1) Do I need any document from the Australian university to apply for the scholarship, such as an offer letter?

No. The application is done internally once you have been selected for the scholarship. If you want to do a Masters by course, you do not need any kind of document from the university. However, if your program is a PhD or a Masters by Research you must prove that you have been in contact with the university, through a letter or email from the faculty that confirms that there is an available supervisor and that the faculty has experience in the research field you want to do your studies on.

2) How many course preferences should I include in my application?

You must choose three (3) study programs and list them according to your preferences. When selecting a program, you must make sure that it has a valid CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) code. Visit www.cricos.deewr.gov.au to verify the CRICOS code of the selected courses and the contact person that can inform you about the validity of the mentioned courses for the academic year 2014.

3) Is there and age limit to apply for the scholarship?

No, there is no age limit.

4) If I win the scholarship, can my family (spouse, husband/wife, dependent, partner, de facto, and/or children) come with me?

Yes, that is possible because of the type of visa that the Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship will grant you as an Alumni, but it is important to keep in mind that the scholarship does not cover the family-related expenses such as living expenses, health insurance (compulsory) and flight expenses for your relatives. The scholarship does not cover the costs associated to your children's education in Australia either. However, generally the Awardee's children are exempted from the enrolment fee in Australian public schools.

5) Can I work during my stay in Australia?

Yes, the Alumni's visa (Student Visa AusAID 576) allows the scholarship recipient to work fulltime during vacation periods, and up to 40 hours every two weeks during the academic year. Besides this, the spouse or partner has the right to work fulltime during the Awardees studies duration.

6) Can my dependents that will accompany me work while I am in Australia?

The spouse, husband/wife, dependent, de facto or partner that accompanies the scholarship student can work fulltime (there is no hour limit).

7) Is the CLE (Contribution to Living Expenses) that AusAID pays enough to cover my expenses while I am in Australia?

The ADS Scholarship is a full scholarship. DIAC (The Department of Immigration and Citizenship) considers that the annual sum of $30,000 AUD is enough to cover a student's living expenses.

8) When I graduated, the university did not issue a document indicating the position I occupied in the list of grades of the graduates of my generation (Ranking certificate). What should I do?

As it is a requirement for applying, you must ask the university to issue the mentioned document. If the university does not issue it, you must ask for an official letter of the university where it is indicated that they do not issue such document.

9) I note in the requirements that it is necessary to present an official copy of my graduation certificate that gives credit to my tertiary studies. If I have finished my course (and/or am in the thesis process) but the institution has not yet issued my graduation certificate, can I still apply?

Unfortunately, a graduation certificate that indicates that you have the adequate level to start the course of your choice in the Australian university is required.

10) Can I apply for a study program that is offered online (distance learning)?

The ADS scholarships only include studies in Australia; that is to say, you have to be in that country during the academic year. The exception is that some research programs grant the additional benefit of doing fieldwork in your home country for short periods.

11) I did a search for Masters or PhDs in the profiles of the universities that appear on your website, but I did not find the course that I want to study or course in the university I want to go to, what do I do?

The profiles that are available on our website only show some of the possible course options that are related to the water, natural resource management, mining industry, governance and rural livelihood sectors. You can find other study programs related to these priority sectors in each university's website. A link to all the participating institutions is found below:

http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Chile/Postgrad/Postgrad

12) What can I not study?

The ADS scholarships are not available for studies related to nuclear energy, military training or airplane operating. It is important to keep in mind that the study program must be related to at least one of the priority sectors.

13) I think that my English level is very good, but I may not reach the level that the Australian university requests. Can I apply with an IELTS or TOEFL score that is lower than the one the study program demands?

To apply for the ADS scholarships you must meet the minimum score in the English test that we require. Check the scores and equivalencies table here. If the Australian university determines that you still need an English levelling course for the academic program you chose, an English course with a maximum duration of six months can be granted to you. Candidates that have obtained a lower score than the one requested by the ADS scholarships do not meet the English requirement needed to apply.

14) Can I apply for two scholarships simultaneously, i.e. for an Australian Development Scholarship and an Endeavour Award? Or for one that an organization of my country offers?

Yes, you can apply. However, if you are selected for more than one scholarship you must only accept one. For example, if you accept an ADS scholarship, you cannot have any other Australian Government scholarship. You cannot accept another one from your country's government.

15) I applied for the ADS scholarship in previous years, but I did not win it; can I apply again for this intake?

Yes

16) Can I apply for a scholarship if my intention is to immigrate to Australia or if I have a permanent Australian residency?

ADS scholarships are not available for those who have the intention of immigrating to Australia or for those who have a permanent residence in the country. ADS scholarships are for people committed with going back to their home country immediately after having completed their studies in Australia to contribute in this way to their country's development. Anyone who intends to immigrate should not apply.

17) I am not living in my home country, can I apply?

One of the requirements of the program is that the applicant must be a citizen and resident of one of the participating countries and must be residing in that country at the time of applying for the scholarship. After applying, you can leave your country (for work or pleasure, for example) but as you may need to assist to an interview, and the Pre-Departure Briefing (If you are selected for the scholarship), it would be convenient for you to remain in your country until your departure to Australia.

18) Can I apply for a Masters with a bachelor diploma or grade certificate?

Yes, as long as that bachelor is an undergraduate one. Some countries have Licentiate and Bachelor studies, both are valid as long as they are undergraduate studies.

19) Do I need to have my English test results when I apply? What is the minimum validity that this test must have at the time of application?

Yes, it is a requirement to attach your TOEFL or IELTS test results to your application. The test must be valid until 1 January, 2014. For more details on the English test and score, click here.