Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarship holder Ellie Cole has been voted the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Athlete of the Month for August following her six gold medal haul at the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships in Canada.

Cole received 41 percent of the vote to beat Portugal's Boccia star, Abilito Valente, who claimed 36 percent of the vote.

The 20-year-old returned to Australia with victories in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke and 200m Medley (S9) races.

'I was actually surprised just to have won the first event, and then I won the second and then the third, my confidence just kept growing,' Cole said.

'I was really pleased with my performances but now my focus is on preparing for next year’s London Games.'

Cole will compete in Australia's National Championships in March before heading to the Paralympic Games in London next summer.

Four years after winning a silver and two bronze medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Cole is a much more seasoned swimmer.

'I didn't go to Beijing to win any medals, it was more about experiencing the Olympics,' Cole said.

'I was only 16 and it was my first major competition but since then I've been to a few World Championships and feel I’m definitely a lot more mature swimmer.'

'Next year will definitely be about achieving personal best times and hopefully challenging for Olympic medals.'