Last updated: June 2026
The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) is one of the most comprehensive government-funded scholarships available to Indonesian citizens, covering full tuition, return airfare, living allowance, and health insurance for Master’s and PhD study at Australian universities.
Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the program has operated since 1953 and has supported thousands of Indonesian alumni now in leadership roles across government, research, and the private sector. This guide covers everything you need for the 2027 intake: eligibility requirements, full benefits, the four AAS scholarship streams, the step-by-step application process, and the one eligibility detail that quietly lowers the chances of hundreds of qualified applicants every year. For a broader overview of all available programs, see our complete guide to scholarships in Australia 2026 for Indonesians.
What Is the Australia Awards Scholarship?
The Australia Awards Scholarship is an Australian Government program that funds Indonesian citizens to complete a Master’s degree (maximum 2 years) or a PhD (maximum 4 years) at one of 47 participating australiaawardsindonesia.org partner universities. The program sits under the Australia-Indonesia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2028, which expanded priority funding areas and added new scholarship streams for Indonesian emerging leaders.
The 2027 intake typically opens in February 2027 and closes in April 2027. Shortlisted applicants hear back mid-year, with final results by August. All official dates are confirmed at australiaawardsindonesia.org. Check that page directly rather than relying on third-party summaries, since intake timelines can shift slightly year to year.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Australia Awards Scholarship provides one of the most complete support packages available to Indonesian students going abroad. The table below summarises what scholars receive, per australiaawardsindonesia.org:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full tuition for the entire degree duration |
| Airfare | Return economy airfare between Indonesia and Australia |
| Living allowance | Monthly stipend for accommodation and daily living costs |
| Health cover | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the scholarship period |
| English training | Full-time English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in Indonesia before departure |
| Professional development | Networking activities and enrichment programs during and after study |
For most recipients, the net out-of-pocket cost of studying in Australia on a full AAS award is effectively zero, a significant difference from self-funded study where how much it costs to study in Australia can run well into the tens of thousands annually.
Eligibility Requirements
General Requirements
To be eligible for the Australia Awards Scholarship 2027, applicants must meet the following criteria, per australiaawardsindonesia.org:
- Be an Indonesian citizen residing in and applying from Indonesia
- Not be married to, or engaged to, a person eligible for Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident status
- Not currently be applying for any visa to live permanently in Australia
- Not have received a long-term Australia Awards Scholarship in the previous four years
- Not be current-serving military personnel
- Be available for full-time pre-departure English language training (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) in Indonesia if offered a scholarship
Academic and English Proficiency Requirements
Most AAS programs require a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. English proficiency requirements for the 2027 intake are as follows:
| Test | Master’s Minimum | PhD Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 88 |
| PTE Academic | 56 | 61 |
Test results must be valid as of January 1, 2027. IELTS and PTE test slots fill weeks in advance in major Indonesian cities. If your current score falls short, allow 3 to 6 months for structured preparation and retesting before the application window opens.
Equity Target Group: The 15 Priority Provinces
Here is what most guides skip, and what directly affects your chances. The AAS designates an Equity Target Group (ETG) that receives priority consideration in the selection process. The ETG covers three categories:
- Applicants from 15 priority provinces: East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, South Papua, Highland Papua, Central Papua, West Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, and Lampung
- Women from disadvantaged backgrounds
- People with disabilities
If you qualify under any ETG criteria, apply under the ETG category. The most common and most avoidable mistake RACC consultants see at this stage is eligible ETG applicants submitting under General, placing themselves in a larger pool with fewer priority seats. Checking your category before you open the form takes two minutes and can meaningfully shift your odds.
Priority Fields of Study for 2027
DFAT gives priority to applicants whose target field aligns with Indonesia’s national development goals under the Australia-Indonesia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2028. Priority areas for the 2027 intake include:
- Equitable and sustainable economic transformation
- Climate-resilient communities and environmental management
- Institutional strengthening and governance
If your field of study connects to one of these areas, make that connection explicit in your study proposal. Applicants whose proposals bridge two priority areas have a stronger case in the selection process.
Australia Awards Scholarship Streams in 2027
The Australia Awards program in Indonesia now operates across four streams. Identifying the right stream for your background before you start preparing documents will save you significant time.
Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS)
The flagship program, open to all eligible Indonesian citizens. Covers Master’s and PhD study across a wide range of fields at 47 participating universities. The most widely available stream, with the broadest eligibility criteria and the highest number of available places.
LPDP-Australia Awards Scholarship
A joint program between Indonesia’s Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) and the Australian Government via DFAT. Benefits are comparable to the main AAS, but this stream suits applicants who have existing LPDP ties or who want to maintain Indonesian government backing throughout their studies. The 2027 application window is expected to open in mid-2027, per lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id.
Australia Awards Garuda Scholarships
Announced at the 2025 Annual Leaders’ Meeting between Australian Prime Minister Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, this stream is specifically for principals and teachers from the Sekolah Garuda Transformasi program. It supports Master’s study in education and related fields at Australian universities, with study commencing in 2027. Applications are managed through beasiswa.kemdiktisaintek.go.id.
