Development assistance in Tonga
Overview
$3.5 million annually through Australia Awards and Australia Awards for the Pacific
The Australia Awards in Tonga program provides scholarship opportunities for Tongans to study at the tertiary level in Australia and the region. Scholarships are focused on addressing Tonga's skills shortages in the fields of education, health, engineering, aviation, economics, and public sector management. The skills and knowledge they derive are driving change and helping to build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
Australia has provided over 600 scholarships to Tongan students since 1997.
How to apply
More information, including applicant eligibility criteria can be found at:
Women, people with disability and persons living on Tonga’s outer islands are strongly encouraged to apply.
Profile: Dr 'Amelia Afuha'amango Tu'ipulotu
Dr 'Amelia Afuha'amango Tu'ipulotu is the first Tongan to receive a Nursing PhD. Dr Tu'ipulotu received an Australian Development Scholarship to complete her doctorate through the University of Sydney between 2007-12.
Dr Tu'ipulotu was previously the Tongan Minister of Health (2019-21) and the Matron of the Nursing Department at Vaiola Hospital in Tonga.
Having first worked in Sydney, Dr Tu'ipulotu was inspired to improve the health care provision in Tonga, stating that her 'doctoral work and vision for the future is to build the foundation of nursing…so that the nursing profession can deliver the best possible care for the people of Tonga.'