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

Previous Australian government scholarship recipients who are planning to apply for an Australia Award this year are required to have resided outside of Australia for twice the length of the total time they were in Australia, as of 1 May 2023. For example, if you completed a master’s degree in Australia from January 2017 to December 2018, you are eligible to apply for another Australia Award after December 2022.

• must hold a bachelor’s degree; and
• must have a minimum of two years’ work experience.
Note: Those who already have a master’s degree from overseas are eligible to apply; but may be given lower priority.

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

• be a citizen of Laos (only);
• on the application closing date, be aged between 18 and 50 years old;
• have been residing in the Lao PDR for a minimum of two years as of 1 May 2023 (exceptions may be considered for Government Officials who have had diplomatic postings overseas); and
• provide all of the required supporting documents.

• must hold a master’s degree;
• must have a minimum of three years’ work experience relevant to a postgraduate qualification; and
• must submit an IELTS Certificate of overall score of at least 6.5 with no individual band less than 6.0 obtained after 1 August 2022.
Note: IELTS test fee reimbursement will be paid to PhD applicants who meet all eligibility criteria.

• must have completed upper secondary school; or
• currently studying at tertiary level, or
• who already have a diploma or a 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.