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Australia Awards Malaysia

Explore the ways you can go overseas as part of your Swinburne course.

Australia Awards Malaysia

About Australia Awards – Malaysia Semester Program (AA-MSP)

Swinburne Sarawak is part of the Australia Awards – Malaysia Semester Program, an Australian Government initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and supported by the Australian High Commission in Malaysia.

The program is for students who want an overseas exchange but would not be able to afford one without help.

Through AA-MSP, Swinburne Sarawak undergraduates will spend one semester studying at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Melbourne, while staying enrolled at Swinburne Sarawak.

The units you complete in Melbourne count towards your Swinburne Sarawak degree, so the exchange does not add time to your studies.

What AA-MSP Covers

Each scholarship is valued at AUD20,500 and covers the main costs of your semester in Melbourne.

  • Economy return airfare between Malaysia and Melbourne
  • Australian student visa fees, health and biometric checks, and travel to Kuala Lumpur for your biometric appointment
  • Medical cover for your full stay in Australia
  • Accommodation arranged and paid for by Swinburne Melbourne for the semester
  • Living allowance for five months and additional establishment allowance for when you first arrive.

You will also be required to attend a pre-departure training before you leave, covering culture, safety, budgeting and advice from Australia Awards alumni.

Tuition Fees

You will continue to pay your usual Swinburne Sarawak tuition fees for the semester. No tuition is charged by Swinburne Melbourne.

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

  • be a Malaysian citizen
  • be a full-time undergraduate degree student at Swinburne Sarawak
  • have completed at least one year of your undergraduate degree by the end of 2026, and not be in your final year in Semester 1, 2027
  • have a CGPA of 3.00 or higher
  • show financial need, with priority given to applicants whose household income is RM1,500 or less per person/month
  • meet Australian student visa, health and English language requirements.

Per person income is your household’s total monthly income divided by the number of people in your household – you, your parents/guardians, and any siblings under their care.

Current scholarship or sponsorship holders are advised to read the Terms and Conditions before applying.

Selection Criteria

Meeting the requirements above does not guarantee a place. All applications will be assessed against the areas below:

  • Financial need: Priority goes to students from lower-income households, based on household income per person
  • Equity and Inclusion: Extra consideration will be given for students with a registered disability (OKU), students from rural Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, and students who are the first in their immediate family to attend university
  • Leadership and Involvement: Volunteering and leadership roles in clubs, sports, student bodies, NGOs or community projects
  • Interview: English communication, independence and adaptability, and your plans to share your experience after the exchange

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

How to Apply

  • Application Guidelines: Email your application with your supporting documents by (date) November 2026 to [email protected]
  • Review: Swinburne will check your eligibility and documents. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
  • Interview: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview
  • Results: Successful applicants will be notified in December when you will be provided with further instructions on the next step.

Documents You Need

Prepare the following documents:

  • MyKad, MyKad of your parents or guardians, and MyKad or MyKid of siblings under their care
  • Valid passport, or proof that you have applied for one
  • Latest academic transcript
  • Income documents for your parents or guardians: EA Form, latest salary slips, or a statutory declaration if they are self-employed or have no fixed income

The following may help increase your chances of securing the scholarship:

  • OKU card, if applicable
  • Proof of your hometown, if you come from a rural or interior area
  • Confirmation that you are the first in your family to attend university, if applicable
  • Evidence of your activities and leadership roles, such as certificates or letters from club advisers

We may ask for more documents during the review phase. We recommend that you prepare the documents as soon as possible as some, such as income documents and passports, take time to get.

Terms and Conditions

  • Scholarships are subject to eligibility verification of documents and selection
  • Successful applicants must meet Swinburne University’s academic and mobility requirements
  • If you already hold a scholarship or sponsorship (such as FTES, PETRONAS or SEB), check with your sponsor that accepting this award does not breach your existing agreement. You are responsible for any conflict with your sponsor’s terms
  • Scholarship recipients must complete the required pre-departure preparations
  • Recipients are expected to participate in post-program sharing activities upon returning to Malaysia.

Swinburne Sarawak reserves the right to request additional information during the application and selection process.

Contact

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +60 19 819 6353