International students walking together on an Australian university campus

Study options and typical entry requirements

Your exact entry criteria depend on the provider, course and your prior qualifications. Check the course page and CRICOS registration before paying a deposit. An English or foundation program can help if you do not yet meet direct entry requirements; Study Australia explains these pathways.

Study route	What it is	Typical starting requirements
School (primary or secondary)	Years K–12 at an eligible school	Age and year-level fit, school reports, English support or assessment where required; students under 18 need approved welfare arrangements.
English language studies (ELICOS)	General English, English for Academic Purposes or exam preparation	Placement or language assessment; course level determines the starting point. A packaged pathway may lead into VET or university.
VET: Certificates I–IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma	Practical, job-focused qualifications at TAFE or another registered provider	Previous school study and course-specific English evidence; some courses add prerequisites, portfolio, checks or placements.
Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree	Usually three or four years of full-time study	Year 12 or equivalent, required subjects and the provider’s English standard; some degrees need a portfolio, audition or interview.
Postgraduate Master’s degree	Coursework or research after undergraduate study	A recognised bachelor’s degree, relevant background and English standard; research programs also require a suitable project and supervisor.
Doctoral degree (PhD)	Original research, commonly three to four years full time	Strong prior research preparation, a proposal, a suitable supervisor and the university’s academic and English requirements.

These are orientation points, not a universal admissions checklist. Ask the provider how overseas qualifications are assessed and whether previous study can earn credit.

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How much does it cost to study in Australia?

There is no meaningful single national tuition average: fees change by course, location and provider. The figures below are 2026 published examples for budgeting, not a promise of what every institution charges. Compare the exact fee on your offer using Study Australia’s education-cost guide.

Level	Indicative published tuition	Fee basis and source
School	AUD 17,000–20,500 per year	2026 NSW government school fees, Years K–12; other states and private schools differ. NSW fees
English language studies	AUD 340–420 per week	2026 TAFE NSW General English: packaged vs standalone. TAFE NSW guide
VET Certificate / Diploma	AUD 13,000–41,000 per course	Selected 2026 RMIT Certificate IV and Diploma examples; course length varies. RMIT examples
Bachelor’s degree	About AUD 28,500–56,300 per year	Examples from UniSC, RMIT and the University of Sydney; some specialist degrees cost more. UniSC · RMIT · Sydney
Master’s degree	About AUD 29,500–60,000 per year	Published UniSC and RMIT coursework examples; research fees and scholarships differ. UniSC · RMIT
Doctoral degree	AUD 42,600–54,800 per year before funding	2026 Adelaide University international PhD fee examples by discipline. Adelaide University

International students reviewing course information and study costs in a library — Planning your course and budget before applying can help you compare the full cost of study.

Budget beyond tuition

Add accommodation, food, transport, textbooks and equipment, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), flights and the visa charge. Use Study Australia’s cost of living calculator for your city and housing choice. A scholarship can change the total substantially.

For a concrete example, a student with AUD 36,000 annual tuition might plan roughly AUD 70,000 for the first year after adding the AUD 29,710 published living-cost evidence benchmark, a visa application charge from AUD 2,500, and illustrative OSHC and travel costs. This is a planning illustration, not a visa quote or a living-cost average. Actual rent and other expenses can be higher. See the official visa application guide.

Important: the AUD 29,710 figure is only the published living-cost benchmark for one student. Financial evidence may also need to cover 12 months of tuition, travel and costs for accompanying family members. Use the Home Affairs document checklist for your circumstances.

Australian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027

Nine Australian institutions appear in the global top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2027. The overall rank is a useful comparison point, but also check the course curriculum, subject strengths, work placements, location, support services and total cost.

No.	University	Global rank, 2027
1	The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19
2	The University of Melbourne	22
3	The University of Sydney	28
4	Australian National University (ANU)	29
5	Monash University	31
6	The University of Queensland	40
7	The University of Western Australia	77
8	Adelaide University	79
9	University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	87
10	RMIT University	119
11	Macquarie University	126
12	Curtin University	189
13	University of Wollongong	195
14	Deakin University	227
15	Griffith University	230
16	Queensland University of Technology (QUT)	240
17	La Trobe University	241
18	The University of Newcastle, Australia	244
19	Swinburne University of Technology	291
20	University of Tasmania	311
21	Western Sydney University	370
22	Flinders University	374
23	University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)	411
24	Murdoch University	422
25	CQUniversity Australia	436
26	James Cook University	438
27	University of Canberra	477
28	Bond University	518
29	Edith Cowan University	545
30	Charles Darwin University	551
31	Southern Cross University	634
32	Victoria University	696
33	Australian Catholic University	851–900
34	University of the Sunshine Coast	851–900
35	Charles Sturt University	951–1000
36	The University of Notre Dame Australia	1201–1400
37	University of New England	1201–1400

Some universities share a rank. Rank bands are published as ranges. Rankings are a snapshot, not an admissions guarantee.

Scholarships international students should check

Australia Awards Scholarships: competitive government awards for eligible applicants from participating countries; benefits can include tuition, travel, OSHC and living support. Check country rules and return-home conditions. Scholarship overview.
Research Training Program (RTP): participating universities may award fee offsets, living stipends or allowances for research master’s and doctoral study. Apply through the university, not directly to the department. RTP details.
University and provider scholarships: merit awards, bursaries, fee reductions and research scholarships vary by institution and intake. Search the provider’s scholarship page and Study Australia’s scholarship guide.
Australia for ASEAN: eligible applicants from ASEAN states and Timor-Leste can check the government’s master’s scholarship scheme. Eligibility information.

Apply early: scholarship deadlines can fall well before course enrolment closes. Confirm whether an award covers full tuition, part of tuition, living costs, OSHC or only a one-off payment.

Student visa (subclass 500): what to prepare

Most overseas students taking an eligible full-time course use the Student visa (subclass 500). The following is a practical sequence; our Australian Student visa guide has more context.

Choose a registered course. Check the course and provider in CRICOS and confirm admission criteria, fees and refund terms.
Accept the offer and obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Keep the letter of offer and CoE for the application.
Prepare your evidence. This can include your passport, academic records, approved English test result if required, financial evidence, Genuine Student answers, OSHC and any requested health or character documents. Follow the Home Affairs checklist.
Apply through ImmiAccount. The published charge is from AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, with concessions or exemptions in limited cases; check the live fee before paying. See our ImmiAccount walkthrough.
Allow time for a decision. Processing varies. Monitor your application and answer requests promptly; do not book non-refundable travel on an assumed approval date.

While your course is in session, most student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Students who have started a master’s by research or doctoral degree have no work-hour limit. Conditions also cover enrolment, progress, health insurance and updating your address. Check your individual visa grant and the current government student visa guide.

If you are under 18, approved accommodation and welfare arrangements are essential. A student visa is temporary; completing a course does not automatically give you a graduate visa or permanent residence.

Information checked 24 September 2026. Tuition examples are published 2026 figures; ranking positions are from the QS 2027 edition. Government fees and visa rules should be rechecked when you apply.

Take Your First Steps To

Migrate to Australia

Our immigration lawyers and registered migration agents in Melbourne will be able to find you the best visa for your unique situation. You’ll be in good hands.

Free Assessment

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