Affordable and Cheapest Universities in Australia: Courses, Fees & Duration
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Affordable and Cheapest Universities in Australia: Courses, Fees & Duration

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Sep 29, 2025 14:46 IST

Studying in universities abroad exposes students to a plethora of experiences that can never be achieved back home. Students get a chance to interact with a heterogeneous student body from around the world, live their culture, and above all blend with the country. Students studying abroad are introduced to state of art infrastructure blended with modern amenities to bring about a holistic approach to education. 

Affordable and Cheap Universities in Australia

The cheapest universities in Australia also offer high-quality education to international students. Studying in these universities helps students in pursuing their preferred courses at lower cost of studying. Western Sydney University and the University of Southern Queensland are some top affordable universities in Australia for higher studies.

It is known to all that the cost of studying in Australia for Indian students is more expensive than in India. The cheapest university in Australia for international students is one such area where applicants would be able to make a decision based on their choice of course and university. In this blog, we will help you to know about the cheapest universities in Australia for Indian students.

Table of content
  • List of Cheapest Universities in Australia
  • Fees Wise Cheapest University in Australia
  • Other Cheapest Colleges in Australia for International Students
  • Benefits of Studying at Cheap Universities in Australia
  • Cheapest Universities in Australia FAQs

List of Cheapest Universities in Australia

The living expenses in Australia would directly be proportionate to your location of residence and your life preferences and choices. Candidates should note that paying lower university fees does not necessarily mean you would be compromising the quality of education being directed towards you. Multiple affordable universities in Australia offer high-quality education at low tuition fees.

Given below are some of the popular cheap universities in Australia that have a low fee structure.

Based on the list of affordable universities, let us discuss some key takeaways for studying there. 

Fees Wise Cheapest University in Australia 

Below is a list of universities in Australia offering low tuition fees.

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University of the Sunshine Coast

The first cheapest university in Australia for international students is University of the Sunshine Coast. This university is a public university, which was founded in 1994 for learning and research in Queensland. University of Sunshine Coast has eight schools which offer over 120 programs in various areas of study like business, education, social science, tourism, humanities, law, communication, design, health, creative industries, science, and technology. Check out some of the cheapest courses of study in below.

University of the Sunshine Coast Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
BBA 3 Years INR 13.2 L - 14.9 L
MBA 18 Months INR 14.8 L
BE/BTech 3 - 5 Years INR 13 L - 16 L
MIM 1.5 - 2 Years INR 14.6 L - 15.4 L

University of Southern Queensland







The next most affordable university for international students is the University of Southern Queensland. This university was established in 1967 in the city of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia and offers over 700 degree programs at all levels of study. University of Southern Queensland offers education through its six schools. Some of the popularly opted courses include - business, management, education, law, arts, commerce, humanities, health and nursing, engineering, sciences, communication, and creative arts. 

University of Southern Queensland Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA 18 Months INR 25L
BBA 3 Years INR 12.3L
MEng 2 Years INR 15.4 L - 18.7 L
MIM 1.5 Years INR 13.3 L - 16.7 L
MS 18 - 24 Months INR 13.6 L - 16.7 L
BE/BTech 3 - 4 Years INR 13.5 L - 18.8 L
BSc 3 Years INR 14.7 L - 18.5 L

Charles Sturt University

Established in 1989, Charles Sturt University, also known as CSU, is another cheap Australian university. This public research university has multiple campuses in New South Wales. Students can choose from a range of postgraduate and undergraduate courses, where they will have the opportunity to study in modern classrooms equipped with all the necessary resources and study materials required to succeed. The university also offers distance education programs that permit students to choose courses at bachelor's and postgraduate levels of education. 

Charles Sturt University Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA 18 Months INR 18 L
BBA 3 Years INR 15.8 L - 16.3 L
MS 18 - 24 Months INR 15.76L - INR 17.88L

Federation University Australia

The origin of Federation University Australia (FedUni) can be traced back to 1870, making it the fourth oldest tertiary education institution in the country. The university is renowned for its research and Sports Science research and has campuses present in Ballarat, Brisbane, Berwick, Wimmera, and Gippsland. 

Federation University Australia Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA 24 Months INR 16.3 L
MEng 2 Years INR 15.1 L - 16.5 L
MS 24 Months INR 12.4 L - 16.5 L
BBA 3 Years INR 13.8 L - 14.7 L
BE/BTech 3 - 4 Years INR 13.1 L - 15.7 L
MIM 2 Years INR 13.2 L - 16.5 L

Southern Cross University

Another very affordable university in Australia is Southern Cross University. This university's main campus is located on the east coast of Australia. While other campuses are located in New South Wales, as well as in southeast Queensland, at Lismore and Coffs Harbour. Programs at this university are offered by six schools, two colleges, and two research centres. Also, this university offers affordable courses at various levels. 

Southern Cross University Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MIM 2 Years INR 14.5 L - 16.2 L
MBA 24 Months INR 16.2 L
BHM 3 Years INR 15.5 L
BBA 3 Years INR 17.1 L
BE/BTech 3 - 4 Years INR 15.6 L

Australian Catholic University

Australian Catholic University is a public university that was established in January 1991 in eastern Australia where four tertiary Catholic institutions had come together to form the Australian Catholic University. All the institutes and centres taken together can be categorized under four faculties. They are health sciences, theology and philosophy, education and arts, and law and business. 

