Australia is one of the most popular destinations among international students. The beautiful country attracts these students because:
- It has one of the best higher education systems in the world
- Australian cities are safe and ideal for international students
- There are thousands of scholarships available
- The standard of living is high
- Students have numerous job opportunities after graduation
Although the average living costs are higher than in other countries, Australian universities managed to attract a record number of international students – over 650,000 in 2020.
Read below to find general information about tuition fees, overall living expenses and scholarship opportunities in Australia.
1. University tuition fees in Australia
Tuition fees vary depending on the discipline you choose to study, the degree level, and the university in which you enrol.
Tuition for international students:
- Bachelor’s degrees: between 20,000 – 45,000 AUD/year
- Master’s and PhD degrees: between 22,000 – 50,000 AUD/year
Most affordable universities in Australia
Check the list of Australian universities with the most affordable tuition fees:
- Flinders University – tuition fees start at 10,350 AUD/year
- IPAG Business School – tuition fees start at 13,000 AUD/year
- University of Wollongong – tuition fees start at 18,800 AUD/year
- University of New England – tuition fees start at 19,100 AUD/year
- Victoria University – tuition fees start at 21,800 AUD/year
Universities we recommend in Australia
- Charles Sturt University
- CQUniversity Australia
- University of Canberra
- University of Newcastle
- The University of Western Australia
Check out the best universities in Australia according to global rankings.
2. Average student living costs in Australia
International students living in Australia need between 1,400 and 2,500 AUD/month to cover all their living expenses, including accommodation, food, and social activities. Keep in mind that when you apply for the student visa in Australia, you will need to prove you have the financial resources to live and study in the country.
Check the average budget you'll need for some of the most popular student cities in Australia:
- Sydney: starting at 1,900 AUD/month
- Adelaide: starting at 1,300 AUD/month
- Brisbane: starting at 1,400 AUD/month
- Melbourne: starting at 1,500 AUD/month
- Canberra: starting at 1,400 AUD/month
You can also use a cost of living calculator to determine how much money you need if you want to study in Australia.
3. Accommodation costs in Australia
Most universities provide a small number of student dormitories for on-campus-accommodation. That's why many international students choose to rent a private property or live with a local family (homestay).
Average prices for common accommodation options:
- Homestay: 450 – 1,200 AUD/month
- Student halls of residence: 440 – 1,100 AUD/month
- Rent an apartment: 750 – 1,700 AUD/month
- Share a rented apartment/house: 380 – 850 AUD/month
You can find quality affordable student halls in Australia at BestStudentH251863s.com
Other costs associated with accommodation
Apart from rent, your accommodation requires extra expenses, like:
- Utilities: around 200 AUD/month
- Internet: 70 – 120 AUD/month
4. Food costs in Australia
Groceries are available in local supermarkets and usually require around 500 – 1,000 AUD per month. You can save some money by shopping at the cheapest supermarkets, like Aldi, Coles and Woolworths.
The average cost of a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs 18 AUD, while a three-course meal for two is 80 AUD. You can also choose from various Asian, Greek and Italian restaurants if you enjoy their specific cuisine.
5. Transportation costs in Australia
Some universities have a private transport supplier that helps students who stay on campus or those who need to reach some remote areas.
Depending on the area you are living in, you can benefit from other discounts from state programmes such as QLD (Queensland), SA (South Australia), or VIC (Melbourne). Otherwise, a public transport pass for students costs between 30 and 70 AUD/month, depending on the city.
You can also get around using a bicycle. You can rent one for around 40 AUD per day.
Extra costs
- Books and other study materials: between 500 - 1,000 AUD/year
- Health insurance: rates start at 30 AUD/month
You can also use the Numbeo website to check out other prices and costs in Australia.
6. Scholarships and student funding in Australia
There are many scholarships and grants available to international students who want to study in Australia on our portal. Some of the main providers are the Australian Government, higher education institutions, and other public or private organisations.
Each scholarship provider is responsible for establishing the application criteria, but most financial aid opportunities are available to all international students. You can also visit the Study in Australia official website to explore their list of scholarships.
Here are some examples of scholarships:
- Australia Awards – scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government that cover full tuition fees, travel expenses and part of the monthly living costs.
- Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship Program – offers financial support to female researchers who come from APEC economies and plan to pursue a research programme in partnership with Australian universities.
- Destination Australia Program (DAP) – mobility program financed by the Australian Government, which encourages both local and international students to enrol at academic institutions in the regional areas of Australia.
- You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
Find out more about studying abroad in Australia.