The Australian government's 2027 Australia Awards Scholarships round opened on February 1, 2026. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026, at 14:00 AEST.

This is a fully funded government scholarship: full tuition, return economy airfare, a living allowance of approximately AUD 34,000 per year, full health insurance, and settlement support, covered from the day you leave India to the day you return. It is open to Indian citizens for master's, and PhD studies at Australian universities in priority development fields.

(Currency note: 1 AUD = Rs. 67.18 as of April 24, 2026. Always verify the current rate before making any financial decisions.)

If you are an Indian student who wants to study in Australia with full government funding. Here is everything you need to know right now.

What is the Australia Awards Scholarship? 

This is not a university-level bursary or a partial discount scheme. It is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive government-funded scholarship programs in the world.

The Australia Awards Scholarships program is highly prestigious and competitive. It offers government-funded grants to students from a wide range of locations globally to develop their skills, knowledge, and leadership to drive change and contribute to the development of their countries.

That is approximately Rs.1,682 crore invested by the Australian government in a single year, specifically to educate and develop future leaders from developing nations, including India. In 2024, DFAT invested approximately AUD 250 million in the program across 55 countries, one of the largest single-year government scholarship investments globally. 

What the Scholarship Covers: The Complete Picture

This is where the Australia Awards genuinely separates itself from most other scholarships. It does not just cover tuition and leave the rest to you.

The scholarships cover full tuition fees, return air travel, and establishment allowances as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, textbooks, and study materials.

Here is exactly what you receive:

• Full tuition fees: Covered for the entire duration of your approved program at your chosen Australian university. Not a partial waiver. The full amount
• Return economy-class airfare: Flights from India to Australia at the start of your program and back home upon completion
• Establishment allowance: A one-time payment to help you set up your accommodation and purchase textbooks and study materials when you first arrive in Australia
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE): A fortnightly allowance of approximately AUD 34,000 annually (around ₹22.84 lakh per year at current rates) to cover accommodation, food, and utilities in major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, approximately ₹20.15 lakh per year at current rates
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Comprehensive health insurance for the full duration of your studies, provided at no cost to you
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A compulsory pre-study orientation covering how to live and study in Australia before your degree formally begins
• Pre-course English (PCE) training: Available if required, to ensure you are fully prepared for academic English before coursework starts
• Supplementary academic support: Additional academic assistance available throughout the degree to ensure your success

Who Can Apply: The Full Eligibility Checklist

Citizenship and residency:

• Must be an Indian citizen at the time of application
• Australia Awards are not available to intending migrants or those who already hold Australian permanent residency

Academic and professional requirements:

• Must demonstrate strong academic performance at undergraduate level
• Postgraduate applicants are generally expected to have relevant work experience; the amount varies by program and field of study
• Your chosen study program must align with India's development priorities as outlined in the India Country Profile on the DFAT website

English language proficiency:

• All applicants must meet English language proficiency standards with results valid as of January 1, 2027. The minimum requirement is IELTS. An academic overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0, or TOEFL iBT minimum total score of 84 with at least 21 in each sub-test
• PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50 is also accepted

Level of study:

• The Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 are available for undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies
• Courses must sit within the priority development fields listed for India. Check the India Country Profile on the DFAT website before selecting your course

The return commitment:

• All scholarship recipients must return to their home country for a minimum of two years after completing their studies. This is a mandatory condition designed to ensure scholars apply their knowledge and skills to contribute to development outcomes at home
• This is non-negotiable and applies to every recipient regardless of program or country

Priority Fields of Study for Indian Applicants

The Australia Awards is not a scholarship you can apply for while studying any subject. Your proposed course must align with development priority areas relevant to India.

Priority fields typically include:

• Agriculture and food security
• Water, sanitation, and hygiene
• Governance and public sector management
• Health and nutrition
• Infrastructure and urban development
• Education
• Economic growth and private sector development
• Environmental sustainability and climate change

If your academic and professional background sits within any of these areas, you are in the right territory. Check the India Country Profile at dfat.gov.au to confirm the current priority fields before selecting your courses.

