Information on 2027 Intake
Australia Awards scholarships in Vanuatu
Australia’s international development assistance in Vanuatu promotes a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and in the region.
The Australia Awards program aims to support partner countries in achieving their development goals through education, knowledge exchange, and building enduring relationships with Australia. It equips emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and experience needed to contribute to sustainable development and foster international cooperation.
Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to exercise leadership and have an impact on development challenges in Vanuatu.
Applications from women, people with disability and other diversity groups are encouraged.
Priority fields of study
The priority areas of study for eligible Vanuatu are:
- health (including allied health, nursing and midwifery, acute care, surgical, pathology, psychology, counselling)
- development studies (including gender, criminology, justice, governance, social work, community development)
- criminology and justice
- climate change and renewable energy (including disaster management)
- inclusive education and the teaching of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics
- food science and animal science
- finance and commerce, economics, public policy, international relations and public administration
- information technology, media communications and cyber security
- aviation management and aircraft engineering
- management of TVET institutions
- trade skills
- engineering and architecture
- agriculture
- urban and infrastructure planning (including water, sanitation and hygiene)
The Governments of Australia and Vanuatu regularly review these areas of study together and adjust the emphasis of the program. Detailed information on priority areas of study can be found on the Australia Awards Vanuatu website.
Level of study
Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Vanuatu with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at an Australian tertiary institution or Pacific Institution at the following levels:
- Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma
- Bachelor's Degree,
- Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master's degree.
Australia Awards benefits
Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.
Scholarship recipients will receive the following:
- return air travel
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- full tuition fees
- contribution to living expenses
- introductory academic program
- overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship
- supplementary academic support
- fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Eligibility Criteria
Australia Awards applicants must meet all eligibility requirements detailed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships Policy Handbook.
Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age on 1 February 2027
Country-specific conditions
In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Vanuatu must also meet the following conditions:
Certificate IV, diploma and advanced diploma (technical and vocational education and training – TVET)
- All institutional course prerequisites, including strong English language proficiency.
Bachelor
- For Anglophone students: Year 13 grades of A+, A or B in the top four subjects, including English. Alternatively, for students yet to complete Year 13, Year 12 grades of 1 or 2 in the top four subjects, including English.
- For Francophone students who completed or are currently completing Year 13: grades of 12+ (out of 20) in all subjects, including English, in the most recent year of study.
Masters
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 across the university transcript or its equivalent (for example, 12 out of 20 for Francophone students). A lower GPA may be considered for applicants with at least five years of highly relevant professional experience.
Application dates
For study commencing in Australia in 2027:
Opening date: 1 February 2026 (09:00 Vanuatu time)
Closing date: 30 April 2026 (14:00 Vanuatu time)
Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date and time will not be considered.
The application process
Online applications
All applications must be lodged online through OASIS.
- Applicants must use their full name exactly as it appears on their passport, including first, middle, and last names.
- Applicants must not use nicknames, shortened versions, or abbreviations of their names.
- Applicants must use their own personal emails, and not someone else’s email address.
Supporting documents
Applicants must submit all the relevant supporting documents listed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships Policy Handbook. Applicants must compile documents into single PDFs by document category, name the files appropriately (e.g. “Certificates”, “Referee Reports”), and ensure that the scanned documents are in colour, legible, in correct page order and orientation.
Applicants must also provide the following documents to meet the specific requirements for Vanuatu:
|
Required document |
OASIS document type |
|
Proof of citizenship |
National ID, Passport, Birth certificate |
|
VIPAM Endorsement Letter (For Civil Servants applicants ONLY) |
Employer endorsement |
|
Academic Transcripts |
Latest qualifications transcripts |
|
Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
Latest CV |
|
Referee Reports |
References |
All documents must be translated to English. Failure to do so could render your application ineligible.
Note: Only shortlisted applicants must have their documents certified.
The selection process
Applicants are highly encouraged to refer to ‘How to Apply’ at the Australia Awards Vanuatu website.
Applications will be shortlisted after eligibility checking.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding the outcome of the shortlisting process.
The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
- academic competence
- potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Vanuatu.
- professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience.
Successful candidates will be notified in late 2026.
Awardee travel will be subject to meeting the requirements imposed by the Australian Government, as determined by the federal Department of Home Affairs and Department of Education and by the relevant Australian State or Territory governments.
Preparatory training
Successful applicants will be required to attend:
- Course counselling.
- Pre-Departure Briefing.
- Introductory Academic Program (provided by the respective education institution).
- other required preparatory study on arrival in Australia.
Further information
More general information about the Australia Awards, Australia’s aid program, and studying in Australia can be found at the following links:
Information about visas and Australia Awards scholarship entitlements and conditions can be found in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook and the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships Policy Handbook.
Contact details
Australia Awards Vanuatu
Address: Vila Mall (Opposite VNPF Building), Port Vila, Vanuatu
Telephone: (678) 22114
Email: [email protected]