Australian universities are among the most highly rated in the world, making Australia a hot spot for international students. In 2024, there were more than one million international students enrolled at the nation's educational institutions. Thanks to its appealing cities, high-quality facilities, infrastructure, and educational opportunities, Australia is one of the most attractive places in the world to pursue an education.
, and Melbourne and Sydney came in fifth and sixth, respectively, for One drawback, though, is Australia's high cost of living and tuition fees. So before you get too far into planning your move, make researching living costs and uni fees a priority to help you create a realistic budget. It is also important to note that the Australian Government recently announced changes to international student visas, so read on to understand how these could also impact your plans.
How to obtain an international student visa in Australia
To study in Australia, you will be required to hold a . This visa will enable you to participate in an eligible course of study, travel in and out of the country, and work for up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. The Student Visa (subclass 500) is valid for up to five years, and in line with your enrolment in your class. It costs from AUD 2,000 (USD 1,317).
Several conditions must be met when applying for a student visa. These include:
Letter of offer
If your application to your chosen education provider is successful, you will receive a letter of offer. Your letter will include all the important details about your study, including fees, course details and enrolment conditions.
Confirmation of enrolment
You must include a copy of your Confirmation of Enrolment in your visa application. This document is issued by your education provider and proves to the government that you are actually registered in the course that you have included in your visa application. This document is issued after you have received your Letter of Offer and paid your deposit.
Proficiency in English
In Australia, courses are taught in English, so you may need to provide a certificate of results from an approved language test such as the (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the (International English Language Testing System), the (Pearson Test of English), the (Cambridge English or C1 Advanced) and the (Occupational English Test) for health professionals.
Genuine student requirement
This refers to a list of questions that are part of your online student visa application, which give your reasons for wanting to study in Australia.
Financial capacity requirement
To be successful in your student visa application, you will need to prove that you can cover the expenses of your stay in the country. This includes tuition fees, rent, travel, etc. You must be able to show proof of at least AUD 29,710 (USD 19,566).
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Your application will be refused if you cannot prove that you have this kind of health insurance. As part of your application, you need to show that you have an OSHC policy, which will cover you for medical and hospital care, ambulance transportation, and prescription medication.
Health and character requirements
As part of your application, you are also required to complete the health and character sections, which may also include a health examination and a police background check.
Changes to international student policies in Australia
There have been several changes to student visa applications throughout 2024 and 2025. As part of the Australian Government's Migration Strategy, these reforms are aimed at closing loopholes that allow the trend of 'permanent temporariness,' or visa 'hopping,' where those who may not be eligible for permanent residency use multiple visa applications to extend their stay in the country.
Some of the changes include:
- From July 2025, for a primary applicant. However, the increase does not impact applicants from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
- : Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), Subclass 600 (Visitor), Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority), Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment), Subclass 651 (eVisitor), Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew). If you have a genuine intention to study in Australia, you need to apply for your Student Visa offshore.
- All Student Visa applications must now include a for the institution they are enrolled in to study at.
- Student Visa and Student Guardian Visa applications need to have a .
- The has been reinstated as a valid English language proficiency test for visa applications and is accepted by all Australian universities.
- From March 2024, a list of targeted questions called the replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in the visa application.
- also apply to all Student Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa applications.
- From July 2024, the length of stay for the Temporary Graduate Visa has been reduced, and the age limit for the visa has also been reduced to 35 years of age and under. for more information on the changes, including eligibility for a second Temporary Graduate Visa for those in regional areas.
- The Australian Parliament did not pass a proposed cap on the number of international student arrivals; however, a has been introduced, which will result in priority given to international students enrolled at regional and smaller universities.
For more information, visit the Australian Government's website.
Good to know:
The government has increased the number of working hours for student visas. Students can now work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during school holidays.
Higher education in Australia
The higher education sector in Australia consists of universities and providers. There are , comprising and . Most of the country's universities have more than one campus, spread across Australia's eight states and territories. The country's higher education sector also includes that offer VET courses. Providers include Technical and Further Education Institutes (TAFE), private training providers, and community organizations that deliver nationally recognized training. There are about 4,000 RTOs in Australia.
The is the national tertiary education system that links all of the formal qualifications across Australia. It is comprised of 10 levels of learning, ranging from Certificate I through to Doctoral degree, and encompasses university and VET learning. So, as long as you meet your student visa requirements, you can move from one level of study to the next one.
The levels of study on offer in Australia are:
- Level 1: Certificate I - Foundational vocational skills and knowledge.
- Level 2: Certificate II - Builds on that knowledge.
- Level 3: Certificate III - More advanced skills and knowledge, often equivalent to a trade certificate.
- Level 4: Certificate IV - Develops advanced skills and knowledge, potentially including management skills.
