Australia
Awards
Scholarships
Policy
Handbook
January 2021
The Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook
is currently undergoing a review and is subject to
future change. A revised Policy Handbook is expected
to be released by July 2021.
You must read this Australia Awards
Scholarships Policy Handbook carefully
and fully understand its contents before
signing the Contract with the
Commonwealth of Australia.
The handbook is provided to answer any questions you may
have about your scholarship. Please also read the other information
in your pre-departure pack and follow the instructions carefully.
For further assistance, please contact DFAT at australiaawardsdelivery@dfat.gov.au
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyrights Act 1968, no
part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the
Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be
addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-General’s
Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or posted at
www.ag.gov.au
ISBN 1 920861 77 7
Internet: www.dfat.gov.au
Contents
Changes to the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook - 2021 .............................. x
Australia Awards Scholarship Cycle ................................................................................. xiv
PROGRAM CREATION ................................................................................................... xiv
PROMOTION ................................................................................................................ xiv
AWARDEE SELECTION .................................................................................................. xiv
PRE-DEPARTURE ........................................................................................................... xv
ARRIVAL & ENROLMENT................................................................................................ xv
COURSE & OUTCOMES .................................................................................................. xv
SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES........................................................................................ xvi
GRADUATION & RETURN HOME ................................................................................... xvi
ALUMNI ....................................................................................................................... xvi
MONITORING & EVALUATION ......................................................................................xvii
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................ 18
1. Australia Awards ..................................................................................................... 24
1.1. Australia Awards Scholarships ............................................................................. 24
1.2. How to use this scholarships policy handbook ...................................................... 25
Policy handbook review and update........................................................................... 26
1.3. Management responsibilities............................................................................... 26
Australia Awards Section ........................................................................................... 27
Institutions ................................................................................................................ 29
2. Applying for an Australia Awards Scholarship ......................................................... 30
2.1. General eligibility ................................................................................................ 30
2.2. Eligibility criteria.................................................................................................. 30
2.3. Country and regional profiles............................................................................... 31
2.4. English language requirements ............................................................................ 32
Pre-course English language training in the Awardees home country .......................... 33
2.5. Finding an appropriate course and institution ...................................................... 34
2.6. Types of courses available to applicants ............................................................... 34
Bachelor’s degree ...................................................................................................... 35
Master’s degree ........................................................................................................ 35
Doctorate programs .................................................................................................. 36
Articulated study programs........................................................................................ 37
Preparation programs................................................................................................ 37
2.7. Types of courses for which Australia Awards Scholarships are not available .......... 37
2.8. Application process ............................................................................................. 38
Document certification .............................................................................................. 39
3. Fraud ...................................................................................................................... 41
4. Selection ................................................................................................................. 43
4.1. Selection process and criteria .............................................................................. 43
4.2. Reintegration plans ............................................................................................. 44
4.3. Successful and reserve applicants ........................................................................ 45
4.4. Advising applicants of selection outcomes ........................................................... 45
5. Placement ............................................................................................................... 46
5.1. Request for placement and placement offers ....................................................... 46
5.2. Preparation programs ......................................................................................... 48
Foundation programs ................................................................................................ 49
Articulated study programs........................................................................................ 49
Reviewing a placement offer and issuing a letter of offer............................................ 49
6. Accepting the scholarship and its conditions ........................................................... 51
6.1. Accepting the scholarship .................................................................................... 51
6.2. Scholarship conditions......................................................................................... 51
6.3. The prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and child protection
56
6.4. Deferring an offer................................................................................................ 57
7. Pre-departure ......................................................................................................... 59
7.1. Pre-departure information .................................................................................. 59
7.2. Family ................................................................................................................. 60
8. Visas ....................................................................................................................... 62
8.1. Visa requirements for awardees .......................................................................... 62
8.2. Visa requirements for accompanying dependent family members ........................ 62
8.3. Visa requirements for awardees with disability .................................................... 63
8.4. Visa obligations ................................................................................................... 64
8.5. Applying for a further student visa (scholarship extension)................................... 64
8.6. Two-year exclusion rule....................................................................................... 65
8.7. Early completion of the scholarship ..................................................................... 66
8.8. Post-scholarship externally funded program in Australia ...................................... 66
8.9. Debt to the Commonwealth ................................................................................ 68
9. Disability inclusive support ..................................................................................... 69
9.1. Support for people with disability ........................................................................ 69
9.2. Applicants with disability ..................................................................................... 69
9.3. Principles for providing disability support for Australia Awards Scholarship
awardees ...................................................................................................................... 70
9.4. Assessing disability support needs ....................................................................... 71
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