Cost of Studying and Living in Australia

A study in 2017 indicated that Australia was the 13th most expensive country to live in. However, this has done little to demotivate the flocks of international students that attend the country’s universities.

Not only does the country have incredible career prospects, but it ranks 10th in the list of the happiest countries in the world.

Another attractive factor for students is undoubtedly Australia’s excellent quality of education and the global appeal of an Australian degree.

For those of you, who are in favor of pursuing an Australian degree, we’re breaking down the costs to study in Australia to give you an idea of what to expect.

As is the case with most universities, tuition fees will vary according to universities and programs.

Generally, private universities will be more expensive than public universities.

Another factor that influences cost of tuition to study in Australia is the location of the university. Universities in more rural settings usually charge lower tuition, while those in more metropolitan cities would require students to pay higher tuition.

• Tuition for a master’s program could range anywhere between AUD 22,000-50,000
• Tuition for a bachelor’s program ranges between AUD 20,000 and 45,000
• Doctoral degree costs between AUD 18,000 and 42,000.

While the tuition for each program is offered on the university’s website, these fees are usually calculated per unit and not per year.

With every unit falling under different fee bands, fees for each student will usually differ as students opt for a combination of units from different bands.

Most Affordable Australian Universities

1. Charles Darwin University, Darwin
2. Southern Cross University, Perth
3. University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast
4. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
5. University of Canberra, Canberra
6. University of New England, Armidale
7. Victoria University, Melbourne
8. Central Queensland University, Rockhampton (Main campus)
9. Australian Catholic University, Ballarat
10. University of Western Sydney, Sydney
11. Kaplan Business School, Adelaide
12. International College of Management, Sydney
13. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
14. Federation University, Adelaide
15. Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne
16. La Trobe University, Melbourne
17. Oxford Education Group, Melbourne
18. Asia Pacific International University, Melbourne
19. Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne
20. James Cook University, Cairns and Townsville

Universities often charge fees for non-academic services and amenities provided to students.

These amenities and services can include counseling, career advice, financial advice, student advocacy, and legal services, health services, food services, childcare, orientation, and sporting and recreational activities.

These fees are usually no more than AUD 308. While several universities charge for student support services and amenities, there are a few universities that don’t charge this fee.

There are a number of student visas available and the prices for each vary. Here is a breakdown of the different visa costs:

1. The Student Visa (Subclass 500) –

This visa allows you to stay for 5 years or in line with your course duration at a recognized educational institution. The cost starts at AUD 620.

2. Training Visa (Subclass 407) –

With this visa, you can train at a workplace to gain skills for your job, area of study or field of expertise. You can also participate in classroom-based professional development programs. This visa is valid for 2 years and costs AUD 310.

3. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

You can apply for this visa if you are an international student that has recently graduated with skills and qualifications required by Australia. With this visa, you can live and work in the country for 18 months and bring your family with you. This visa costs AUD 1650.

As part of the visa requirement, you will have to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) organized for yourself and any accompanying family members. For a student without anybody accompanying them, OSHC for three years would cost around AUD 1,890.

As is the case with tuition, the cost of accommodation to study in Australia usually varies according to the location of the university.

Universities in rural areas are usually less expensive than universities located in urban areas.

For example, students attending universities located in the northern and western regions of Australia will generally have to pay less for accommodation than students attending universities in cities.

Accommodation costs will also vary depending on the type of housing that a student selects.

On-campus housing can cost anywhere between AUD 110-280 per week.

Several universities offer student dormitories, which are a lot cheaper than other options. Shared rental accommodation, off-campus, can cost anywhere between AUD 95-215 per week.

Opting to live at a homestay would cost somewhere between AUD 235-325. The recommended budget for accommodation by most Australian universities ranges between AUD 18,000-28,000.

In addition to accommodation costs, the cost of living in Australia can eat into a large chunk of your budget.

To get a better idea of the cost of living in different cities, here is a list of some of the most popular cities in Australia along with their cost of living indices. A higher index indicates a higher cost of living.

1. Sydney – 81.33
2. Adelaide – 69.52
3. Melbourne – 72.41
4. Perth – 74.78
5. Darwin – 78.02
6. Newcastle – 76.69
7. Hobart – 69.30
8. Brisbane – 74.43
9. Canberra – 74.40
10. Gold Coast – 73.82

While expenses would differ from city to city, we’ve collected information on the costs that you are most likely to incur during the course of your study.

1. Meal at a restaurant – AUD 12-150
2. Local transport: 1-way ticket – AUD 3-6; Monthly pass – AUD 95-218; Taxi – AUD 3.6-65.45 (per hour)
3. Gas – AUD 1.29-1.7 (per liter)
4. Basic utilities – AUD 125-400
5. Prepaid mobile tariff – AUD 0.11-0.99 (per minute)
6. Internet – AUD 60-100 (60 mbps or more)
7. Fitness club – AUD 30-120 (per month)
8. Tennis court rent – AUD 12-30
9. Cinema – AUD 15-25 (1 seat)