Cheapest Universities in Australia (2024-2025)
Australia is a popular destination for international students due to its excellent universities and high quality of education. However, studying in Australia can be expensive, with tuition fees and living expenses adding up quickly. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the cheapest universities in Australia, which offer international students affordable tuition and living costs. Studying in Australia as an international student can be relatively easy with proper planning and preparation. Here are some factors that can impact the ease of studying in Australia as an international student:
- Visa requirements: International students are required to obtain a student visa to study in Australia. The visa application process can take several weeks or months and requires a range of documents, such as proof of enrolment, evidence of financial capacity, and health and character checks.
- Language proficiency: To be eligible to study in Australia, international students must demonstrate English language proficiency by providing proof of their scores in internationally recognized language proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. If a student’s English language skills are not sufficient, they may need to take additional language courses before they can commence their studies.
- Academic requirements: International students must meet the academic requirements for their chosen course, which may include specific high school or university qualifications, prerequisites, or a minimum GPA.
- Cost of living: The cost of living in Australia can be high, particularly in major cities. International students need to budget for accommodation, food, transport, and other personal expenses and should be prepared to live frugally to make their budget last.
- Support networks: Studying in a foreign country can be challenging, particularly for international students who may be far away from their support networks. Many universities in Australia offer support services for international students, such as accommodation assistance, academic support, and social activities, which can help ease the transition to a new country and culture.
Here is the list of the cheapest universities in Australia:
| University | Annual Tuition Fees (AUD) | Estimated Annual Living Expenses (AUD) | Total Cost (AUD) |
| University of New England | 22,080 | 21,000 | 43,080 |
| University of Southern Queensland | 24,000 | 20,000 | 44,000 |
| Central Queensland University | 23,760 | 18,000 | 41,760 |
| Southern Cross University | 23,000 | 20,000 | 43,000 |
| Charles Darwin University | 25,680 | 18,000 | 43,680 |
| Federation University | 24,000 | 18,000 | 42,000 |
| University of the Sunshine Coast | 25,600 | 20,000 | 45,600 |
| University of Tasmania | 29,950 | 20,000 | 49,950 |
| James Cook University | 30,240 | 18,000 | 48,240 |
| Edith Cowan University | 30,500 | 20,000 | 50,500 |
| Victoria University | 24,800 | 20,000 | 44,800 |
| University of the People | 2,460 | 10,000 | 12,460 |
| University of Wollongong | 32,440 | 20,000 | 52,440 |
| Griffith University | 29,000 | 20,000 | 49,000 |
| University of Canberra | 28,800 | 20,000 | 48,800 |
| Western Sydney University | 26,040 | 20,000 | 46,040 |
| University of Newcastle | 29,455 | 20,000 | 49,455 |
| La Trobe University | 29,600 | 20,000 | 49,600 |
| University of South Australia | 28,400 | 20,000 | 48,400 |
| University of Adelaide | 32,000 | 20,000 | 52,000 |
1-Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University is a public research university located in Lismore, New South Wales which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It has additional campuses in Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast. Southern Cross University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong commitment to sustainability and offers programs in environmental science and management.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Southern Cross University range from approximately AUD 21,000 to AUD 27,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
2-University of the Sunshine Coast
The University of the Sunshine Coast is a public university located in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on sustainability and offers programs in environmental science and management.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at the University of the Sunshine Coast range from approximately AUD 22,000 to AUD 36,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
3-Charles Darwin University
Charles Darwin University is a public university located in Darwin, Northern Territory which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on Indigenous education and offers programs in Indigenous knowledge and sustainability.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Charles Darwin University range from approximately AUD 24,000 to AUD 32,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 23,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
4-Federation University Australia
Federation University Australia is a public university located in Ballarat, Victoria which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It has additional campuses in Berwick and Gippsland. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Federation University Australia range from approximately AUD 21,000 to AUD 28,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 23,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
5-Central Queensland University
Central Queensland University is a public university located in Rockhampton, Queensland. It has additional campuses in Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, and Noosa. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Central Queensland University range from approximately AUD 22,000 to AUD 34,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
6-Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University is a public university located in Perth, Western Australia which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on industry engagement and offers programs in cybersecurity, nursing, and sports science.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Edith Cowan University range from approximately AUD 23,000 to AUD 36,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
7-University of Southern Queensland
The University of Southern Queensland is a public university located in Toowoomba, Queensland which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It has additional campuses in Springfield and Ipswich. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on distance education and offers a range of online programs.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at the University of Southern Queensland range from approximately AUD 22,000 to AUD 34,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
8-University of the West of England
The University of the West of England is a public university located in Bristol, England. It has additional campuses in Gloucester and Hartpury. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on sustainability and offers programs in environmental science and management.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at the University of the West of England range from approximately AUD 20,000 to AUD 31,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 16,000 to AUD 22,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
9-University of the Sunshine Coast
The University of the Sunshine Coast is a public university located in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on sustainability and offers programs in sustainable tourism and environmental management.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at the University of the Sunshine Coast range from approximately AUD 23,000 to AUD 36,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
10-Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on diversity and offers programs in Indigenous studies and refugee studies.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Western Sydney University range from approximately AUD 23,000 to AUD 36,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
11-La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on research and offers programs in fields such as biomedical science and forensic science.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at La Trobe University range from approximately AUD 24,000 to AUD 36,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
12-Federation University
Federation University is a public university located in Ballarat, Victoria which is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on regional education and offers programs in fields such as nursing and education.
