Overview / Important Dates
Who Can Apply?
How to Apply?
Priority Fields of Study
Scholarship Inclusions
Panel Interview
What is the REAP?
The REAP is an important requirement that you need to accomplish to make it to the Australia Awards program.
Re-Entry Action Plan (REAP)
A REAP outlines how you intend to use the competencies you will acquire in Australia to contribute to Philippine development.
REAP Proposal
Here are some key points to consider in your REAP proposal:
Relevance
1
Responsive to the opportunity or problem of the host organisation
2
Responsive to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)
Relevance
1
Responsive to the opportunity or problem of the host organisation
2
Responsive to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)
Alignment
1
Aligned to the priority fields of study
2
Aligned to the Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028 and the Australia’s Aid Plan in the Philippines
Alignment
1
Aligned to the priority fields of study
2
Aligned to the Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028 and the Australia’s Aid Plan in the Philippines
Implementability
1
REAP should be implemented within 1-2 years upon scholar’s return
2
Strategy for resources and financial support
Implementability
1
REAP should be implemented within 1-2 years upon scholar’s return
2
Strategy for resources and financial support
Innovativeness
1
Could also be an improvement of a current system
2
Features new methods; advanced and original
Innovativeness
1
Could also be an improvement of a current system
2
Features new methods; advanced and original
Sustainability
1
Gains of the REAP i.e. output will be used and can be institutionalized
Sustainability
1
Gains of the REAP i.e. output will be used and can be institutionalized
Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the REAP proposal section in the online application form. You may also download this Annotated REAP as your reference.
The program values gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). Watch this video for tips in developing a GEDSI lens in designing your REAP.
REAPs in Action
Australia is a benchmark for PAGASA in terms of equipment, experts, trainings, and weather information services. We can learn a lot from what Australia has been doing. My Master’s degree in Environmental Science deepened my knowledge not only of the atmosphere-ocean interaction but also the social, economic and ecological impacts.
Jorybell Masallo
Master of Environmental Science
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration
Thanks to my studies in Australia, I was able to make sound decisions for our school especially now as a new principal.
Fritchie Bayron
Master of Education, Monash University
Moriah Christian School for Young Learners
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My REAP is the first asphalt road in the Philippines made with plastic bags and constructed in a heavy traffic national road.
Neilsen Campit
Master of Environment and Sustainability, Monash University
Department of Public Works and Highways
C&C is a convergence of my REAP and the vision of what I want to do in my life. The dream of running a socially-centered business started when I was still in college, the whole experience of studying in Melbourne gave me the business tools and technical know-how, and it was the REAP that crystalised and validated my dream to jumpstart C&C.
Monica Co
Master of Environment and Sustainability, Monash University
Department of Public Works and Highways
As a special educator, it is truly fulfilling to empower my former and current deaf students to become problem-solvers and entrepreneurs through my REAP: the Deaf Entrepreneurship Program. With the education I gained from the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship at Swinburne University of Technology, I am able to teach them the basic competencies needed to build a business.
Ross Ann Capalit
Agusan National High School
Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Swinburne University of Technology
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Applicants Microlearning Video - How to Write a REAP Objective
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Applicants Microlearning Video - How to choose postgraduate course
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Applicants Microlearning Video - How to Determine a Problem or Opportunity in Host Organisation
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Applicants Microlearning Video - How to incorporate GEDSI in the REAP
Communicating Climate Data to the Grassroots
Australia Awards scholar Jorybell Masallo helps farmers weather climate change.
Communicating Climate Data to the Grassroots
Australia Awards scholar Jorybell Masallo helps farmers weather climate change.
Empowering teachers of early years learners
As a teacher herself, Fritchie Bayron believes that change in education starts with teachers.
Empowering teachers of early years learners
As a teacher herself, Fritchie Bayron believes that change in education starts with teachers.
