Study in Australia - Colleges, Eligibility & Scholarships

Ranked among the favourite study-abroad destinations,  Australia is among the top five countries where international students seek admission. In the year 2022, Australia recorded a footfall of 5,27,529 international students and out of these, around 1,00,009 were Indian students. It is predicted that in 2023 and the upcoming two years, Australia will witness a 5% increase in its international student population.

More and more international students are studying in Australia because of the high number of job openings in sectors of Business, Healthcare, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Plus Australia offers good remuneration as well to its workforce. The labour laws in Australia are stringent hence, the place is viable for Indian students to work there after studying. 

Why Study in Australia?

There are numerous other reasons why international students should study in Australia. One of the major attractive factors is Australia’s cost-effective education since over 100,000+ scholarships are available to support education. Other than this there are the following other reasons:

• The qualifications offered in Australia are globally recognised and accepted.

• Most of the courses offered in Australia encourage students to gain experience while studying, hence, giving students professional experience.

• All 38 Australian universities offer internship and full-time job opportunities through their designated job portals.

• In Australia, an international student is allowed to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight part-time and during holidays, full-time work is also allowed.

• Over 64,000+ jobs are added to attract new workforce every six to seven months in Australia. Thus, there is ample job opportunity for international students.

Study in Australia Highlights

Education System in Australia

The education system in Australia is typically divided into three parts - primary, secondary and tertiary education. Higher education comes under tertiary education like VET courses, English courses, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses. In fact, foundations or commonly known as pathway programs are also a part of tertiary education in Australia. Education in Australia is regulated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) for all major levels of study starting from Level 1 to Level 10 in tertiary education.  

Top Universities in Australia 2023-24

As per 2023 rankings, the following 10 top Australian universities that rank globally as per QS and THE World Rankings are given in the table below:

Top Courses in Australia

Australian universities are ranked for various courses across 51 disciplines of Engineering, Business, Arts & Humanities, Medicine and Sciences. The top-ranking courses in Australia for international students are:

• Nursing

• Computer Science

• Business Analytics

• Cybersecurity

• MBA

• Automotive Engineering

• Architecture 

• Aerospace Engineering

• Accountancy

• Social Work

• Law

• Psychology

Some of the courses for which Australian universities have been ranked as per QS Subject Rankings in 2023. The top-ranking Australian universities subject-wise are as follows:

• Curtin University ranks #2 for Mining & Mineral Engineering.

• Australian National University ranks at #6 for its Anthropology course.

• The University of Adelaide ranks #10 for its Petroleum Engineering course. 

• The University of Melbourne ranks #12 for its Law courses. 

• The University of Sydney ranks #12 for its Nursing course.

• UNSW ranks #13 for its Civil & Structural Engineering course. 

• RMIT University ranks at #15 for its Arts and Design courses. 

Cost of Studying in Australia

Studying costs in Australia usually vary with the kind of courses an international student pursues. The cost of studying in Australia varies between AUD 300 a week to AUD 50,000 annually. Following is an approximate cost of studying based on the level of courses pursued in Australia for prospective international and Indian students:

*VET courses are offered across TAFE institutes in Australia. These institutes are different from Australian universities. 

**English courses in Australia are referred to as ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).

Thus, students must not confuse the cost of studying with the cost of living in Australia. Some universities may or may not include the living costs in studying costs in Australia. 

Cost of Living in Australia

Apart from studying costs, international students have also to take care of their living costs in Australia. These costs vary based on the area of residence, on-campus accommodation and food costs. The cost of accommodation in Australia varies, the following are the estimated costs per month based on the choice of accommodation:

• Cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the City: AUD 1,990

• Cost of the one-bedroom apartment outside the City: AUD 1,575

• Cost of a three-bedroom apartment in the City: AUD 3,410

• Cost of a three-bedroom apartment outside of the City: AUD 2,410

Following is a list of daily essentials that are required to sustain in Australia and their costs:

Overall, the cost of living in Australia for international students is between AUD 1,500 on a monthly basis. Annually, the cost of living in Australia for international students is approximately AUD 15,000 - AUD 18,000 on average. 

