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Cost of Studying in Australia (2026)
Tuition AUD 35,000–50,000/yr · Living AUD 21,000/yr. A full breakdown of fees, living costs, scholarships, loans and post-study earnings.
▶ Free cost & loan calculatorAnnual cost breakdown
- Tuition (international): AUD 35,000–50,000/yr
- Living costs: AUD 21,000/yr (rent, food, transport, insurance)
- Visa & one-off setup: varies — include flights, deposits and proof of funds
- Part-time work: typically allowed ~20 hours/week to offset living costs
How to lower the cost
- Scholarships: merit and need-based awards — use the free Scholarship Finder.
- Education loans: compare 10 lenders and estimate EMI in the Loans & Costs tool.
- Choose by ROI: Australia offers Temporary Graduate (485): 2–4 years; model payback with the Cost & ROI calculator.
Why Australia is good value for international students
- 2–4 year post-study work (485)
- Points-based skilled migration
- High minimum wages
- 8 of top 100 universities
Living costs vary by city
Your living budget in Australia depends heavily on the city. The most popular student cities are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra — the largest cities (typically the first one or two) cost noticeably more for rent than smaller university towns, so choosing a lower-cost city can save a significant amount over your degree.
Popular programmes in Australia
International students in Australia most commonly study:
- Master of IT
- Data Science
- MBA
- Master of Engineering
Earning it back — post-study work & PR in Australia
- Post-study work: Temporary Graduate (485): 2–4 years
- Student-visa success rate: ≈80% — Subclass 500; Genuine Student test applies.
- Immigration pathway: Skilled Independent (189), State Nominated (190), Regional (491) — points-based.
- Permanent residence: PR: ~2–4 yrs
A clear post-study work and PR pathway is what turns tuition into an investment — graduates who stay and work often recover the cost within a few years.
Recent updates affecting cost & study in Australia
- 2024: Genuine Student (GS) test replaced the GTE requirement.
- 2025: Savings requirement raised to AUD 29,710; higher English bands.
- 2025: International-student commencement caps under discussion.
Always verify current fees, visa rules and policies on official government and university websites before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to study in Australia?
- Budget roughly AUD 35,000–50,000/yr tuition plus AUD 21,000/yr living per year. Scholarships, education loans and part-time work reduce the net cost.
- Can I work part-time while studying in Australia?
- Yes — most student visas allow around 20 hours/week in term time, which helps with living costs.
- Is studying in Australia worth it?
- Australia offers Temporary Graduate (485): 2–4 years and a PR timeline of PR: ~2–4 yrs, so strong graduates often recover costs within a few years. Use the free ROI calculator to model your payback.