Lana Oconnell
Australia is a popular study destination, with over 450,000 international students enrolled between January and April 2022. However, it is also one of the most expensive places to study, with high living costs and tuition fees. International students in Australia pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, and these fees vary depending on the course and level of study. Undergraduate degrees can cost between AU$20,000 and AU$45,000 per year, while a master's degree can range from AU$22,000 to AU$50,000. There are various payment options available to international students, including paying fees in advance, and some scholarships are also available to help cover costs. A proposed levy on international student fees has sparked debate, with concerns that it may cause a drop in Australia's share of the international education market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | AUD 20,000–45,000 for undergraduate degrees, AUD 22,000–50,000 for postgraduate degrees, AUD 20,000–42,000 for doctoral degrees |
| Tuition fee calculation | Per unit, not per year |
| Fee bands | Yes, each unit falls into a fee band |
| Scholarship availability | Yes, universities offer scholarships, e.g., Australia Awards covers full tuition fees, travel expenses, and some living costs |
| Student discounts | Yes, an ISIC card offers discounts at restaurants and cafes, cinema tickets, groceries, fuel, alcohol, and international airfares |
| Student visa requirements | AUD 21,041 for living costs alone per year |
| Levy on international student fees | Under consideration by the Australian government |
| Fee payment information | Available on university websites and portals |
| Payment methods | Bpay, credit card, local EFT transfer, telegraphic transfer from overseas, CIBC |
| Late payment penalty | Yes, a late payment penalty fee is charged if payment is not received within seven days from the payment due date |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and cost of living
The cost of living for international students in Australia varies depending on the city and the lifestyle. An individual would require approximately $20,000 per year, while a family would require upwards of $50,000. This does not include other costs such as socialising, health or emergency costs, or health insurance.
Health insurance, or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), is required for your visa application and covers medical expenses during your stay. OSHC usually costs around AUD $500 per year.
Accommodation costs in Australia vary depending on the city. There are a variety of accommodation options for international students, including on-campus residences, homestays with local families, and private rental homes.
Transportation costs depend on where you live and the type of transport you choose. A short ride on a bus or train can cost approximately AUD 3, while a weekly pass costs upwards of AUD 20 and a monthly pass costs upwards of AUD 80. Student discounts are available in all states and territories except Victoria.
Tuition fees for international students vary across cities and programs. There may be additional costs for learning materials or clothing requirements.
There are a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and bursaries available to international students studying in Australia. These are offered by the Australian Government, education providers, and public and private organisations.
The Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) program offers government-funded grants to students from a selection of developing countries who can show leadership qualities and a drive for change. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to their nation's development upon returning home.
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program offers fully-funded scholarships for postgraduate studies, including tuition fees, a monthly allowance for expenses, housing, books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel expenses.
The University of Sydney offers a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing a master's or PhD, covering tuition fees and providing a living allowance of $40,000 per year.
Deakin University offers a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing postgraduate studies, providing a stipend of $28,600 per annum, relocation allowance, and health insurance.
The Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) is a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing master's or doctoral research studies, offering a living allowance of $31,200 per year, full fee offset, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership, and a relocation grant.
The Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship is another option, offering $2500 per year towards course fees for undergraduate and master's studies.
The Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship enables students from the UK to undertake a higher degree at an Australian university for up to three years.
The Fulbright program offers scholarships for US citizens to study abroad. US students can often bring their US Financial Aid with them to their educational institution in Australia.
The Quad Fellowship is a joint initiative of the governments of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, designed to build ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists. The scholarship is available for citizens or Legal Permanent Residents of these countries, or any of the ten Southeast Asian Countries, who hold a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a STEM field of study.
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Undergraduate fees
International students in Australia are required to pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students. These fees vary depending on the university and the course, with undergraduate fees ranging from $20,000 to $45,000 Australian dollars per year. For example, at the Australian National University, an international undergraduate can expect to pay around $42,560 per year for a Bachelor of Arts degree, while a Bachelor of Science or Medical Science degree can cost up to $47,940 per year.