Australia Student Visa

International students who qualify for admission at Australian universities and receive their CoE or confirmation of enrollment have to apply for a student visa. Applications for student visas for studying in Australia are accepted online. International students are required to apply for a subclass 500 visa in Australia if applying for an undergraduate course and a subclass 485 visa if pursuing a graduate course in Australia. 

Subclass 500 Visa:

The cost of a subclass 500 visa in Australia is AUD 710 (INR 39,180 approx.). With this visa, students can stay for up to five years in Australia depending upon their course enrolment. 

Subclass 485 Visa:

The cost of subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa in Australia is AUD 680 (INR 36,680 approx.). Applicants with this visa can stay between two to four years. 

In both cases, applicants are eligible to request a visa extension in Australia if the need may arise. 

Student Visa Requirements for Australia

In order to apply for a student visa in Australia, international students should have a couple of documents ready for submission. There are certain documents required for a student visa application in Australia:

• Offer Letter

• Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)

• Proof of English Proficiency

• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

• Proof of Sufficient Funds

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• Health Requirement

• Character Certificate 

Australia PR

Students holding a student visa while studying in Australia can apply for a PR. after completing their studies, irrespective of the fact whether the students have a job in hand or not, they are still eligible to apply for a PR in Australia. Applications for obtaining permanent residency in Australia are accepted online and PR is offered to applicants based on their duration of stay in Australia and other deciding factors. 

With the increasing unemployment gap more and more students are being encouraged to work for longer hours part-time and stay back time in Australia has also increased. There are certain courses commonly referred to as PR courses in Australia that may prove beneficial in getting a PR in Australia. However, there is no hard and fast rule that a limited set of courses can be targeted to get PR in Australia.

Admission Requirements to Study in Australian Universities

The admission requirements for international students aiming to apply to Australian universities vary based on their level of course. Commonly both sets of students will have to submit the following documents: 

• Transcripts

• Statement of purpose (SOP). 

• Letters of recommendation (LOR) - two or three

• Essays

• Resume

• Standardized test scores

• English language proficiency test scores like TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo

Undergraduate Admission Requirements:

If the applicant chooses to apply for undergraduate courses then he/she will have to submit SAT or MCAT / NEET UG scores along with either score and other requisites. They must fulfil the basic admission requirements equivalent to ATAR scores or class 12th scores, depending upon the course of choice. 

Postgraduate Admission Requirements:

Whereas, for admission to master’s courses in Australia, international students will be required to submit GRE / GMAT scores or LSAT in case of Law courses. Besides these, applicants might have to appear for an interview and may have to submit additional documents or portfolios.

Read more: SOP Sample for Australia 

Australia Intakes

Universities in Australia enrol students in two intakes, one is in February and the other is in July. the February intake of Australia admits students maximum by March and its admission process ends by October end or the start of November of the previous year. Whereas the July intake of Australia admits students max to max by June end. 

The applications close for the July intake of Australia by the April end or start of May. 

Top Cities Preferred by Students in Australia

The best city in Australia for Indian students is Melbourne, Sydney is equally at par with Melbourne. In terms of QS - Best Study City Rankings 2023, Melbourne tops the list, while the capital city Canberra ranks at #35. Following is a list of the top best cities in Australia for study for international students: 

The criteria to assess the best city in Australia for international students rely on employment opportunities after study, inexpensive cost of living and opportunities to expand their career plus grow financially too.  

Scholarships to Study in Australia

There are over 120,000+ scholarships available for international students to study in Australia. Scholarships in Australia for international students are either offered by the education providers or are externally offered scholarships. Following is a list of university scholarships and externally funded scholarships offered to international students in Australia:

All scholarships offered to international students applying for admission in Australia are either merit-based or need-based. The above-given scholarships are limited, more scholarships to study in Australia for international students can also be found. 

Education Loan to Study in Australia

Apart from scholarships, there is also an option to apply for an education loan to study in Australia. International students can apply for loans through private or public banks to show that they are financially backed while they study in Australia. Since financial proof is a significant aspect of the Australian student visa application, it's important for international students to keep their options open if they are not offered any scholarships for studying in Australia. 

