Group of people graduating

About Australia Awards PNG

Australia Awards PNG

Australia Awards Papua New Guinea (AAPNG) are designed to promote knowledge and leadership, and enduring ties between Australia and PNG. The scholarships aim to build a qualified workforce, fill critical human resource gaps, and support good leadership.

Every year, both the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea agree on priority sectors that will target key development areas. In PNG these include: agriculture, education, governance, health, law and justice, transport and infrastructure.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in PNG.

Australia Awards Scholarships

Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders. Through study and research, awardees develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia. Visit the global Australia Awards site. 

Equal Opportunity

Australia Awards are merit-based scholarships. We are committed to ensuring an equal representation of women and men and that people with disability and people living and working in rural areas are provided fair access to pursuing further studies under an Australia Award. For more information on AAPNG’s approach to inclusion and equal opportunity, see here

Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and those from the provinces.

Find out about AAPNG study options

Australia Awards Scholarships

Scholarships for long-term study in Australia, in in priority areas agreed between PNG and Australia.

In-PNG Scholarships

Scholarships for study in PNG to fill workforce skills gaps in nursing, midwifery, education and maritime studies.

Short Course Awards

Short Course Awards build targeted skills like management, leadership, research and public policy, with training in PNG and Australia.

Australia Awards PNG Success Stories

A vocation for Vincent

A vocation for Vincent

“The smiling faces of children welcomed me as I walked into the classroom for the first time,” Vincent Eka explained of his first teaching experience, saying that this would be a special year to remember.

Vincent obtained a Diploma in Primary Teaching from the Sacred Heart Teachers College through an Australia Awards PNG Scholarship in 2021. He says, “I am thankful for the opportunity that I was able to complete my three years of studies through the scholarship and now I am a proud teacher.”

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Teacher saves his school

Teacher saves his school

Originating from the small village of Tangu in Bogia District, Paul Taguti says that he wanted to be a teacher because there are not many educated people in his village.
After completing his primary and secondary levels of education in Madang, Paul earned a Diploma in Primary Teaching at Sacred Heart Teachers College in the nation’s capital, through an Australia Awards scholarship in 2022.

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Midwifery is an amazing profession

Midwifery is an amazing profession

“Midwifery is an amazing profession,” says Dennie Mellie Dising. “Being with a mother at the time of agony with labour pain is so stressful, however it is joyful and amazing seeing and assisting a new life emerging into the world.”
Dennie worked in rural and remote health centres in East New Britain for 14 years before deciding to become a midwife. She started as a general nurse in Rabaul, then traversed remote locations like Raunsepna, Guma and Muarunga before settling at the Vunapope Sub Hospital.

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