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Study in Australia 2026: The Complete Guide for International Students
Australia pairs strong universities with generous work rights and a post-study work visa — but 2024–2026 brought major changes to funds, fees, English and post-study work. This guide covers the whole journey and links the detail for each step, verified against the Department of Home Affairs.
▶ Calculate your Australia proof of funds (free)Why study in Australia?
- Highly ranked universities (Melbourne, Sydney, UNSW, ANU, Monash, UQ…).
- Strong work rights — 48 hours/fortnight in term, unlimited on breaks.
- Post-study work via the 485 visa (2–3 years) to gain experience.
- High quality of life and a large, well-supported international student community.
What it costs
Tuition for international students is roughly AUD 15,000–45,000/year depending on the course. For the visa you must show living-cost capacity of AUD 29,710/year (a minimum — Sydney/Melbourne cost more), and the visa application charge is AUD 2,500 from July 2026. You also need OSHC health cover for your whole stay. Estimate your budget with the cost calculator and see the Australia cost breakdown.
Admission, English & the Genuine Student test
- Apply to your university (often via an agent or directly) and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- English: minimum around IELTS 6.0 (raised in 2024); prep with IELTS for Australia, PTE vs IELTS, and a free mock test.
- Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the old GTE in March 2024 — you explain your study intent in structured statements. See the Genuine Student guide.
Working, post-study & PR
- During study: 48 hours/fortnight in term, unlimited on breaks (no limit for research students).
- 485 visa: 2 years (bachelor/coursework master), longer for research degrees (research master's/doctorate) — the longer STEM extensions ended in July 2024.
- PR: skilled work can lead to permanent residence via the points-tested skilled pathways. See Australia PR points.
Last verified: 2026-07-17 against Home Affairs ↗. Australian rules change frequently — confirm the current details before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
- How much money do I need for an Australian student visa in 2026?
- You must show financial capacity for living costs of at least AUD 29,710 per year for a single student, plus tuition and travel. This is a minimum benchmark — actual living costs in Sydney or Melbourne are usually higher.
- How much is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?
- The subclass 500 student visa application charge rose to AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026 (up sharply from earlier years). Additional charges apply for any dependants.
- How many hours can I work as a student in Australia?
- Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Master's-by-research and PhD students have no work-hour limit.
- How long is the post-study work visa in Australia?
- The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) gives 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's, and longer for research degrees (a research master's or doctorate). The longer 4–6 year STEM extensions were removed in July 2024 — confirm the exact period for your qualification on the official Home Affairs page.
- What English score do I need for Australia?
- The student-visa minimum was raised in 2024 to around IELTS 6.0 (or an equivalent approved test); many universities ask for higher. Your test generally must be recent.