The processing of scholarships is based on the following philosophical and fundamental educational guidelines :

• That the principle of “more academic credentials is better than less” be followed in the process

• That non-academic considerations are important and be included in the assessment process

• That applicants’ assessment outcomes be considered in terms of a common grade-point system for comparison purposes

• That applicants be categorized and category-ranked for more validity and justification in the subsequent and necessary comparison

• That the selection at all levels achieve a gender balance

• That the applicants’ fields of study be in accordance with AusAID guidelines and Government of Fiji Human Resource Development needs.

The selection process incorporates the above at various stages of the process and although arbitrary aspects may minimally exist, the system does in general contribute to a more objective assessment of the scholarship applications.

Australia recognizes that education and training are fundamental to the development process and is therefore a key sector for the Australian Aid program to Fiji. By increasing access to education including provision for re-entry for formal education and life long learning, Australia hopes to contribute to the development of skill and knowledge required to meet Fiji’s human resource development needs. Education and training is the largest element of Australian aid program in the Pacific. This is enhanced by the offer of AusAID scholarships to recipient countries like Fiji.

The AusAID scholarship programs also aim to complement other scholarship programs currently being offered by the Government of Fiji. The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) and Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship(AAPS) programs offered through Australia’s overseas aid programs provide an opportunity for individuals from developing countries to undertake studies at post-secondary education institutions in Australia or in Fiji. Both programs help to meet the human resource development needs of developing countries and contribute to their development across various sectors.

AAS
Australian Awards Scholarships are long term development awards administered by AusAID. AAS aim to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements. They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

The study and research opportunities provided by AAS develop skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to the development outcomes of their own country

AAPS
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships are for studies undertaken in Fiji.

Scholarship Study Levels

These scholarships are for Certificate and Diploma studies, as well as Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) degree studies.

AAS study is for any Australian approved university, while AAPS is for tertiary study in institutions in the Pacific region. AAPS institutions include USP (including campuses in Samoa & Vanuatu), Fiji National University (FSM, FIT, FCAE, LTC, FCA, FSN).

Application Forms - Where can I get one?

The AusAID Application form can be obtained from the following sources:

For queries, the SPBEA Scholarship section can be contacted via email: scholarships(AT)spbea.org.fj or telephone number(s) 337 8526/337 8504)

• All sections marked with an asterix are mandatory and must be filled including the placement of a tick in the required boxes provided. Any question(s) not answered or not responded to means a faulty form, therefore the application is deemed an Invalid Application.

• If you are working then you must fill the box that requires the number of years of work relevant to what you want to study.

The following documents are the basic essential ones that make a valid application
a) The duly completed Application Form

b) Birth Certificate (Original or Certified)

c) Curriculum Vitae

d) Statement of Intent (Study Proposal which should not be more than an A4 page)

e) Form Six (6) or Form Seven (7) results, Foundation Academic Transcript or Undergraduate Academic Transcript (All must be certified)

This is an important document for the assessment of scholarship points. The following notes should help in your deciding what transcripts to submit with your application 

The awards are advertised in the Fiji Times and Fiji Sun newspapers on consecutive Saturdays once the awards are open to the general public. It provides information pertaining to both the awards including the academic entry requirements and the list of Fiji’s prioritised Human Resource Development needs and the closing dates. It details What an applicant needs to do to submit a “Valid” application.

Applicants should read the advertisement carefully and act on the guidelines contained in the advertisement.

To supplement the print advertisements for both the ARDS and ADS Awards, broadcast advertisements are also placed with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd (FBCL) on their Radio Fiji 1 (itaukei) , Radio Fiji 2 (Hindi) and Gold FM (English) radio stations and also on Communications (Fiji) Ltd on their FM96 (English), Navtarag (Hindi)and Viti FM (itaukei) stations. The placements are in the three (3) different languages. These radio advertisements follow shortly after the print advertisements and appear twice daily (Morning 7.20am and Evening 7.20pm) on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s for the duration of the award opening.

Please click here to download a copy of the 2014 intake AusAID Scholarship Advertisement