The cost of studying in Australia can vary depending on the type of course you choose to study, and where you study. Generally, courses in major cities will be more expensive than those in regional areas.
Tuition fees for international students can range from AUD$15,000 to AUD$42,000 per year. Fees for vocational education and training (VET) courses are usually lower than those for university courses.
There are also other costs to consider when studying in Australia, such as accommodation, food, transport and entertainment.
Most institutions have on-campus accommodation options available, which can help keep living costs down. However, rents in major cities are generally higher than in regional areas. The Australian government has a website which provides estimates of the cost of living in different parts of the country.
If you are an international student, you will also need to pay for health insurance. The Australian government requires all international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their student visa. You can compare OSHC policies and prices on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
As an international student, you may also be eligible for a range of scholarships and grants to help with the costs of studying in Australia. You can search for scholarships on the Australian Department of Education and Training website.
Tuition fees and course costs for international students.
Typical annual tuition fees for international students are as follows;
- Undergraduate bachelor degree – $15,000 to $33,000
- Postgraduate master’s degree – $20,000 to $37,000
- Doctoral degree – $14,000 to $37,000
These figures do not include costs such as accommodation, living expenses and health insurance.
Cost of living in Australia.
Annual living expenses for international students in Australia are estimated to be between $18,610 and $37,200.
This includes costs such as food, housing, transport, clothing, entertainment and phone bills.
Accommodation costs will vary depending on the type of accommodation you choose;
- Homestay – $90 to $270 per week
- Residential college or hall of residence – $130 to $440 per week
- Shared rental – $85 to $215 per week
- Private rental – $165 to $ 440 per week
- Boarding school – $11,000 to $22,000
Australian scholarships and fellowships.
The Australian Government and universities offer a range of scholarships and fellowships to help international students meet the costs of studying in Australia.
These include;
- The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships
- Austrade’s International Student Excellence Awards
- The Australian Government’s Research Training Program Scholarships
- University specific scholarships.
Health insurance for international students.
All international students on a student visa are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their student visa.
This will typically cost around $450 per year.
Your university will usually arrange this for you when you enroll.
You may be able to get a discount on your health insurance if you have a family member who is already covered by a health insurance policy in Australia.
If you are from a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you may also be eligible for cover under Medicare.
So, there you have it, an overview of the cost of studying in Australia as an international student. While the cost of tuition and living expenses can seem high at first glance, there are many scholarships and fellowships available to help offset the costs.
And don’t forget, you’ll also be gaining access to some of the best education institutions in the world!