Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

2009 Scholarships Intake

1. (Question) Should applicants apply directly to Australian universities to seek admission?

1. (Answer) No. Applicants are only required to select their preferred institutions for study in the Application Form. AusAID is responsible for seeking admission on their behalf if they are selected for the scholarship.

2. What is the duration of a Masters program?

2. A Masters program under the ADS/APSP is defined as being between 1 to 2 years in duration.

3. Can applicants apply for a graduate diploma leading to a Masters program?

3. No. Applicants can only apply for a Masters program under the ADS/APSP. However, the institution may decide that in order to meet the full requirements for entry into a Masters program, a student may need to undertake preliminary/additional courses of study.

4. Can an applicant submit more than one application per intake, per scheme?

4. No. AusAID accepts only one application per candidate for each intake. Candidates are only allowed to apply for one of the two schemes (APSP or ADS). Duplicate applications will not be accepted and may lead to disqualification.

5. Can the priority field of study be amended after the application has been submitted to AusAID?

5. Changes to the candidates nominated priority area of study after receipt of the application are not permitted.

6. Is deferral of the scholarship award allowed?

6. No. However in exceptional circumstances (e.g. pregnancy, delayed visa processing) and if appropriate AusAID may on a case by case basis consider a deferral for maximum period of up to 6 months. Detailed and attested documentation for deferral cases is required.

7. Is two years work experience mandatory?

7. Yes. Two years experience is the minimum requirement to be eligible for the ADS/APSP. Internships, articleships and house jobs do not count towards work experience.

8. What is a “current” IELTS score?

8. A test result obtained anytime after November 2006 will be considered current.

9. Can applicants send in IELTS results after the closing date for applications?

9. NO. The application form must be submitted along with the IELTS result sheet.

10. Can applicants send TOEFL scores instead of IELTS?

10. No. Australian visa requirements do not accept TOEFL scores for Australian visa purposes.

11. Are applicants who hold a foreign degree exempt from submitting a current IELTS score?

11. No. Applicants with foreign degrees from an English speaking country (e.g. UK, US or Canada) are still required to submit a current IELTS score.

12. Do applicants still need to submit a current IELTS score if their medium of instruction has been English throughout their academic career?

12. Yes. A current IELTS score must be submitted even if the medium of instruction has been English throughout an applicant’s academic career.

13. What is the procedure for claiming reimbursement for IELTS exam?

13. The amount will be reimbursed after the final selection of students has been made. Only the successful candidates are eligible for the reimbursement of IELTS exam. The successful candidates should submit the receipt for the exam to the AusAID office after they have been informed of their selection.

14. Are provisional educational degrees acceptable to fulfill the “16 years education” eligibility criterion?

14. No. AusAID will only accept final transcripts and educational degrees from accredited educational institutions. Any educational degrees obtained after the deadline for receipt of applications (i.e. 04 May 2008) will not be accepted.

15. Is there a separate application form for APSP and ADS.

15. No. The ADS form is applicable for candidates applying for APSP or ADS. The envelope should clearly mark the scheme under which the candidates are applying ‘ADS’ or ‘APSP’. AusAID will not consider the applications which do not clearly state the scholarship scheme under which the candidate has applied.

16. What are the ADS/APSP entitlements?

16. The following entitlements apply to all applicants:

Tuition Fees
Payment of full academic fees and other fees that are compulsory for all international students undertaking the same course.

Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
Provision of a 4-6 week Introductory Academic Program prior to the commencement of studies.

Travel
Payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route.

Establishment Allowance of A$5,000
A contribution towards expenses such as rental bonds, text books, study materials, additional medical insurance, home contents insurance, excess baggage upon return home etc.

Contribution to Living Expenses (also referred to as a Stipend)
A fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) paid at a rate determined by AusAID.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC will be provided for the Student, covering the Student’s basic medical costs. Students may purchase, at their own expense, additional medical insurance to cover ancillary services such as dentist, orthodontist and optometrist.

If applicable:

Pre-Course English (PCE)
In Australia, PCE may be provided for up to a maximum of six months, if deemed necessary by the Institution.

Supplementary Academic Support (also referred to as Tutorial Assistance)
Provided when essential to improving a Student’s performance to ensure their academic success.

Fieldwork
One only return economy class airfare via the most direct route may be approved for eligible research Students to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

The Student should contact the Student Contact Officer at their Institution to gain more information about schooling and child care for dependants.

17. What are the ADS/ APSP conditions?

17. ADS/APSP holders must:

a. take up the ADS/APSP in the academic year for which it is offered; study full time and achieve satisfactory academic progress in the program for which the ADS/APSP was offered;

b. only undertake the approved program for which the ADS/APSP is offered and abide by the rules of the Institution;

c. not hold another Australian Government scholarship;

d. reside in Australia for the duration of the ADS/APSP (apart from reunion and fieldwork visits to the home country);

e. advise AusAID immediately, via the Student Contact Officer at the Institution, should they marry a person who is an Australian citizen, or has permanent residence status in Australia, a New Zealand citizen or has New Zealand citizenship;

f. liaise with the Student Contact Officer at the Institution regarding any changes to the approved program and acknowledge that approval is required from the
Institution, AusAID and Partner Government (if applicable) before any changes are made;

g. agree to AusAID collecting information and to passing that information on to other relevant parties concerning the Student or dependants, if necessary;

h. participate in the Pre-Departure Briefing arranged by the Post, and the Institution’s compulsory Introductory Academic Program (IAP) on arrival in Australia;

i. participate in all activities associated with the course of study, including all lectures and tutorials, submit all work required for the course e.g. assignments, essays and sit for examinations;

j. be aware that the ADS/APSP may be terminated at any time for failure to comply with the laws of Australia, misconduct, breaches of the conditions of the ADS/APSP, or for failure to make satisfactory academic progress; and

k. return to their country of citizenship for two years upon the completion of their course of study in Australia. A debt to the Commonwealth of Australia, for the
total cost of the ADS/APSP, will be incurred if Students fail to return to their home country, or if they apply for Permanent Residence or a visa to return to Australia within the two year period.

18. Do applicants need to submit a research proposal with the application?

18. All Master applicants whose study program will include at least 50 per cent research MUST attach an outline of the proposed research project (up to 1,000 words) to each application form. Details are provided on page 8 of the Application Form. Masters (research) applications received without such an outline will be considered invalid.

19. Are research applicants allowed to undertake fieldwork?

19. Students enrolled in Masters by research or a combined Masters coursework and research program where the research component is at least 50% may be funded by AusAID to undertake fieldwork in their home country or within Australia. These details are provided to the student by the Institution at the time an offer is made.

20. Are applicants allowed to take their families with them to Australia on ADS/APSP scholarships?

20. Yes. Candidates must indicate in the application form if they intend to take their family with them to Australia. Applicants should note that the Australian Government does not provide any additional financial support for the dependents (spouse and children under 18) of ADS/APSP students. Under Australian visa requirements parents, parents-in-law or siblings of an applicant are not considered dependents and can not accompany the scholarship recipients to Australia for the duration of their scholarship award.

Students must contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) directly to ascertain the current requirements for family entry. Please refer to the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au for details.
Please note that AusAID does not facilitate family entry visas.

21. What does the student visa process entail?

21. Please refer to the DIAC website
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/576-2/index.htm for AusAID Sponsored Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 576) - Assessment Level 2 for student visa requirements.