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Eligibility

To be eligible for an Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Fields of Study

Awards are open to all fields of study, however, study programs that relate to the priority themes of international
trade, pandemics, security and climate change (including clean energy) are encouraged. Scholarships are not
available for military training, or training in areas related to nuclear technology and flying aircraft.

Level of Study:

ALA Scholarship enables candidates to undertake studies leading to a Masters or Doctorate degree in Australia.
It does not include Graduate Diplomas, with the exception of those Masters courses that require the completion of
a Graduate Diploma as part of the Masters degree.

Who Should Apply:

Outstanding applicants with:
• very high level of academic achievement at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level;
• high level of English language proficiency;
• demonstrated leadership potential and good prospects to influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in their home country and in the Asia-Pacific region;
• commitment to participate in Australian Scholarships alumni activities on their return home
Applicants seeking to migrate to Australia should NOT apply.

English Language Proficiency:

Applicants are expected to have strong written and spoken English language skills and must provide evidence
of this. Applicants must:

• have achieved appropriate results in one of the following English language proficiency tests no longer than
  two years prior to the date of application:
• an IELTS Academic Test with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no individual band less than 6, or
• a TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 580, or
• a TOEFL computer-based test score of at least 237, or
• a TOEFL Internet-based score of at least 92; and
• meet the minimum English language requirements to gain direct admission to their nominated higher
  education course

Note:  A certified copy of your English test results must be attached to your ALAS application.

Note also that there is no provision for ALA awardees to undertake or receive financial support for any
pre-course English training.

For information about the IELTS in Papua New Guinea, contact the IELTS Administrator at the Port Moresby
International School on Telephone (+675) 325 6690. See http://www.ielts.org/ [external link] or
email enquiries@pmis.iea.ac.pg for more information on test details.

Prospective applicants wishing to apply for an ALA in 2009 but who do not currently meet the required English
level for the ALA program should take immediate steps to prepare for and undertake an appropriate English test.
The cost of any test fees charged by test providers must be borne by the applicant.

Academic Background:

Applicants must have completed a university level qualification which is at least equivalent in standard to an
Australian Bachelors degree. Candidates with high level academic results in one or more university level
degrees are encouraged to apply.
If you are unsure whether your previous university qualification(s) is equivalent in standard to an Australian
Bachelors degree, you should seek advice from the Australian Education Centre located in your home country
or in your region. International admissions staff in Australian higher education institutions may also provide
applicants with guidance on the equivalence of their previous qualifications to an Australian Bachelors degree.

Supporting Documentation:

Appropriate supporting documentation must accompany all applications. All supporting documentation must be in
the form of certified true copies.  Do not send original documents as these will not be returned to you.

The following two items of documentation are essential to establish your eligibility: 

1. An unconditional letter of offer for enrolment from an Australian tertiary institution for a Masters or PhD
   course commencing in 2009
2. English proficiency test results obtained no earlier than two years prior to the date of your ALAS application

Failure to submit either of the above documents with your online application will render it invalid.
Other supporting documentation, as follows, may be uploaded and submitted online with your application, or may
be mailed in hard copy as one complete set.  Applicants who are submitting their application by mail only should
include all supporting documentation in the same envelope.   Contact addresses for the appropriate Australian
High Commission, Embassy or the Managing Contractor that has been nominated to review applications from
your country of citizenship can be found below.

1. Birth certificate or passport: Certified true copies of your birth certificate or the personal data page from
   your passport providing official evidence of your full name, date of birth, gender and country of citizenship
   is required. If the original document is in a language other than English you should also provide an English
   translation.
   
2. Passport or driver's license: Certified true copies of your passport or driver's license as official evidence of
   proof of your identity. If the original document is in a language other than English you should also provide
   an English translation.
   
3. Graduation certificate, degree or diploma: Certified true copies of the Graduation Certificate(s), Degree(s)
   or Diploma(s) of all university-level academic qualifications completed by the applicant (in original
   language and translated into English). Secondary school certificates are not required.
   
4. Full academic transcripts: Certified true copies of full academic transcript(s), showing grades for all
   university-level subjects/units attempted by the applicant (in original language and translated into English).
   Secondary school transcripts are not required.
   
