Study in Australia: Top Universities, Courses & Other Details

Why Study in Australia?

Australia’s education system is one of the main reasons why millions of students from around the world come here for their higher education. And every year, the number of international students Australia keeps on increasing, making it a top study abroad destination. What makes its education truly the best is its robust quality assurance frameworks, which ensure that all the universities and colleges maintain high academic standards and deliver relevant and up-to-date courses

 But that’s not all, to study in Australia means you also get high-quality education, a diverse culture, and strong post-graduation career opportunities that can land you a high-paying job as well as provide a pathway to permanent residency.

Australian Education System

It does not matter if you are going for an undergraduate degree, a PhD, or a masters in Australia, you will get high-quality education at every level while studying in Australia. This is because Australia’s education is highly regulated and standardised for both national and international students by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

AQF Level	Qualification
Level 1–4	Certificates I–IV (Vocational)
Level 5	Diploma (Vocational or Higher Education)
Level 6	Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma (Higher Education)
Level 7	Bachelor's Degree
Level 8	Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Level 9	Master's Degree (Coursework, Research, or Extended)
Level 10	Doctoral Degree (PhD)

 

The education system also emphasises providing student-centred learning, the development of critical thinking skills, and strong graduate outcomes. Because of this, it has a robust and high-quality assurance framework and ranks consistently high in the international ranking.

Top Courses & Universities in Australia

There are some of the best courses and universities available to study in Australia for international students. Most of which are highly ranked and provide high salaries after graduation. Read below and find courses and universities that provide strong research, industry connections, and excellent graduate employability in Australia:

Best Courses to Study in Australia

These study courses in Australia have a strong emphasis on student-centred learning that can help you develop critical thinking skills and provide strong graduate outcomes. If you are not sure which course will be perfect for you, you can use our course finder tool to find one that aligns with your career goals. Below is a list of all the top courses you can study in Australia:

Course Area	Average Duration	Approximate Annual Tuition Fees (AUD)
Engineering & Technology	3-4 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	30,000 – 45,000
Business & Management	3 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	28,000 – 40,000
Health & Medicine	3-6 years (UG/PG)	35,000 – 55,000
Information Technology	3-4 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	30,000 – 45,000
Arts & Humanities	3 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	25,000 – 35,000
Science & Environment	3 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	28,000 – 40,000
Education	4 years (UG) / 1-2 years (PG)	30,000 – 40,000
Hospitality & Tourism	2-3 years (UG/PG)	25,000 – 35,000

 

Top-Ranked Australian Universities

Here is a list of all the top-ranking universities in Australia, along with their updated ranking as per QS and THE World University Rankings 2025. You can also use our college finder tool and discover an institute that best suits your background.

University	QS World Ranking 2025	THE World Ranking 2025
University of Melbourne	13	39
University of Sydney	18	61
University of New South Wales (UNSW)	19	83
Australian National University (ANU)	30	73
Monash University	37	58
University of Queensland (UQ)	40	77
University of Western Australia (UWA)	77	149
University of Adelaide	82	128
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	88	154
RMIT University	123	251–300

 

How to Choose the Right University?

To choose the right university when planning to study in Australia, there are multiple factors that you need to take into account. While the ranking of a university can help you a great deal, there are other factors that you need to look at, like:

1. Your Academic and Career Goals: Start by understanding what your career goals are and what subjects genuinely excite you. Then, research the subject and compare all the universities in Australia along with their course content, faculty expertise, and research opportunities.

2. Finance: Not just the tuition fees, but studying and living in Australia in general is pretty expensive for international students. So make sure that you compare all the institutions based on their tuition fees and the average cost of living in the city.

3. Scholarships and Financial Aid: Also, research about the scholarships and financial aid available at the university. This can help you manage the cost of education easily and study courses in Australia that you want.

4. Graduate Outcomes: Another great way to choose the right university is by researching what the graduates from your chosen program go on to do. Try to look at the employment rates, average salaries, and success stories of the alumni.

5. International Support: Lastly, check if the university provides international support. Since moving to a new country is a big step, Australia international students need to get help like orientation programs, visa assistance, and language support.

Admission Process & Requirements

The admission process and requirements to study in Australia for international students are pretty simple. However, make sure that you start the application process early and meet all the requirements so that you don’t face any issues later on.

1. Choose a Course and College

Start by researching and finding a college that provides the course you wish to pursue. You can then check for the course’s accreditation and global rankings along with location, tuition fees, campus facilities, and other support services.

2. Check Admission Requirements

Most courses and universities have specific requirements and eligibility criteria for Australia international students. This mainly includes two things that can vary from college to college:

• Academic qualifications:Completion of previous education with a certain grade or marks.
• English language proficiency: Tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic as proof of English skills.

3. Prepare Documents

During the application process, you will be required to submit important documents like:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• English proficiency test results
• Passport copy
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume (if applicable)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or personal statement
• Letters of recommendation (if required)

4. Apply for Admission

Australia does not have a centralised application system, unlike other countries, so you have to apply for each university separately and directly on their portal.