Powering the Philippines through Renewables
Australia Awards alumnus Daryl Marc On has been working to make the production of geothermal energy more efficient
Powering the Philippines through Renewables
Australia Awards alumnus Daryl Marc On has been working to make the production of geothermal energy more efficient
Building a Better Normal through Science
Australia Awards alumna Paola Ceriola responds to the call of the times
Building a Better Normal through Science
Australia Awards alumna Paola Ceriola responds to the call of the times
Laying the Foundation of Digital Law in the Philippines
Australia Awards alumnus Arvin Razon inspires conversations among future lawyers on the socio-economic rights of Filipinos in the digital age
Laying the Foundation of Digital Law in the Philippines
Australia Awards alumnus Arvin Razon inspires conversations among future lawyers on the socio-economic rights of Filipinos in the digital age
Preserving Mindanao's Cultural Identity through Architecture
Australia Awards alumna Gloryrose Dy-Metilla reignites appreciation for Mindanao indigenous structures and designs
Preserving Mindanao's Cultural Identity through Architecture
Australia Awards alumna Gloryrose Dy-Metilla reignites appreciation for Mindanao indigenous structures and designs
Building People Up
Australia Awards alumnus Rowell Mariano enables dreams through training
Building People Up
Australia Awards alumnus Rowell Mariano enables dreams through training
When is the opening of applications?
Applications are accepted from February to April every year for studies commencing the following year.
When will the results of the assessment and panel interviews be released?
Applicants may expect to know the results of their application by August.
How many scholars do you support yearly?
The number of scholarship placements is determined by the Australian Government and may vary yearly.
What are open and targeted categories and which should I apply for?
Australia Awards has two categories – open and targeted. The open category is offered to Filipino leaders from both public and private sector who are interested to pursue postgraduate studies in Australia and implement a development project in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the targeted category is offered to Australia’s key partner agencies delivering priority development initiatives. The partner organisation nominates applicants from their agency who are expected to contribute to their organisational development upon return.
What government agencies fall under the targeted category?
- Civil Service Commission (CSC)
- Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Department of Public Works and Highway(DPWH)
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Department of Transportation (DoTr)
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
- Philippine Competition Commission (PCC)
- Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP)
Permanent and regular employees of the following agencies must go to their HR to apply to the program. Contractual employees can apply under the open category.
Should my proposed course be in the field I previously studied?
Applicants, whose interest is in a course different from his/her bachelor’s degree, can still be considered depending on their relevant work experience and career goals. In the application form, applicants must demonstrate how they would use the knowledge and skills they would gain from study program to implement their Re-Entry Action Plans (REAPs).
What are the types of courses available for study under the scholarship?
For the open category, all proposed study should align with the following priority areas here.
Where can I get information about courses and universities in Australia?
You may select any participating university in Australia. Please visit https://cricos.education.gov.au to search for courses and universities. You may also refer to www.australian-universities.com/list for a list of Australian universities. Note that currently, scholarship awards in the Philippines only support postgraduate programs.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships?
Click on the eligibility section of the website for a full description of the eligibility criteria.
Do I need to get accepted by an Australian university first before I apply for the scholarship?
No. You should not apply directly to universities in Australia. The Australia Awards Scholarships secretariat will assist in placing you once you are awarded with the scholarship.
What if I am a Filipino permanently/temporarily residing abroad, am I qualified to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships?
No. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be residing in the Philippines at the time of their application.
Does program have an age limit?
There is no age limit.
What if I have an offer letter from a university in Australia, am I still qualified to apply for the scholarship?
Yes. However, an offer letter from a university in Australia is not a requirement for the Australia Awards Scholarships and is not a guarantee that the applicant shall be awarded a scholarship.
What are the work experience requirements?
You must have cumulative professional work experience of at least 2 years. Your current or immediate past employment must be in the Philippines. On-the-Job-Training (OJT), internships and volunteer work will not be credited to work experience. Any probation period will be included as part of the two-year calculation.
Does the 2-year work experience have to be with the same employer?
No. Work experience does not have to be continuous or with the same employer.
