’m intending to migrate or if I have permanent residency?

K

No. Australia Awards are not available to intending migrants or those who have Australian permanent residency. 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 for the total accrued cost of their award.

Can I apply for an award if I’m married to, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency?

K

No. Applicants must not be married to, 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 to apply for an award, but must apply for a Student visa [subclass 500])

Questions regarding family

1. Am I able to bring my children on scholarship?

K

Awardees dependents (including spouse and children) are allowed to accompany you to Australia. Awardees are required to meet the requirements (including demonstrating sufficient funds). AAS Laos will not provide funding support for accompanying dependents.

2. Can my children get an education in Australia?

K

Yes. Australia is well known for its quality education system and offer a range of different education options. For more information on Australia’s education system visit Study in Australia

3. Can I access childcare for my children (even if they have limited or no understanding of English)?

K

Yes. A range of childcare options are available in Australia, depending on availability of spaces and your ability to pay fees. Formal facilities such as childcare centers are one option as well as informal services such as babysitters and nannies. It is the responsibility of the parent to organise appropriate childcare support for their accompanying children.

4. Is there an age limit for people applying for an Australia Awards Scholarship in Laos?

K

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 50 years old as of 30 September 2024

5. How do I apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship if I don’t have internet access?

K

For those who have no internet access, kindly contact the Awards Team at Laos Australia Institute at the corner of Rue Setthathirath and Mahosot Road (in front of Ho Prakeo Temple, Vientiane, tel: +856 21 265 721.

6. If I am successful in my scholarship application and I am pregnant, will my scholarship be terminated?

K

Pregnant applicants are encouraged to share this information with Australia Awards Office as their earliest opportunity. Awardees will be assessed equally. Such applicants will not be disadvantaged.

7. Does the Australia Awards office assist with obtaining visas for applicants and, if necessary, dependents?

K

It is the responsibility of the Awardees to prepare and submit their own visa application. Australia Awards is, however, available to answer questions. It is also the responsibility of the applicants to manage their dependents visa application/s.

8. What are the levels of study available, and what is the duration of these courses?

K

Australia Awards Scholarships are available each year for Lao nationals to study at three levels.

  • Vocational Education and Training (VET), also known as Technical and Further Education (TAFE): Diploma and Advanced Diploma,
  • Master’s degree, and
  • Doctorate degree (PhD).

9. What assistance will be available to me during my stay in Australia?

K

All universities in Australia have student service centres that provide guidance and emergency support to students during their stay in Australia. The student service centres can help students in arranging accommodation, accessing family support and to meet, to the extent possible, any special needs of the students. Australian Universities also have health and counselling services that are free or offered at cheaper rates for students and a range of sporting, shopping and other facilities on campus.

10. Can we celebrate our religious, cultural and national festivals?

K

Yes. Australia is open to cultural diversity within and outside of university campuses.

11. Can I work part-time while studying in Australia?

K

Yes. Australia Awards recipients are allowed to work part-time (up to 48 hours fortnightly or per two weeks) under the subclass 500 student visa. It is however important that you inform your Student Contact Officer to ensure it does not affect your academic progress.

12. Can my spouse work while accompanying me on my scholarship?

K

Yes. Your spouse may work full-time while accompanying you on your scholarship. However, this should not interfere with your study focus. For further information, please refer to the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

13. Is there an equal percentage of scholarships awarded to women and men each year?

K

Yes. At least 50% of Australia Awards Scholarships are reserved for women.