Tuition fees for international students are typically calculated per unit rather than per year, and each unit falls into a different fee band. This means that students taking a combination of units from different bands will pay varying amounts each year. International students should also be aware that fees are subject to annual reviews and indexation, meaning they may increase each year.
In addition to tuition fees, international students in Australia must pay for Overseas Student Health Cover. There is also a non-refundable surcharge fee for Visa and MasterCard payments. Students who pay their tuition fees after the due date will be charged a late payment penalty fee.
To help with budgeting, international students can pay their fees well in advance of the term starting. There are also scholarships available, such as the Australia Awards, which is funded by the Australian government and covers full tuition fees, travel expenses, and some living costs. An ISIC card is also worth applying for, as it offers discounts on various expenses such as restaurants, cafes, cinema tickets, groceries, fuel, and international airfares.
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Postgraduate fees
International students can pay their fees in Australia, and the cost of postgraduate courses for international students in Australia varies significantly depending on the institution and the field of study. Fees for postgraduate degrees are typically higher than for undergraduate courses and can range from around AUD 20,000 to over AUD 100,000 per year.
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PhD fees
International students can pay their fees in Australia, but the country is known to be one of the most expensive places to study. The fees for a PhD in Australia can vary depending on the university and the level of study. The fees for international students are typically higher than for domestic students due to state subsidies for Australian students.
According to the Australian Government, the fees to study a PhD in the country range from AUD $18,000 to AUD $42,000 per year. The Australian Government and Australian Universities provide scholarships and funding opportunities to international PhD students, so there is a good chance that international students won't pay the full fees.
The University of Queensland (UQ) offers tuition and living stipend scholarships to international students, which are awarded based on academic performance, evidence of research capability, and the quality of the research project. The Australia Awards is another scholarship programme funded by the Australian Government that covers full tuition fees, travel expenses, and some living costs. Endeavour Scholarships are another international funding scheme run by the Australian Government, providing up to AUD $272,500 for up to four years of PhD research.
The cost of living in Australia also varies depending on the location and lifestyle, but the Australian Government estimates that students will require at least AUD $21,041 (USD $14,400) for each year of their course.
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Payment due dates and sanctions
It is important to pay your fees on time to avoid overdue fee penalties and sanctions. The University of Sydney sends email reminders to students' university email accounts when fees are due. Students can also view their incurred fees by logging into their student account.
At the University of Melbourne, if the payment due date is displayed as 'Immediately', payment is required within seven days of the Student Invoice issue date. If you have overdue fees, you will receive an alert in my.unimelb and in the LMS, and sanctions will be applied to your account. You will need to follow the instructions in the alert to have the fee sanction removed.
The University of Adelaide issues invoices at the start of each study period (semester or trimester). Due dates are usually two weeks before the census date for the applicable semester or trimester. If you have not paid your fees by the census date, your enrolment is at risk of being cancelled.
The University of Sydney outlines the sanctions for not paying fees by the due date: a sanction will be applied to your student record, preventing you from accessing your results or transcript until your fees are paid in full. Your enrolment for future teaching periods will be cancelled, and your debt may be referred to a third-party debt collection agency. If you are a student visa holder and your enrolment is cancelled due to non-payment of fees, the Department of Home Affairs will be notified.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on the course and level. Undergraduate degrees can cost between $20,000 and $45,000 AUD per year, while a master's degree can cost between $22,000 and $50,000 AUD. Doctoral degrees can range from $20,000 to $42,000 AUD. Living costs are estimated to be an additional $21,041 AUD per year.
International students in Australia pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students. The Australian government subsidises the fees of domestic students, who also benefit from capped contributions.
International students can pay their fees via BPay, credit card, local EFT transfer, or telegraphic transfer from overseas. There is also the option to pay in instalments, with some universities providing a Statement of Liability and Student Invoice outlining payment due dates and options.
Yes, there are scholarship programmes available for international students in Australia, such as the Australia Awards, funded by the Australian government, which covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and some living costs. Most scholarships are offered directly by universities and listed on their websites.
There has been a proposal to implement a levy on international student fees in Australia, which would see universities contribute a portion of these fees to a central government-managed fund. This proposal has sparked concerns about a potential increase in tuition fees and a decrease in Australia's competitiveness as a study destination.
