One of the most ideal destinations for international students to pursue their careers is Australia. The country is home to seven of the top 100 universities that were featured in the QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities.
This article provides a brief insight to help you understand the average living cost for an international student and some tips to manage your expenses better thereby saving some money.
A brief introduction to the Australian Education System
The AQF or the Australian Qualifications Framework guides the Australian education system. The framework forms pathways through formal qualifications by interconnecting educational institutions such as schools, universities and vocational educational systems.
The education system has four stages which include Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, and Tertiary or Higher education after which students can choose Vocational Education and Training which helps them transition into employment after they graduate from a university or college.
Overall, the Australian education system is one of the best in the world garnering millions of international students every year.
What is the cost of studying in Australia?
1.Tuition Fees
The average cost of studying may vary from one course to another and from one university to another. Furthermore, the tuition fees for securing a bachelor’s degree may also be quite different to a master’s degree.
The average annual tuition fee for a bachelor’s degree can range from AUD 9000 to AUD 50,000 whereas the average annual tuition fee for a master’s degree can range from AUD 9000 TO AUD 54000.
Given below are the cost of study and the top courses of some of the top universities in Australia: –
- Australian National University: Australian National University ranked 30 in the QS WUR, 2023. The annual tuition fees are around AUD 46000 -4800 annually. Some of the top courses taught at this university are Bachelor of Philosophy, Master of Applied Data Analytics, and Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering.
- The University of Melbourne: With a 33 QS WUR in 2023 the University of Melbourne charges AUD 45,000-47,000 annually. Some of the top courses included Bachelor of Agriculture, Master of Architectural Engineering and Master of Business Analytics.
- The University of Sydney: This university ranked 41 in the QS WUR,2023. It is known for top courses such as MBA, Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Economics. The annual tuition charges range from AUD 50,000 -54,000.
- The University of Western Australia: UWA or the University of Western Australia ranks 90 in the QS WUR,2023. The annual tuition charge is AUD 7000- 11,000. The topmost courses in this institute include Master of Mining Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical); Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Manufacturing)
- The University of New South Wales: Apart from ranking 45th in the QS WUR,2023, this university offers some of the top courses such as Master of Mining Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Manufacturing).The annual tuition fee ranges from AUD 7000- 11,000.
- The University of Queensland: The University of Queensland ranked 50th in the QS WUR, 2023, some of the top courses include Master of Tourism, Hotel & Event Management; Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education. The tuition fee ranges from AUD 2900 to 3500 per credit.
- Monash University: Monash University ranked 57th in the QS WUR, 2023. The annual tuition fee ranges from AUD 37000 -45000. Some of the top courses include Bachelor of Architectural Design; Master of Information Technology; Master of Data Science and Master of Advanced Nursing
2.Rent
Rent depends on the region and the location that you choose to live in. It also depends on your preferred type of accommodation. Rural regions and the western and northern Australian states are comparatively more affordable whereas modern areas like Sydney usually cost higher.
Given below is the average monthly rent for various types of accommodations: –
- For Homestays: The average monthly rent for homestays is around AUD 450- AUD 1200.
- For Halls of Residences: The average monthly rent for halls of residences is AUD 440- AUD 1100
- For Apartments: The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is AUD 750 – AUD 1700
- For Shared Apartments: The average monthly rent for a shared apartment is around AUD 850
3.Transportation Cost: There are several modes of transportation available for students. A one-way local transport ticket usually costs around AUD 3 to 6. Monthly passes are also available for students and they cost around AUD 90 to AUD 220.
4.Other Utilities and Bills
- Internet Bills: Internet connections of 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data usually cost around AUD 70 on an average per month.
- Basic Utilities: Basic Utilities such as Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, and Garbage usually cost around AUD 200 on average per month.
5.Student Visa Application Fees
This depends on the type of student visa you apply for. In this instance, we take the Australian student visa subclass 500 which costs AUD 710. Additional costs may be incurred for health checks, police certificates and biometrics, or if a family member has to be added to the application. You can work out this visa cost by using the visa pricing calculator.
5 tips to Manage Your Expenses Better as an International Student
- Preparing a Budget
Students need to make sure that they have a set budget to prevent overspending. Eating out, buying premier and organic items and shopping for imported items can incur a high bill. Thus, by dining out less, cutting back on visiting cafes and pubs and setting a budget international students can manage their budget better.
- Saving Electricity
Australia is known to have one of the most expensive power costs in the world. Thus, students should be mindful about not leaving electrical appliances on for long.
- Enjoying Public Events
A lot of Australian public events are free which means that international students can enjoy several free events such as live music events and outdoor screenings of movies.
- Saving money on transportation costs
Students can save a lot of money by using public transportation instead of hiring cabs. That’s one of the most affordable ways to commute throughout their city. Most Australian universities are usually campus-based with easy access to public transportation. Investing in monthly and weekly passes is also a great way to conserve money as student discounts are available on transportation services.
FAQs
1.Does the Australian education system offer free education?
No, the Australian education system doesn’t offer free education, public universities charge significantly less than private universities and international students can also choose to apply for scholarships to pay the tuition charges.
2.How much can an international student earn in Australia?
International students can earn a minimum wage of AUD 406 per week. Australia offers a minimum wage of AUD 20.33 per hour.
3.Can I choose to stay in Australia after the completion of my studies?
Yes, you can choose to extend your stay in Australia by applying for a different visa. You can choose to seek help from our consultancy to find the best visa option for your plans.
4.What is the minimum cost of living for international students in Australia?
The minimum cost of living can range between AUD 600 to AUD 1,400 depending on the city that you reside in.
5.What are some of the popular study locations in Australia?
Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth are some of the most popular study destinations in Australia