Tuition Fees for International Students in Australia (Analysis)

Tuition Fees for International Students in Australia (Analysis)

Tuition Fees for International Students in Australia: Australia is a fantastic destination for international students to embark on their studies. Offering beaches, sunshine, and a laid back lifestyle, over 600,000 international students studied in Australia in 2017.

However, there is one considerable drawback of studying in Australia: it is one of the most expensive study destinations in the world. However, there are scholarship opportunities in Australia 

we have also, culled out cheapest universities in Australia

It is estimated by the Australian government that, to cover living costs for one year, international students would need approximately US$14,600. It is, therefore, a visa requirement for international study in Australia that you are able to demonstrate access to these funds to cover your living cost, as well as the cost of tuition fees.

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, Australia has managed to attract a record number of international students over 700,000 in 2019.

Read below to find general information about tuition fees, overall living expenses, and scholarship opportunities in Australia.

University tuition fees in Australia for international students

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

The University of Wollongong – tuition fees start at 18,800 AUD/year

The University of New England – tuition fees start at 19,100 AUD/year

Victoria University – tuition fees start at 21,800 AUD/year

Tuition fees at top-ranked universities

Here is a list of average tuition fees at the top-ranked Australian universities

Australian National University – tuition between 28,000 and 48,500 AUD/year

The University of Sydney – tuition between 36,000 and 57,000 AUD/year

The University of Queensland – tuition between 2,500 and 46,000 AUD/year

At these top universities, some Business and Medicine programs cost over 60,000 AUD/year.

Find detailed information about fees at best ranked Australian universities.

READ ALSO: Fees for International Students in China with Travel Expenses

 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 a student visa in Australia, you will need to prove you have the financial resources to live and study in the country.

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

Other costs associated with accommodation

Apart from rent, your accommodation requires extra expenses, like:

Utilities: around 200 AUD/month

Internet: 70 – 120 AUD/month

 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.

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 programs 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

in Australia, tuition fees are calculated slightly differently to some countries around the world. Each unit of study is placed within a fee band and added up across the year to calculate the tuition fee for that year of study. This means that tuition fees vary for students, even those studying on the same course.

Below is an outline of tuition fees for some of the most popular Australian universities:

University of Sydney: At this university, a Bachelor of Arts degree for an international student is estimated to cost US$27,000 per year and a Bachelor of Commerce degree (with honors) is estimated to cost US$29,000.

University of Canberra: Here, the tuition fees for international students on undergraduate courses range from US$17,400 for a Bachelor of Social Science to US$25,000 for undergraduate degrees in Physiotherapy or Medical Radiation Science.

University Melbourne: Subject fees for 2019/20 at the University of Melbourne place veterinary science, dentistry, medicine, and VCA (audio-visual) as the most expensive subjects to study.

Medicine leads with the highest fee at US$63,000. Education, nursing, and the visual and performing arts make up the cheapest subject fees with fees in Visual and Performing Arts costing just US$20,100 per year.

 Student Visa and Application Costs

The student visa required by international students in Australia is called the Subclass 500. It currently costs US$414.

In addition to paying for the visa, it is also the student’s responsibility to organize health insurance during the period of study in Australia. This is a visa requirement and must be bought for the duration of your stay.

Universities will provide recommendations for reliable insurers. For a single person (with no partner or dependents) the cheapest option for this health cover is approximately US$1,550 for the three years of study (presuming the student returns to their home country during the summer break).

Some universities will also charge an application fee for international students. The University of Sydney, for example, charges an additional fee of US$87 per year of study.

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