The Australia Awards Papua New Guinea (AAPNG) are designed to promote knowledge and leadership, and enduring ties between Australia and PNG.

The scholarships aim to build a qualified workforce, fill critical human resource gaps, and support good leadership—and this year this prestigious program marks 50 years of PNG’s Independence and honours the legacy of former Prime Ministers Sir Michael Somare and Gough Whitlam.

Every year, both the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea agree on priority sectors that will target key development areas. Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in PNG. This scholarship isn’t just about study—it’s about history, leadership, and the deep friendship between Australia and PNG.

There are 90 scholars at universities in Australia, with 12 at the Australian National University in Canberra and 11 of those to the Crawford School of Public Policy, where a welcome event for the awardees, was attended by Senator the Hon. Penny Wong and PNG Prime Minister, the Hon. James Marape, along with ANU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Genevieve Bell, who shared inspiring words with the scholars.

A special moment was the signing of the ANU Red Book—a historic guest book that holds the signatures of distinguished visitors to the university. Remarkably, only two people have signed it twice: Gough Whitlam and PM Marape!

There are 30 PNG teachers at Curtin University in Perth, and there was a ceremony held there, organised by DFAT and the University, to officially congratulate them as they further their education and skills under the STEM program. As the Hon. Anne Aly MP said at the ceremony:

In my first official engagement as Minister for International Development, I met and congratulated these teachers, who will bring important STEM knowledge and skills to classrooms across Australia Awards studies from their 12-week Australia Awards short course.

This year’s Australia Awards PNG recipients have been recognised as Somare-Whitlam scholars and awardees—honouring Prime Ministers Sir Michael Somare and Gough Whitlam, and their role leading up to PNG’s independence 50 years ago.

2025 Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam scholars at ANU University in Canberra with
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong and PNG Prime Minister, the Hon. James Marape at the ANU event