Short Course Awards Frequently Asked Questions

Short Course Awards range from a certificate of participation to Certificate IV or Graduate Certificate level. Those courses with an accreditation are recognised under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

Citizens of Papua New Guinea who are at least 18 years old, currently employed and who meet all criteria for the Short Course Award may be eligible to apply. Specific courses may have additional eligibility criteria. Check the Eligibility page for more detailed information.

• Tuition fees
• Course delivery and materials
• Workplace Project mentoring
• Flights and accommodation for workshops and course activities, where required
• Passport, visa and health cover (in Australia only)
• Living away from home allowance
• Access to the Australia Global Alumni network and PNGAAA and related benefits (subject to the successful completion of the course

Candidates are required to submit a range of documents, of which some need to be certified by a commissioner of oaths. Refer to the Documentation page for further information.

Each course has different requirements. Please refer to each course for more information. General requirements for all Short Course Awards include:

• Endorsed by the organisation, proved by an official endorsement letter
• Committed to prepare and implement a development project as part of the award
• Committed to actively foster networks with multiple stakeholders
• Committed to disseminate learnings from the Short Course Award
• Completion of an EILTS test

• Highly motivated
• High performing and high potential
• A future leader
• Results oriented and who will approach study with commitment
• Demonstrated exemplary conduct and will be an ambassador for your organisation and Australia Awards PNG
• Confident and dynamic individual who will create networks when provided with the opportunity
• Willing to share knowledge with others upon return

Following eligibility checks, applications are assessed by an independent selection panel. Applicants are selected based on merit. Telephone reference checks may be conducted for shortlisted applicants to confirm professional and personal conduct and experience. The final list of shortlisted candidates is subject to scrutiny and endorsement by the Australian and PNG Governments. All applicants, successful and unsuccessful will receive notification of the selection outcome. The selections process takes up to four weeks before applicants are notified of the outcome of their applications.

Applicants can provide certified copies of either one of the following.

• Certified copies of National Identity card (NID) card and NID birth certificate (Blue birth certificate is not acceptable)
• Certified copies of Passport biodata page
• Certified copies of National Identity birth certificate and valid driver’s licence)

Note: AAPNG will only arrange for passports for selected candidates. If you wish to apply for a passport prior to selection, this will be at your own expense. We encourage applicants to consider working on the cheapest and fastest options for ID documents.

A graduate certificate course is an advanced university degree and has the entry requirement of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; relevant work experience may be considered. In addition, master’s degree in another field of study with work experience in the course area will be considered.

It is not required. If your application is shortlisted, AAPNG will pay the cost for you to sit for an IELTS test as part of the assessment process. If you have previously sat an IELTS test (or similar), we encourage you to share this.

Each participant’s situation is handled on a case-by-case, with decisions made based on the following:

• If new employer accepts participant’s time away from work to study
• Participant to provide new employer nomination and endorsement.
• Participant to provide new workplace project of current employment.