For over 70 years, Australia has invested in generations of global leaders by providing opportunities for study, research and professional development in Australia and the region. Since the Colombo Plan of the 1950's, over 100,000 Australia Awards have been offered to high achievers from the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. These Scholarships and Fellowships have provided high-quality educational experiences, fostered people-to-people links and contributed to improved living standards and economic growth.

Significant opportunities exist in monitoring and evaluating the contribution of Australia Awards to alumni, their home countries and institutions, as well as Australia. Particular areas of interest include understanding pathways following graduation, the contributions made to sustainable development by alumni in their home countries, and the public diplomacy benefits Australia has yielded from a global network of enriched award recipients.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to establish the Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility for the next four years. The Facility will establish a robust evidence base and insight into the outcomes of Alumni from the Australia Awards and similar scholarships. Since 2016, the Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility has undertaken a large annual survey and ongoing case studies, as well as tracing activities aimed at re-engaging alumni in broader activities consistent with the Australia Global Alumni Engagement Strategy. In particular, the Facility will focus on less recent alumni.

Global Tracer Facility activities

The Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility is actively undertaking research with alumni. If you received an Australia Awards Scholarship, or Fellowship, or any of the preceding awards–Australian Development Scholarship, Australian Leadership Award, Australian Partnership Scholarship, a Colombo Plan Scholarship or similar–you may be contacted by researchers from the Facility to participate in research activities. Key activities of the Facility will include:

• Annual Tracer Survey: The Facility will contact alumni by phone or email requesting their completion of a brief survey to gather information regarding their insights and experiences.
• Case Studies: Facility researchers will visit alumni to conduct in-depth interviews about their outcomes and experiences.
• Tracing and updating contacts: The Facility will contact alumni through existing networks encouraging them to update their contact details and join related groups. This will allow alumni to share ideas and receive information including about research and other activities.
• Sharing outcomes and insights: A range of research outputs documenting the outcomes of Australia Awards alumni will be published by the Facility and available on this page.

Information regarding your privacy and the Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility