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Australia Awards are prestigious, transformational scholarships and short courses offered to emerging leaders from developing countries for study, research and professional development in Australia and the region so they can return home and contribute to their nations’ development, prosperity and resilience.

Australia’s international development assistance in Bangladesh helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance political stability. The Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia. Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in eligible countries. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.

Priority fields of study

The priority areas of study for Bangladesh are:

Blue economy

Fisheries & aquaculture • Marine & maritime studies • Maritime domain awareness • Seaports & shipping Health

Health management, leadership, economics Global & public health

Health management, leadership, economics • Global & public health • Nutrition •Pharmaceutical science

Gender Development Environment Sustainability

Agriculture development • Climate change, adaptation & mitigation • Disaster management and risk reduction • Disability equity and rights • Environmental management • Emergency & humanitarian response management • Gender justice, diversity, and inclusion • Skills and development • Water resources management

Trade Industry

Financial planning & management • International trade & business • ICT, innovation & entrepreneurship • Small & Medium enterprise • Tourism, particularly sustainable tourism

Public Policy Economics Governance

Human rights & international relations • Foreign policy • Power, energy & mineral resources • Public policy & management • Public administration • Public finance & economics

Infrastructure Science Engineering

Computer science including artificial intelligence & machine learning) • Data cloud, network and management • Engineering • Information technology • Transport & infrastructure • Robotics

Security studies

Countering terrorism and violent extremism • Cyber awareness & security • Gender peace and security • Maritime security

The governments of Australia and Bangladesh regularly review these areas of study together and adjust the emphasis of the program. Detailed information on priority areas of study can be found at: www.australiaawardsbangladesh.org

Level of study

Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Bangladesh with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at an Australian tertiary institution. Awards will be offered for commencement in 2025 within the following allocations:

• Master’s by Coursework,

• Master’s by Research.

Australia Awards benefits Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.

Scholarship recipients will receive the following:

• return air travel

• a one-off establishment allowance on arrival

• full tuition fees • contribution to living expenses

• introductory academic program

• overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship

• supplementary academic support

• fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.

Eligibility criteria

In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Bangladesh must also meet the following conditions:

• Must be from one of the following target groups:

– Group A: Cadre Officials from the Government of Bangladesh, officials of the Bangladesh Bank, and Judicial Services officials

– Group B: Workers from development organisations, particularly non-government organisations, civil society organisations, or community-based organisations

– Group C: Entrepreneurs or employees of private sector organisations Australia Awards scholarships information for study commencing in 2025

– Group D: Individuals from research institutions, universities, media, and cultural organisations

be a citizen of Bangladesh and be residing in and applying for the scholarship from Bangladesh

• not be married, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any time during the application, selection or mobilisation phases

• not be currently serving as military personnel

• must be able to satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs to hold a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supported student visa

• must have achieved an IELTS (Academic) score of at 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score of less than 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score. Scores must be valid on 1 January 2025

– women, people with disability, indigenous people, and persons from any marginalized gender groups will be considered for eligibility with an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.0 or above (with no individual band less than 5.5) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE test score. However, if offered an Australia Awards Scholarship, these applicants must meet general English proficiency requirement to receive the scholarship.

Qualifications / work experience

Preference will be given to candidates who are applying for courses that build on their previous study and full-time relevant work experience of three years.

• Have completed a tertiary level qualification that is at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree. For applicants who completed all their degrees in Bangladesh: at least one degree must be from a university recognised by the University Grants Commission (Bangladesh).

Application dates

For study commencing in Australia in 2025:

• Opening date: 1 February 2024

• Closing date: 30 April 2024 (11:59PM AEST)

Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date will not be considered

The application process

Online applications All applications must be lodged online through OASIS at https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/

Supporting documents

Applicants must provide the following documents to meet the specific requirements for Bangladesh:

Passport
Transcript and Certificate of bachelor’s and master’s (if applicable) degrees
IELTS, TOEFL or PTE certificate (valid at 1 January 2025)
Development Impact and Linkages Plan (use prescribed template on australiaawardsbangladesh.org)
Curriculum Vitae (use prescribed template on australiaawardsbangladesh.org)
If employed at the time of application, employment certificate
Proof of work experiences
For applicants from the Government of Bangladesh, proof of cadre service
Master’s by coursework applicants Two reports – one academic – one professional Template: https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/referee.docx
Master’s by research applicants Three reports – two academic and one professional. Template: https://www.dfat.gov.au/si tes/default/files/referee.docx

Additional requirements for Master’s by research applicants:

Research proposal (use prescribed template on australiaawardsbangladesh.org
Evidence of written (email or letter) in-principle support from potential supervisor(s).

References:

https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards