Health Insurance
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is generally required for the full Student visa period
Study in Australia
Compare universities and institutes, courses, tuition, living costs and student-visa steps with current official checks.
Group of Eight
GREAT Scholarship
Post-Study Work Visa
AUD 15,000From/Year
AUD 15,000 - AUD 50,000
Annual Tuition Range
About 31 days (recent median)
Visa Processing Time
About Studying in Australia
Australia offers university, university-college, institute, vocational, English-language and pathway study options across large metropolitan centres and regional locations. For an international student who will study in Australia on a Student visa, the provider and course should be checked on CRICOS. Higher-education provider registration should also be checked on TEQSA's National Register. Qualifications sit within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), while the ESOS framework adds protections and obligations for international education. Admissions, fees and start dates are course-specific. Many higher-education courses have a main February or March intake and a second intake around July, but trimester calendars, November starts and rolling intakes also exist. Students should confirm the exact campus, CRICOS course code, delivery mode, entry requirements, deposit, refund terms and intake before paying. Living costs vary sharply by city and accommodation. The current Student visa financial-capacity benchmark is AUD 29,710 for 12 months for the primary student, equivalent to about AUD 2,476 per month, but Home Affairs and Study Australia both warn that actual costs can be higher. A practical editorial planning range is AUD 2,500-4,500+ per month excluding tuition, with private accommodation in Sydney, Melbourne and some inner-city areas often pushing budgets higher.
Education System, Recognition and Provider Checks — Australia's AQF connects school, VET and higher-education qualifications within one national framework. TEQSA is the national higher-education regulator and its National Register is the authoritative source for provider registration. International students on Student visas should verify that both the institution and intended course are listed on CRICOS. Professional fields such as medicine, nursing, teaching, law, engineering, psychology and architecture may have separate course accreditation or registration requirements.
Professional accreditation — Some fields require separate accreditation or registration beyond provider and course registration.
Capital
Canberra
Language
English (national language); more than 300 languages are spoken in Australian homes
Currency
AUD
Academic Year
Commonly February/March to November, with semester or trimester calendars
Intakes
Main intakes: February/March and July; some providers offer additional starts
Work Rights
Generally up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session; research master's and doctoral students, and their families, have no work-hour limit after the course starts
Why Study in Australia?
Regulated provider system
Verify higher-education registration on TEQSA and international course eligibility on CRICOS.
National qualification framework
The AQF connects qualifications across school, VET and higher education.
Wide course and location choice
Study in major cities, regional centres and smaller locations across universities, institutes, VET and pathway providers.
English-medium study
Most Australian education programs are taught in English, with English entry evidence commonly required.
Student protections
ESOS standards and the Tuition Protection Service create protections and remedies for eligible international students.
Workplace rights
Eligible students can work within visa conditions and have Australian workplace protections.
Australia by the Numbers
6
Six universities in the global top 50
6
Six student cities in the global top 50
Cost of Living & Visa
Monthly Living Costs
AUD 2,500–4,500+ per month, excluding tuition
Official monthly equivalent
AUD 2,475.83 / month
Student Visa Guide
Visa guidance
Most international students studying full-time in Australia apply for the Student visa (subclass 500) after accepting an offer and receiving a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Applicants must satisfy the current requirements that apply to them, which can include Genuine Student responses, financial capacity, English evidence, Overseas Student Health Cover, health, character and welfare arrangements. The standard base application charge is from AUD 2,500 for most applicants from 1 July 2026, with limited concessions or exemptions. Processing time is not fixed: Home Affairs reported a 31-day median for the Student visa program in 2025-26 to 31 December 2025, but applicants must use the live processing-time guide and allow extra time for incomplete or complex cases.
Required document
Proof of financial means: AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs for the primary student, plus tuition, travel and applicable family or schooling costs
Required document
Valid passport: Identity and travel document for each applicant.
Required document
Confirmation of Enrolment: CoE for the declared course or packaged courses.
Required document
Genuine Student evidence: Answers and documents explaining circumstances, course choice and expected benefit.
Required document
Financial capacity: Evidence covering required living costs, tuition, travel and applicable family or schooling costs.
Required document
English language evidence: Approved test evidence when required by the visa document checklist.
Required document
OSHC: Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover for the required period.
Required document
Academic documents: Qualifications, transcripts and translations supporting the course application and study history.
Required document
Health and character: Medical examinations, police certificates or other evidence when requested.
Required document
Family documents: Relationship, custody and dependent evidence for accompanying family members.
Required document
Under-18 welfare documents: Parental consent and approved accommodation/welfare evidence where applicable.
Processing time
About 31 days (recent median)
Visa fee
From AUD 2,500 for most applicants from 1 July 2026; limited concessions and exemptions apply
Student Life & Practical Guidance
After Graduation
Eligible graduates may qualify for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), usually 2 years for bachelor and master's coursework/extended or 3 years for master's research and doctoral degrees
Student Safety
Stable study destination with campus support; use normal precautions and call 000 for life-threatening emergencies
Major study locations
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin
Sydney
Large provider and industry ecosystem, extensive public transport and major cultural life; housing can be among Australia's most expensive. New South Wales
Melbourne
Large and diverse student city with broad course choice, arts, sport, research and industry links; inner-city housing can be costly. Victoria
Brisbane
Major Queensland study centre with warm climate, large universities and growing technology, health and infrastructure sectors. Queensland
Gold Coast
Coastal study location with universities and institutes, tourism, health and creative-industry links. Queensland
Adelaide
Compact major city with universities, defence, health, space, food and advanced-manufacturing links. South Australia
Perth
Western Australian capital with strengths linked to resources, engineering, health, technology and marine or environmental study. Western Australia
Canberra
National capital with universities, research organisations, public policy and government-related opportunities. Australian Capital Territory
Hobart
Smaller-city study environment with distinctive strengths in marine, Antarctic, climate and environmental research. Tasmania
Darwin
Tropical northern capital with regional, Indigenous, environmental and Asia-Pacific connections. Northern Territory
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Admission Requirements
All applicants
Undergraduate applicants commonly provide a recognised secondary-school qualification, transcripts, English-language evidence and proof of course prerequisites. Postgraduate applicants normally provide a relevant prior degree and transcripts; research applicants may also need a proposal and supervisor support. Portfolios, interviews, tests, work experience, police checks, immunisations or professional requirements can apply. Certified translations and qualification assessment may be requested.
Undergraduate qualification
Recognised secondary-school completion or an approved pathway qualification.
Postgraduate qualification
Relevant recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent for most coursework programs.
Research preparation
Research proposal, topic fit and potential supervisor support may be required.
Academic transcripts
Official transcripts and award documents; certified copies or verification may be required.
English language evidence
Accepted tests, minimum scores and exemptions vary by provider, course and visa needs.
Course prerequisites
Mathematics, sciences, portfolios, auditions, interviews, tests or work experience may apply.
Professional checks
Health, police, immunisation, first aid, working-with-children or placement requirements may apply.
Certified translations
Documents not in English may require an accepted certified translation.
Financial plan
Budget for tuition, living costs, travel, OSHC and family or schooling costs where applicable.
Under-18 welfare
Students under 18 need compliant consent, accommodation and welfare arrangements.
How to Apply
1
Choose the study goal
Decide qualification level, subject, preferred location and career or research objective.
2
Verify the provider and course
Check TEQSA provider registration where relevant and confirm the provider and exact course on CRICOS.
3
Check entry and recognition
Confirm academic, English, prerequisite and professional-recognition requirements.
4
Compare the full cost
Review tuition, fee year, living budget, OSHC, travel, materials, deposits and refund terms.
5
Check scholarships early
Review government, provider and state opportunities before their deadlines.
6
Prepare documents
Gather passport, qualifications, transcripts, English evidence and course-specific documents.
7
Submit the course application
Apply directly or through a representative authorised by the provider.
8
Review and accept the offer
Read conditions, fees, refund terms and the acceptance agreement before signing.
9
Pay required amounts and arrange OSHC
Pay only through verified provider channels and arrange compliant health cover.
