DFAT invites Australian tertiary education institutions to review and provide feedback on a draft Deed of Standing Offer (found below in word and PDF), including the Statement of Requirements, for the provision of education (academic and welfare) services for Australia Awards Scholarships. Institutions are also invited to attend an online briefing as part of the consultation process.
The draft Deed will establish the contractual terms under which DFAT engages education institutions in Australia Awards Scholarships. This consultation forms part of DFAT';s work to modernise contractual arrangements for Australia Awards Scholarships and ensure they remain fit for purpose, compliant with policy and regulatory requirements, and capable of supporting long-term program delivery.
While based on standard Deed of Standing Offer terms, the draft includes program-specific provisions. DFAT is particularly seeking feedback on the clarity, deliverability, and market alignment of the Statement of Requirements (SOR). The SOR should be read in conjunction with the Australia Awards Handbook, which forms part of the broader operating framework.
Consultation Process and Probity
The consultation is not a procurement process, pre-qualification process, or evaluation activity. Participation in the consultation will not influence eligibility for, or assessment in, any future procurement process. Feedback will be considered collectively and any changes arising from the consultation will be applied consistently to ensure no respondent receives a competitive advantage.
Participation in the consultation process is voluntary. Institutions that do not participate, or choose not to provide feedback, will remain eligible to participate in any procurement process. No institution will be selected, shortlisted or excluded based on this consultation. DFAT will manage submissions in accordance with applicable confidentiality, privacy and information management requirements.
Purpose of the Consultation
The consultation aims to:
- test the operational practicality and deliverability of the proposed arrangements
- identify any unintended legal, administrative or implementation impacts
- support early and transparent engagement with the sector before the procurement documentation is finalised
- gather sector insights to support development of fit-for-purpose procurement documentation.
Feedback received through this consultation will be considered collectively and will inform final tender documentation. The tender is expected to be released in early 2027.
How to Participate
To ensure all participants receive consistent information, all inquiries relating to this consultation must be directed to support@australiaawards.org
Institutions wishing to provide feedback should follow the steps below:
- Review the draft Deed of Standing Offer:
- Register to attend an online briefing on Tuesday 25 August at 11am AEST via this link - Australia Awards Scholarship Deed of Standing Offer Consultation Briefing
- Submit feedback to support@australiaawards.org using the below template provided by 11am AEST Thursday 24 September 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
DFAT welcomes participation in consultation from Australian tertiary education institutions that may wish to participate in future Australia Awards Scholarship procurement processes, noting that institutions will need to be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to be eligible to partner with DFAT on Australia Awards Scholarships.
Australia Awards Scholarships
For further information on the Australia Awards'; partnership with institutions, visit Australia Awards Scholarships – Partnership with Education Institutions.
Questions about the consultation process can be directed to support@australiaawards.org
Disclaimer: This information is provided for planning purposes only. It does not represent a solicitation or constitute a request for proposal, nor is it a commitment to purchase or tender for any described services. The scale, scope, and focus of any future procurement may change at any time and is subject to formal approval before any procurement process commences.