For international students, the annual tuition fees at Federation University range from approximately AUD 20,000 to AUD 30,000, depending on the program of study. The estimated annual living expenses for international students range from AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000, depending on the location and lifestyle.
Links of Cheapest University in Australia
- Southern Cross University: Visit www.scu.edu.au
- University of the Sunshine Coast: Visit www.usc.edu.au
- Charles Darwin University: Visit www.cdu.edu.au
- Federation University Australia: Visit www.federation.edu.au
- University of New England: Visit www.une.edu.au
- Central Queensland University: Visit www.cqu.edu.au
- Edith Cowan University: Visit www.ecu.edu.au
- University of Southern Queensland: Visit www.usq.edu.au
- Western Sydney University: Visit www.westernsydney.edu.au
- La Trobe University: Visit www.latrobe.edu.au
- Federation University: Visit www.federation.edu.au
Frequently Asked Questions: Cheapest Universities in Australia 2024-2025
The cheapest universities in Australia for international students include the University of New England, Southern Cross University, Charles Darwin University, and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The cost of studying in Australia as an international student can vary depending on the university and the program of study. On average, tuition fees for international students can range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 40,000 per year, while living expenses can range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 30,000 per year.
Yes, there are several scholarships available for international students studying in Australia, including the Australia Awards Scholarship, Endeavour scholarship, and the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship.
Yes, international students are allowed to work in Australia while studying, but they are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during university breaks.
International students may be required to pay for health insurance, student visa fees, and other associated costs such as textbooks and equipment. These costs can vary depending on the university and the program of study.
Yes, Australian degrees are recognized internationally and are highly regarded for their quality and standard of education.
Yes, international students may need to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. The level of proficiency required can vary depending on the university and the program of study. Some universities may accept alternative tests of English proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
Yes, international students may be able to transfer credits from their home university to an Australian university. The eligibility and process for credit transfer can vary depending on the university and the program of study.
International students can find affordable accommodation in Australia by looking for shared accommodation or renting a room in a student dormitory. Some universities also offer affordable on-campus accommodation for international students.
The student visa application process can vary depending on the country of origin and the university. Generally, international students must first apply to their chosen university and receive a letter of acceptance before they can apply for a student visa. They will also need to provide evidence of financial support, health insurance, and other required documents.
International students can find part-time jobs in Australia by checking university job boards, searching online job portals, or attending job fairs. They can also network with other students and professionals to learn about potential job opportunities.
The cost of living in Australia for international students can vary depending on the city and lifestyle. On average, international students can expect to spend around AUD 1,000 to AUD 1,500 per month on accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses.
Affordable universities in Australia offer a wide range of degrees and programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees in fields such as arts, business, engineering, health sciences, law, and sciences.
International students can adapt to the cultural differences in Australia by immersing themselves in the local culture, joining clubs and organizations, and making friends with both locals and other international students. They can also take advantage of cultural orientation programs offered by their university.
Yes, international students can bring their families to Australia while studying, but they will need to apply for a dependent visa. The requirements and process for a dependent visa application can vary depending on the circumstances.
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