Costs
Your total cost will depend on the university you attend, your accommodation, and your extracurricular budget.
International postgraduate students can typically expect to pay:
Tuition: AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 per year
Shared Accommodation: AUD 750 to AUD 1,760
Utilities: Typically run from AUD 170 to AUD 270 per month (sometimes included in the cost of rented accommodation)
Living Expenses: Between AUD 18,675 and AUD 29,342
Books and Supplies: Typically cost AUD 500 to AUD 1,000 per academic year
Student Visas: cost up to AUD 1,080, and require that applicants have AUD 24,041 per year at hand to cover living and expenses, along with at least 12 months of course fees. International students must also prove that they have booked a return flight to their home country for the end of their time at an Australian university.
Overseas Student Health Cover: Required for all international students in Australia, and typically costs AUD 438 for three years.
Student Services and Amenities Fee: Some universities may charge for this; these typically run up to AUD 315 or so per year.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/cost-studying-university-australia
Yes. Insider Guides, which publishes guides for international students, also maintains a nicely detailed cost of living calculator that can help you fine-tune your budget projections.
To some degree, yes. Masters degrees typically cost AUD $22,000 to AUD $50,000. Doctoral degrees are around AUD $18,000 and AUD $42,000.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/cost-studying-university-australia
Unfortuantely no. Loans advanced for study in the UK may not be used to cover the costs of overseas university study, nor does the UK government offer grants for international study.
All fees at Australian universities are set by the universities themselves, not by the government. These fees must also be paid in full by international students before starting your course.
Eligibility may vary from loan to loan, but at minimum you should have your Australian student visa in hand, and have a source of regular income. To qualify for most student loans from universities, you must be enrolled as a full-time student, have a part-time or full-time job in Australia, and pay all fees and dues previously owed to the university. To qualify for most student loans at private banks, you should currently reside in Australia, have an account in a private bank in Australia, and maintain some sort of collateral at that bank.
Australia’s large international student population means that employers are used to hiring international students. All universities have job services that can help you find employment in your city. Student employees typically make the Australian minimum wage of AUD $18.23 per hour, but some could make more.
In a way. If you make more than AUD $450 before tax in a given month, your employer will contribute 9.5% to your superannuation fund. Most employers will set up a fund on your behalf. When you return home, you are entitled to request a return of your super. It is easiest to begin the claims process while still in Australia, though it concludes after you leave the country and your student visa expires.
General
Most master’s degrees require one or two years of full-time study. Doctoral degrees typically require three to four years of full-time study. Research doctorates typically require a master’s degree for admission or a bachelor's degree with honours.
Qualifications from Australian universities are recognised around the world, similarly to those from UK and US universities.
More than 1,100 universities and other postsecondary institutions operate in Australia. The country’s higher education system placed eighth in the latest Universitas Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, outpacing Japan, Germany, France, and Norway.
Yes. The Australian Department of Education’s 2018 International Student Survey found that nearly 90% of international students in Australia were satisfied with their experience. According to Study Australia, more than 80% of all international students in Australia plan to complete their courses there.
Extraordinarily so, The 2023 QB Best Student Cities rankings has seven Australian cities among the top 35. Only four UK cities can make that claim. Australia is one of the most diverse, multicultural societies on earth. Nearly 30% of Australians were born overseas; international visitors are more than welcome in Australia.
Australia is extremely safe, with crime rates comparable to those of Iceland.
International students typically choose one of three types of accommodation: managed student accommodation (purpose-built housing for international students, found near most large campuses), private rentals, and homestays, which allow international students to live in the home of a local host for up to four weeks upon arrival.
Along with shipping your belongings on to your next destination, you should be sure that you have received all exam results, even those that are not part of your academic qualification. Also be sure to claim the security bond from your accommodation, if appropriate, and settle your financial affairs with housemates if you had them. Finally, be sure to join an alumni association or two—maintaining ties to your university can help now and well into the future.
