Cost of Studying in Australia
With its vibrant culture and top universities, it’s easy to see why students choose to study abroad in Australia. “Can I afford to study there?” is often the next question on the mind of students and parents after choosing a study destination.
We’ve put together a guide on the cost of studying in Australia, covering cost of living and the tuition fees.
TUITION FEES
Tuition fees at Australian universities are generally calculated per unit, not per year. Each unit falls into a fee band, and as most students will be studying a combination of units from different bands, fees will be different for everybody. Even though so, some universities in Australia publish official fees estimates such as Australian National University (ANU).
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According to Study Australia, the official government site for international students, gives the typical annual tuition fees for international students as:
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Undergraduate bachelor degree - AU$20,000 to AU$45,000
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Postgraduate masters degree - AU$22,000 to AU$50,000
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Doctoral degree - AU$20,000 to AU$42,000
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These figures do not include high-value courses such as veterinary or medical degrees, which can cost significantly more.
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Another cost to consider is the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which is a charge for services and amenities of a non-academic nature, up to a maximum of AU$315 (~US$215) in 2022. Not all universities in Australia charge this, but make sure you check beforehand so it’s not an unexpected expense.
Note: SSAF may be spent by higher education providers on items such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, childcare, financial advice and food services.
LIVING EXPENSES
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The official Study Australia guidelines recommend budgeting between AU$90 and AU$440 per week for accommodation, depending on whether you stay in shared accommodation on campus (the cheapest), or in private rented accommodation (the most expensive).
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Other weekly expenses include:
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Groceries and dining out - $140 to $280 per week
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Gas, electricity - $10 to $20
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Phone and Internet - $15 to $30
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Public transport - $30 to $60
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Car (after purchase) - $150 to $260
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Entertainment - $80 to $150
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To simplify, this works out to a minimum of around AU$425 per week.
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Note: The costs listed by the university will usually be for an academic year (about 40 weeks), rather than a calendar year, so you will need to budget extra if you want to stay longer.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
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Accommodation costs vary, depending on the type and region: the more rural regions, in the western and northern Australian states, will be much cheaper, whereas major cities like Sydney and Melbourne will cost more, particularly in the downtown area.
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On-campus accommodation - $440 to $1,100 per month
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Homestay - $1,000 to $1500 per month
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Off-campus accommodation - $720 to $2,000 per month
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OTHER EXPENSES
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In order to obtain a visa for studying in Australia, applicants will need to show proof of funds amounting to $21,041 for living expenses.
The fee for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) currently stands at AU$650. As a visa requirement, you will need to organise Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself which needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. OSHC will cost the average student AU$2,101.56 for 3 years of study duration. However, this will vary across providers and based on the cover that students take out.