How to Study in Australia for International Students

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With its diverse culture and welcoming community, you will easily find yourself a second home in Australia as an international student. It has globally-recognized universities and various scholarships which will be helpful in funding your studies. Its education system is also acknowledged as one of the best all over the world.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Australia currently has 42 universities, from which 37 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Australia you should definitely check out are University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and University of Sydney.

Being able to study in Australia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Australia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Australia

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Australia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 12,000 AUD to 114,000 AUD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 16,400 AUD and 89,000 AUD.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Australia

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Australia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Swinburne University of Technology 28,500 AUD - 39,600 AUD 31,800 AUD - 36,500 AUD
Queensland University of Technology 30,300 AUD - 39,300 AUD 30,900 AUD - 37,700 AUD
Southern Cross University 28,000 AUD - 34,400 AUD 27,200 AUD - 34,400 AUD
Western Sydney University 26,300 AUD - 33,100 AUD 21,500 AUD - 38,400 AUD
University of Western Australia 34,200 AUD - 41,700 AUD 23,300 AUD - 50,800 AUD
University of Wollongong 26,600 AUD - 37,400 AUD 39,600 AUD - 78,900 AUD
Victoria University 72,000 AUD - 114,000 AUD 48,800 AUD - 73,000 AUD
University of Technology Sydney 35,300 AUD - 47,200 AUD 43,000 AUD - 89,000 AUD
University of Sydney 45,000 AUD - 52,000 AUD 41,000 AUD - 59,000 AUD
University of the Sunshine Coast 24,400 AUD - 29,600 AUD 26,000 AUD - 29,800 AUD
Monash University 34,700 AUD - 48,300 AUD 31,700 AUD - 47,800 AUD
University of Queensland 33,900 AUD - 47,300 AUD 21,300 AUD - 62,900 AUD
University of South Australia 28,000 AUD - 35,900 AUD 30,300 AUD - 36,900 AUD
University of Adelaide 36,000 AUD - 40,000 AUD 38,500 AUD - 47,500 AUD
University of Newcastle 29,200 AUD - 42,700 AUD 34,300 AUD - 57,800 AUD
University of New South Wales 41,300 AUD - 49,600 AUD 33,000 AUD - 48,300 AUD
University of New England 26,900 AUD - 31,600 AUD 26,900 AUD - 33,900 AUD
University of Melbourne 32,900 AUD - 67,400 AUD 34,800 AUD - 53,800 AUD
University of Tasmania 12,000 AUD - 38,000 AUD 30,000 AUD - 40,000 AUD
University of Southern Queensland 26,400 AUD - 35,300 AUD 26,900 AUD - 47,100 AUD
University of Canberra 29,000 AUD - 32,800 AUD 27,000 AUD - 35,600 AUD
Murdoch University 27,200 AUD - 32,900 AUD 28,100 AUD - 35,000 AUD
La Trobe University 32,800 AUD - 73,400 AUD 32,000 AUD - 42,000 AUD
Curtin University 29,200 AUD - 37,800 AUD 29,200 AUD - 37,800 AUD
Charles Sturt University 20,800 AUD - 32,200 AUD 20,800 AUD - 33,300 AUD
Macquarie University 33,200 AUD - 42,000 AUD 26,400 AUD - 53,600 AUD
Charles Darwin University 25,400 AUD - 32,400 AUD 28,200 AUD - 34,700 AUD
Australian National University 39,900 AUD - 53,400 AUD 45,400 AUD - 48,000 AUD
James Cook University 29,100 AUD - 39,000 AUD 28,200 AUD - 41,200 AUD
Flinders University 30,000 AUD - 39,000 AUD 31,000 AUD - 45,000 AUD
Federation University Australia 18,000 AUD - 32,700 AUD 22,700 AUD - 31,100 AUD
Australian Catholic University 23,400 AUD - 40,700 AUD 23,400 AUD - 32,400 AUD
Central Queensland University 19,000 AUD - 37,000 AUD 26,400 AUD - 35,600 AUD
Edith Cowan University 31,800 AUD - 37,400 AUD 31,100 AUD - 48,200 AUD
Griffith University 29,500 AUD - 45,500 AUD 22,500 AUD - 45,500 AUD
Deakin University 28,200 AUD - 42,300 AUD 28,700 AUD - 39,400 AUD
RMIT University 36,500 AUD - 40,400 AUD 30,800 AUD - 39,400 AUD

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Australia

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Notre Dame Australia 29,000 AUD - 38,200 AUD 30,500 AUD - 45,700 AUD
Torrens University Australia 25,200 AUD - 30,900 AUD 22,800 AUD - 34,500 AUD
University of Divinity 14,200 AUD - 16,700 AUD 16,400 AUD - 18,400 AUD
Avondale University 26,100 AUD - 34,800 AUD 26,100 AUD - 78,200 AUD
Bond University 63,200 AUD - 68,400 AUD 50,400 AUD - 67,900 AUD

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Australia, check out the Cheap Universities in Australia!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Australia for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Australia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Australia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Australia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Australia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Australia and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Swinburne University of Technology

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Queensland University of Technology

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Southern Cross University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Australia

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Australia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Melbourne and University of New South Wales. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Australia.

University of Melbourne

University of New South Wales

University of Sydney

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Australia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Australia.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Australia

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Australia. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Australia as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Australia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Subclass 500 .

To start your student visa application in Australia, you will need to present the following:

  1. Confirmation of enrollment from the school
  2. Proof of English language proficiency
  3. Written statement providing the intent to genuinely study and not overstay
  4. Bank statement
  5. Proof of purchasing Overseas Student Health Cover
  6. Medical certificate

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Australia is 710 AUD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Search for the nearest Australian consulate in your area.
  2. Gather your documents and apply online
  3. Check for status updates and wait for your visa outcome.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Australia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!