Study in Australia for international students in 2023 (FREE)
Estimated reading time: 17 minutes
Australia is one of the most popular places to study abroad, hosting more than 450,000 international students (March 2022 statistics) from various countries. The best institutions in Australia are becoming known for giving foreign students a top-notch education and a strong support network.
Australian universities actively encourage originality, creativity, and critical thinking. International students who study in Australia quickly discover that their academic experience is demanding, enjoyable, and fulfilling. As an international student in Australia, you can anticipate living, developing, and learning in a dynamic nation full of possibilities. International students who successfully complete their degrees will quickly discover that they are competitive in today’s global job market.
Australia’s high standard of living, relatively inexpensive cost of living, and amazing natural attractions are further factors contributing to the popularity of studying abroad there. Additionally, brilliant post-study employment opportunities and rich cultural diversity, a strong sense of heritage, and a contemporary approach to education and development make this country ideal for international students.
Overview of study in Australia
For Indian and international students, choosing to study in Australia might raise several questions. Several important aspects of pursuing higher education in Australia are briefly discussed below for overseas students:
| Criteria | Description |
| Instruction language | English |
| Required language test | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE, GMAT |
| Average tuition & fees | AUD 25,000 – AUD 50,000/ year |
| Average living cost | AUD 1,200 – AUD 2,000/ year |
| University funding sources | Grants, Scholarships, and part-time jobs |
| Intakes period | Two intakes every year. February-March and July-September |
| Student visa type | Subclass 500 Student Visa |
| Degree levels | Diploma, Undergraduate (Bachelor’s), and Graduate (Master’s and Ph.D.) |
| Top courses | Accounting, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Medicines, Health and Science, Arts and Design, Education and Teaching, Law, Business and Management, and Engineering and Management |
| Top universities | Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, Monash University |
| Top cities for students | Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane |
Why study in Australia?
Australia is much more than simply a beautiful area with spectacular scenery. Due to various factors, Australia is increasingly becoming a top choice for international students studying abroad. Studying in Australia has several advantages for overseas students, including:
The Australian government guarantees:
1-High educational standards. The country has gained international prominence and has become a well-liked study location for students.
2-Australia has relatively inexpensive living and educational costs especially compared to the UK and the US.
3-Access to cutting-edge technology, laboratory, and facilities are the main advantage for Indian and other international students to study in Australia. You can be sure of outstanding academic excellence and an excellent support system for international students, regardless of the course you choose to enroll in.
4-International students that choose to study in Australia will benefit professionally. Due to the expanding Australian market and businesses, many profitable job opportunities exist for students after education.
5-In addition to educational advantages, attending Australian universities is beneficial because there is no language barrier. It is simpler for international students to live in Australia because English is the national language.
Educational system in Australia 2023
The Australian educational system is properly designed and well-structured to keep students informed about their future. The AQF, or Australian Qualifications Framework, which was introduced in 1995, is to assure the Australian educational system’s success.
The Australian educational system is properly designed and well-structured to give students informed options for the future. The AQF, or Australian Qualifications Framework, which was introduced in 1995, is to thank for the success of the Australian educational system.
At the primary, secondary, and higher education levels, the AQF generally offers different degrees and certificates. AQF accredits students at various levels. There are a total of 10 levels, starting with Certificate 1 and ending with Doctorate Level. The following degrees are available through the AQF educational system:
1- Diploma (Level 5): The diploma level is appropriate for students who want to go through skilled/professional work or further education. Taking a diploma shows that the student has received specialized knowledge and skills. It takes about one to two years to finish.
2-Advanced Diploma/Associate’s Degree: Students are given a broad knowledge and skill set for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further education. It takes 1.5 to 2 years to finish this.
3- Bachelor’s Degree (Level 7): This undergraduate degree, which takes three to four years to complete, aims to give students a solid foundation in a wide range of subjects.
4- Bachelors Honors (Level 8): This specialized undergraduate degree provides advanced knowledge and abilities necessary for a highly skilled job in the professional world or for future education. This program lasts between six months to one year.
5- Master’s Degree (Level 9): In Australia, a master’s degree is an expert graduate degree in a certain field. It can be finished in one to three years.
6-PhD Level (Level 10): Ph.D. or doctorate level focuses on the research level. In Australia, international students should show an in-depth publication record and research level to be admitted to this program. Note that students need to find a supervisor before applying for this program.