Various private and public banks offer students with low-interest student loans to study abroad. For more details check out public v/s private education loan providers and the documents required and other details on eligibility criteria for education loans.

Part-Time Work Options for International Students in Australia 

International students studying in Australia are permitted to work part-time for 20 hours a week or 40 hours a fortnight. The 40-hour rule was brought in to bridge the unemployment gap in Australia after the pandemic restrictions were lifted and borders were opened. The average hourly pay for part-timers in Australia is between AUD 25 to AUD 33 an hour. Some of the popular part-time jobs in Australia are:

• Tuition teachers

• Retail salespersons

• Administrative or hospitality staff in hotels or restaurants

• Clerical jobs

Post-Study Work Permit in Australia

International students who graduate from Australian universities can apply for the Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa. This visa lets students live and work in Australia temporarily, the duration of stay varies between two to our years. There are certain rules or eligibility criteria that apply for getting this PSW visa in Australia, they are as follows:

• Students must be below the age of 50.

• Applicants should have applied for and been granted their first student visa on or after 5 November 2011.

• Should also have held the student visa in the past six months of applying for the visa.

The Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa in Australia costs AUD 1,730 and the students are allowed to bring along their family members as well, a separate application for which would be required.  

Job Prospects in Australia

After graduation, students who pursue an undergrad course from an Australian university and wish to work will have to first apply for a Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa. This visa would in turn permit international or Indian students in Australia to look for a job or pursue a post-graduate stay in Australia. There are a couple of jobs in demand in Australia, they are:

• Teachers - early and secondary education

• Architects and designers

• Civil engineers or construction experts

• Miners 

• Healthcare professionals

• Financial experts

• Nurses

Some of the reputed and well-known employers who have employed graduates in Australia in the past include:

Popular Job Sectors in Australia

Recent job openings in Australia, in around five to six industries of Australia at large, make them popular job sectors in Australia. These popular job sectors in Australia for international students are as follows:

• Construction

• Education

• Food Processing

• Engineering

• Healthcare

• Mining & Energy

• Science & Technology

Average Salary in Australia - By Job

The average salary for a graduate and a full-timer in Australia has increased by 4.5% hourly from 2021 to 2022. On average the salary in December 2022 was recorded between AUD 23,000 to AUD 405,000, the salaries vary for the 800,000+ workforce in Australia based on their qualifications. The weekly earnings of full-time working professionals in Australia holding the following degrees are:

Study in Australia FAQs

Q. If applicants miss submitting CoE for a student visa application, will the visa be denied?

A. The CoE or the confirmation of enrollment is an integral part of a student visa application to Australia. Since this document is proof that the international student has accepted his/her offer and carries details of the education provider along with the course of admission, it is absolutely necessary to keep a copy of the CoE along with the student visa application form.

Q. Which is the cheapest university in Australia for international students?

A. There are around eight to nine cheap or affordable universities in Australia for international students. The course fee varies from AUD 14,000 to AUD 17,00,000 for undergraduate courses and between AUD 16,000 to AUD 38,000. 

Q. What exam scores are required for applying to Australian universities from international students?

A. For entry into undergraduate programs Indian students are assessed based on their class 12th scores, they may be required to submit entrance scores if applying for professional courses in Australia or SAT if applying for other programs. 

• For graduate admissions in Australia, students must submit their GRE or GMAT scores. 
• For both levels of admission, the English language exams needed for studying in Australia include either TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo.

Q. How much is the application fee for applying to Australian universities?

A. Most of the universities in Australia don’t charge application fees for international students. Even if they apply on their own or apply through agents. However, if students apply via agents they may have to pay a nominal fee or may not have to in some cases also. Check out the difference between self-apply vs outside agents for studying abroad.

Q. Which professionals are the highest paid in Australia?

A. Some of the highly paid professionals in Australia are from medical backgrounds. Surgeons rank in the top spot among highest paid professionals in Australia and they earn an average of AUD 394,303 annually. The second highest-paid professionals in Australia are anaesthetists who earn an average of AUD 386,065 annually.