Australian Catholic University Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MIM 2 Years INR 13.5 L - 17.2 L
MS 24 Months INR 17.2 L - 18.8 L
BE/BTech 3 Years INR 13.2 L - 15.8 L
MBA 24 Months INR 17.2 L

Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University is an Australian public university situated in Perth, Western Australia. This university offers more than 400 courses through its eight schools which are Business and Law School, Arts and Humanities School, Education School, Engineering School, Medical and Health Sciences School, Nursing and Midwifery School, Science School, and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. 

Edith Cowan University Courses & Fees

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MIM 2 Years INR 16.1 L - 20.5 L
MEng 2 Years INR 20.6 L
MS 18 - 24 Months INR 9.1 L - 18.9 L
MBA 24 Months INR 17.6 L - 17.9 L
BE/BTech 3 - 4 Years INR 16.7 L - 21 L

Central Queensland University (CQU)

Established in 1967 in Rockhampton as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) Capricornia, Central Queensland University got its current name only in 1992. The university provides research, postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, and short-term, and certificate programs. Study subjects offered at the university include education and humanities, accounting and law, community services, apprenticeships, trades and training, psychology, health, performing and visual arts, social work, IT and digital media, science, and environment. 

Central Queensland University (CQU) Courses & Fees 

Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees
MEng 2 Years INR 19.3 L
MBA 24 Months INR 17.5 L - 17.7 L
MIM 2 Years INR 17.2 L - 17.7 L
BHM 2 Years INR 16.9 L
MS 24 Months INR 17.2 L - 18.1 L
BBA 3 Years INR 16.9 L - 17.6 L
BE/BTech 3 Years INR 17.7 L - 20.8 L

The tuition fee data has been sourced from Shiksha Study Abroad. The numbers could vary, subject to the current economy and revaluation from the respective Universities. 

Other Cheapest Colleges in Australia for International Students

You have checked the list of affordable universities in Australia above. The universities mentioned above are some of the famous universities in Australia that charge low (cheap) tuition fees. Now, check some cheapest colleges in Australia for International students:

Benefits of Studying at Cheap Universities in Australia

There are various benefits of studying at cheap universities in Australia as international students, and some of them are as follows:

  • Higher education in Australia is expensive. But, with low-cost programs and universities, the overall financial burden reduces.

  • Affordable university education doesn't mean compromising on education's quality, because they are CRICOS-registered.

  • Even with lower tuition costs, students have the choice to pursue their preferred courses and specialisations in line with their interests and career goals.

  • International students on a Subclass 500 visa are permitted to work part-time while studying, even if they are enrolled in a cheap Australian university. This further cuts down living expenses.
  • Also, students after graduation can avail post-study work permit in Australia. This will help them in gaining some full-time work experience.

Candidates should understand that studying abroad is an investment that is worth making since the returns are high in the long run. Candidates confused about studying abroad are welcome to write their queries in the comments below. Also, prospective applicants can apply for free counselling to study in Australia by signing up at Shiksha Abroad Counselling.

Cheapest Universities in Australia FAQs

Q. What are the affordable top universities in Australia?

A. These are the top universities in Australia for international students at low tuition.

  • University of the Sunshine Coast – INR 1,400,000 L – 1,600,000
  • University of Southern Queensland - INR 1,000,000 - INR 1,500,000
  • University of Western Sydney- INR 1,250,000 - INR 1,750,000
  • University of Wollongong- INR 1,300,000 - INR 2,000,000

The fee mentioned here is for UG courses only.

Q. What are the best universities in Australia for an MBA?

A. Below, we have mentioned the list of the best management universities in Australia to pursue MBA courses. These universities are top-ranked in the list of different ranking agencies.

Name of Universities

QS Ranking

1.     Melbourne Business School

#1

2.     UNSW (AGSM)

#2

3.     University of Sydney

#3

4.    The University of Queensland

#4

Q. Is Australia affordable to study?

A. Yes, Australia is more or less affordable for study, but with the global inflation rates, the costs of studying in Australia also go up. Living costs have also gone up from AUD 21,041 to AUD 29,710 in Australia. But what remains unchanged is the a wide range of scholarships and their availability for international students. This is the only positive aspect which makes studying in Australia affordable. 

Q:   What is the cost of an MBA at the University of Western Australia?
A:

The University of Western Australia MBA fees vary from INR 19 L to INR 31 L for first-year. The table below includes the list of popular MBA specializations at the university with first-year fees:

MBA SpecializationsFirst-Year Fees
Master of Public PolicyINR 20.74 L
Master of Business AnalyticsINR 24.83 L
Master of EconomicsINR 21.55 L
MBA FlexibleINR 30.95 L
Q:   Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?
A:

Melbourne Institute of Technology is one of the finest institutions of higher education in Australia. Every year, thousands of students from across Australia and around the world apply to various courses at MIT Australia. Melbourne Institute of Technlogy courses include tactical industry projects and internships. With the flexible teaching styles and smaller classes, MIT makes sure that you get what you need to succeed. MIT Australia provides a dynamic learning environment that prepares you for real workplace challenges. 

Q:   What is the TOEFL requirement for Australia?
A:

Australian universities generally requires TOEFL score of 79–100.

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About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i Read Full Bio
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All courses in ANZ
Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp Read Full Bio
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