Study in Australia
Brief Background: The Australian government’s National Strategy for International Education 2025 sets out a 10- year plan to grow and sustain Australia as a global leader in education, training, and research.
In 2019 there were 758,154 international students in Australia, with about 64 percent enrolled in Australia’s 39 public and four private universities—or unis, as known in local parlance. Many unis have multiple campuses, often in different states and cities, to improve access and choice for students. Some universities also have formed groups of like-minded institutions. Universities Australia represents 39 comprehensive universities in Australia and maintains a relationship with its counterpart organizations overseas, including the American Council on Education and Universities Canada.
Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s eight leading research intensive universities: University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide, Monash University, and University of New South Wales. With 99 percent of Go8 research considered world class or above, this group of universities leads postgraduate education in Australia.
The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) is made up of four of the country’s most innovative and enterprising universities: the University of Technology Sydney, RMIT University, the University of South Australia, and Curtin University. Members are a new generation of universities focused on industry collaboration and research with real-world impact. ATN universities typically have deep expertise in the application and interpretation of the latest technologies and big data. Their objective is to produce employable graduates with the skills for tomorrow.
Innovative Research Universities (IRU) is a policy network of seven comprehensive universities: Charles Darwin University, James Cook University, Griffith University, La Trobe University, Flinders University, Murdoch University, and Western Sydney University. IRU members seek to lead the way in collaborative teaching, language, research, and policy initiatives. Eighty-nine percent of research at IRU universities is ranked at world standard or above, according to Excellence in Research for Australia 2018.
The Regional Universities Network (RUN) is a group of seven universities with headquarters in regional Australia and playing major roles in their regions. RUN universities are Central Queensland University, Southern Cross University, Federation University Australia, University of New England, Charles Sturt University, University of Southern Queensland, and University of the Sunshine Coast.
RUN universities deliver educational programs to over 110,000 students each year, including over 45,000 students studying externally through distance education. In 2019, the Australian Government created the Destination Australia grants program to attract more international students to study outside of capital cities.
Good to Know: Students can typically earn an undergraduate degree in Australia in three years. However, there are exceptions that may require an additional year or two of study: professional fields (for example, veterinary science), honors programs, double bachelor’s degree programs, or an area of study that requires research.
The term course generally refers to a program of study. Only rarely can students enroll at an Australian university with an undecided program of study, though options are available for students who want to change their course after enrolling. International students who want to change majors are urged to check with immigration officials to ensure they follow the correct procedure.
In Australia, higher education institutions generally set their own admission requirements for domestic and international students. They will take into consideration whether the student has the academic ability to complete the course of study as well as English language proficiency. For a range of professional courses, additional admission requirements may be set, such as an interview with the university or an independent aptitude test, but this will depend on the university students are applying to.
Universities develop their professional courses in collaboration with the relevant professional accreditation body or association in that field (for example, the Australian Medical Council or Engineers Australia) to ensure students will meet Australian accreditation standards once they graduate and will be eligible for entry into their chosen profession. These professional courses tend to include an internship or placement component, and universities will offer various levels of support and services to assist students with completing the requirements. Students should contact the university at which they would like to study, to discuss internship availability.
Australia’s Educational Services for Overseas Student (ESOS) Act is designed to protect and promote the rights of international students on student visas. For example, institutions are required by law to provide access to orientation and support services, and accurate and timely information about fees and study options. Many free services are available to all students on all campuses, including academic guidance, skills and career advice, employment search support, and assistance to students with disabilities.
The Overseas Students Ombudsman is a specialist role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman which investigates complaints about problems that prospective, current or former overseas students have with private education providers in Australia.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent government agency created by the Fair Work Act in 2009. It provides free education and information about people’s basic rights and protections in the workplace, including minimum pay and conditions. It also helps to resolve workplace issues, conduct investigations, and enforce relevant Commonwealth workplace laws.
Academic Calendar: Most universities have two semesters: February/March to June/July, and July/ August to November/December, with breaks in between. Many courses allow students to begin their studies in either semester. International students often start in Australia’s second semester, late July or early August. The student visa system caters to different enrollment terms.
However, many Australian universities are moving toward more flexible arrangements, (e.g., some have three semesters, some four) with the intent of making things more convenient for northern hemisphere international students.
Most Australian unis run orientation week—known as O-week—at the start of each semester.
Search: The Australian government’s Study in Australia website offers general advice and information for prospective international students. All institutions offering courses to international students in Australia must be registered through the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (known as CRICOS). Its website, enables users to search by institution or by course of study. Universities Australia offers additional institutional profiles and key contacts.
