Australia is another popular study destination, not only for Indian students but also for students around the world. Meanwhile, it is also one of the most expensive study abroad destinations. According to Australia’s student visa requirement, international students need to have AU$20,290 each year for covering living costs alone. On the other hand, tuition fees at Australian universities vary considerably, (just like in any other country) depending on where and what you choose to study, and the level of education that you target. No matter what you choose, you need to keep a budget in mind before initiating your study-abroad journey in Australia.
Tuition Fee
Tuition fees at Australian universities are not calculated per year, but are generally calculated per unit. Each unit comes under a fee band, and since most students usually study a combination of multiple units under different bands, the fee will be different for each student.
Some universities in Australia such as the Australian National University (ANU), which is the nation’s highest-ranked institution, publish official fees estimates. The average yearly cost of an international student pursuing an undergraduate degree from Australian National University ranges from AU$36,400 for certain Bachelor of Arts programs, up to AU$43,680 for Bachelor of Science or UG Medical Science programs.
Another essential cost to consider is the Student Services and Amenities fee. This fee is charged for services and amenities that are non-academic in nature, up to a maximum of AU$298 (as of 2018). Although not all Australian universities charge this, please ensure you check beforehand so that this does not become an unexpected expense.
| Program | Average Tuition Cost (per year in AUD) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate courses in Australia | $20,000 to $45,000 |
| MS in Australia | $22,000 to $50,000 |
| PhD in Australia | $18,000 to $42,000 |
| MBA in Australia | $11,000 to higher than $121,000 |
Funding Options
Although higher education in Australia can cost big bucks, students always have the option of applying for scholarships. There are international scholarships and fellowships such as the Australia Awards which are funded by the Australian government, available to Australian nationals as well as citizens from other eligible countries from the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific area and Asia. The cost of PhD in Australia for Indian students can be relieved to an extent by the Australia Awards Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships, which are essential for research and postgraduate-level study.
Out of the four main funds available for international students, one is a short-term research fellowship for graduate and postgraduate applicants (maximum award of AUD 24,500 for academic studies up to six months), one is for professional development (maximum amount of AUD18, 500 awarded for up to four months) and one is for vocational education and training for a diploma or associate’s degree, offering up to AUD 6,500 per semester for two and a half years (maximum award of AU$131,000).
International graduate students seeking to gain funding for a full master’s or PhD program can apply for the Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship. The scholarship offers up to AUD15,000 per semester for a duration of about two years for master’s students and four years for PhD/research applicants. Maximum award of AUD 140,500 for master’s, and for PhD is AUD 272,500. Your study abroad consultants can assist you in finding out the perfect scholarship for you.
Cost of living in Australia
The official guidelines of Study in Australia recommend budgeting between AUD 85 to AUD 440 per week for accommodation, depending upon whether you stay in a shared accommodation on campus (which is the cheapest), or in rented accommodation (which is the most expensive). Most universities in Australia provide detailed breakdowns of the cost of living on their websites, which include student accommodation and often even local area prices and advice.
Approximate Costs of Accommodation in Australia (in AUD)
- On campus – $110 to $280 per week
- Hostels and Guesthouses – $90 to $150 per week
- Homestay – $235 to $325 per week
- Shared Rental – $95 to $215 per week
- Rental – $185 to $440 per week
- Boarding schools – $11,000 to $22,000 a year
| Essentials | Average living cost (per week in AUD) |
|---|---|
| Groceries and eating out | $80 to $280 |
| Public transport | $15 to $55 |
| Gas and electricity | $35 to $140 |
| Entertainment | $80 to $150 |
| Phone and internet | $20 to $55 |
| Car (after purchase) | $150 to $260 |
As mentioned above, the Australian government requires international students to prove that they have AUD 20,290 as living costs per year. Additionally, if you will be accompanied by your partner, you will need to add AUD 7,100 to this figure; and if you have children, you need to show you have an additional AUD 3,040 for each child. Along with the proof of these funds, you are also required to show that you have a return airfare for yourself and each family member you take with you. Expert study abroad counsellors at Manya can help you budget your expenses and navigate your way through the entire process of planning to study in Australia.
Find Your Dream University
If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best suited university, Experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities.
You can access accurate & authentic information related to rankings, application fees, average tuition fees, cost of living, scholarships, latest updates, and much more from more than 1000+ universities. You may also search for universities by name, country, or courses in common specializations, such as Physics, Finance, Business, Language and Culture, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Computer and IT, Media and Communication Marketing.
Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants.
