Study in Australia

Education system in Australia

There are two main types of tertiary education in Australia: vocational education and training (which includes Technical and Further Education institutions (TFEs)) and higher education (which includes universities and leads to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees).

In Australia it is quite common for students to enrol in a double or combined bachelor degree programme, which leads to the award of two bachelor degrees. This is most common in the fields of arts, commerce, law and science.

Australia has 43 universities, 40 of them being Australian, two international universities and one private university, offering international students a wide variety when it comes to choosing where they want to study.

Australian institutions rank among the world’s best by discipline, particularly in engineering and technology, medicine, environmental science, and accounting and finance. Australia’s number one university, Australian National University (ANU) also ranks 31st in the QS World University Rankings 2021.

Postgraduate studies in Australia

Australian universities offer a range of postgraduate study options. They can be a great way to fast-track your career or take your studies in a new direction. Once you complete your course program, you may have the opportunity to work in Australia.

Pre-master’s

After completing your undergraduate degree, you can follow it up with a postgraduate certificate or diploma. Certificates are short courses that take six months to complete and give you a chance to focus on a specific area covered in your undergraduate programme or to gain skills in a new area.

A postgraduate diploma is a more intense course and takes 12 months to complete and admission can be based on significant work experience.

Master’s 

A master’s is a degree in a specialised course of independent research, traditional coursework, or a combination of the two. Traditional academic programmes taught entirely by coursework are generally 18 months long. Courses that include foundational training or require vocational placements may be longer. A master’s degree from an Australian university can help make you a leader in your field.

Most master’s programme degrees take between one and two years to complete. Some two-year master’s courses have work placement in the second year, so you can graduate with work experience.

PhD

A PhD is the highest award offered at Australian universities. A doctorate differs from a master’s in that you will be conducting original research which makes a major contribution to your field of study. It usually takes up to four years to complete.

Cost of studying in Australia

Tuition and accommodation fees will depend on your location, educational institution and course of choice.

The average fee for a bachelor’s degree in Australia is between AUD 20,000 and AUD 45,000 per year. While a master’s or PhD degree will set you back between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 per year. Vocational education and training costs from around AUD 4,000 to AUD 22,000 per year.

Accommodation costs in Australia start at around AUD 165 per week to rent a room.

Getting an Australian student visa

To apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500) you will need to provide evidence that you are enrolled in a course of study at an Australian university, meet the English language requirement and prove that you have enough money to support yourself while staying in Australia.

Our study abroad advisers are here to help you with every step our your journey to studying in Australia and this includes assistance with applying for your student visa.

Post-study opportunities in Australia

If you truly enjoy your time studying in Australia, you may be tempted to stay on longer. Australia offers a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) that allows some international students to stay in Australia and continue to work after they have graduated. Australia relies heavily on skilled graduates to fill employment shortages in the country and so well-paying jobs are common.