By Kelvin Kibet | Last updated: 28 September 2026
Status: The round for study commencing in 2027 ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026 (14:00 AEST) and has closed. The next round is expected to follow a similar pattern, opening around February 2027. Confirm on Australia Awards Africa.
Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian Government. For the Africa intake, awards are for Master’s study at Australian institutions. Kenya is one of the participating countries. Applications are made online through OASIS via the Australia Awards Africa website, and late applications or documents are not considered.
What it usually covers
- Tuition
- Return air travel
- An establishment allowance on arrival
- Contribution to living expenses
- An introductory academic program
- Overseas student health cover
Who can apply
Read the current Africa intake profile and the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook, because the rules there are the official ones. For the 2027 intake, the profile included these points:
- Citizen of an eligible African country, including Kenya.
- At least 25 years old on 1 February 2027.
- Study is at Master’s level.
- Applications from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups are strongly encouraged.
- The profile lists priority fields of study, work experience and English language requirements. Check these for the current round, as they can change.
A commitment to apply your skills in your home country after study is central to the program.
How to apply
- Read the Africa intake profile and handbook.
- Create an OASIS account and complete the online form.
- Upload all supporting documents, including any Africa-specific ones listed.
- Submit before the closing time.
- Eligible applications are shortlisted for interview.
Explain How You Will Use the Training
Describe a problem you have encountered at work or in your community, explain how your chosen course would help, and set out what you plan to do after returning. You can organise that explanation as follows:
- The problem: what you have seen, with local detail.
- Your role: what you have already done about it.
- The gap: the skill or knowledge you lack.
- The course: why this Australian course closes that gap.
- The plan: what you will do on return and who will benefit.
Preparing before February
- Identify which priority field your work fits.
- Check English test requirements and book a test early, since results take time.
- Ask your employer about support and endorsement letters, if required.
- Collect certified transcripts and degree certificates.
- Get two or three people who know your work to be referees.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the portal to open before collecting documents
- Submitting documents after the closing time
- A study plan not linked to your job or a Kenyan development need
- Choosing courses with no clear link to your experience
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the selection? It is competitive, with eligibility screening and interviews.
Can I apply through a different portal? For Kenya, use OASIS through Australia Awards Africa.
Office contact: Australia Awards Africa lists a Kenya number: +254 708 608 580.
Official sources: australiaawardsafrica.org; the DFAT Australia Awards pages.
What Kenyan professionals can do before the next round
Start with the current Australia Awards Africa eligibility and priority-field criteria when they are published. A Kenyan applicant should not assume that every Australian master’s programme is eligible. Compare the advertised experience requirements against your actual employment history and choose a programme that supports a credible professional development plan.
Prepare a CV with dates and measurable achievements, official degree transcripts, references and any English-language evidence required by the applicable round. A public-health professional, for example, could discuss a verified improvement project and what skills they still need, rather than making broad claims about changing healthcare across Kenya.
Plan for application and relocation expenses and confirm exactly what award benefits cover. Use current AUD-to-KES rates and official visa instructions; do not pay any supposed scholarship broker. Our motivation letter guide can help with evidence-based writing.