If you are an international student that chose to study in Australia, take a look at the various institutions that provide higher education in the below table:
| Institution type | Highlights |
| Public Universities | This is controlled by the government. This category includes a variety of research institutions. |
| Private Universities | Short-term degrees or religious courses. |
| Institutes of Technology/ Australian Technology Network | Put an emphasis on practical education and technology. |
| TAFE: Technical and Further Education | offers specialized, internships, and vocational training |
| Private institutions | Provides Bachelor’s and Master’s courses |
Credit Criteria in Australia
Academic credit systems in Australia assist in determining tuition costs, ease student transfers to other higher education institutions, and more. They also maintain track of students’ academic progress.
Independent study and transfer credit policies vary among Australian universities (as well as between faculties or departments within a university). You should familiarize yourself with the number of transferable study credits before submitting an application to an Australian institution.
1- 144 credit points are needed to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in three or four years.
2- 96 credits are required to get a postgraduate Degree (Master’s Degree) in two or three years.
Top universities in Australia (Update 2022)
Australian universities offer a strong and proven track record of education courses with useful courses and programs. There are a number of university ranking systems that judge universities based on several parameters; the following three are the most well-known parameters:
1-Academic reputation of instructors and programs
2-Ease of education for international students
3-Job opportunities after graduation
Australia is home to a number of prestigious universities. See Australia’s top 7 universities in the below table:
| Institution name | THE Ranking in 2022 | Portion of international students | Avg. tuition & fees |
| University of Melbourne | 33 | 50% | AUD28,000-AUD50,000 |
| Australian National University (ANU) | 54 | 47% | AUD30,000 – AUD52,000 |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | 54 | 41% | AUD28,000-AUD 45,000 |
| Monash University | 57 | 45% | AUD22,000-AUD40,000 |
| University of Sydney | 58 | 47% | AUD35,000-AUD60,000 |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | 70 | 44% | AUD15,000-AUD45,000 |
| University of Adelaide | 111 | 32% | AUD 20,000-AUD50,000 |
Top courses in Australia (Update 2023 )
As mentioned above, Seven Australian universities were ranked among the top 100 globally. The list below shows which top courses result in the better job opportunities for graduates in Australian Universities:
1-Engineering
2-Agricultural Sciences
3-Accountancy
4-Architecture
5- Management and Finance
6-Tourism & Hospitality Management
7-Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
The most well-liked courses that international students choose to study in Australia are:
| Course | Duration | Avg. tuition & fees/year |
| Master of Science in Computer Science | 1/5-3 years | AUD30,000 – AUD40,000 |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering | 3-4 years | AUD 40,000 – AUD50,000 |
| Master of Business Administration | 1/5-2 years | AUD50,000 – AUD60,000 |
| Master of Applied Economics | 1/5-3 years | AUD20,000 – AUD35,000 |
| Master of Laws(LLM) | 1-2 years | AUD25,000 – AUD35,000 |
Admission Process of Universities in Australia (Update 2023 )
This part will explain the details of the admission process for international students to study in Australia. It will make your immigration process smoother if you plan how to apply beforehand. The following steps in the picture show the admission process to study in Australia.
1-Choose the course you want to study, then begin looking for the top institutions that offer it.
2-Once you’ve narrowed down your selection of institutions, visit the official university websites to learn more about the qualifications and eligibility requirements.
3-Complete the application form and upload all the necessary paperwork. Pay the application fees.
4-Wait for the colleges to respond after you’ve submitted your application.
5-After being admitted, you must apply for a student visa Subclass 500.
International students must know the admission standards for various courses in Australia in order to understand how to study there:
| Degree type | Requirements |
| Diploma certificate | 1-Degree certificate of undergraduate qualification that is equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree. 2-IELTS overall score of 6 – TOEFL overall score of 79 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Degree | 1- Secondary education certificate, equivalent to an Australian Year 12 certificate. 2-IELTS overall score of 6.5 – TOEFL overall score of 85 3-Statement of Purpose |
| Graduate (Master’s) Degree | 1-Undergraduate certificate that is equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s Degree honors degree, or graduate diploma. 2- Required language test(IELTS overall score of 6.5 – TOEFL overall score of 85) 3-GMAT/GRE, if required 4- CV, SOP, Recommendation letter 5-Criminal check (in some courses) |
| Doctorate Degree | 1- Graduate certificate that is equivalent to an Australian Master’s Degree, honors degree, or graduate diploma. 2- Required language test (IELTS overall score of 6.5 – TOEFL overall score of 85) 3-GMAT/GRE, if required 4- CV, SOP, Recommendation letter 5- Criminal check (in some courses) |
Education cost in Australia (Update 2023 )
The cost of attending a particular program and university in Australia varies depending on the student’s lifestyle. Tuition fees and cost of living are the two main components of the entire cost of education.
1-Tuition& fees for international students in Australia
Australian domestic and international students pay different tuition rates. The below table presents the average tuition and fees at each level.
| Degree type | Avg. tuition & fees/year |
| Bachelor’s Degree | AUD 25,000 – AUD 42,000 |
| Master’s Degree | AUD 18,000 – AUD 45,000 |
| Doctorate Degree | AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000 |
2-Living costs for international students in Australia
International students’ expenses in Australia vary depending on their way of living. A foreign student must pay various costs to study in Australia, including:
| Criteria | Avg. living cost/month |
| Apartment housing, including utilities | AUD 100 – AUD 500 |
| Books and supplies | AUD 100- AUD 200 |
| Food | AUD 100 – AUD 300 |
| Miscellaneous | AUD 350 – AUD 550 |
Top cities for international students To Study in Australia
Your next challenge would be to look for the top university in Australia after you have some clarity on the specialty you want to pursue. Some of the top Australian cities for Indian students are Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. Here are some of Australia’s best universities:
| City | Avg. living cost/month |
| Melbourne | AUD 1,400- AUD 2,000 |
| Adelaide | AUD 1,800- AUD 2,200 |
| Sydney | AUD 1,600 – AUD 2,500 |
| Perth | AUD 1,300 – AUD 1,500 |
| Brisbane | AUD 700 – AUD 1,000 |
Student visa in Australia to Study in Australia (Update 2023)
You can apply for a tourist visa if your trip to Australia is for a 6- to 12-week course. You must, however, apply for an Australia Student Sisa for courses lasting a longer period of time.
To have your visa approved, follow the steps listed below step-by-step:
1-Once you receive an acceptance offer from the university you selected, you can proceed to pay the course fees. Then, your institution will then give you a letter called a “Confirmation of Enrollment or CoE”.
2- By creating an online account on the Australian Immigration website, the student visa application procedure for Australia is started.
3- To apply for a Subclass 500 student visa, make sure you have all your documentation in digital format.
4- Subclass 500 student visa applications must be submitted electronically and include your CoE number and country codes. The processing of the application might take up to 125 days. As a result, it is advised that you prepare your application in advance.
5-Obtain your TRN number and pay the AUD 620 visa expenses.
6-Have a medical examination completed as a requirement after acquiring your TRN number.
7- Attend your visa interview for Australia. Await receipt of your visa.
8-Get ready to go!
Below items are important documents and personal information required to apply for an Australian Student visa under Subclass 500:
1-Valid passport
2-Birth certificate
3-Previous degree certificate(s)
4-CoE Letter
5- Financial capability proof (You must show ~AUD22,000 for a year of study in Australia, according the most recent criteria).
6- Bank statement
7-English language score
8- Criminal record check
Top Scholarships to Study in Australia
Students can apply for a variety of scholarships and aids to study in Australia which can keep them focused on their studies. Below are a few of the top scholarships available to Indian and other international students in Australia:
| Scholarship name | Who is eligible? | Benefits/amount |
| Destination Australia Award | both domestic and foreign students who wish to study in Australia. | AUD 12,000- AUD 15,000 |
| Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) | Students from a few countries in the Asia-Pacific area, Africa, and the Middle East who want to study for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. | Waives flight tickets, tuition costs, a part of living expenses, academic program costs, pre-course English fees, etc. |
| Research Training Program (RTP) | Students who want to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. after graduation in Australia. | Provides research grants and stipends and covers tuition & fees. |
| Australia APEC Women In Research Fellowship | Female researchers in Science, Math, Technology, and Engineering. | AUD $3,000 per month, including housing and travel expenses. |
| International Postgraduate Research Scholarships | Students seeking for the research programs (MSc. or PhD) | Includes health insurance and tuition costs |
Job opportunity for students in Australia
As was previously mentioned, going to Australia to study abroad can leave you with more money. International student jobs in Australia offer a solution to this problem. An overseas student is permitted to work 40 hours per week under the law (15 days).
1-This indicates that you are able to work as you want each week. However, the total number of hours worked over each two-week period must equal 40 hours.
2-PhD. candidates and research students are permitted to work part-time during their research period for an infinite period of time.
Although in both situations, students in Australia are only permitted to start part-time work after their courses have started. Some of the part-time employment available to international students in Australia include:
| Part-time job | Avg. income/hour |
| Baby-sitter | AUD 17-AUD 20 |
| Personal trainer | AUD 22-AUD 25 |
| In restaurants, cafes, and bars | AUD 28-AUD 30 |
| Retail sales jobs in supermarkets | AUD 23-AUD 28 |
| Driver | AUD 22-AUD 25 |
| Cleaner | AUD 20-AUD 25 |
| Tutor | AUD 23-AUD 27 |
| Mail delivery | AUD 18-AUD 21 |
Job opportunity for international students after graduation in Australia
Here is a short look at the top industries for Indian and international students to hunt for jobs in Australia:
| Area of expertise | Avg. income/Salary per year |
| Business Management | AUD 65,000- AUD 75,000 |
| IT & Computer Science | AUD 85,000- AUD 95,000 |
| Education & Training | AUD 70,000- AUD 80,000 |
| Statistics / Data Science | AUD 135,000- AUD 150,000 |
| Healthcare | AUD 75,000- AUD 85,000 |
Work Visa & PR in Australia
You won’t be permitted to continue living in Australia on a student visa once your degree is finished. You must apply for a post-study work visa in order to stay in Australia. In order to get a work visa, there are several possibilities for temporary work visas:
1-Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): This visa will be issued based on your qualifications and the need for skilled labor in Australia.
2-Post-graduate work permit: No matter what industry they work in, Australian graduates are eligible to apply for this visa. With this visa, you can stay for approximately 2–5 years. However, you must apply before six months have passed since the end of your course.
3-Graduate Visa for Skilled Workers (Subclass 476): Any type of engineer who wishes to work in Australia is eligible for this special visa. With this visa, you can stay in Australia for up to 18 months.
4-Graduate workstream: This work visa, similar to the ones mentioned above, requires you to work in any profession that is listed on Australia’s skills storage list. You can work in Australia for roughly 18 months with this work visa. You must apply six months in advance, despite being similar to the post-study work visa.
Consider applying for permanent residency if you want to stay in Australia for an extended period. In Australia, obtaining a PR is based on a point-based system and is rather simple. Some of the key elements are given a specific score, including:
1-Achievements & qualifications.
2-Job experiences.
3-Australian occupation with high demand.
4-Total number of years working in Australia.
You must receive a minimum score of 65 on each of the aforementioned factors in order to be chosen for PR in Australia. Your overall score represents your qualification and the likelihood of receiving a PR.
Check Canada Forum on the below link if you are interested in finding students’ experiences, or talking about Canadian scholarships, grants, universities, countries, visa process, application, and even English exams.
Click here to start a conversation
Frequently Asked Questions: Study in Australia
? Every institute has a different set of educational requirements. It is therefore advised to ask institutions directly about their particular needs.
The cost of tuition varies according to the course you are taking and the institution where you are taking it.
Every institute in Australia has a different application and enrollment process, so it would be best to get in touch with each one to learn more about their particular application requirements.
Depending on your degree type, you can stay in Australia for 18 months to four years after graduating.
Your student visa does not give you the automatic right to remain and work in Australia after receiving your degree. After graduating, you must apply for and be granted a work visa if you wish to remain and continue working
After finishing their education, students most frequently take the Post Study Work Visa route before applying for General Skilled Migration to become Permanent Residents (PR).
Australia is known for its hospitable culture and acceptance of difference. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 list includes six Australian universities among its top 100 institutions. Australia’s cities have low crime rates and are regarded as secure for foreign students.
The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, and The University of South Wales are the top 5 universities in Australia, according to QS World Rankings.
It’s between October and November.
It costs about AUD 620 (approximately INR 30,000).
Accounting, Actuarial Science, Agricultural Sciences, Architecture, and Biomedical Engineering.
If you enroll in a full-time course in Australia, the student visa is known as Subclass 500.
The GTE requirement is a document that students must provide to the Australian government as confirmation that they are visiting temporarily for academic purposes. A student must provide a personal statement that includes details about their educational background, any gaps in their coursework, current job, proof of their social, familial, or financial ties, the health of the economy in their native country, and any immigration history
For international students, it typically ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 40,000.
The typical annual cost of health insurance for a person is $700.
The monthly cost can range from AUD1300 to AUD1500. This varies depending on the kind of on-campus housing, transportation, the expense of entertainment, and basic amenities away from school.
It is around 3–4 years old. it is based on the performance of the student and the supervisor.
It is between April and May.
The program you enroll in determines your qualification. You must pass an English proficiency exam and gather all the proper documents to get admitted.
? The most popular English language exam for Australian student visas is IELTS. The TOEFL iBt, PTE Academic, OET, and CAE Advanced are additional exams.
All students with subclass 500 visas are permitted to work 40 hours every two weeks during the school year and full-time while they are off. All year long, doctoral candidates are permitted to work full-time.
Yes, degrees from Australian universities are respected across the world for their high standards of education.
Nice guide and tips that students can refer through it.