Australia runs a dedicated scholarship stream specifically for African students through its flagship government program, alongside a range of university scholarships that remain genuinely accessible to strong applicants from the continent.
The ten options below reflect both the government-backed and university-specific routes available.
1. Australia Awards Africa Scholarships
A dedicated stream within the broader [Australia Awards Scholarships](/australia-awards-scholarships/) program specifically supports students from eligible African countries, covering tuition, living costs, and airfare.
2. Destination Australia Program
Open to international students studying at Australian regional campuses, the [Destination Australia Program](/destination-australia-program/) has supported a growing number of African students pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
3. University of Melbourne Research Training Program Scholarship
The [Melbourne Research Scholarship](/melbourne-research-scholarship/) funds doctoral candidates from any country, including a consistent number of strong African applicants, with a living stipend and tuition offset.
4. Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship](/macquarie-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) reduces tuition for high-achieving international students, including African applicants, admitted to Macquarie University.
5. Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship](/deakin-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) offers a tuition fee reduction to academically strong international students, with African applicants forming a steady share of recipients in recent years.
6. RMIT International Excellence Scholarship
The [RMIT International Excellence Scholarship](/rmit-international-excellence-scholarship/) provides a tuition fee reduction for high-achieving international students, including applicants from across Africa.
7. UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship
The [UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship](/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarship/) supports outstanding doctoral candidates from any country with a higher-than-standard stipend and dedicated mentoring program.
8. Adelaide Scholarships International
The [Adelaide Scholarships International](/adelaide-scholarships-international/) program funds research-based master’s and doctoral candidates, with a tuition offset and living stipend open to African applicants alongside the rest of the world.
9. ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship
The [ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship](/anu-chancellors-international-scholarship/) offers a tuition fee reduction to high-achieving incoming international undergraduates at the Australian National University.
10. Australia Awards Pacific and Africa Alumni Network Support
Beyond the scholarship itself, Australia Awards maintains an active alumni network across Africa that provides ongoing professional development and networking opportunities for former recipients.
Because Australia Awards sets specific country quotas and priority sectors that are reviewed regularly, checking the current list of eligible African countries each cycle is an essential first step before investing time in an application.
Australian consulates and designated education agents across several African countries hold regular information sessions about Australia Awards specifically, which can be a more direct way to get accurate, up-to-date guidance than searching online alone.
Because Australia Awards places real weight on a candidate.’s planned contribution back to their home country after graduating, clearly connecting the chosen course of study to a specific national or community need tends to strengthen an application significantly.
Comparing the real net cost of living in different Australian cities, rather than relying only on a university.’s general estimate, helps applicants judge how far a given scholarship stipend will realistically stretch over the course of the degree.
Students should also check whether their chosen scholarship requires maintaining a minimum full-time study load each semester, since dropping below that threshold can affect both visa compliance and continued funding eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia Awards open to every African country?
No, it operates through a defined and periodically updated list of partner countries, so checking current eligibility is important before applying.
Do Australian university scholarships require African applicants to prove financial need?
Most university scholarships listed here are merit-based rather than need-based, focusing on academic achievement rather than financial circumstances.
Can African students apply for both Australia Awards and a university scholarship at the same time?
Generally no, since Australia Awards is designed to be the primary source of funding and most recipients are not expected to hold another full scholarship simultaneously.
Are these scholarships limited to specific fields of study?
Australia Awards often prioritizes fields connected to each partner country’s development priorities, while university scholarships tend to be open more broadly.
Does the Destination Australia Program require studying outside major cities?
Yes, it specifically supports study at regional campuses outside capital cities, which is the defining feature of the program.
How competitive is the Australia Awards Africa stream?
It remains highly competitive, since a limited number of places are allocated across many eligible countries and fields each year.
Do these scholarships support both undergraduate and postgraduate study?
Most, including the university scholarships listed here, support both levels, though specific eligibility depends on the individual program’s rules.