Australian Government scholarships play an important role in fostering and sustaining friendship and cooperation between Australia and developing countries. ADS are a central part of the Australian Government's development cooperation program in Africa. By providing people with the knowledge and the skills to promote development in their home country, the ADS scheme aims to reduce poverty, promote good governance, and contribute to the human resource base of targeted countries.

Regional Strategy

Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) are a central part of the Australian Government's development cooperation program in Africa. The ADS scheme offers the opportunity to people from developing countries to study in priority sector coursed at Australian universities.

By providing people with the knowledge and skills to promote development in their home country, the ADS scheme aims to reduce poverty, promote good governance, and contribute to the human resource base of targeted countries and complement other Australian development projects.

To find out more about ADS in Africa, consult the website: www.adsafrica.com.au

Application Process

The Africa ADS application process has five major stages, as follows:

1. Advertising and Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs). ADS Scholarships are advertised either in the national press (for South Africa, Uganda and Mozambique), or through the relevant Nominating Authority, which requests government departments / organisations to nominate candidates. Adverts and notifications will include details of the EOIs and supporting documents which must be submitted by prospective candidates. For Mozambique and South Africa, these EOIs are submitted to GRM International, the managing contractor, at the address supplied in the relevant country webpages and in the advert. For all other countries, EOIs are submitted to the Nominating Authority.


2. Paper Selection. The paper selection stage examines the EOIs received and compares them to the eligibility criteria (click here to see an example of the eligibility criteria for Public Category scholarships). Applications are categorised as Compliant or Non-Compliant. The Compliant applications are considered by a Selection Panel, and a shortlist of approximately three candidates per scholarship is drawn up. For Mozambique, Compliant applicants are required to sit an English language exam, the IELTS.


3. Selection Interviews. The shortlisted candidates attend an interview by the Selection Panel. After these interviews, a final list of Priority and Reserve candidates is drawn up and candidates are advised of the outcome. Priority candidates are those selected for immediate processing of a scholarship. Reserve candidates are held in case any Priority candidates cannot take up their scholarship.


4. ADS / University Application Process. Once candidates are informed that they are Priority or Reserve candidates, they begin researching their universities and courses and filling in their ADS Application forms. For Mozambique, Priority and Reserve candidates may be required to sit additional English language training if their IELTS scores do not meet Australian University standards. For the ADS/University Application, candidates must:
   
   
   1. complete three identical application forms – AusAID retains one and the other two are sent to the selected universities;
   2. include with each application a passport-size photo of the applicant (photos should not be permanently affixed to the applications);
   3. indicate the level and field of study required;
   4. attach to each application form an original or certified copy of each document necessary to substantiate their educational qualifications;
   5. attach to each application form reports from three referees, of which two must be by academic supervisors and one from their employer;
   6. ensure Section 11 of the application form has been signed and stamped by their employer and the Nominating Authority; and
   7. ensure all the relevant documents listed on the final page of the application form have been included.


5. Visa Application Process. The visa application process begins at the same time as the ADS / University application process. Priority and Reserve candidates will receive a briefing from a GRM-ADS staff member on filling in the visa form, as well as an explanation of the supporting documents required. For the visa application, awardees must submit:
   
   
   1. a completed visa form 157A, with a passport valid for more than six months after the end of the proposed scholarship (i.e. the passport must be valid for the full life of the scholarship plus six months), and 6 passport photos (please note that these photographs are additional to the photographs required by the ADS/University application process);
   2. a signed Contract between AusAID and the awardee (this is usually available only around September or October);
   3. certified copies of qualifications (and translations where these are not in English), and a CV;
   4. proof of medical examination conducted by a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)-registered Panel Doctor, complete with HIV test;
   5. certified copies of the awardee’s birth certificate (or original affidavit of birth); the spouse’s birth certificate; children’s birth certificates; marriage certificate or evidence of defacto relationship; in the case of divorce or the death of a partner, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate;
   6. consent letters from the other parent if a child or children will be travelling with only one parent, or a court order granting the travelling parent full legal responsibility for the child/ren;
   7. evidence of sufficient funds to support dependant family members, regardless of whether they are accompanying the awardee or remaining in the home country.

AusAID has contracted GRM International, an independent Managing Contractor (MC) to provide administrative and logistical services to the Africa ADS Programme. All communications or queries should be sent either to the details given in the advert or notification, or to GRM’s contact details which can be found at the following webpage: http://www.adsafrica.com.au/contactUs.php

Restrictions

Study in Australia is subject to the successful applicant being issued with a visa by the Australian Development of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). As part of the visa application process, immigration authorities require candidates to undergo a full medical examination including a chest X-ray and an HIV/AIDS test. This is also to ensure that candidates are physically capable of travelling and pursuing long term study in Australia.

Only students up to 45 years of age, at the time of making the application, may apply.

Applicants are required to return to their country of citizenship after the completion of their award to contribute to the development of the identified priority sector in their country.

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