5. Referee reports: Three original referee reports preferably completed in English. If the referee report has
   been completed in a language other than English a translation of the original reference is required.
   The referee reports should describe first hand knowledge of the applicant's potential as a leader.
   Applicants should seek references from an academic or department head familiar with their recent
   academic performance. Referee reports from applicants' employers or senior colleagues familiar with their
   professional skills and achievements are also welcomed. Referee reports from family members or spouses
   are not acceptable.
   
6. Awards and prizes: Where relevant, certified true copies of documents providing evidence of awards or prizes
   should be included in your application. Note that awards or prizes of interest relate to recent (mature age)
   activities or achievements only. Awards from secondary school or childhood activities or achievements are
   not required.

Note on Certified true copies
To certify a document as a true copy, applicants should present the original document and a copy to a Commissioner
of Oaths, Public Notary or other formally recognized authority in their home country. This official should sight both
documents and certify with a stamp or a signature or both that the copy presented is a true copy of the original
document. Note that the cost of any fees charged by notaries for certification of documents must be borne by the
applicant.
Applicants submitting an on-line application should scan the certified true copies of their supporting documents
(not the originals) and attach them as PDF files with their application, or submit one set of certified true copies of
their supporting documentation by mail.

Unconditional Offer from Australian Higher Education Institution:

When applying to an institution, applicants should advise admissions staff of their intention to apply for an Australian
Leadership Award Scholarship for studies commencing in 2010.  You should attach a copy of the AusAID covering
letter to your enrolment application (see attached letter). This will assist the institution to complete all requirements
to assess your request and make a timely offer.  It is recommended that ALA Scholarship applicants apply to more
than one institution but, if you are successful in gaining more than one offer, you should present only the offer
letter for your preferred course with your ALA Scholarship application.

Note that many Australian higher education institutions charge a fee for international students to lodge an application.
The cost of any application fees charged by institutions must be borne by the applicant.

• Participating Higher Education Institutions [Download]
• AusAID Cover Letter [Download]

Citizenship, Visa and Residency Status:

• Applicants must be a citizen of one of the participating countries listed below.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan
(see note below), Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Wallis & Futuna

• Applicants must not have Australian citizenship, permanent residence status, nor be in the process of applying.

• Applicants must not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds or who is eligible to hold
  Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence status.

• Successful applicants must meet visa requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).             

• Citizens from non-participating countries are ineligible for the ALA Scholarship program but may be eligible for an
  award under the Endeavour program. For details see www.endeavour.dest.gov.au.

• Applicants must be residing in a country other than Australia and apply from outside Australia.

How To Apply

There are two (2) options for submitting an application – online and by mail.
Please be aware that:

• Before submitting an application, you should ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and that you
  have provided all the required supporting documentation. Ineligible or incomplete applications will not be
  considered.
• All information provided in support of your application for an ALA Scholarship must be true and correct.
  AusAID reserves the right to verify the contents of academic transcripts and other claims made by applicants.
  Applicants found to be submitting false, incorrect or misleading information will be disqualified from the
  ALA Scholarship program
• Applications sent by fax or email will not be considered
• Only one application is permitted per person. If more than one is submitted, the applicant will be considered
  ineligible.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Option 1: Apply Online

The primary mode of application is online using the ALA Scholarship online application form which is accessed on
the Online Australian Scholarship Information System (OASIS). Please log onto https://oasis.ausaid.gov.au/ [External link].

Upon registration, you will be required to answer some question to establish your eligibility. You will be given a unique
ALA Registration Number, Username and Password.
You do not need to submit your application immediately, instead you can update your application form as well as
upload supporting documentation as it becomes available, as long as you submit your online application before
the closing date.

Option 2: Apply by Mail

Send one set of your complete ALA application with supporting documents to:

POSTAL MAIL
PNG-Australia Targeted Training Facility
Attention: The Australian Leadership Awards Coordinator
Private Mail Bag, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
STREET ADDRESS
PNG-Australia Targeted Training Facility
Attention: The Australian Leadership Awards Coordinator
First Floor Port Moresby Post Office,
Corner of Cuthbertson Street and Champion Parade,
Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

Please note: Applications sent via email will not be considered.
Closing date for 2010 round of ALA TBA.

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