The Critical Dates: Everything in One Place

The 2027 intake round opened on February 1, 2026, and closes on April 30, 2026, at 14:00 AEST.

The deadline in IST is April 30, 2026, at 9:30 AM. Not end of day. If you are planning to submit on April 30, submit early in the morning and give yourself time for any technical issues.

The full timeline after submission:

• April 30, 2026: Applications close at 14:00 AEST (9:30 am IST)
• May to June 2026: Eligibility checks and initial shortlisting by DFAT
• July to August 2026: Interviews and final selection for most countries
• Late 2026: Scholarship offers sent to selected candidates
• January to February 2027: Pre-departure briefings and orientation programs
• 2027: Studies begin at your selected Australian university

Late or incomplete applications are not accepted under any circumstances. Applicants are advised to apply early to allow sufficient time for document preparation and verification.

Do not submit on the final morning, as you should not expect everything to go smoothly. Technical issues, missing documents, and incomplete sections are the most common reasons applications are rejected at the first gate.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships are submitted online through the OASIS system. Applicants must complete all required sections, select eligible courses using the correct CRICOS course codes, and upload supporting documents before the deadline.

Follow these steps in order:

• Step 1: Review the India Country Profile at dfat.gov.au to confirm your eligibility and identify the priority fields that match your background
• Step 2: Identify two preferred courses at eligible Australian universities within the priority areas. Note the correct CRICOS course codes for both; the application will not process without them
• Step 3: Register on the OASIS system at oasis.dfat.gov.au and create your applicant profile
• Step 4: Complete all sections of the application form, including personal details, academic history, work experience, and study objectives
• Step 5: Prepare and upload all required supporting documents, including academic transcripts, English proficiency test scores, employment references, and your personal statement
• Step 6: Review your entire application carefully before submitting. Once submitted, no changes can be made
• Step 7: Submit before 14:00 AEST on April 30, 2026, which is 9:30 am IST on April 30

One critical warning: Australia Awards only accepts applications via OASIS and will never ask applicants for money or bank details. If you receive such a request, it is a scam.

What Makes a Competitive Application

The Australia Awards is highly competitive globally. The students who receive it are not necessarily the ones with the highest marks on paper. They are the ones whose applications most clearly connect academic background, professional experience, course selection, and return commitment into a coherent and compelling story.

Strong applications consistently show:

• A clear connection between your academic background, your proposed course, and a specific development challenge in India
• Evidence of leadership, not just in formal positions but in community work, professional initiatives, or research impact
• A compelling personal statement that answers three questions clearly: why you, why this course, and what you will do with this education when you return
• Strong referee endorsements from employers or academic supervisors who can speak to your professional impact and leadership
• A realistic and specific return plan with named organisations, named roles, and a genuine explanation of how this degree enables that contribution

Why This Scholarship Is Worth Your Full Attention Right Now

Full tuition at a world-class Australian university. A living allowance of approximately Rs.22.84 lakh per year. Full health cover. Return flights. Settlement support. Pre-departure preparation. This includes membership in a global alumni network of scholars from 55 countries who work in development, governance, and public policy.

The program continues the long-term commitment by the Australian government to support partner countries through scholarships, empowering individuals to drive change and contribute to the development of their countries.

For Indian students whose career direction sits within development, governance, public health, environment, or agriculture, and who are genuinely committed to bringing that education back to India, this program is one of the most complete scholarship opportunities available anywhere in the world right now.

Want to help put together the strongest possible application before April 30?

At LeapScholar, our counselors work with Indian students on high-stakes scholarship applications, personal statements, course selection, and return plan framing. Book your free counseling session with Leap Scholar today.

Sources: Study Australia, Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 | DFAT , Australia Awards Official | DFAT , FAQs | Opportunities for Youth | DFAT Official Development Assistance Budget Summary 2024-25