State and territory governments also host websites focused on services they provide for international students:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Apply: There is no national application system for international students. However, Tertiary Admission Centres (TACs) process applications for institutions within a particular state. International students should check if the course they are interested in encourages direct application to the institution or application through a TAC.
Students apply to a course of study within a university. Many universities allow students to apply a year ahead of time. Admission is typically offered on a rolling basis, and students are encouraged to submit their application as soon as they can.
Deadlines: Applications are due in late October or late April, depending on whether a student intends to start in the first or second semester.
Application Fee: Varies by university. Can be up to 100 Australian dollars.
Admission Requirements: For a majority of programs, admission is based on completion of a high school diploma, AP exam scores, and scores on either the SAT or ACT exam. Full IB diplomas are also accepted. Some programs require a minimum high school GPA.
If a student is applying through a TAC, eligibility for a selected program is determined by converting a student’s final results (GPA + SAT; IB) into an Australia Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR) equivalent. This ATAR score is the result of the final year of high school for Australian students and is the primary metric used for entry into undergraduate programs. If an international student is applying directly to a university, eligibility will be determined by assessing the final high school results (GPA + SAT; IB) against the cut-off entry requirements published by each university.
Some courses may require additional components in an application, such as a statement of purpose, interview, or portfolio, but this is relatively rare at the bachelor’s level. Essays and recommendation letters are generally not required or considered.
Upon Acceptance: Accepted students receive a letter of offer, which serves as a contract between the student and the institution. It sets out the course the student will be enrolled in, enrollment conditions, fees, and refund policies. The letter of offer is required to obtain a student visa.
Applicants are either offered a conditional place subject to final results (if they apply before final exam scores are released) or an unconditional offer if completed results are provided. Copies of final result statements and certificates must be notarized. Details on this step in the process will be provided to successful candidates.
If a student’s qualifications are not sufficient to gain admission to an Australian university, he or she can enroll in a foundation year lasting six to twelve months. Successful completion of a foundation year results in admission to the university where the program was completed.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees are regulated at the national level and tend not to fluctuate. Annual undergraduate bachelor’s degree charges range from AU$20,000 to AU$45,000 (this range does not include professional courses such as veterinary or medical), depending upon the program of study.
International undergraduates may be eligible for some scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial support offered by the Australian government, individual education institutions, and a number of other public and private organizations. More information on financial aid for international students can be found through Study in Australia’s website.
Housing: Australian university students traditionally live at home or off-campus, but more universities are building accommodations to attract international and local students. Most universities have comfortable and furnished apartment-style living on campus or close by, sometimes with cleaning and meals included. Some universities offer residential colleges that provide dining services; opportunities for social, sporting, and cultural events; and extracurricular academic programs for residents. Individual institutions should be contacted directly in order to ascertain the accommodations available and how the costs compare with securing housing on one’s own.
Minimum cost of living, estimated by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, is AU$21,041 a year. A shared rental can be anywhere between AU$95 and AU$215 per week, and on-campus housing, AU$110 and AU$280 per week. Groceries and dining out range from AU$140 to AU$280 weekly. Students will also need to consider the cost of utilities, public transportation, and a phone plan when they arrive in Australia. More information can be found through Study in Australia’s website.
Visa and Other Permits: Students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in Australia will be eligible for a student visa (subclass 500). Visa information is available on the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs website. In addition to a visa, students will also need to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement stating they intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose of study.
The visa application will require evidence of academic and language skills, evidence that the student has funds to support their study, and evidence of Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC). The cost of OSHC varies and all costs will be in Australian dollars. For more information on health coverage, visit the Australian government’s Department of Health website.
The student visa status allows students to work part-time (up to 40 hours over a two-week period) when school is in session, and unlimited hours outside term time. Following graduation, students are eligible to remain in Australia on their student visa for approximately two months, provided the course of study they completed was longer than 10 months. Students who wish to work in Australia—either temporarily or for a longer term— must apply for a new work stream visa, which is granted for durations of 18 months, two years, three years, or four years, depending on the level and type of degree achieved.
Advice from the Field: Students can apply to Australian universities through education agents, however this is not necessary. Note that under Australian law, an Australian university that works with agents must list all of its contracted agents on the institution’s website. For more information on agents in Australia, visit Study in Australia.
The Australian government has developed a strategy to reach out to the global alumni community, inviting alumni to connect and engage with Australia and the region. The Australia Global Alumni website provides a virtual global network to connect, build and invigorate the international community of scholars who have studied in Australia, and Australians who have studied overseas. The website is also home to the practitioner hub, an exclusive virtual community for practitioners in alumni engagement – such as Australian education institutions, alumni associations, state and federal government agencies, and professional bodies. Each Australian university also has its own alumni programs.
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