- Level 5: Diploma - Broad and in-depth skills in a specific field, suitable for creative, professional and technical positions
- Level 6: Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree - High-level professional and practical skills — typically undergraduate programs
- Level 7: Bachelor's Degree - Knowledge and skills for further learning and professional work
- Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree/Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma - Builds on a Bachelor's Degree, offering specialization or advanced study
- Level 9: Master's Degree - Advanced scholarship and professional practice
- Level 10: Doctoral Degree - The highest level of academic qualification. Includes original research and contribution to knowledge.
Universities in Australia
Australia's universities are distributed across the country, with some institutions having more than one campus. The Australian universities ranked in the top 100 are:
University of Melbourne
Australia's number one university is a world leader in education, teaching and research and ranks highly for Business and Economics, Medical and Health Sciences, and Law. Located in Parkville, just north of the city center, has more than 100 research centers and institutes.
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
A public university based in Kensington in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is the number one Australian university attended by start-up founders. A pioneer in interdisciplinary research in clean energy, inequality and healthcare, six of the university's subjects — accounting and finance, environmental sciences, and several engineering specializations — are among the top 20 in the world.
The University of Sydney
Founded in 1850, the is the oldest university in Australia. Located in Camperdown, the University of Sydney is known for its teaching quality and research output, and it offers the broadest range of academic programs of any other university in the country.
Australian National University (ANU), Canberra
The is a research-intensive university with its main campus in the inner-city suburb of Acton. ANU includes six academic colleges, and research priorities include technological innovation, health advancements, and climate change and sustainability.
Monash University, Melbourne
Located in Melbourne, is the second-oldest university in Victoria. With four campuses within greater Melbourne, an international campus in Malaysia and a learning center in Italy, it is one of the leading MBA providers.
The University of Queensland (UQ)
A public research university located in Brisbane, the is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious tertiary institutions. UQ has numerous research facilities and is known for making significant contributions to solving global challenges. Home to more than 57,000 students, the University of Queensland has won more teaching awards than any other Australian university.
The University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth
The main campus of the is located on the banks of Perth's Swan River. Regarded as one of the world's top research-intensive tertiary institutions, UWA has more than 40 research centers and institutes, ranking in the top one per cent of global research in genetics, agriculture, land and farm management, quantum physics, and ecology.
Adelaide University
Australia's new major university is a result of the merger between the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. has 22 study areas and seven campuses across South Australia, and its 70,000 students can choose from more than 100 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Located in the heart of Sydney's creative and digital precinct, has the largest entrepreneurship program in Australia and is best known for its innovative, practice-based learning. More than 51,000 students are enrolled in more than 130 undergraduate and 210 postgraduate courses across nine faculties.
Vocational education in Australia
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are another option for international students, providing practical skills and knowledge, often in industries experiencing skills shortages in Australia. Also known as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), and ‘skills training', courses are delivered across the country by Private Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) such as TAFE (Technical and Further Education) colleges and private training providers, and help to get students job-ready.
There is a range of different, including:
- Information technology (IT), cyber security and computing;
- Business, accounting, management, and entrepreneurship;
- Engineering, automation, and technology;
- Architecture, planning, building and construction;
- Automotive;
- Agriculture, horticulture and agritech;
- Health, medicine, psychology, and laboratory sciences;
- Legal studies;
- Automotive, and more.
Nationally accredited VET courses are designed and taught by experts and often include work placements as part of the course. You can choose to study at one of the major city campuses or select a regional area if you're interested in opportunities in the agricultural sector. A city campus would be a good choice for a work placement in the legal profession or the construction industry.
Popular higher education courses in Australia
In 2025, the most popular degree for international students in Australia was Management and Commerce, followed by Information Technology. For those enrolled in VET courses, Management and Commerce was also popular, followed by Food, Hospitality and Personal Services. And when it comes to the level of study that international students were enrolled in, a Master's degree (Coursework) took top spot, followed by a Bachelor's degree. Meanwhile, the majority of international students in the VET sector were enrolled in a Diploma followed by Certificate IV.
Tuition fees in Australia
Tuition fees in Australia vary widely between institutions, courses, and degrees. Unlike domestic students, who can access subsidized places and the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) to pay off university debts, international students typically pay a lot more and need to pay their tuition up front.
For instance, a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne will cost:
: AUD 154,356 to 177,210 (USD 101,500-116,528)
Domestic student: about AUD 51,000 (USD 33,536)
And a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland
: AUD 32,400 (USD 21,305)
Domestic student: AUD 0 to 25,690 (USD 0 to 16,893)
Scholarships in Australia
Undertaking studies in Australia is not cheap. But there is a wide range of grants and scholarships to help international students with their tuition fees, living expenses, and travel for study purposes. University and TAFE institutions provide information about these opportunities on their websites, and the Study Australia website is also a great resource when searching for scholarships across and studies. Use the filters to choose your level of study as well as your area of study to narrow down your options.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
