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.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong committed the Australian Government to invest $64 million over the next four years, including $40 million in new funding, to enhance Australia's Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships. The new commitment, announced at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024, will expand Australia's maritime cooperation with regional partners and contribute to the security and prosperity of the region, consistent with the priorities of Southeast Asian countries.
Australia's Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships offers additional Australia Awards Scholarships for current government employees of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines working in maritime security, to obtain a master's qualification at an Australian tertiary institution. These scholarships will support the skills and capability priorities of partner countries to strengthen resilience to challenges in their maritime domains.
Opportunity
DFAT is offering annual postgraduate studies at master's level, with a choice of two courses. Both courses are delivered by the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, as below.
The scholarship commences annually in January with a six-week Introduction to Academic Studies (IAS) at the University of Wollongong College, to strengthen academic English language skills and prepare for the academic environment. This is followed by the master's course which runs March – December. Scholarship holders remain in Australia for the short period between end of IAS and beginning of master's course.
Level of study
Australia Maritime Security Scholarships (AMSS) provide an opportunity for current government employees of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines working in maritime security, to obtain a master's qualification at an Australian tertiary institution.
Award benefits
AMSS benefits remain the same as the Australia Awards program.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for AMSS, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen and current early or mid-career government employee of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, or the Philippines
- Be working on issues related to maritime security policy
- Demonstrate Minimum English language and academic competency as required in the Australia Award policy handbook (section 2.4)
- Hold a recognised bachelor's degree
- Have endorsement from your government agency to apply for this award
The application process
Applicants need to be citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam or the Philippines and must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria below in their written application.
The application process and online portal for AMSS will be the same as the Australia Awards Scholarships.
Applications must be submitted through the Online Australian Scholarships Information System (OASIS). Applicants will need to select the specific maritime scholarships scheme (Australia Maritime Security Scholarships AMSS) from the drop down list in the general application menu.
Applications are strongly encouraged from women and from people living with disability.