There will be more than 456,000 foreign students studying in Australia from January to April 2022, making it among the world’s most popular study-abroad destinations. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most costly, with students requiring a yearly living budget of AU$ 21,041 (US$14,400) to meet the country’s student visa criteria. Meanwhile, the cost of higher education in Australia varies widely based on the university, the programme, and the student’s intended degree level.
Costs of attendance and tuition for students studying abroad
Average yearly tuition costs for overseas students in Australia are as follows, as reported by Study Australia, the government’s official website for international students. Doctoral degrees range from AU$20,000 (about US 13,675) to AU$42,000 (approximately US 28,721), whereas undergraduate bachelor’s degrees cost between AU$20,000 (approximately US 13,675) and US 45,000 (approximately US$30,769). Higher-value degrees, such as those in veterinary medicine or medicine, might cost far more than the average student can afford.
The cost of higher education in Australia is often assessed on a per-unit basis rather than annually. Since each course has its own associated cost, and most students will take courses from a variety of various cost bands, tuition will vary widely. The Australian National University (ANU), the country’s best and 30th best in the QS World University Rankings® 2023, is one of the universities that publish official fee estimates. A Bachelor of Arts at ANU can cost as little as AU$ 42,560 (US$29,100) per year, whereas a Bachelor of Science or Medical Science at ANU can cost as much as AU$ 47,940 (US$32,780) per year.
Annual costs for master’s and doctoral programmes can start at AU$ 45,360 (US$31,004) and go as high as AU$ 47,940 (US$32,780).
Costs for doctoral studies begin at AU$ 39,870 ( US$27,249) and rise correspondingly from there. However, ANU’s Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree stands alone in its price tag of AU$ 85,120 (US$58,184). Non-academic services and facilities are covered by the Student Services and Amenities fee, which in 2022 will cost a maximum of AU$ 315 (US$215). It’s important to verify this ahead of time, as some Australian colleges do not impose this fee.
Amounts required for home-based students’ tuition and course materials
Studying in Australia is more affordable than in many other countries for Australian citizens, especially if the student is accepted into a Commonwealth-sponsored institution and receives significant financial aid from the Australian government. All of Australia’s public institutions, including some private ones, accept Commonwealth-funded students.
The maximum allowed amount of a student’s contribution is set by law and varies by school and major. For 2022, the government has established the following fee bands: Band 1, AU$0–3,985; Band 2, AU$0–8,021; Band 3, AU$0–10,754; and Band 4, AU$0–14,640.
To calculate your total tuition, you’ll need to find out which courses fall under each fee band and how many credits you receive for each course (12/96 = 0.125 EFTSL, for example). To get the per-unit price, multiply the EFTSL rate of 0.125 by the band fee. You might also use a calculator that you find online. You may find one on the website of almost every academic institution. Domestic graduate students’ tuition is calculated in the same manner. The annual cost of attending graduate school is not often disclosed, however, some schools provide ballpark figures. The online Master of Psychiatry degree programme at the University of Melbourne costs AU$ 20,800 a year, while the veterinary medicine degree at the same university costs AU$ 77,344. Inquire with the school to see whether they provide Commonwealth-funded graduate student slots.
The Australian Cost of Living
The Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs requires proof of annual living expenses of AU$ 21,041 (US 14,400). Add AU$ 7,362 (US$5,035) if you’re bringing a spouse or partner, and AU$ 3,152 (US$2,156) for each kid. You will also be required to provide confirmation that you have enough money to pay for the tuition of any children you have between the ages of five and eighteen, as well as enough money to cover your own return airfare and the airfare of anybody you bring with you.
Note that while the following details the amount necessary by Australia’s immigration criteria, you may not need to spend as much after you arrive. According to the official Study Australia recommendations, students should set aside anything from AU$90 (US$62) to AU$440 (US$301) per week for housing costs, with the former corresponding to on-campus shared housing and the latter to off-campus private rental (the most expensive).
Money needed for an Australian student visa
The current cost of a Student Visa (Subclass 500) is AU$ 650 ($445). You, and any family members travelling with you, will need to have valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in order to get a student visa. You are not obligated to go with the service provider your school suggests; nevertheless, you should verify that they have government approval.
You may use the search bar on OSHC Australia to look up and compare the prices of various health insurance plans offered by licenced service providers. We calculated that a single undergraduate student without dependents would pay a total of AU$2,101.56 (US$1,437) for the typical three-year programme (March–December).