• Fill out the application form accurately.
• Attach all required documents.
• Pay the application fee, if applicable.
• Apply before the deadline.

5. Receiving the Offer Letter

Once your application gets selected, you will receive a confirmation email along with an offer letter and conditions for enrollment. After you meet all the requirements, you will have to pay an initial tuition fee, after which you will receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) from the university.

Cost of Studying in Australia

As an International student, you can easily expect to pay around AUD 20,000 and AUD 50,000 per year for studying and living in Australia. However, the exact amount depends on multiple factors like your course, accommodation choices, and lifestyle. Below is a breakdown of all these costs:

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees are the most variable cost of studying in Australia, as it is set by different universities and are based on your level of study. Below is an approximation. Figure out how much you can expect to pay:

• Undergraduate Degrees: This typically ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year.
• Master’s Degrees: The general cost of a masters in Australia is between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 annually.
• Doctoral Programs: PhD programs can easily cost you somewhere between AUD 18,000 and AUD 42,000 per year.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET): These courses can range from AUD 4,000 to AUD 22,000 per year.

City-wise Breakdown

The cost of living in Australia also depends on the city you are planning to study in. While some cities like Melbourne and Sydney can be really expensive to study in Australia for international students, other cities like Canberra and Adelaide, on the other hand, can be affordable.

City	Average Monthly Cost (AUD)
Sydney	AUD 2,500 – AUD 4,000
Melbourne	AUD 1,800 – AUD 2,500
Brisbane	AUD 1,400 – AUD 3,000
Adelaide	AUD 1,200 – AUD 1,800
Perth	AUD 1,400 – AUD 2,000
Canberra	AUD 1,400 – AUD 3,900

 

Budgeting Tips for Students

Since it can get a little expensive to study in Australia because of the high cost of living, you need to understand how to manage your finances. Here are some tips:

1. Look for scholarships as many of them not just cover your tuition fees, but even help with living costs and airfare.
2. Go for shared rentals where you can split the rent in half, or go for university-managed housing, which is comparatively cheaper.
3. Always carry your student ID and take advantage of student perks on transportation, food, entertainment, and even software.
4. Look for local produce goods and try to avoid high-priced tourist areas for daily shopping.
5. And lastly, keep a track of your spending and check your budget to adjust when needed.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

When studying in Australia, you can also access numerous scholarships and financial aid options that you can easily find with the help of our Scholarship Finder. And depending on your merit and need, you can either get fully funded or partially funded help, which can sometimes even cover your other living expenses as well:

Government and Private Scholarships for International Students

1. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS): This is a prestigious and fully funded scholarship that is given to students from developing countries, mainly in the Indo-Pacific region. This will cover your complete tuition fees, living expenses, and travel for both UG and PG studies.

2. Australian Government Research Training Program: RTP is a highly competitive scholarship that is given to both national and international students who are pursuing research-based master's or PhD degrees. This covers tuition fees, provides a living stipend (AUD $38,500/year for 2025), and OSHC for international students.

3. Destination Australia Scholarships: A AUD $15,000 scholarship is given by the government to encourage students to study in a regional Australian institution and study outside major cities.

4. Rotary Peace Fellowships: This is a fully funded scholarship for students planning to study a masters in Australia in Peace and Conflict Resolution at a participating university.

5. Fulbright Program: A scholarship for exceptional students and professionals looking for academic and research opportunities in Australia.

University-funded Aid

1. Melbourne Research Scholarship: MRS is given to outstanding international PG students who are pursuing a research master's or doctoral degree at the university. This covers full tuition fees and provides a living stipend of AUD $35,000/year.

2. Monash International Scholarships for Excellence: A merit-based scholarship that both UG and PG international students can get.

3. Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: This scholarship provides a tuition fee reduction of 100% or 50% to academically outstanding international students Australiain both UG and PG.

4. Global Excellence Scholarship: The University of Western Australia provides this scholarship to high-achieving UG and PG students from selected countries. As a UG student, you can get up to AUD $48,000 over four years, whereas PG students can get up to AUD $24,000 over two years.

5. University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS): This is a highly competitive scholarship that is given to high-achieving Australia international studentsfrom Australia planning to pursue a research master's or doctoral degree.

Education Loans for Studying in Australia

1. Prodigy Finance: This is a private financial company that offers Australian international students loanswithout needing collateral or a local co-signer. Your eligibility is evaluated based on your future career prospects after graduation.

2. MPOWER Financing: Another private loan that is given to international students without requiring collateral or a co-signer. It is a great option for those who might not have a strong financial background but demonstrate strong academic potential.

3. University-specific Loans: Many Australian universities provide both short-term and long-term loans to international students. However, you might need to have an Australian co-signer for a larger amount.

Student Visa & Immigration

To study in Australia, you need to get a student visa (Subclass 500) from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. This visa will allow you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course, work part-time during semesters, and access various student support services.

