What is the New Colombo Plan?

The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language training and internships in the Indo-Pacific.

It encourages a two-way flow of students between Australia and the rest of our region, complementing the thousands of students from the region coming to Australia to study each year.

The New Colombo Plan aims to be transformational, deepening Australia's relationships in the region, both at the individual level and through expanding university, business and institutional links.

In 2014, the New Colombo Plan began as a pilot supporting 40 scholars and more than 1300 mobility students to study and undertake work placements across four pilot locations – Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

This growing cohort of New Colombo Plan alumni is playing an increasingly important role in Australia's relationships with its neighbours and becoming an influential and diverse network of Australians with direct experience in the Indo-Pacific and strong professional and personal networks across our region.

In which locations can NCP students study?

There are nearly 40 eligible host locations for New Colombo Plan supported study across the Indo-Pacific region:

Why does the New Colombo Plan include internships?

One of the core aims of the New Colombo Plan is to ensure Australia's undergraduates have the skills and work-based experiences to contribute to our domestic and the regional economy.

The New Colombo Plan supports a range of work-based experiences in both our mobility and scholarships programs including internships, mentorships, practicums and clinical placements.

For more information on internships and mentorships supported under the New Colombo Plan, please see the scholarship and mobility guidelines.