Cost of Studying In Australia Explained: A Complete Guide
Australia is a global leader in education, and it continues to grow in popularity amongst international students planning to study abroad. The country hosts more than 600,000 students annually and owns some of the top universities in the world.
Studying abroad can be an expensive affair. Suppose you are an International student looking forward to studying in Australia. In that case, you must plan your budget smartly to organise your finances.
Before you depart from your home country, consider all the student expenses, including the cost of studying in Australia abroad (tuition fees), university, accommodation, food, travel and health coverage.
Here is an Overview of the Cost of Studying in Australia
1. Tuition Fees
The education cost of studying in Australia may vary depending on your qualification type, university or school. The average tuition fees for Australia’s tertiary institutions range between AUD $20,000 to AUD $30,000 annually.
Humanities and art education courses are less expensive than engineering and medicine programs. If you apply for a postgraduate degree, the tuition fee is higher, and the cost depends on your chosen program.
| Study Program | Average Tuition Fees ($AUD) |
| School | $7,800 to $30,000 annually |
| English Language Studies | $300 per week (differs as per course length) |
| Technical and Further Education (TAFE) | $4000 to $22,000 annually |
| Vocational Education and Training (Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Certificates I to IV) |
$4000 to $22,000 annually |
| Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | $15,000 to $33,000 annually |
| Postgraduate Masters Degree | $20,000 to $37,000 annually |
| PhD | $14,000 to $37,000 annually |
Note: These are indicative figures and may change from course to course and university to university.
2. Accommodation Costs
Most Australian universities provide on-campus accommodation facilities for international students. Still, you can also select from other options like share apartments, homestay with a local Australian family, a guest house or a rental property.
The rental price may vary from city to city and is paid every two or four weeks in advance.
| Types of Accommodation | Average Cost ($AUD) |
| Home Stay | $440 to $1,080 per month |
| Guest House | $320 to $540 per month |
| Student Halls of Residence | $320 to $1000 per month |
| Renting an Apartment | $1700 per month (avg. price) |
3. Transportation Costs
Some universities in Australia provide private transport services that help on-campus students to travel around different places. Other than that, you can also rely on available public transportation in Australia.
You can cover short distances in Australian cities with trams, ferries, trains or buses. A short-distance ride on a bus may cost you around AUD $3. You can get a weekly or monthly pass that may cost you AUD $20 and $80, respectively. You can also benefit from student concessions available in all states.
For travelling around different cities, you can use rail, air or long-distance bus transport options.
If international students in Australia enrol in the ACTION programme, the Australian government offers them free transportation services.
4. Food Cost
You can get groceries from the local supermarkets, which may cost around AUD $100 to $200 per week. Woolworths, Aldi and Coles are the most popular and cheapest supermarkets for grocery shopping.
The average price for a meal in a low-cost restaurant is around AUD $18, while a three-course meal for two people may cost you around AUD $80.
Australia has a large number of Italian, Greek and Asian citizens. Hence, you can choose from numerous restaurants and taste different cuisines in Australia.
5. Other Living Expenses
When living in a different country as a student, keeping money aside for emergencies and basic amenities such as the internet, phone, or electricity is essential. You need to consider various living expenses.
An international student should have a budget of around AUD $200 to $400 per week. While creating a budget, take into account the following expenses:
- Communication Expenses: As an international student, you will frequently call your friends and family back home to stay in touch. Considering mobile data expenses and phone bills while abroad is essential.
- An estimated budget for phone calls is around AUD $60 for three months. Local calls may cost you around 30 to 40 cents. You can also look for student discounts and inexpensive calling plans to stay connected with your loved ones. Many providers also include free international minutes in their phone plans.
- Books and Supplies: Buying textbooks for courses like law, medicine and engineering can get a little expensive. You can manage your budget by getting second-hand books, purchasing digital versions or securing a library membership.
- Personal Expenses: Your expenses may include eating out, laundry, clothing, toiletries, etc. These expenses will entirely depend on the lifestyle you choose for yourself.
6. Student Visa Costs
The current Student Visa (Subclass 500) fee is AUD $650. With a student visa, you can study in Australia for up to 5 years at a recognised higher education institution. You must enrol in a higher education course to apply for an Australian student visa.
It also requires you to organise adequate health coverage, which must be valid for your stay. Your institution can provide more information on health insurance and the right health coverage.
Knowing how much it might cost to study in Australia, you can properly manage your finances and plan your budget accordingly.
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