Can a self-employed individual apply for a scholarship?
Yes, as long as you meet the requirements of the scholarships.
Can I apply for the Australia Awards even if I have had another scholarship previously?
Yes. Applicants must have completed all obligations to their previous scholarship upon application.
Can I apply for another scholarship at the same time as applying to the Awards?
Yes.
The duration of my desired program of study is more than the allowed by the Awards. Can I still apply for the scholarships?
Yes. You would need to apply for credit to reduce the time required for you to achieve the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This is done once the secretariat confirms that you have passed the interview. You would need to submit additional documents (e.g., description of work experience from your current/past employers, certification of courses taken, etc.) to support this request for RPL.
Do I need to submit IELTS or TOEFL or PTE results during application?
Applicants are not required to submit English proficiency certification during application.
However, this will be required after you passed the initial screening and interview.
English certification can be IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.
Do I need to submit my university TOR during application?
Applicants are required to submit a graduate certificate with GWA/GPA (see sample under Resources tab) of their highest completed degree.
Do I need to submit evidence of work experience upon application?
No. However, universities may require candidates to show evidence of relevant work experience during the placement period.
What if I have an offer letter from a university in Australia, do I still need to submit an English proficiency test result?
Yes. However, please note that result of the English proficiency test is not required during the initial application. It will be required only if you passed the interview.
I am working in public sector. Do I need to obtain an endorsement from our scholarship committee/head of agency?
Applicants from non-partner government organisations need not obtain an endorsement on initial application. Endorsements are only required after the secretariat confirms that you passed the interview.
Can I work while I am studying in Australia?
Yes, scholars are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week).
Does the Awards have a limit to the duration of scholarship/study?
The maximum study duration is 1.5 years for master’s programs and 4 years for PhD programs.
What are the obligations of a Filipino awardee?
Successful candidates are required to return to the Philippines for at least two years after completion of the scholarship to contribute to the development of the country through his/her REAP.
What are the responsibilities of the awardees while studying in Australia?
Before awardees take up an offer of a scholarship, they will need to enter into a legal agreement with the Australian Government. This agreement will contain detailed information about awardee responsibilities. This condition is indicated in the Scholarships Handbook.
Can a Filipino awardee bring his/her family to Australia?
Yes, awardees may bring their family members (spouse/partner and children below 18 years old) to Australia as dependents. However, dependents can only join awardees in Australia 3 months after the awardee commences his/her scholarship. Please note that the Australian Government does not provide any financial or other support for the dependents.
Can I implement my REAP in a private organisation?
REAPs implemented in a private organisation must be under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
How long is the implementation of the REAP?
The REAP should be completed within 1-2 years upon the return of the awardee.
When do I need to acquire the signature of the head of the host organisation for the REAP?
Applicants must obtain sign-off from the host organisation after the secretariat confirms that they are shortlisted for interview.
Will Australia Awards be granting financial help in implementing the REAP?
No, the program will not be granting financial help in the implementation of the REAP. However, awardees are allowed to look for alternative funding from other organisation or institution.
Can a scholar who is deaf use FSL (Filipino Sign Language) while studying in Australia?
No. Australian universities will provide support to awardees who are deaf learn the Australian sign language.
Can carers work while in Australia?
No, their work is to care for the scholar full-time.
Do you screen the carers?
No. The scholar will recommend his/her preferred carer. However, we do work with the scholar to make sure that he/she choses the appropriate carer for his stay in Australia.
Is it required for all PWDs to have a carer?
No. Australia Awards will assess if a carer is required for a scholar with disability.
Do you have specific courses/programs for PWDs?
No. Scholars will need to align their chosen programs and REAPs with the priority areas for the specific intake they are applying for.
Does Australia Awards provide housing that is PWD-friendly?
The Australia Awards and the awardee’s chosen Australian university will help the scholar look for accommodations that fits his/her need.
Resources
Various downloadable resources for your scholarship needs.