Australia Awards Nusantara Scholarships
A dedicated stream targeting Indonesian applicants under specific development priorities. Full eligibility criteria and application details for this stream are published at australiaawardsindonesia.org. If your profile fits an underrepresented province or sector, check this stream alongside the main AAS.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility Category
Before opening the application form, confirm whether you qualify under the ETG category (see the eligibility section above). Then identify two to three target universities that offer your intended field. Having backup options matters, as intake capacity varies by institution and specialisation.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Allow 8 to 12 weeks to assemble your application. Most applicants underestimate how long referee reports and certified translations actually take. Standard AAS documentation includes:
- Valid Indonesian passport and national ID (KTP)
- Official academic transcripts and degree certificates, certified and translated into English
- Current IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic results
- Updated CV (maximum 4 pages)
- Two referee reports from academic or professional supervisors
- Study plan (required for PhD applicants; strongly recommended for Master’s applicants)
Step 3: Submit Before the Deadline
Applications are submitted through the portal at australiaawardsindonesia.org. Indonesia does not use the OASIS system that other countries use for Australia Awards applications. The system experiences high traffic in the final days before closing. Submitting at least two weeks before the deadline reduces your risk of technical issues preventing a complete submission.
Selection Criteria: What DFAT Looks For
DFAT evaluates AAS applications across four dimensions: academic competence, professional achievement, soft skills and leadership potential, and capacity to contribute to Indonesia’s development upon return. The last criterion is the one applicants most consistently underweight.
Your study plan needs a specific, credible plan for applying your qualification in Indonesia after graduation. Not “I will contribute to national development.” Something like: “I will apply this water management research to the irrigation planning challenges in [specific region], working with [specific institution or ministry].” That level of concreteness is what advances applications past first-round screening.
Return Obligation: What Happens After You Graduate
Every AAS recipient is required to return to Indonesia after completing their studies. This is a formal contractual condition of the award administered by DFAT, not an informal expectation. Recipients who do not return are considered to have breached their scholarship agreement, which can affect future visa applications and eligibility for Australian government-funded programs.
Your study period in Australia as an AAS scholar does not count toward any Australian residency pathway while the return obligation is active. If migration to Australia is part of your longer-term career plan alongside the scholarship, speak with a MARA-registered agent before applying to understand how the two goals interact. RACC’s guide to the study-to-migration pathway and skilled migration visa options covers what becomes available once your return obligation is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the Australia Awards Scholarship cover?
The Australia Awards Scholarship covers full tuition fees, return economy airfare between Indonesia and Australia, a monthly living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and pre-departure English language training in Indonesia. Professional development and networking activities are also included. Recipients have no out-of-pocket academic costs for the duration of their degree.
Who are the 15 equity target provinces for Australia Awards Scholarship?
The 15 equity target provinces, per australiaawardsindonesia.org, are East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, South Papua, Highland Papua, Central Papua, West Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, and Lampung. Applicants from these provinces qualify for the Equity Target Group (ETG) category and receive priority consideration in the selection process.
What is the difference between AAS and LPDP-Australia Awards?
AAS is funded entirely by the Australian Government via DFAT and is open to all eligible Indonesian citizens. LPDP-Australia Awards is a joint program co-funded by Indonesia’s LPDP and the Australian Government. Both programs cover similar benefits, but LPDP-Australia Awards suits applicants with existing LPDP ties who want Indonesian government backing throughout their studies.
What IELTS score do I need for Australia Awards Scholarship?
For the Australia Awards Scholarship 2027, the minimum IELTS Academic score is 6.0 overall for Master’s applicants and 6.5 overall for PhD applicants, per australiaawardsindonesia.org. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are also accepted. Results must be valid as of January 1, 2027. Book your test well in advance, as slots fill months ahead in major Indonesian cities.
When does the Australia Awards Scholarship 2027 open?
The 2027 intake application window typically opens in February 2027, following the same annual cycle as previous intakes. Applications usually close in April 2027. Announcements are published through the official Australia Awards Indonesia website at australiaawardsindonesia.org and through the Australian Embassy Jakarta.
Can I migrate to Australia after completing the Australia Awards Scholarship?
Not directly. AAS recipients must return to Indonesia after graduation as a formal award condition. Your study period as a scholar does not contribute to Australian residency. After fulfilling the return obligation, migration to Australia is a separate pathway open to you, including skilled migration based on your occupation. RACC can advise on this once your obligation is complete.
What happens if I don’t return to Indonesia after my scholarship?
Failing to return to Indonesia after graduation is a breach of the Australia Awards Scholarship agreement administered by DFAT. This can affect future visa applications to Australia and may have consequences for future Australian scholarship or funding programs. The return obligation is a formal contractual condition, not a guideline.
RACC Indonesia is a Registered Migration and Education Consulting Company (MARN 1572961) with 20 years of experience helping Indonesians apply for visas and study in Australia.
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