Applications have opened for the 2027 intake of the Australia Awards Scholarships for Sri Lankan citizens, with the programme placing particular emphasis on applicants from conflict-affected and socioeconomically disadvantaged districts, as well as professionals working in the disability sector.
The application window began on February 1, 2026, and will close on April 30, 2026. Programme guidelines state that late submissions — including incomplete or delayed supporting documents — will not be considered. Applications must be submitted online through the Australia Awards OASIS portal.
A development instrument, not merely a study-abroad scheme
The intake document frames Australia Awards as part of Australia’s official development assistance to Sri Lanka rather than as a conventional overseas education opportunity. The stated objective is to “support partner countries in achieving their development goals through education, knowledge exchange, and building enduring relationships with Australia.”
According to the programme description, the scholarships aim to equip “emerging leaders with the skills, networks and experience needed to contribute to sustainable development and foster international cooperation.”
Applicants are assessed on academic competence, professional and personal qualities, and — most importantly — their potential to exercise leadership and generate measurable impact on development challenges in Sri Lanka. Applications from women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups are explicitly encouraged.
The document identifies 15 priority districts from which applications are particularly encouraged, in addition to professionals working in the disability sector. These include all five districts of the Northern Province — Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, and Vavuniya — as well as all three districts of the Eastern Province: Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee. The list further extends to seven districts associated with estate-sector vulnerability, climate exposure, and persistent poverty, namely Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Monaragala, Puttalam, Ratnapura, and Nuwara Eliya.
Priority fields of study
For Sri Lanka, the 2027 intake identifies six priority fields of study: climate change and disaster risk reduction, economic development, education, gender equality and social inclusion — including disability — governance, and inclusive growth and stability. The selection of these areas reflects a broader development framework rather than a purely academic focus, aligning the scholarships with policy sectors considered central to Sri Lanka’s long-term institutional and economic resilience.
Programme documents note that the governments of Australia and Sri Lanka periodically review and recalibrate these priorities to reflect evolving development needs. Additional policy guidance is set out in the Sri Lanka Development Partnership Plan issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Master’s-level awards only
For study commencing in 2027, scholarships will be offered exclusively for Master’s-level qualifications — either by coursework or research — at Australian tertiary institutions. No other degree levels are listed for this intake.
What the scholarship covers
The scholarship is awarded for the minimum period necessary to complete the chosen academic programme, including any required preparatory study. It covers return air travel to Australia, full tuition fees and a one-time establishment allowance, along with a contribution toward living expenses for the duration of the course. Recipients also receive overseas student health cover, access to an Introductory Academic Program upon arrival and supplementary academic support where needed. For those enrolled in research degrees — and for coursework students whose programmes require it — a fieldwork allowance is provided.
Eligibility: designed for working professionals
The scholarship is structured for employed professionals rather than fresh graduates.
Applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook. Sri Lanka-specific requirements include:
Employment requirements
Applicants must be employed at the time of application.
Public sector applicants must have at least three years’ post-qualification experience in the public sector, including two years in a field relevant to the proposed course of study, and must be confirmed in their current positions.
Private-sector and civil-society applicants must also have at least 3 years’ post-qualification experience relevant to their proposed study.
Academic qualifications
Applicants must hold a tertiary qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree and demonstrate an academic or professional background relevant to the proposed programme.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the English language standards set out in the Policy Handbook. Test scores must be valid at the commencement of the nominated programme and submitted with the application.
However, applicants working in the 15 priority districts, applicants with disabilities, and those working in the disability sector may be considered with an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (with no band below 5.0), or equivalent TOEFL or PTE results. If awarded a scholarship, these applicants must meet the standard IELTS 6.5 equivalent before commencing study in Australia.
Previous Australian government-funded opportunities
Applicants must not have received an Australian government-funded opportunity — including Australia Awards Short Courses, Fellowships, or Australian Professional Opportunities — within 24 months prior to the application closing date.
Equivalent qualification restriction
Scholarships will not be awarded for courses in which the applicant has already obtained an equivalent qualification deemed comparable to an Australian degree.
Special conditions
Awardees must comply with several additional requirements:
Recipients are subject to a DFAT-sponsored student visa condition requiring them to return to Sri Lanka for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
Successful applicants must sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia agreeing to scholarship conditions.
Family members may join awardees only after six months (one semester) of study.
Public sector employees must provide official leave approval documentation prior to departure, which requires submission of their application and institutional approval to the Department of External Resources.
The programme will request recognition of prior learning for all Sri Lankan recipients. If granted, this may result in placement in a shorter-duration degree programme than originally applied for.
Required documentation
Applicants must compile documents into single PDF files by category, ensure colour scanning, legibility, and correct orientation, and upload them according to OASIS instructions.
Sri Lanka-specific required documents include certified degree certificates and transcripts, proof of citizenship, CV, Development Impact and Linkages Plan (DILP), English test results valid on January 1, 2026, employment letter, referee reports (varying by coursework or research track), and, for research applicants, a research proposal and identification of proposed supervisors.
The programme warns that referee reports submitted in incorrect formats may render an application ineligible. Documents requiring certification must also include certified translations if not in English.
Selection process
Applications will be shortlisted after eligibility screening. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Selection includes an interview and assessment against three core criteria: academic competence; contribution to development outcomes in Sri Lanka; and professional and personal leadership attributes.
Successful applicants are expected to be notified in late 2026. Travel is subject to requirements set by the Australian Government, including the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Education, and relevant state or territory authorities.
Preparatory training
Selected candidates must attend a pre-departure briefing, the university’s Introductory Academic Program, and any required preparatory training upon arrival in Australia.
Contact Information
Australia Awards — Sri Lanka and Maldives
75 1/1, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 115 772 977–80
Email: inquiries@australiaawardssrilanka.org
Website: www.australiaawardssrilanka.org
