Australia Awards Students
If you’re coming to La Trobe as part of the Australia Awards scholarship program, here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve successfully secured an Australia Awards scholarship, you’ll have the same high level of support as other La Trobe students, and you’ll also gain access to specific programs and dedicated Student Contact Officers.
Led by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia Awards scholarships support selected students from countries that Australia has partnerships with in line with its bilateral and regional arrangements.
Australia Awards Policy Handbook
The Australia Awards Policy Handbook contains important information about your obligations and entitlements as an Australia Awards recipient. It's also the primary reference for La Trobe and DFAT for the administration of your scholarship.
Dedicated Student Contact Officers
At La Trobe, you'll have access to a dedicated team of Student Contact Officers. They can help you with a range of issues, including:
- arranging airport pick-up and short-term accommodation when you arrive
- setting up a bank account
- preparing for your IAP session
- accessing supplementary academic support (SAS)
- taking leave from your studies
- arranging travel (for fieldwork, reunion airfares or returning home)
- changing your enrolment
- academic issues
- extending your scholarship
- extending your visa
- personal issues.
You can arrange a meeting with the Student Contact Officer in person during office hours or contact them by emailing SponsoredPrograms@latrobe.edu.au.
Introductory Academic Program
The Introductory Academic Program (IAP) is a compulsory 4-week program that you must attend before you start your studies. The IAP runs before the start of each semester and is specifically designed for Australia Awards students.
We’ll send you a welcome pack before you leave your home country, which will include your IAP dates. We recommend you arrive in Australia at least one week before the IAP begins so you have plenty of time to settle in.
Supplementary academic support
We encourage you to take advantage of all the academic support services we offer at La Trobe, including through your college and our learning support programs.
As part of your Australia Awards scholarship, you can also access additional funds to help you succeed. Known as supplementary academic support (SAS), this money can go towards activities such as tutoring and academic training.
Reunion airfares
As the recipient of an Australia Awards scholarship, you may be eligible for a reunion airfare. This means your scholarship may cover the cost of a flight back to your home country during a study break.
If you’re entitled to a reunion airfare, you can take it 12 months after you arrive in Australia.
Taking leave from your studies
You may be able to take leave from your studies in special circumstances. Your leave will need to be approved by La Trobe, DFAT and the Australian Embassy in your home country. If your leave is approved, your scholarship will pause, and your study completion date will be adjusted accordingly.
You will need to make an appointment with your Student Contact Officer to discuss your leave plans.
Extending your scholarship
Extending your scholarship increases the cost to DFAT, so extensions are only granted in very special circumstances. All extensions must be approved by La Trobe, DFAT and the Australian embassy in your home country. Remember, even if your extension is approved, you will need to cover the cost of renewing your student visa.
You should speak to your Student Contact Officer immediately, if you are concerned that you won’t finish your studies within your scholarship's timeframe and need more time.
Completing your studies
It's very important you finish your studies within the timeframe set by DFAT. As part of your scholarship’s requirements, you must return to your home country within 30 days of completing your studies. Your Student Contact Officer can help you book your flight home.
Unfortunately, the requirement for you to return home means you will probably miss your formal graduation ceremony. However, we will organise a recognition event for you while you’re in Australia. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade usually organises an event to celebrate your graduation as well. Your Student Contact Officer will provide you with the details.