What is the Australia-Asia Fellowship?

 

The Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship is an opportunity for passionate and curious individuals to expand their worldview, embrace new perspectives and enhance their Asia-capability and leadership skills.

 

Our Australia-Asia Fellows undertake a fully-funded 9-month leadership development program, including two residential programs exploring four countries across Southeast Asia.

 

The program embraces a mix of cultural immersion, collaboration, adaptive leadership and candid access to thought leaders working at the interface of Australia's relationship with the Asia-Pacific.

 

Here’s what you’ll get 

Up to 36 Australia-Asia Fellowships are awarded every year. 
Should you be chosen, you’ll get access to:
 
 

Explore our region

The Fellowship will cover all expenses for you to explore the breadth and depth of Southeast Asia through our leadership residentials. Residential destinations include Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Leadership development

Build leadership skills, learn about the Asia-Pacific and enhance your Asia-capability during two week-long leadership residentials in Southeast Asia.

W100 Scholars Network

Connect with an inspiring network of like-minded game-changers and achievers across all five Westpac scholarship streams and attend exclusive events like the Westpac Scholars Summit held in Sydney. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in mentoring as part of the W100 Network.

Become an Australian-Asia Fellow

Applications for 2026 open on Tuesday 28 October and close on Tuesday 9 December 2025. Register your interest and sign up to our Online Information Session today. 

 

Westpac Scholars gathered together in the streets of Singapore

Key dates

2026 applications open

Tuesday 28 October 2025

Online Information Session 

4.30-5.30pm AEDT, Tuesday 25 November 2025 - register now

2026 applications close

5:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 9 December 2025

Finalist shortlisting

9-22 December 2025

National Selection Panel - virtual interviews

27 January - 4 Febrary 2026

Notification of outcome

12 February 2026

Westpac Scholars Summit (Sydney)

29-30 April 2026

Leadership Development Residential 1 (Singapore & Malaysia)

5-10 July 2026

Leadership Development Residential 2 (Indonesia & Vietnam)

4-9 October 2026

 

 

Eligibility requirements and FAQs

Who can apply?

We’re looking for Australia’s best and brightest Asia-engaged university students . To be eligible you must: 

 

  1. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  2. Be studying full-time at one of our 14 participating Australian universities (undergraduate or postgraduate) during your Fellowship year.
  3. Currently hold, or have graduated, with a minimum of a credit average.
  4. Have completed a study abroad or internship program in the Asia-Pacific.
  5. Be able to attend the:
    • Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney: April 29-30, 2026
    • Leadership Development Residential 1: July 5-10, 2026
    • Leadership Development Residential 2: October 4-9, 2026 

 

Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. Please check our FAQs for more details.  

Our partner universities

The Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship is offered at fourteen leading Australian universities:

 

  • Australian National University
  • Monash University
  • Murdoch University
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • RMIT University
  • Adelaide University
  • The University of Melbourne
  • University of New South Wales
  • The University of Sydney
  • The University of Queensland
  • University of Tasmania
  • The University of Western Australia
  • University of Wollongong
  • Western Sydney University

Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply.