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Cost of studying in Australia – Is it expensive to study in Australia?

DNBC Team DNBC Team

Jan 09, 2023

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Australia has always been the top choice of international students for studying abroad. The country offers a wide range of world-class universities and educational systems that empower graduated students to be more competitive in professional recruitments as well as soft skills for casual life. This is the country where overseas students are always welcomed. But how much does it cost to study in Australia for international students? Read on for a breakdown of these costs and for advice on how to find Australian scholarships to support your studies.

Cost of studying in Australia - Is it expensive to study in Australia?

Cost of studying in Australia – Is it expensive to study in Australia?

Factors that determine the total costs of studying in Australia

You should be aware of all the fees before choosing Australia as your study destination. Your financial budget can then be effectively planned and aligned with the help of these elements. This article contains everything you need to know about total costs of studying in Australia for international students to get you started.

1. Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are one of the most important factors when considering the cost of studying in Australia. Depending on what you’re studying, tuition fees can vary significantly. In Australian universities, tuition is calculated according to the number of units you register in. A course’s annual fee is equal to the price of two semesters of full-time study (8 units). While a full year typically consists of two semesters, studying during summer may allow you to complete three semesters (Dec-Feb). The nation has shorter degrees than some other nations, which lowers the entire cost.

  • A bachelor degree requires 3 years of full-time study (24 units).
  • A professional (or honours) degree is 4 years (32 units).
  • A master degree typically takes 1.5 years (12 units).

Bachelor Degree (Undergraduate) Fees

University Business Engineering Arts
University of New England $19,920 $25,560 $21,800
Charles Darwin University $20,440 $26,000 $18,520
Southern Cross University $20,560 $27,760 $20,560
University of the Sunshine Coast $20,600 $20,600
University of Southern Queensland $22,300 $25,850 $21,920
Charles Sturt University $22,800 $18,400
Victoria University $23,600 $26,400 $20,400
CQUniversity $23,760 $30,240 $21,120
Australian Catholic University $23,800 $21,000
Western Sydney University $24,280 $28,520 $22,680
Flinders University $24,400 $30,700 $25,000
University of Canberra $24,500 $21,610 $23,740
Swinburne University of Technology $24,680 $31,220 $23,400
Federation University Australia $24,700 $28,800 $23,300
University of Notre Dame Australia $24,714 $37,071 $24,714
University of Newcastle $25,440 $33,160 $25,610
University of Wollongong $26,448 $32,400 $23,856
Griffith University $26,500 $32,500 $26,500
University of Tasmania $26,500 $31,500 $25,500
James Cook University $27,000 $33,000 $27,000
La Trobe University $27,000 $29,260 $25,500
Edith Cowan University $27,600 $25,760 $27,200
Queensland University of Technology $27,700 $32,300 $26,700
Murdoch University $27,867 $31,065 $27,806
University of South Australia $28,400 $33,400 $24,400
RMIT University $28,800 $34,560 $27,840
Deakin University $28,952 $33,000 $25,088
Curtin University $30,000 $34,000 $30,000
University of Technology Sydney $31,560 $36,220 $25,760
Bond University $33,640 $33,640 $33,640
Macquarie University $34,726 $34,726 $30,570
University of Adelaide $35,500 $35,500 $29,000
University of Western Australia $36,000 $38,310 $30,000
University of Queensland $36,336 $38,432 $27,824
University of Melbourne $36,832 $35,824 $29,632
University of Sydney $38,500 $42,000 $35,000
Australian National University $39,024 $41,040 $36,720
Monash University $39,100 $38,900 $28,900
University of New South Wales $39,360 $41,760 $32,160

Masters (Postgraduate) Tuition Fees

University Business Engineering Arts
University of New England $22,080 $26,400 $21,800
Southern Cross University $23,680 $28,000
University of Southern Queensland $23,760 $24,480 $24,320
University of the Sunshine Coast $23,800 $26,000
Charles Darwin University $25,000 $26,936 $21,200
CQUniversity $26,160 $25,200 $19,920
Australian Catholic University $26,240 $21,000
Victoria University $26,800 $26,800 $21,400
Western Sydney University $27,400 $28,720 $24,280
Federation University Australia $27,600 $28,800 $28,700
James Cook University $28,000 $36,000 $27,000
University of Notre Dame Australia $28,772 $37,071 $24,714
Swinburne University of Technology $29,000 $31,200 $24,480
Flinders University $29,200 $32,000 $27,300
University of Tasmania $29,750 $31,000 $29,250
University of Canberra $30,930 $27,250 $26,000
Murdoch University $31,371 $32,783 $27,438
Edith Cowan University $31,680 $26,320 $28,000
University of Technology Sydney $33,470 $33,470 $28,180
University of Newcastle $33,600 $27,720 $36,280
Monash University $34,700 $38,900 $30,700
University of Wollongong $35,136 $32,400 $23,424
University of South Australia $35,300 $33,400 $28,400
La Trobe University $35,500 $33,000 $27,500
Bond University $36,164 $21,312
Griffith University $37,000 $32,500 $26,500
Deakin University $37,184 $33,320 $25,088
RMIT University $37,440 $34,560 $26,880
Macquarie University $40,000 $32,584 $32,584
University of New South Wales $40,800 $41,280 $31,440
University of Adelaide $41,000 $38,000 $31,000
Australian National University $41,040 $39,024 $36,720
University of Sydney $42,000 $43,000 $33,500
Queensland University of Technology $43,800 $29,300 $27,500
Curtin University $44,000 $40,000 $30,000
University of Queensland $69,456 $34,944 $27,088
University of Western Australia $71,000 $38,500 $30,500
University of Melbourne $85,470 $38,976 $31,776

Note: Above tuition fees are used for references, to get the latest tuition costs, please visit the websites of schools that you want to apply for.

Source: universityreviews (1)

Tuition cost of studying in Australia for international students

Tuition cost of studying in Australia for international students

2. Cost of living in Australia

Another element that affects how much it costs to study in Australia is living expenditures. For each academic year, international students must spend 30,000 AUD. Your daily expenses will change depending on your preferences, including the kind of neighbourhood you live in, the sort of accommodation you rent, your grocery bill, your food budget, where you eat out, how much you spend on entertainment, and other expenses. Here is an overview of these expenses:

2.1 Student insurance

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (2) requires that all individuals carrying a student visa and their dependents must maintain OSHC for the full duration of their time in Australia. This typically includes coverage for doctor visits, specific hospital treatments, ambulance coverage, and certain medicines. The cost will vary based on the insurance company you choose and the variety of products they offer, but as a rough estimate, The lowest cost of minimum cover is AUD$478 for 12 months of single covers, $2,600 for 12 months of couple covers and $4,200 for 12 months of family covers (as of September 2021).

There are some exemptions for below cases:

  • Belgians Students

Who are protected by the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, don’t need to buy OSHC.

  • Swedish Students

Are not required to acquire OSHC because they are covered by Kammarkollegiet or the National Board of Student Air. International Swedish students will need to purchase OSHC if neither plan covers them.

  • Norwegian Students

Are not required to purchase OSHC because they are protected by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

2.2 Study materials

It is obvious that we need learning materials to help us in studying. These stuff are textbooks, notebooks, pens, calculators and other equipment. These costs can range from approximately AUD$500 to AUD$1,500 per year.

2.3 Accommodation

You will have a variety of housing options when you visit Australia. Some of these choices include living in a homestay, sharing accommodation on campus, or renting a private home. Depending on the type of accommodation you select, the cost might range from $150 to $600 per week.

2.4 Food

Australia is well-known for being a popular culinary destination! The country is so diverse in terms of its population and culture, so you are able to discover a variety of fresh produce and cuisine from different parts of the world. Depending on your specific preferences and habits, your weekly meal expenses could range from $140 to $280. It is better to cook at home rather than eating out to help you save a lot of money.

2.5 Mobile phone bill

There are various mobile phone plans for students to choose when studying in Australia such as Vodafone, OPTUS, Woolworths, Telstra or Moose Mobile, etc. The cost of a mobile phone bill can range from AU$ 20 to AU$ 70 or more.

2.6 Transportation

Driving is the most convenient mode of transportation in Australia because it is such a large country, but public transportation is the most cost-effective. The expenses of registration and parking will vary significantly depending on where in Australia you will be, with prices being higher in cities like Melbourne and Sydney. To learn more about transportation costs in Australia, you can read another article of ours with more detailed information.

2.7 Student visa fee

Last but not least, to visit Australia for studying, visitors are required to get a student visa subclass 500. Student visa application fee (Subclass 500) is $650 for a primary applicant according to the latest update from the Department of Home Affairs (3).

Financial aid for international students from parents

Speaking about finances in particular makes studying abroad difficult. In Australia, students are permitted to work to help pay for living expenses. However, because of the high cost of living in many Australian cities, international students still require financial support from their families. Foreigners can create a bank account and use banking services with a valid visa to receive money and pay for expenses. Australian local bank accounts can receive transfers from parents abroad for their children.

DNBC Financial Group is delighted to help parents all across the world with international wire transfers so that their children can fly into a better future. We provide the best rates for digital payment transfers and round-the-clock customer care, making it easy for you to feel stress-free and enabling students to receive their funds fast. Create a DNBC international account today to take advantage of fantastic promotions!

DNBC - Financial aid solution for international students from parents

DNBC – Financial aid solution for international students from parents

More about DNBC Financial Group

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Currently, DNBC Financial Group has a considerable number of customers all around the world, consisting of many customers transferring money from other parts of the world to Australia and New Zealand online.

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Note: The content in this article is for general informative purposes only. You should conduct your own research or ask for specialist advice before making any financial decisions. All information in this article is current as of the date of publication, and DNBC Financial Group reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any information. We don’t provide any express or implied representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the content within this publication.