Cost of Study in Australia : Tuition Fees, Living & Other Costs

With nine institutions ranking among the QS World University Rankings 2024 top 100, Australia is certainly one of the best destinations for international students. The Group of Eight (Go8), comprising leading research-intensive Australian universities, has placed the country even higher on the list of countries offering quality higher education abroad. 

The exemplary education system, global reputation, vibrant cities, impressive technologies, stable economy, and quality lifestyle make Australia a sought-after international student education destination. The cost of study in Australia, on average, would range between AUD 20,000 and AUD 42,000. 

However, this cost varies depending upon the choice of study program and the cost of living in Australia for international students. So, if you’re wondering how much it costs to study in Australia, read on to learn the details.

What is Cost of Study in Australia

The cost of studying in Australia for Indian Students includes university fees along with other miscellaneous expenses. Apart from the expenses of studying, they also need to manage their cost of living. We have enlisted the major expenses you would need to manage. 

Pre-Arrival Expenses:

This will come out to approximately AUD 3,000. The pre-arrival expenses include airfare, standardized exam charges, college application fees, and visa charges. 

Annual Tuition Fees in Australia for International Students

The cost of studying in Australia depends on the educational institution, location, and level of study. Here is a breakdown of the average annual fees in Australia.

Level of Study	Average Annual Cost of Studying
Undergraduate bachelor's degree	AUD 20,000 - AUD 45,000
Postgraduate master’s degree	AUD 22,000 - AUD 50,000
Doctoral degree	AUD 20,000 0 AUD 42,000

These figures exclude high-value courses such as a veterinary or a medical degree, and their tuition fees can be significantly higher. As per the official fee estimates provided by the Australian National University, the annual cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree is around AUD 42,560 for a Bachelor of Arts program and AUD 47,940 for a Bachelor of Science or Medical Science program. 

On the other hand, the study cost in Australia at ANU’s graduate degree program can range from AUD 45,360 to AUD 47,940. The annual fee for a Doctorate of Medicine and Surgery degree is somewhere around AUD 85,120. 

Let’s delve deeper into the cost of study in Australia across top universities is given in the table below: 

University	QS WUR 2024	Top Courses	Average Fees (Annual in AUD)
Australian National University (ANU)	34	Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) Science; Master of Applied Data Analytics; Master of Museum and Heritage Studies; Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering	$46,000-48,000
The University of Melbourne	14	Bachelor of Agriculture, Master of Architectural Engineering, Master of Business Analytics	$45,000-47,000
The University of Sydney	-	MBA; Master of Engineering (Software Engineering); Bachelor of Science (Health); Bachelor of Economics	$50,000-54,000
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)	19	Master of Mining Engineering; Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics); Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical); Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Manufacturing)	$7,000-11,000
The University of Queensland	43	Master of Tourism, Hotel & Event Management; Bachelor of Health, Sport & Physical Education	$2,900-3,500/credit
Monash University	42	Bachelor of Architectural Design; Master of Information Technology; Master of Data Science; Master of Advanced Nursing	$37,000-45,000
The University of Western Australia (UWA)	72	Master of Professional Engineering; Master of Biological Science & Master of Biotechnology; Bachelor of Marine Sciences	$9,000-44,300
The University of Adelaide	89	Master of Engineering (Mining); Master of Petroleum Engineering; Bachelor of Oral Health; Bachelor of Nursing	$45,000-48,000
University of Technology Sydney	90	Bachelor of Business; Bachelor of Economics; Bachelor of Accounting; Master of Artificial Intelligence; Master of Physiotherapy	$1,256 per credit

Living Expenses

Expenses	Average Living Expense per Week
On-campus accommodation	AUD 166 - AUD 394
Off-campus accommodation	AUD 160 - AUD 440
Groceries and eating out	AUD 140 - AUD 280
Public transport	AUD 30 - AUD 60
Gas and electricity	AUD 10 - AUD 20
Phone and internet bills	AUD 15 - AUD 30
Entertainment	AUD 80 - AUD 150

Besides the university fees for international students in Australia, living expenses comprise a major cost. However, different cities in Australia have different costs of living. While we have given you a rough estimate above, here is an overview of the weekly expenses incurred in different parts of Australia.

City	Average Expense per Week
Adelaide	AUD 571.5
Melbourne	AUD 643.5
Sydney	AUD 690.5
Perth	AUD 619.5
Brisbane	AUD 610.5
Canberra	AUD 700.5
Hobart	AUD 583.5
Darwin	AUD 546.5

That being said, the cost of living in Australia can be reduced to some extent if you opt for shared accommodation and public transport instead of private cars. Opting for on-campus accommodation might also help you save a lot since you can reduce transportation costs. Besides having control over the frequency of opting for takeaways or social leisure, thrifting clothes instead of buying new ones all the time might as well help you save.

Country Wise Cost of Studying Resources

• Cost of Studying in Canada

• Cost of Studying in Ireland

• Cost to Study in Germany

• Cost of Studying in UK

• Cost of Studying in USA

• Cost of Studying in London

• Cost of Studying Engineering in USA

Health Insurance

It is necessary for students holding an Australian visa to have a valid overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the duration they will be staying in the country. If you are going for a 1-year program, you might have to spend AUD 768 for your health coverage. Whereas the healthcare cover charge for two years is AUD 1,589 and AUD 2,386 for three years. However, these rates vary from one insurance provider to the other. Hence, checking for the rates for a selected cover with your insurance provider is better. 

