Submissions open for Australia Awards in Palau

Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in eligible countries. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.

Focus Areas

• The priority areas of study for eligible Palau are:
  • Health
  • Information and Communications Technology (Computer Science)
  • Infrastructure Development and Management
  • Fisheries Management
  • Engineering (Electrical Engineering)
  • Surveying and Mapping or Geodetic Engineering
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Law
  • Tourism
  • Aviation Management (Griffith University)

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

• For (undergraduate) graduate certificate/diploma level study, scholarship awardees:
  • Must have completed successfully completed Palau Year 12 High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Degree (GED) or adult high school certificate with a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
• For Bachelor level study, scholarship awardees:
  • Must have successfully completed Palau Year 12 High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Degree (GED) or adult high school certificate with a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
  • Must not hold or have substantially completed an equivalent or higher qualification at the time of application.
• For Master level study, scholarship awardees:
  • must have already obtained a first degree related to the proposed area of study
  • at least two years of relevant work experience
  • must not hold a or have substantially completed a master’s degree at the time of application.
• For Aviation Management Awards:
  • Bachelor of Aviation Management:
    • Must have successfully completed Palau Year 12 High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Degree (GED) or adult high school certificate with a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
    • Must not hold or have substantially completed an equivalent or higher qualification at the time of application.
  • Or Professional Entry pathway (for Aviation Management):
    • Undergraduate degree in an area relevant to the degree major or
    • At least 5 years equivalent full-time work experience in the aviation industry; and either:
      • Professional aviation industry qualifications (eg. Air traffic controller or commercial pilot) or
      • A technical aviation industry certificate plus at least a Cert IV level qualification in a field relevant to the degree majors.
  • Graduate Certificate (postgraduate) level study (For Aviation Management):
    • Must have already obtained a first degree related to the proposed area of study and
    • at least two years relevant work experience
    • must not hold or have completed a Master’s degree at the time of application.
• In addition to these basic eligibility requirements, candidates from Palau must also meet the following country specific requirements:
  • Be currently residing in Palau, with some exception for applicants working for the Government of Palau in a third country.
  • If recipient of a previous scholarship, including Australia Awards, have worked in Palau for a minimum of two years cumulatively.
  • Not currently hold another scholarship with the same benefits.
  • Not have been terminated from a previous Australian Government scholarship.
  • Not a current serving member of the military.
  • No criminal history.
• English language proficiency:
  • Applicants must be able to satisfy all relevant university admission requirements, including English language proficiency.
  • At a minimum, successful applicants must have achieved a TOEFL (internet) score of at least 84 (with a minimum of 21 in all subtests) or an equivalent IELTS or PTE score. Scores must be valid at 1 January 2026.

Selection Criteria

• 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 Palau.
  • professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience.

For more information, visit Australian Government.