Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of local, national and global leaders. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
As part of the Australia Awards initiative, the Australia Awards – Malaysia Semester Program (AA-MSP) commenced in July 2026, providing an opportunity for more Malaysian students to experience Australia's world-class education sector in a globally competitive marketplace.
The AA-MSP strengthens education links, builds human capital, and advances priorities under our bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Opportunity
The AA-MSP offers a unique short-term opportunity for students currently studying at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at an Australian transnational education institution in Malaysia. Participating universities currently include:
- Curtin University Malaysia
- Monash University Malaysia
The AA-MSP enables students to pursue their academic studies for one to two semesters in Australia, creating a pathway for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to study in Australia. The program supports the empowerment of women as well as the inclusion of people with disability; those from ethnic minorities; and individuals from disadvantaged social groups.
Level of study
The AA-MSP provides an opportunity for Malaysian students currently studying at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at an Australian transnational education institution in Malaysia to pursue their studies for one to two semesters in Australia.
Award benefits
The program will cover students' international travel, accommodation and living expenses; university administration, coordination and support costs; and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) testing, visas, overseas student health cover and related insurance.
Application process
The applicant needs to be a Malaysian citizen and must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria below in their application.
Applications must be submitted to the scholarship department at the Australian university branch campus at which the applicant is studying.
Eligibility criteria
Applications are open to Malaysian citizens who are enrolled and currently undertaking their studies at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at an Australian university branch campus in Malaysia, and fulfil the following criteria:
- Demonstrate academic merit and readiness for study in Australia
- Have cleared visa, health and insurance requirements for study in Australia
- Proficiency in English language skills
- Assessed by the educational institution as requiring financial support
- Studying in an area aligned with Australia's priority cooperation themes with Malaysia, including:
- Climate, energy and sustainability
- Digital economy, AI and cyber security
- Advanced manufacturing and engineering
- Trade, investment and economic policy
- Health and medical sciences
- Food security and biosecurity
- Public administration, education and human capital
- Tourism and hospitality
- Undergraduate students must be in at least the second year of their degree to apply.
For media enquiries, please email Public-Affairs-klpr@dfat.gov.au