The Australia Awards aim to maximise the benefit to Australia of its extensive scholarship programs, and to support enduring ties between Australia and our neighbours.
The Government currently invests $200 million each year in scholarship programs which, at any time, support around 5,000 international students to study in Australia.
The Australia Awards will bring together these Australian scholarship programs under a single recognisable brand. Rather than dilute Australia's scholarship effort through a group of uncoordinated programs, the Australia Awards initiative will ensure that Australian scholarships are consolidated, better branded, and delivered to support Australia's long term interests.
The Australia Awards initiative will:
- encourage Australia Award recipients to maintain their links to Australia through a strong alumni plan
- consolidate Australian Government scholarships programs together under a single powerful brand
- support the Australia Awards brand through a robust marketing strategy
- ensure that the beneficiaries of Australian scholarships have a better experience of Australia during their period of study though enhanced student services
- establish a high profile board that will provide expert advice and strategic direction on how the scholarship program can meet Australia's long-term interests, and can compete with other world class scholarship programs. Board members will be drawn from the government, corporate and academic sectors.
To read the Prime Minister's Media Release regarding the Australia Awards, please click here 
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