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 up to 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 in Melbourne for the semester
• Living allowance, plus an establishment allowance when you first arrive.

You will also be required to attend pre-departure training before you leave, covering culture, safety and budgeting.

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 gross household income is RM11,819 or less a month
• meet Australian student visa, health and English language requirements.

Gross household income is the combined monthly income of your parents or guardians, before deductions.

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 gross household income stated above
• 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: Email your Personal Statement Form and supporting documents by 18 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 and will be provided with further instructions on the next step.

Documents You Need

Prepare the following documents:

• Your MyKad and birth certificate
• MyKad of your parents or guardians
• Full undergraduate transcript, from Year 1 Semester 1 to your latest semester
• 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
• If a parent or guardian is unemployed or deceased, or you are from a single-parent household: a declaration or official document that shows this
• Completed Personal Statement Form, with evidence of your extra-curricular activities

You may also include any other documents or evidence that could increase your chances of securing the scholarship.

We may ask for more documents during the review phase. We recommend that you prepare your documents as soon as possible, as some, such as income documents, 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, 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 assist with program activities in Melbourne and Malaysia when needed, including sharing activities after they return
• The University reserves the right to vary any decisions and the terms and conditions of the scholarships at its discretion. The decisions made by the University will be final and binding.

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

Contact

Email: [email protected]