Visa Application Process

1. Enrol in a Course: Once you get accepted by an accredited university in Australia, you will need to get a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from them.

2. Collect Required Documents: During your application process, you will need to submit important documents like CoE, proof of financial capacity, English proficiency test scores, health examination reports, and a valid passport.

3. Online Application: Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website and fill out the online application form for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) and upload all your supporting documents.

4. Visa Fee: Payment of the application fee to get a transaction reference number.

5. Processing Time: The Visa processing can take from a few weeks to a couple of months, so make sure that you apply well in advance.

Immigration Requirement

Also note that to maintain your student visa, you need to follow these immigration requirements:

• Stay enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Inform your education provider of your address and contact details within 7 days of arrival.
• Comply with work restrictions.
• Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your stay.

Living in Australia as a Student

When living and studying in Australia, you can not only get access to world-class education, but also a high quality of life, cultural diversity, and a welcoming environment. Below is some important information that you, as an international student, might need to know that can help you navigate your life in Australia.

Best Student Cities

There are some of the top student cities to study in Australia for Indian students after 12th, as well as international students. Most of them are highly ranked by QS Best Student Cities, and each of them caters to the different needs of students and offers unique experiences:

City	QS Global Student City Rank (2025)	Top Universities in the City
Melbourne	5th	University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University
Sydney	6th	University of Sydney, UNSW
Brisbane	26th	University of Queensland, QUT, Griffith University
Adelaide	31st	University of Adelaide, UniSA, Flinders University
Perth	37th	University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University
Canberra	52nd	Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra

 

Part-Time Work Rules & Job Opportunities

As an international student, you can do a part-time job to support your education while living in Australia. To improve your employability in certain sectors, you can also get relevant certifications like RSA. Here are some Part-time work rules for student visa holders:

• Most students on a student visa are only allowed to work 48 hours per fortnight during their course’s term.
• During holidays, students can work for an unrestricted amount of time.
• Students are also not allowed to work until their course has started, even if they arrive early in Australia.
• Students also need to apply for a tax file number (TFN) to legally work in Australia.

There are also job sectors like hospitality, retail, and customer service that frequently hire students, especially in top student cities. These offer flexible work hours and are perfect for students’ schedules.

Healthcare & Student Insurance

To study in Australia for Indian students and other international students who study in Australia need to have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for their entire stay. Details of which are listed below:

• As a single student, OSHC can easily cost you around AUD 500 – 600 per year.
• OSHC covers your doctor visit, hospital treatment, Prescription medicines, and other general health services.
• You can easily get OSHC either through your university or Australia’s OSHC providers.
• Some of the main government-approved OSHC providers include Bupa, Medibank, and nib.

Note: Since OSHC has limitations, many international students Australia choose to purchase additional private health insurance for extensive coverage.

Things to Do on a Budget

Being an international student in an expensive place like Australia does not mean that you have to miss out on things. There are countless things that you can do on a budget, including:

• Exploring the beautiful and world-famous landscapes of Australia, like beaches, Botanic gardens, and national parks.
• You can also explore major galleries and museums like the Art Gallery of NSW, Centennial Park, Rocks Discovery Museum, National Gallery of Victoria and ACMI.
• Use your student ID to enjoy discounts at cinemas, public transport, museums, and retail shops.
• Shop at opportunity shops like The Salvation Army or Lifeline for affordable second-hand clothing, furniture, and other goods.

Travel & Exploration in Australia

While studying Australia, you can travel and explore both popular and unpopular places with a lot of budget-friendly options. With smart planning, savvy spending, and a willingness to embrace the outdoor and local vibe, you can easily make your travel and exploration in Australia both affordable and unforgettable.

1. Planning and Booking: You can try to book ahead and travel in off-peak seasons to save costs.

2. Transport: For affordable travelling, you can choose Greyhound Australia for bus, and Jetstar and Tiger Airways for budget-friendly airlines.

3. Nature & Culture: Try to explore stunning natural wonders like the red sands of the Outback, Karijini or Kings Canyon that come with no or minimal cost.

4. Student Deals: Take full advantage of student discounts on discount platforms like Student Edge and StudentUniverse for added perks.

Career Opportunities After Study

Once you are done with your studies in Australia, you can also apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). This visa will give you a chance to stay, work, and gain experience in Australia after you are done with your studies. Depending on your qualification, you can easily get a two-year visa for working in your field of study, and this can even work as a pathway to more advanced roles and potentially permanent residency.

However, you need to apply for this before your student visa expires and within 180 days of receiving your degree or diploma. Moreover, you can easily apply for this online via the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount.

Conclusion

To conclude, Australia for International Students is the perfect study abroad destination and offers world-class universities, strong post-study work options, and much more! When you study in Australia, you not only gain a globally recognised degree, but also experience a vibrant multicultural environment. It does not matter at what step you are on your study abroad Australia journey, Gradding can help you every step of the way! Connect with our study abroad consultants and simplify your journey!