Panoramic view of a coastal city skyline, harbour and surrounding hills in Asia.

BIG THINGS

Person standing on a rocky mountain lookout overlooking the surrounding landscape.
New Colombo Plan graphic featuring the message "Big Things Start Here".

START HERE

STUDY IN ASIA With new colombo PLAN

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STUDY IN ASIA With new colombo PLAN ·

What is the New Colombo Plan?

New Colombo Plan Alumni stamp.

The New Colombo Plan is an Australian Government initiative that provides funding and opportunities for Australian undergraduate university students to build their Asia capability through study, language learning and internships in the region.

The program gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in new cultures, be a real part of local communities, and form genuine lifelong connections. You’ll start to build your global network and put the foundations in place for a rewarding, international career.

Plus, when you return home, you can stay connected with your peers as part of the prestigious Alumni Network supporting over 59,000 students.

Big things start with the New Colombo Plan.

University student exploring a cultural site decorated with traditional lanterns during overseas experience in Asia.
University students exploring a busy street in an Asian city during an overseas scholarship experience.
New Colombo Plan logo featuring a globe centred on the Indo-Pacific region.
Aerial view of Tokyo city skyline featuring Tokyo Tower surrounded by modern buildings.

Our long-term programs

You can undertake long-term, immersive experiences in Asia via the following programs

Scholarship program

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Semester program

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Scholarship program · Semester program ·

New Colombo Plan Scholarship stamp displayed beside a person holding a tablet.

Scholarship program

The Scholarship Program – our longest and most flexible – offers the opportunity to spend up to 19 months in the region. In addition to a credit-bearing study component, you can do language training and an internship.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your Asia capability in areas of your own and Australia’s strategic interest, including in priority host locations, languages and industry sectors. The Scholarship Program is your gateway to expand your career horizons and explore your potential as a leader in your field.

Participating universities must nominate eligible Australian undergraduate students for the Scholarship Program, who are then invited to submit an application.

Your university can provide with you more information on the nomination process and program – find their contact details below.

New Colombo Plan Semester Program stamp over students experiencing a cultural destination in Asia.

Semester program

The Semester Program allows you to earn credit towards your degree by studying at a partner university in the region for 1-2 semesters.

You’ll go beyond the classroom and turn your cultural curiosity into real regional literacy through study, language learning and internships in one of nearly 40 different host locations.

Your university will apply for, advertise and facilitate these opportunities – no nomination process required. Find your university’s contact details below.

Map showing New Colombo Plan host locations across the Indo-Pacific region.

Priority

High Priority

Where can I study?

You can undertake a New Colombo Plan program in one of 37 host locations across the Indo-Pacific region.

For the Scholarship and Semester programs, locations where Australia wishes to strengthen its relations will be prioritised. These include India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

Host locations where Australia wishes to maintain its strong, existing engagement, will be considered highly favourably. These include China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Fiji, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Additionally, the Mobility program allows you to undertake short-term experiences of 4-9 weeks across the Indo-Pacific, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Naoero, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Who to contact

Ready to start something big? Your first point of contact will be your university’s international office.

Your office can provide you with more detailed information on all 3 programs offered under the New Colombo Plan, including the application process.

Find the contact details for your university’s international office in the table.

New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program stamp.
New Colombo Plan Semester Program stamp.

Register your interest

Want to hear more before starting something big? Sign up below to hear directly from us.

We’ll share the latest New Colombo Plan news and program information as it’s released. Plus, give us a follow on your favourite socials to stay in the loop and hear about our alumni and their experiences.

This website is managed by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

New Colombo Plan scholar wearing traditional Japanese clothing during an overseas study experience in Japan.
New Colombo Plan logo featuring a globe centred on the Indo-Pacific region.
New Colombo Plan alumni at a networking event celebrating connections across the Indo-Pacific region.
Busy street in Japan with illuminated shopfronts, signs and pedestrians at night.