The Australia Awards Scholarship is the Australian government's flagship international development scholarship, and Indonesia consistently receives one of the largest annual allocations of any country worldwide. It is fully funded, covers study at Australian universities, and prioritises applicants from outside Java — particularly from eastern Indonesia and regions underrepresented in Australian higher education. This guide covers everything Indonesian applicants need to know.
What the Australia Awards Scholarship Covers
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Full tuition paid directly to the Australian university |
| Living allowance | Monthly stipend (~AUD 2,626/month for single recipients as of recent rates; subject to annual review) |
| Establishment allowance | One-time payment on arrival in Australia (~AUD 5,000) |
| Airfare | Return economy class (Jakarta – Australian city) |
| Pre-course English training (ELICOS) | Funded English language course in Australia before the main programme, if required |
| Health insurance (OSHC) | Overseas Student Health Cover for the full duration |
| Academic support | Additional academic skills support if needed |
Unlike LPDP, which is managed by the Indonesian government, Australia Awards is administered by the Australian government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — DFAT) through the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Key Differences from LPDP
| Feature | Australia Awards | LPDP |
|---|---|---|
| Funding government | Australia | Indonesia |
| Destination | Australia only | Worldwide (approved list) |
| Level | Primarily master's; some bachelor's and short courses | Master's and doctoral |
| Development focus | Explicit — priority sectors aligned with Australian development strategy | Broad, with priority fields |
| Pre-course English | Funded in Australia if needed | Applicant must already meet English threshold |
| Return obligation | 2 years in home country after graduation | 2x scholarship duration |
| Regional priority | Strong — significant allocation for eastern Indonesia, 3T areas | Some targeted categories |
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Indonesian citizens (WNI) only |
| Residency | Must reside in Indonesia at time of application |
| Age | No official maximum age — but most awards go to candidates aged 25–45 |
| Academic | Minimum undergraduate GPA — typically 2.9/4.0 for most fields; 3.0+ is competitive |
| Work experience | Required — minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in most categories |
| Government employee | Applicants who are PNS (civil servants) need institutional endorsement |
English Proficiency
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0 in some past cycles; check current year requirements) |
| TOEFL iBT | 61 (legacy; check current year) |
Key difference from LPDP: Australia Awards typically requires IELTS 6.0 (not 6.5 as LPDP requires), AND includes funded pre-course English training in Australia for awardees who need to improve before their programme starts. This means the IELTS 6.0 requirement is more accessible than LPDP's 6.5 minimum — and if you're awarded but your English needs improvement, the scholarship pays for it.
However, some Australian universities have their own admission English thresholds above 6.0. Always check the specific university programme requirement as well.
The Development Focus: Priority Sectors
Australia Awards in Indonesia is linked to Australian foreign development policy. Priority sectors change periodically but have typically included:
- Governance and public sector reform
- Economic management and financial services
- Education
- Health (including public health and medicine)
- Agriculture and food security
- Infrastructure and engineering
- Environment and climate change
Applicants who work in or whose studies relate to these priority sectors are at a significant advantage. Applications are assessed not just on academic merit but on development impact — how will this degree contribute to Indonesian development when you return?
Geographic Priority: Outside Java
Australia Awards Indonesia explicitly prioritises applicants from:
- Papua and West Papua
- Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB)
- Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Maluku
- 3T regions (Terdepan, Terluar, Tertinggal — frontier, outermost, disadvantaged)
Applicants from Java (particularly from major cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung) face higher competition relative to those from eastern and outer islands. This is intentional — the programme aims to distribute development capacity across Indonesia.
Application Process
Typical Annual Timeline
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Applications open | February – March each year |
| Application deadline | March – April (check exact date each year at australiaawardsindonesia.org) |
| Shortlisting and interviews | May – August |
| Award notifications | September – October |
| Pre-departure briefings | October – November |
| Commencement in Australia | Typically February (Australian academic year) |
What You Submit
- Application form (online via Australia Awards Indonesia portal)
- Two academic or professional reference letters
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae (CV/resume)
- IELTS or TOEFL score report
- Employer endorsement / No Objection Letter (NOL) from current employer
- Statement of Purpose (personal essay on your development goals)
- Proposed study programme (which Australian university and programme you plan to apply to)
The Interview
Shortlisted candidates attend an in-person interview (typically in Jakarta, or in regional cities for regional applicants). The interview assesses:
- English communication ability (partly conducted in English)
- Development commitment and clarity of career plans post-return
- Understanding of your proposed programme and its relevance to Indonesia
- Leadership and community contribution
Choosing Your Australian University
Australia Awards awardees are placed at an Australian university of their choice (subject to admission). You apply to the university yourself once you have the scholarship award. Top Australian universities popular with Indonesia Awards recipients include:
| University | City | Strengths for Indonesian Students |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | Public policy, education, health |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Canberra | Political science, public administration, Asia-Pacific studies |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | Business, health, law |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | Brisbane | Engineering, agriculture, public health |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Business, education, medicine |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | Perth | Mining, agriculture, public health |
| Flinders University | Adelaide | Health sciences, social sciences |
| Charles Darwin University | Darwin | Education, social sciences — high intake of eastern Indonesian students |
The Return Obligation
Australia Awards recipients are required to return to Indonesia for at least 2 years after graduation. You cannot accept employment in Australia or any other country during this period without special approval.
The return obligation is monitored by the Australian government through the award agreement and by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. DFAT can enforce the obligation through legal means. The vast majority of recipients return voluntarily — the career advancement from an Australia Awards degree in Indonesia is significant.
Australia Awards vs LPDP: Which to Apply For?
Many high-achieving Indonesian students apply to both simultaneously:
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Working in public sector / development sector in Indonesia | Australia Awards — development focus aligns well |
| Want to study at a top global university outside Australia | LPDP — wider university list |
| Want pre-course English support if your IELTS is 6.0–6.4 | Australia Awards — funds English uplift |
| Want to study at PhD level | LPDP — Australia Awards is primarily master's level |
| From eastern Indonesia or 3T region | Australia Awards — regional priority makes it more competitive |
| Private sector / technical field | LPDP may be more flexible on sector alignment |
Applying to both is not just permitted — it is strongly recommended. They have different application timelines, so calendar management is important.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — Australia Awards requires IELTS Academic 6.0 at minimum; LPDP requires 6.5. IELTS Academic speaking and writing practice with instant band scores, so you can track your progress toward the threshold you need — whichever scholarship you're targeting.