Who Can Apply | Australia Awards Laos

Who Can Apply?

Lao citizens from all walks of life are invited to apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship. The application process is open and competitive.

Australia Awards Scholarships typically have varying eligibility requirements. Information about programme-specific eligibility requirements can be found below.

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s applicants

PhD applicants

VET applicants

Self-Assessment Checklist

Country-Specific Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Australia Awards applicants must meet all eligibility requirements detailed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and Australia Awards Laos Brochure.

For previous Australian Government scholarship recipients, to be eligible to receive an Australia Awards Scholarship, applicants must not have previously received a long-term Australia Award in the previous four years. For example, if you completed a Master’s degree in Australia from January 2020 to December 2021, you are eligible to apply for another Australia Awards scholarship from February 2026 onwards.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) applicants

• must have completed upper secondary school, or

• will complete upper secondary school by 30 September 2026, or

• currently studying at tertiary level but have not completed more than two years, or

• who already have a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of two years’ work experience and be seeking qualifications to fill a skills shortfall or to change career direction.

Master’s Applicants

• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and

• Must have a minimum of two years’ work experience.

Note: Master’s degree applicants who hold an existing master’s degree from another overseas institutions are eligible to apply, however may be given lower priority to those applicants not holding similar qualifications. Applications will be assessed on whether a second Master’s degree will deepen applicant expertise, and for qualifications in a different field of study to the first Master’s degree. Those considering a second master’s degree are encouraged to consider these conditions and whether applying for PhD study is more appropriate.

PhD Applicants

Must hold a Master’s degree
Must have a minimum of three years’ work experience and
Must submit an IELTS Certificate of overall score of at least 6.5 with no individual band less than 6.0 obtained after 30 March 2025.

Note: IELTS test fee reimbursement will be paid to PhD applicants who meet all eligibility criteria.

Country-Specific Conditions

In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Laos must also meet the following conditions:

be a citizen of Laos
be aged between 18 and 50 years old as of 31 December 2026
have been residing in the Lao PDR for a minimum of one year as of 30 April 2026 (exceptions may be considered for Government Officials who have had diplomatic postings overseas)
declare all previous studies undertaken irrespective of whether it is complete or incomplete
declare all previous and current international scholarships awarded
provide all the required supporting documents listed under “supporting documents” and
must be ready to commence full-time Pre-departure Academic Preparation (either English Academic Preparation in October or Academic Readiness Course in November 2026).