The Australian government has opened applications for fully funded postgraduate scholarships under the Australia Awards programme for the 2027 academic year.
These scholarships target qualified candidates from Kenya and several other African countries who want to pursue a Master’s degree in Australia.
The programme is designed to help build professional skills and leadership capacity in developing countries.
It focuses on supporting people who can later use their education and experience to drive development and positive change back home.
The scholarships support both academic study and practical research in areas that matter to national and regional growth.
According to the official information released by Australia Awards Africa, the scholarships are strictly for studies beginning in 2027.
Only applicants from approved African countries can apply. Kenya is among the eligible countries, along with Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
To qualify, an applicant must meet several conditions.
First, they must be a citizen of one of the approved countries and must still hold that citizenship during the application and selection period.
Second, they must be at least 25 years old by February 1, 2027. Anyone younger than that is automatically disqualified, no matter how strong their academic record is.
Work experience is not optional. Applicants must have at least five years of relevant work experience after completing their undergraduate degree.
This experience must connect clearly to their proposed field of study. On top of that, the applicant must be employed at the time of application.
If someone is not working when they apply, they do not meet the eligibility rules.
The selection process is competitive and looks beyond grades. Academic performance matters, but it is not enough on its own.
Evaluators also check leadership qualities, professional achievements, and how the applicant has contributed in their workplace or community.
They also assess whether the candidate has a realistic plan to use the knowledge gained in Australia to support inclusive development in their home country after graduation.
If your plan is vague or self-centered, your chances drop.
The scholarships focus on priority study areas that match development needs. These fields include agriculture and food security, climate change, foreign policy and international security, gender and social inclusion, disability inclusion, mining, and energy.
These priority areas can change over time, so applicants are expected to confirm the latest approved list before selecting a course. Choosing a course outside the priority areas without strong justification is a weak move and often leads to rejection.
Applicants must prepare proper documentation. Required documents include proof of citizenship such as a passport or national ID, academic certificates and full transcripts, and a detailed curriculum vitae. Referee reports are also required.
One must come from an academic referee and another from an employer. These reports must be structured and relevant, not generic praise letters.
English language test results are also required unless the applicant qualifies for an official exemption under the programme rules.
The scholarship only supports Master’s degree study at an Australian university. Applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree that is considered equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s qualification.
Anyone who already has a Master’s degree or is currently studying for one is not eligible.
Also, anyone who previously received a long-term Australia Award scholarship cannot apply again. Trying to hide this will get an application rejected quickly once records are checked.
Successful applicants receive a full support package. This includes full tuition fees, return airfare to and from Australia, and a one-time establishment allowance to help with initial costs after arrival.
Scholars also receive a living expenses contribution to cover basic needs while studying. Health insurance is provided for the entire study period under the Overseas Student Health Cover system.
Students whose programmes require compulsory fieldwork get additional fieldwork funding. Academic support services are also included to help scholars adjust and perform well.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified later in 2026. Those selected must attend compulsory preparation activities before traveling.
These include course counselling, pre-departure briefings, and an introductory academic programme after arriving in Australia. These are not optional extras — skipping them can cost a candidate the scholarship offer.
The Australia Awards programme is one of the Australian government’s main international scholarship initiatives. It is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The goal is not charity. It is long-term partnership building.
Australia invests in future leaders who can strengthen institutions, improve policy, and build professional links between their countries and Australia.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the OASIS application system. The link to this system is provided on the official Australia Awards Africa website.
There is no paper application route. If you don’t submit through OASIS, you didn’t apply — simple as that.
The application window opened on February 1, 2026, and closes on April 30, 2026, at exactly 4:59 pm East African Time. Missing the deadline means automatic disqualification.
Late applications are not reviewed. Supporting documents sent after the deadline are also rejected. The system is strict, and excuses don’t change that.
Applicants should not wait until the last week. The process involves uploading multiple verified documents and referee reports, which often takes longer than expected.
Strong applicants prepare early, confirm course eligibility, line up referees in advance, and double-check every requirement before submitting. Sloppy applications usually fail, even when the candidate is qualified.