Yes, but under a different visa. The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, allows you to remain in Australia to work for a specified number of years. Graduates of urban universities typically receive two-year Temporary Graduate visas, while graduates of regional universities typically receive three-year visas. Holders of Hong Kong and British Overseas Territory passports may receive visas good for up to five years. You must apply for a Temporary Graduate visa while still enrolled in a course under a subclass 500 student visa.
Graduates with professional degrees and/or experience may apply to remain in Australia under the government’s Skillselect programme, which facilitates long-term migration to Australia for certain skilled workers. State governments may also sponsor skilled employees for migration.
Visas
Yes. You need a student visa—specifically a Subclass 500 visa—to attend an Australian university as an international student.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs processes all visa applications for international students wishing to attend university in Australia. Its website includes a comprehensive checklist of the documents you will need, step-by-step instructions on how to apply, and the application portal itself.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500
Visa applicants 18 years and older currently pay AUD 1,080. Applicants must also have AUD 24,041 per year at hand to cover living expenses, along with at least 12 months of course fees. Alternatively, applicants can demonstrate that their parents or partner earned more than AUD 62,221 in the 12 months preceding their visa application.
The Department of Home Affairs maintains a Document Checklist Tool that can help you pinpoint exactly the items you will need for your visa application. Be sure to read the checklist for the latest requirements; for the typical postgraduate student from the UK, these currently include:
- Proof of identity
- Evidence of university enrolment
- Evidence of intended study, including research topic and CV for research students
- Proof of health insurance
- Statement of purpose
- Proof of employment and/or qualifications
- Employment history
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#HowTo
Please be aware that we are not immigration consultants therefore if you have specific immigration queries you should get the support of a registered Australian migration agent.
Yes. Your student visa typically entitles you to work up to 40 hours per fortnight, though this limit is sometimes waived. You may also temporarily work longer hours when circumstances warrant. You are authorised to begin working immediately upon arrival in Australia, even if your course has not yet begun, though you must be enrolled in your course.
All workplace protections offered to Australian nationals are extended to international students on valid visas.
You may, but only after you complete a course and earn a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate.
No, but you may apply for another type of visa that reflects your current situation. The Department of Home Affairs has more information on the types of visa available to you.
Yes. Applicants from some countries are required to demonstrate that they have achieved a 46 TOEFL IBT, an IELTS score of 5.5, or an equivalent score on a comparable test of English language proficiency, such as the PTE or the CAE. In some cases, these scores are reduced for students enrolled in an intensive English language course.
The acceptance rate for visa applications from university students as a whole was 23.3% in 2021-22. The acceptance rate for students in postgraduate research was 11.8%.
Nearly all student visas are delivered within four months of the application date.
To retain your visa, you must support yourself financially and make satisfactory progress at the university in which you are enrolled. Note that you may need to apply for a new visa if you change your qualification level while still in Australia.
https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/live/visa-compliance
Five years, provided that you remain a student in good standing. Student visas typically expire three months after you complete your course of study.
Be very careful about paying a third party to facilitate your visa application. Only the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is authorised to process visa applications. Your university can help guide you through the application process, and registered education agents may also help (for a fee). Aside from those officially recognised entities, it is best to avoid any commercial organisations that promise to facilitate your visa application.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#HowTo
https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/live/visa-compliance
Yes, but under a different visa. The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, allows you to remain in Australia to work for a specified number of years. Graduates of urban universities typically receive two-year Temporary Graduate visas, while graduates of regional universities typically receive three-year visas. Holders of Hong Kong and British Overseas Territory passports may receive visas good for up to five years. You must apply for a Temporary Graduate visa while still enrolled in a course under a subclass 500 student visa.
Graduates with professional degrees and/or experience may apply to remain in Australia under the government’s Skillselect programme, which facilitates long-term migration to Australia for certain skilled workers. State governments may also sponsor skilled employees for migration.
