Study in Australia or the Pacific

Tonga

Applying for an Australia Awards scholarship

 

Australia Awards in Tonga

Australia’s international development assistance in Tonga 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 impact on development challenges in eligible countries.

Applications from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups are encouraged.

Priority fields of study

Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Tonga with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at a tertiary institution in Australia or the Pacific Region. Awards will be offered for commencement in 2027 in the following priority areas:

• Governance and Economics – including but not limited to governance, national security, economics, public policy, public financial management, media and communications, procurement and contract management, law and accounting.
• Health - all clinical qualifications, community and public health, and allied health qualifications particularly mental health, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and nutrition and dietetics.
• Infrastructure – including but not limited to engineering, surveying, construction management and aviation policy and management.
• Sciences – including but not limited to energy, veterinary sciences, statistics and information technology and cyber security.
• Environment and natural resource management – including but not limited to agriculture, fisheries, water management, climate change and disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Education – including but not limited to teaching qualifications, policy and management.
• Community Development and Inclusion – including but not limited to community and social development, including gender equality studies and disability inclusion.

The governments of Australia and Tonga regularly review these areas of study together and adjust the emphasis of the program. Detailed information on priority areas of study can be found at: Australia Awards in Tonga | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).

Level of study

Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Tonga with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at an Australian or Pacific tertiary institutions.

Awards will be offered for commencement in 2027 in line with priority fields detailed above.

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, available at: dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/australia-awards-scholarships-policy-handbook.aspx

Country-specific conditions

In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Tonga must also meet the following conditions:

• Applicant must not have been terminated from a course of study in the five (5) years preceding time of application.
• Recipients under the Newington Program who have completed their secondary school education in Australia in the year prior are eligible to apply for a long-term Australia Awards.
• Applicant must not be a dual citizen with either Australia or New Zealand, hold permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand or be applying for a visa to live in Australia or New Zealand permanently.
• Applicant must not have held a long-term scholarship to study outside their home country in the 24 months preceding to time of application. In-country awards do not apply in this instance.
• Australia Awards (Masters & PhD) applicants must have at least three years’ work experience in the chosen field of study

• Applicant must not have a current Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) before applying for an Australia Award and should not apply for a PEV during the period of their studies and return bond period.

Application dates

For study commencing in Australia in 2027:

Opening date: 1 February 2026 (09:00 AEDT)

Closing date: Thursday, 30 April 2026 (14:00 AEST)

Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date will not be considered.

Apply now: https://bit.ly/39Eu3IR

Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date will not be considered.

The application process­

Online applications

All applications must be lodged online through OASIS at https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/.

Application forms can be obtained from the High Commission Australia – Kingdom of Tonga Website.

• 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.

We strongly advise applicants to submit their application well before the closing date.  The online application facility (OASIS) experiences peak usage in the days leading up to the closing date and applicants may experience delays.

Required document	AAS	AAPS
Copy of birth certificate / passport if available and photographic identification i.e. student card / drivers’ licence if passport is not available.	Yes	Yes
Tertiary degree certificates (Bachelor and/or Masters level)	Yes	Yes
Academic transcripts (where they are not in English, please provide an English translation)	Yes	Yes
IELTS, TOEFL or PTE academic results (English language test results will be requested separately if required)	If Available	NA
Academic referee report with Institution stamp: 2 x if applying for Masters/PhD by Research 1 x if applying for Masters by coursework A template for both reports can be obtained from the Australia Awards website.	Yes	No
Employment referee report with employment stamp: A template for both reports can be obtained from the Australia Awards website.	Yes	No
Academic reference letter with stamp and an employment reference letter with stamp (if you have worked or are currently working)	No	Yes
Curriculum vitae (CV)/Resume	Yes	Yes
Development impact plan. There is no specific format for this. This is a statement about how these studies will assist you to contribute to development in Tonga and any actions you intend to take on completion of your scholarship studies.	Yes	No

The selection process­

• Applications will be shortlisted after eligibility checking.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• 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 [country name].
  • professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience.