Cost of Studying in Australia

How Much Does It Cost To Study in Australia?

Introduction

Australia is a popular study destination attracting students across the globe. This incredible destination is home to several top-notch universities, many of which have made it to prestigious rankings, including QS World University Rankings 2025.

The country attracts international students aiming to study in an English-study country providing quality education, an inclusive environment, and lucrative work opportunities. Furthermore, the country is one of the most politically safe and stable nations in the world, making it a preferred choice for international students.

According to trusted reports, more than half a million international students from 192 countries choose to study in the Land Down Under. If you too aim to study in this amazing country, one of the important aspects of your study-abroad journey is financial planning.

Read this page created by expert MSM Unify overseas education consultants to learn about tuition fees, scholarships, living expenses, and more for meticulous financial planning for your overseas studies.

According to trusted reports, more than half a million international students from 192 countries choose to study in the Land Down Under. If you too aim to study in this amazing country, one of the important aspects of your study-abroad journey is financial planning.

Read this page created by expert MSM Unify overseas education consultants to learn about tuition fees, scholarships, living expenses, and more for meticulous financial planning for your overseas studies.

Key highlights

In the following sections, we’ll look at some of the most typical but important expenses you’ll incur while studying in Australia. These are crucial considerations while planning for your study-abroad journey.

Tuition fees

We will present an overview of tuition expenses for overseas students, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialized courses at several Australia universities.

Living expenses

In this section, you will gather information on the average cost of living, such as housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. We will provide you with monthly and yearly estimates to assist you with your budgeting.

Added costs

Other expenses to consider include health insurance, textbooks, and leisure activities, all of which might affect your entire budget.

Cost of studying at top universities

This Cost of studying in Australia universities compares tuition and living expenditures at several of Australia’s finest institutions, demonstrating how costs can vary greatly depending on the institutions reputation and location.

Course-wise education costs

We’ll look at how the cost of education varies by field of study, including STEM courses, humanities, business, and others, to give you a better idea of what to expect based on your selected degree.

Pre-arrival costs

This section evaluates expenses incurred before arriving in Australia, such as Australia student visa application fees, travel expenses, and lodging deposits, which are critical for initial financial planning.

Post-arrival costs

Upon landing in Australia, you will have various immediate expenses, including setting up a cell phone, purchasing college supplies, groceries, etc.

Cost of living in the best student cities

Finally, we’ll look at how living costs differ between Australia’s most popular student locations, like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and others, to help you choose a city that matches your budget.

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Tuition Fees

Since you are aiming to study in Australia, the first step of your financial planning is researching the tuition fees to pursue the desired degree program at recognized Australian universities. Below is a rundown of the approximate tuition cost across Australian universities.

Course name

Duration (in years)

Average annual tuition fee (AUD)

Bachelor’s3-4AUD 9,000 – AUD 95,000 approximately
Master’s 1-2 AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately
MBA 1-2AUD 50,000 – AUD 130,000 approximately
Ph.D.3-6AUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000 approximately

Please note: The tuition fees listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.

Living expenses

Living expenses in Australia for international students entail food, grocery, accommodation, transportation, and personal expenses. All these expenses will vary for students by city and lifestyle. On average, students should budget between AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,700 per month to cover these costs, stay stress-free in the country, and focus better on studying. Here’s a detailed cost of living split to give you a fair idea.

Expense type

Cost in AUD

Accommodation AUD 300 – AUD 900 monthly
Transportation AUD 50 – AUD 100 monthly
Food and groceries AUD 200 – AUD 400 monthly
Entertainment AUD 80 – AUD 150 per week
Books and supplies AUD 30 – AUD 90 monthly

Please note: The expenses mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary.

Additional costs

In addition to tuition and basic living expenses, international students in Australia should account for other fees such as health insurance, recreational activities, travel, and unplanned expenses, which can have a substantial impact on their overall budget. 

All students traveling to Australia must have medical insurance before beginning their program. The coverage should be from overseas student health. The cost of health insurance for international students ranges from AUD 600 – AUD 3,500 approximately.

Cost of studying at top universities

Australia is home to several leading institutions for prospective students to choose from. However, the decision to study in them can vary depending on their tuition fees and the student’s budget. To give you a fair idea, here’s a table entailing the cost of studying at top universities in Australia. 

Name of university

Annual tuition fees (AUD)

The University of MelbourneAUD 40,000 – AUD 52,000 approximately
The University of SydneyAUD 40,000 – AUD 68,000 approximately
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)AUD 40,000 – AUD 47,000 approximately
Australian National University (ANU)AUD 30,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately
Monash UniversityAUD 44,000 – AUD 52,000 approximately
The University of QueenslandAUD 25,000 – AUD 90,000 approximately
Monash UniversityAUD 44,000 – AUD 52,000 approximately
The University of Western AustraliaAUD 30,000 – AUD 90,000 approximately
The University of AdelaideAUD 28,000 – AUD 53,000 approximately
University of Technology SydneyAUD 40,000 – AUD 45,000 approximately
RMIT UniversityAUD 35,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately

Please note: The tuition fees listed for each university are subject to change and are at the discretion of that particular university. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.

Course-wise cost of education

Australia has a course to offer to every student, regardless of their subject of study and academic background. Students from all around the world enroll in courses ranging from engineering to arts courses in Australia. The breakdown of the course-wise educational expenses is as follows:

Field of study

Cost in AUD for the Bachelor’s degree course (per year)

Cost in AUD for the Master’s degree course(per year)

Education AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately AUD 20,000 – AUD 60,000 approximately
Humanities AUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000 approximately AUD 22,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately
Law AUD 25,000 – AUD 43,000 approximately AUD 26,000 – AUD 78,000 approximately
Business management and public administration AUD 50,000 – AUD 70,000 approximately AUD 30,000 – AUD 70,000 approximately
Executive MBA NA AUD 30,000 – AUD 120,000 approximately
Regular MBA NA AUD 20,000 – AUD 120,000 approximately
Engineering AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately AUD 20,000 – AUD 60,000 approximately
Architecture AUD 30,000 – AUD 50,000 approximately AUD 35,000 – AUD 60,000 approximately
Medicine AUD 60,000 – AUD 80,000 approximately AUD 50,000 – AUD 90,000 approximately

Please note: The tuition fees listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.

Pre-arrival costs

Pre-arrival costs for students planning to study in Australia entail expenses such as visa processing fees, student visa applications, and travel arrangements. These preliminary expenses are key for ensuring a smooth transition to Australia, with total costs potentially exceeding several hundred Australian dollars depending on individual circumstances and travel plans.

Cost type

Cost (AUD)

TOEFL iBT AUD 405 approximately
IELTS AUD 445 approximately
GRE (General/Subject) AUD 335 approximately
GMAT AUD 275 approximately
Flight tickets (one-way) Starts from AUD 650 approximately
Student visa (Subclass 500) AUD 620

Please note: The expenses mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary.

Post-arrival costs

Along with the expenses mentioned in the sections above, there are additional expenses that prospective students need to bear after arriving in Australia. Some expenses are listed below:

Expense type

Cost in AUD

Temporary work visa feesAUD 310
On-campus parking AUD 0.75 per hour approximately
Incidental feesAUD 30 – AUD 50 approximately
Tuition deposit AUD 1,500 – AUD 4,000 approximately

Please note: The expenses mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary.

Cost of living in the best student cities

Applicants should research Australian cities and their cost of living in Australia before starting to narrow down their selection of preferred Australian universities. Certain Australian cities will cost a lot of money, but some might not. To learn more about the average cost of living for Indian students in Australia’s cities, view the table below:

City name

Average cost of living (per month) in AUD

Sydney AUD 4,000 – AUD 4,500 approximately
Melbourne AUD 3,800 – AUD 4,000 approximately
Canberra AUD 4,200 – AUD 4,700 approximately
Perth AUD 3,800 – AUD 4,000 approximately
Brisbane AUD 3,800 – AUD 4,000 approximately

Please note: The expenses mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary.

Scholarships to study

International students seeking affordable study options in Australia must apply for Australian scholarships. These can help you reduce your financial burden significantly and focus on building a rewarding career in the country.  So, before you apply for your ideal course in Australia, you should look into these scholarships:

Scholarship name

Scholarship benefits

ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship 25% to 50% tuition fee waiver
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation- Gates Cambridge Scholarships AUD 37,977 for 12 months
UNSW’s Future of Change Scholarship AUD 10,000 per year
Global Excellence Scholarship at UWA AUD 24,000 to AUD 48,000 over two years

Please note: The scholarship amounts listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.

For any further information on expenses to study in Australia or for expert guidance to pursue international education, feel free to contact MSM Unify study abroad consultants at the earliest.

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FAQs

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Q. How much does it cost to study in Australia?

For international students, the cost to study in Australia ranges between AUD 10,000 to AUD 130,000 approximately. The exact cost of studying in Australia will depend on the chosen field of study and university.

It costs between AUD 10,000 to AUD 130,000 for Indian students to study in Australia. The cost of studying in Australia can be reduced significantly by leveraging scholarships and opting for part-time jobs while you are studying in the country.

It costs around AUD 20,000 to AUD 50,000 to study for a master’s in Australia. Please note that the exact cost will depend on the program you wish to pursue, and the institution you wish to get enrolled in.

It will cost you around AUD 50,000 to AUD 130,000 to pursue an MBA in Australia. The cost varies depending on the program syllabus, university reputation, facilities, career opportunities, etc.

The minimum cost to study in Australia would be around AUD 8,000 to AUD 10,000, depending on the course you wish to study. You can reduce the cost of studying in Australia by applying for relevant scholarships. 

The monthly living expenses in Australia will depend on the location and your lifestyle. However, the typical monthly living expenses incurred by international students in Australia are in the range of AUD 3,000 to AUD 4,500 approximately.

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