The latest round of the New Colombo Plan will send record numbers of Australian undergraduates into the region, with the federal government lifting support for long-term study, language training and closer ties with Asia. Senator Penny Wong said the 2026 intake reflects both the scale of student interest and the policy shift designed to expand the country’s capability in the Indo-Pacific.
The 2026 round will offer 328 NCP scholarships, marking an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year. Alongside this, 1,247 student grants have been allocated under the new Semester Program and 1,635 under the Mobility Program. The expanded intake sits within the broader reforms announced in July, which were aimed at reshaping the program so that more young Australians gain practical experience in the region and develop skills that align with national priorities.
Senator Wong said the changes are now showing real outcomes. “More NCP participants are now developing the skills and capabilities Australia needs to deepen our national understanding of the region, strengthen the ties between our people, and increase engagement with Australian businesses operating in the region.”
Language study is also gaining new momentum. A record number of students will undertake long-term programs in Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Japanese and Vietnamese, reflecting an emphasis on language as a foundation for relationships across the region.
Since its launch in 2014, the New Colombo Plan has supported more than 56,000 Australian undergraduates through study, internships and language training in the Indo-Pacific. Senator Wong said she is encouraged by what the next generation will contribute as the program grows. “I look forward to the continued impact of the program as more young Australians develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy.” She also offered her congratulations to the 2026 recipients.
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