There is a word limit of 300 words on each longform question. To review these questions before you start your application, please read the requirements page.
Applications close at 11:59PM (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on Sunday 25 October 2026.
You are eligible to apply if you are a Pacific woman currently studying in Australia on an Australia Awards Scholarshiand will remain enrolled at an Australian university or tertiary institution during Semester 1, 2027. You must have commenced your studies in Australia at the time of submitting your application. Applications from candidates who do not meet these eligibility requirements will not be considered.
No. The WDLP is only open to Australia Awards scholars who will still be studying in Australia and enrolled at an Australian university or tertiary institution during Semester 1, 2027. If you will complete your studies and become an Australia Awards alumna before the program begins, you are not eligible to apply.
Australia Awards alumni are encouraged to stay connected through WLI's range of alumni programs, events and leadership opportunities, which are promoted via the WLI website, LinkedIn and Australia Awards social media channels.
Yes. If you are a Pacific woman on an Australia Awards Scholarship and will be enrolled at an Australian university or tertiary institution during Semester 1, 2027, you are eligible to apply, even if you complete your studies at the end of that semester.
If selected and you return home before September 2027, WLI will arrange and fund your return to Australia to participate in the second WDLP Intensive in Brisbane.
Before applying, however, we encourage you to consider whether your employment, family, or other commitments will allow you to return to Australia later in the year and participate fully in the program
Yes! You will find these on the Requirements page.
We strongly encourage applicants to have read and drafted 200-word answers (in a separate document) to the application’s longform questions before you start the online application. Responses to these questions are your opportunity to show us who you are, how you stand out, what areas of leadership interest and excite you, and why you would be a star participant on the program.
There is a word limit of 300 words on each longform question. To review these questions before you start your application, please read the Requirements page.
Yes. Applicants must write all responses themselves. Please do not use ChatGPT, Claude, or other AI tools to generate, draft, or substantially rewrite your application answers. We want to hear your own voice, experiences, reflections, and aspirations.
All applications will be screened for AI-generated content prior to assessment. Applications found to contain AI-generated responses will be disqualified and will not proceed to the review stage.
Yes! It is important that your SCO is supportive of your application for the program. We encourage you to speak to your SCO as early as possible about your interest in the program and discuss any potential issues with them. If you proceed with your application, please let your SCO know that they will be contacted by WLI to provide a reference check.
Please be patient once you have submitted your application form. The program receives a high volume of applications and the team takes time to carefully consider each application thoroughly and fairly. Applications are screened to ensure they are complete and that all applicants are eligible for the program. Applications are then scored against predetermined criteria and shortlisted applicants' Student Contact Officers/referees will be contacted to verify application details.
Some shortlisted applicants may be invited for phone interviews with a team member in November. Please make sure your contact details (telephone and email) for this period are correct and up to date. We aim to complete the selection process and notify all applicants of the outcome by 16 November 2026. Selected participants will be required to attend a mandatory orientation session on 1 December 2026.
All costs associated with your participation in the WDLP will be covered by the Australia Awards Women Leading and Influencing program. This includes accommodation, meals and travel from your place of study to the intensive program locations, access to mentors, leadership coaching, academics and subject matter experts.
The first intensive in February will be held from 28 January to 4 February 2027 in Canberra / Tharwa, ACT and 20 to 26 September 2027 in Brisbane, QLD. You must be available to attend both intensives face-to-face to be eligible for this program.
If you are successful in gaining a place on the WDLP for 2027, we require you to be at your in-Australia base and ready to travel to Canberra for Intensive 1 from 27 January 2027. We cannot organise or fund travel from outside Australia for Intensive 1. However as noted above, we will arrange and fund your return to Australia to participate in the second WDLP Intensive in Brisbane if you complete your studies and return home before September 2027.
We are watching our messages carefully over this time in case any applicant has a problem with the application form, and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
If you have read all the information on this page, as well as on the ‘Requirements’ and the ‘Women’s Developmental Leadership Program’ page and still have questions, please contact us.
We are watching our messages carefully over this time for applicants’ questions, and we will respond as soon as possible.