The most common reasons for failed student visa applications are incomplete or incorrect documentation, a disagreement between the student’s intended course of study and their previous academic history, lack of financial reserves, and insufficient English language proficiency. Any single element of your visa application can disqualify you from receiving a student visa.
Yes, although a history of failed visa applications may count against you.
Climate and Equality
Yes. The University of Tasmania placed #1 in Times Higher Education’s ranking of the world’s top universities for climate action in 2022, and 11 Australian universities made the top-100 list. The University of Tasmania has earned a Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, while the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland each carry Silver ratings.
Several! Western Sydney University placed #1 in Times Higher Education’s ranking of the world’s top universities for global impact in 2022, and 17 Australian universities made the top-100 list.
Yes. The University of Canberra placed #1 in Times Higher Education’s ranking of the world’s top universities for reducing inequality in 2022, and 14 Australian universities made the top-100 list.
Health and Insurance
All international students must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as long as they reside in Australia. OSHC is not a monolithic service, but a way to define the minimum coverage necessary for students during their time in Australia. At a minimum, it covers visits to the doctor, ambulance services, certain hospital treatments, and a limited range of pharmaceuticals. Some OSHC providers offer extended coverage as well.
Only six registered health insurers are currently authorised to provide OSHC: ahm OSHC, Allianz Care Australia, BUPA Australia, CBHS International Health, Medibank Private, and NIB OSHC.
If you travel to Australia on a student visa from the U.K., you may also apply for Medicare as part of the reciprocal health care agreement between the UK and Australia. The agreement entitles you to medically necessary care out of the hospital and at public hospitals, and to purchase certain prescription medicines, described in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, at the general rate. Even if you are covered by Medicare, you must still obtain Overseas Student Health Cover while studying in Australia.
International students are not required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of entry into the country. This may not apply to the airline that takes you to Australia, or to any other countries you visit en route. All visitors to Australia are encouraged to get vaccinated.
Planning Your Arrival
Yes. Opening an account at an Australian bank will make everything go more smoothly once you’ve settled in. If you need help transferring funds from home, your bank can help you with that step, too.
Most likely, but you won’t want to pay the roaming charges. The least expensive way to use your phone in Australia is to purchase an Australian SIM card, either at the airport after you arrive in Australia, or at your destination.
No! Food, plants, and animals may not join you on your trip to Australia. Along with these biosecurity considerations, you may not bring firearms, weapons or ammunition, certain medicines, or currency in an amount exceeding the equivalent of AUD 10,000.
Scholarships
Yes. Both public and private entities fund scholarships for international students in Australia. Some scholarships are based on need, others on academic merit, and typically cover 15%-25% of academic fees.
Each scholarship carries its terms, so you’ll need to research each opportunity. Typically, you’ll want to provide evidence of excellent grades, your seriousness about pursuing a particular course of study, and your extracurricular activities (especially those that demonstrate an interest in contributing to your community or to society at large). You should also be prepared to supply an essay or two, or to write essays required by the scholarship you seek. You may also be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.
Yes. Aside from your own savings and the support provided by your family, you are eligible to work up to 40 hours per fortnight on a valid Australian student visa. You may also apply for an education loan. Universities themselves typically offer short-term loans for students with immediate needs, and private banks offer a range of long-term, general-purpose loans.
Quite likely. Australian universities participate in loan programs underwritten by the U.S. Federal Government, making Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, and some consolidation loans available to students who continue their education in Australia.
Student Support
Both universities and government agencies provide a wide range of support services for international students in Australia. Each university has its own system of support, which typically includes designated advisers, orientation services, and continued support for practical needs like accommodation, employment, and language learning. Most also offer childcare facilities. The Federal Government’s Study Australia resource brings together federal, state, and territorial agencies to provide comprehensive support at the public level. Students who require assistance due to disability are guaranteed that assistance by federal law.
https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/live/support-services