Additional Costs

Besides the cost of studying in Australia and the living expenses, here are some additional costs associated with studying there.

Additional cost	Average Expense Incurred
Student visa	AUD 650
Books and study materials	AUD 650
Technology and internet	AUD 100
Extracurricular activities and entertainment	AUD 120

To manage the costs better, Indian students can take student loans from:

• Nationalized banks like State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda
• Private banks like HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Non-Bank Financial Companies (NBFCs) like HDFC Credila, EduFund, etc.

However, aspects like the loan amount, collaterals, rate of interest, etc., vary depending on factors like the loan provider, duration, etc.

Financial Assistance Opportunities

While considering the cost of studying in Australia for international students, the tuition fees often take the spotlight, but taking care of living costs is equally important. The Australian Government, education providers, and public & private organizations offer scholarships, grants, and bursaries that can assist you financially while studying in Australia.

• Destination Australia Program: The Australian Government funds tertiary education providers to fund scholarships of up to $15,000 per year for students to study and live in regional Australia.
• Short-term Mobility Opportunities: The Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program funds Australian universities to offer short-term two-way mobility opportunities to inbound and outbound students between Australia and a few selected Asian countries. 

Australia Awards: These are the international scholarships and short courses offered by the Australian Government and taken care of by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Students wanting to undertake study, research, and professional development in Australia can avail of any of these four awards - Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships, Australia Awards Scholarships, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research awards, and short courses.

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Scholarship in Australia

International students looking for low-cost study in Australia should apply for scholarships offered by the Australian government, public or private universities, and higher education institutions to deserving overseas students. These can reduce the cost of Indian students studying in Australia. Here are some Australian scholarships you should check before applying for your dream course in the country:

ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship:

The award can be granted to 80 Indian students, who can benefit from a 25% to 50% tuition fee waiver. The selection for the same is based on academic merit. 

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation- Gates Cambridge Scholarships:

Approx. 80 scholarships are awarded under the program. Eligible candidates get AUD 37,977 for 12 months; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months. In addition, PhD scholars will be funded for up to 4 years, inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge, one-way airfare, and 100% fee remission. 

UNSW’s Future of Change Scholarship:

A stipend of AUD 10,000 per annum is awarded to Indian students enrolled in UG and PG courses for the minimum duration of the program. The award is granted based on academic merit. 

Global Excellence Scholarship at UWA:

It is open to graduate and postgraduate students. The fund amount for eligible courses may vary from AUD 48,000 to 24,000 over two years. The scholarship is given out on academic merit. 

Part-Time Jobs for International Students & Taxes in Australia

The Australian student visa allows international students to work 20 hours weekly during studies and full-time during semester breaks. This not only eases the burden of college fees in Australia but also helps with the experience of working in a foreign country.

However, the income that students generate from part-time work is taxable. They have to get a Tax File Number (TFN). The application for the TFN has to be submitted online via the official website. Here are a couple of tax slabs:

• AUD 18,201 – 45,000 – 16%
• AUD 45,001 – AUD 135,000 - 30%
• AUD 135,001 – AUD 190,000 – 37%
• Over AUD 190,000 –  45%

Here are some popular part-time jobs options in Australia:

• Tutoring
• Food services – bartenders/waiters/kitchen staff
• Office executive
• Customer service/call centers

Read More:
Jobs in Australia after MS in Computer Science
How Much Gap Is Acceptable for Study in Australia?
Eligibility Criteria for Masters (MS) in Australia
How to settle in Australia from India?
Australian Visa Subclass 189

Budgeting and Financial Planning

It is crucial to be financially prepared before you study abroad. Also, once you land there, these crucial tips will help you balance your finances well. 

Tips to Create Budget While Studying in Australia

You must set a budget to manage your finances while studying in Australia. 

• You can use a budgeting tool to understand the common areas where you spend your money. 
• You can use Moneysmart, which is an Australian Government initiative. This website offers free tools, tips, and guidance on creating a budget. Not just that, the student life and money page on the website provides information tailored to university students.

These are not all, we have more tips for international students. Scroll down!

Read More:

Australian Visa Subclass 190	Why Study in Australia?	IELTS Score for Australia
491 Visa Australia	MBA fees in Australia	Education System in Australia
Job Opportunities in Australia	Part time Jobs in Australia	Top Cities in Australia

Recommended Financial Planning Strategies for International Students

Managing your money might seem daunting as there are several expenses besides the university fees in Australia. Staying on top of your finances is necessary, and here is how to spend your money wisely.

• Buy groceries and cook them independently, which are always cheaper than takeaways. Before you head out to the supermarket, you can check their online catalog to compare prices at different stores. This can help you save money in the long run. 
• You can get a MyWay student card for public buses and light rail services to travel at the lowest fares. This card can be prepared by taking your student ID card to a recharge agent when purchasing the card. Australia has a separate network of bicycle paths. Therefore, you should consider buying a bicycle to save time and money.
• Regarding textbooks or study materials, go for second-hand ones instead of buying a new one or relying on your university’s library.
• If need be, try to get weekly specials and student nights, or go to venues offering free entry. 

Study in Australia – Important Read
Australia Awards Scholarship	The University of Melbourne Acceptance Rate
Asean Partner Scholarship	Australian National University Acceptance Rate