The Real Cost of Studying in Australia: Tuition, Living and Planning

Two main cost groups

The cost of studying in Australia falls into two groups: tuition fees (paid to your institution) and living costs (everything else). The two need to be planned together, not separately.

Tuition — a realistic frame

Tuition in Australia varies a great deal depending on:

Type of institution: Go8 universities are usually higher than regional universities; TAFE is lower than university
Field of study: Health, engineering and business are often higher than humanities and social sciences
Level: A Master degree is usually higher per year than a Bachelor

University (Bachelor/Master): Tuition for international students ranges from lower to higher depending on the institution and field. Go8 universities and fields such as health and engineering tend to sit at the higher end. Check the institution’s website directly for the specific tuition of the course you are interested in.

TAFE: Tuition is considerably lower than university for the same study duration. A good fit if your goal is a Diploma or Certificate for a vocational pathway.

English language schools (EAP/IELTS prep): Many students need to study English before entering their main program — an added cost that is often not accounted for carefully in the initial plan.

Living costs

The Department of Home Affairs publishes a minimum living-cost figure that you must demonstrate when applying for the subclass 500 visa. This is a minimum for visa purposes — your actual costs depend on your lifestyle and the city you choose.

Living costs vary widely by city:

Sydney and Melbourne have the highest rents
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are lower
Smaller cities and regional areas are lowest

Main expense categories:

Rent: The largest item. University accommodation is often more expensive than sharing a rented place. Many students share to reduce costs.
Food: Cooking at home saves considerably compared with eating out regularly. Asian grocers are available in most major cities.
Transport: Public buses, trains and trams offer student concession fares in many states.
OSHC (health insurance): Mandatory for the full duration of your study.
Books and study materials: Vary by field — health and engineering are often higher.

Income from part-time work

The subclass 500 visa allows part-time work — a genuine source of income that helps ease the financial burden. However, do not base your financial plan entirely on part-time work — the visa conditions require you to demonstrate independent finances from the start.

Working part-time in a role related to your field both earns income and builds experience for your points later — an important double benefit.

Financial planning — start from the beginning

Step 1 — Calculate the total cost for your whole period of study: Tuition x number of years + living costs x number of years + OSHC + pre-departure costs (visa, airfare, initial setup)

Step 2 — Identify your funding sources: Your own savings, family support, scholarships (if any). Note: government scholarships for international students in Australia are limited — many people do not receive a full scholarship.

Step 3 — Prepare documents for the visa: The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence of enough funds for your first year of study. The specific amount is updated on the Department’s website — check the official source for the current figure and the types of document you need to prepare.

Step 4 — Plan a contingency: If your studies run longer than expected (retaking a subject, extending your visa), costs increase. A financial plan should include a safety buffer of at least 10-20%.

Scholarships — where to look

There are not many full scholarships for international students in Australia, but there are several other forms of financial support:

Australia Awards: Australian Government scholarships (highly competitive, for developing countries)
Institutional scholarships: Many universities offer merit scholarships for outstanding international students — check the institution’s website directly
Field-based scholarships: Some shortage occupations attract financial support from professional bodies or state governments

Do not depend on a scholarship in your initial plan — budget for the full cost, then treat a scholarship as a bonus if you get one.