10
Receive the CoE
The provider issues a Confirmation of Enrolment after acceptance and required payment.
11
Respond to requests
Complete health examinations, biometrics or further evidence if Home Affairs asks.
12
Wait for the written decision
Avoid non-refundable travel commitments until the visa outcome is received.
13
Plan arrival and enrolment
Arrange verified housing, transport, orientation, banking, phone and provider enrolment steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canberra is the capital of Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are larger cities, but neither is the national capital.
Most courses are taught in English. Providers set their own academic English entry standards, and the Student visa may have separate English evidence requirements.
Australia uses the Australian dollar, abbreviated AUD.
Many higher-education courses start in February or March and again around July. Some providers use trimesters or offer November and other starts, so check the exact course and campus.
The current Student visa financial-capacity benchmark is AUD 29,710 for 12 months for the primary student, about AUD 2,476 per month. Actual costs may be higher; a practical website planning range is AUD 2,500-4,500+ per month excluding tuition.
Fees vary by provider, field and qualification. For planning, bachelor's degrees are often around AUD 25,000-55,000 per year and postgraduate coursework around AUD 28,000-60,000, but the live course fee is the only reliable figure.
Most full-time international students studying in Australia use the Student visa (subclass 500) after they accept an offer and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment.
From 1 July 2026, the base application charge is from AUD 2,500 for most applicants. Limited concessions or exemptions apply, so use the official visa pricing estimator before lodging.
Processing time is not fixed. Home Affairs reported a 31-day median for the Student visa program in 2025-26 to 31 December 2025, but current times depend on the application and should be checked in the live processing-time guide.
A CoE is issued by the provider after you accept the offer and meet the required payment conditions. It verifies enrolment in a course and is required for the Student visa application.
The visa application asks questions about your circumstances, course and destination choice, study history and how the course will benefit you. Your answers should be truthful and supported by relevant evidence.
Student visa applicants generally need Overseas Student Health Cover for the required period. Check the policy's inclusions, waiting periods, exclusions and possible gap payments.
Student visa holders and their family members can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. Research master's and doctoral students, and their families, have no work-hour limit after the course begins. Check VEVO for your conditions.
It should not be relied on to do so. Visa applicants must show financial capacity, work hours are limited during study, jobs are not guaranteed, and actual living costs may exceed the visa benchmark.
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is AUD 26.44 per hour for award-free adult employees. Many jobs are covered by an award or agreement with different rates, including junior, casual and penalty rates.
Check higher-education provider registration on TEQSA's National Register. If you will study in Australia on a Student visa, also check the provider and exact course on CRICOS.
CRICOS is the official Australian Government register of education providers and courses offered to people studying in Australia on Student visas.
The Australian Qualifications Framework is the national policy for regulated qualifications across school, vocational education and higher education, with levels that describe increasing complexity and learning outcomes.
Yes. Options can include Australia Awards, Australia for ASEAN, the Research Training Program and provider or state scholarships. Eligibility and deadlines vary, and funding is competitive.
Eligible graduates may apply for a Temporary Graduate visa. Usual Post-Higher Education Work stream periods are two years for bachelor's and master's coursework or extended degrees, and three years for master's research and doctoral degrees. Eligibility rules and exceptions apply.
No. Admission, a Student visa, graduate work rights, employment and permanent migration are separate processes. Rules change and no provider or agent can guarantee a permanent visa.
There is no single best city. Compare the exact course, campus, housing cost, transport, climate, support, placements and career or research fit. City rankings can be a secondary reference, not the decision by themselves.
Use rankings as one comparison input and keep the ranking publisher and year visible. Also check TEQSA and CRICOS status, professional accreditation, course content, total cost and QILT ComparED student-experience and graduate-outcome data.
Australia is generally a safe and stable study destination, but normal precautions still apply. Use campus support, plan transport, follow local beach and weather advice, and call 000 in a life-threatening emergency.
The Tuition Protection Service may help eligible international students continue with another provider or obtain a refund for education paid for but not received, depending on the situation and legal requirements.
