Greetings from Australia!
Australia Awards contribute to the long-term objectives of promoting growth and stability in the region, as well as strengthening links between people and organizations to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. For more than 70 years, the Australian Government has supported the education of emerging leaders from developing countries, through the Colombo Plan in the 1950s to today’s Australia Awards. They equip recipients with the skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to the economic and social development of their own countries, in effect, building the human resource capacity of partner countries within mutually agreed development sectors.
We are pleased to inform you that the application for Australia Awards Fellowships is now open.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
- The Australia Awards Fellowships program offers short-term development opportunities in Australia to strengthen networks and advance development outcomes in partner countries. It builds the capacity of mid-career and senior leaders while fostering institutional and people-to-people partnerships with Australia. Eligible Australian organisations from any sector can host Fellows from Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries. Fellowships run from 2 to 52 weeks and include training, professional exchanges, and networking activities. Funding of up to $34,500 per Fellow is available on a competitive basis with co-contributions from host organizations.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applications must be made by Australian Organisations in partnership with Overseas Counterpart Organisations (OCOs) in eligible developing countries.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply.
- Australian Organizations must:
– Be a legal entity with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
– Demonstrate established links with the OCO and commitment to the partnership through in-kind and/or financial co-contributions. - Eligible Australian Organizations include:
– Private sector companies, research centre, universities, vocational training providers, peak bodies, chambers of commerce, NGOs, media organizations, and industry associations.
– Government entities such as federal, state/territory, or local departments, agencies, statutory authorities, and government business enterprises. - The OCO must operate and reside in an eligible country and cannot be:
– An international arm or branch of the Australian Organizations.
– Under the same overarching international Organization or consortium.
– An individual. - New or emerging partnerships between Australian Organizations and OCOs are welcome.
FELLOW ELIGIBILITY
- Australia Awards Fellowships target senior officials and mid-career professionals, who, in the short to medium term, will be in a position to advance priority development and foreign affairs issues on their return home.
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing the Fellowship;
- Not be an Australian citizen or be applying for Australian citizenship -this includes dual citizenship where one of the citizenships is Australian;
- Not have Australian permanent resident status or be applying for Australian permanent residency;
- Be a citizen of and residing in an eligible developing country. The Fellow’s country of citizenship and residency may differ;
- Not be current serving military personnel;
- Not be married or engaged to, or be a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency;
- Have been working in their country of citizenship or residency and in an area relevant to the Fellowship activities preceding the date of the proposed commencement of their Fellowship;
- Be able to satisfy all requirements determined by the Department of Home Affairs for a visa;
- Be able to participate in the nominated Fellowship activities at the time and for the full duration proposed by the Australian Host Organization (AHO), except in exceptional circumstances, where approved by the Australia Awards Global Support Unit (GSU) and DFAT;
- Be able to travel without family members as DFAT will only fund and provide visa support letters for individual Fellows, not their family members;
- Have an adequate level of English language ability to be able to fully participate in the program.
KEY DATES
- 3 November 2025 – applications for Round 21 open
- 10 November 2025 – Industry Information Session scheduled to be held.
- 16 January 2026 (11:59pm AEDT) – applications for Round 21 close
- From July 2026 – Round 21 Outcome – successful and unsuccessful notifications made to all applicants
- From September 2026 – 29 March 2028 – Round 21 Fellowship activity window
- From 30 September 2026 – Supplementary Information Form opens for successful Australian Host Organizations under Round 21
- Six (6) months prior to Fellow’s mobilization to Australia/start date in Australia – Supplementary Information Form closes
- 1 January 2027 – Round 21 In-Australia Activity Start date.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT
- Online Application Form (Preview)
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Apply directly to Australia Awards. Kindly refer to Online Application Website.
- The deadline is 16 January 2026 (11:59pm AEDT).
- The FINAL decision is from Australia Awards.
CONSULTATION INFO
If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the email below:
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