Study MBA in Australia: Cost, Requirements & Eligibility for Indian Students

Australia is one of the top study destinations for international students. As per the QS ranking, Australia is among the top five study destinations for international students who want to pursue an MBA abroad. According to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, 122,202 Indian students were studying in Australia in November 2024 out of which 20,0000 were enrolled for an MBA in Australia. Around 80% of the admitted students for an MBA in Australia were international students.

Nowadays, every graduate wants to pursue an MBA to boost his/her career. Pursuing it from a prominent international destination, be it an MBA from Australia, the USA, the UK, or Canada, definitely keeps one ahead in the league. It also gives MBA professionals a head start in their careers. However, aspirants face the dilemma of applying to foreign universities. 

In this article, we have summarized details about the application procedure, estimated cost plus the total duration of an MBA in Australia. There are also details about the eligibility criteria, job opportunities and MBA scholarships available for international students in Australia.

MBA in Australia Highlights

Check: Why study in Australia?

Why Study MBA in Australia?

A good MBA degree is considered a gateway to success. It benefits one's career progression, enhances skills required to stay ahead in the industry, and helps in networking. There are numerous reasons to pursue an MBA from Australia and acquire the skills and knowledge required to grow one's career vertically. An MBA course in Australia teaches students how to manage a business successfully and adapt to the latest global trends. Some of the top reasons to study an MBA in Australia are:

• MBA in Australia is recognised globally because the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) issues a comparative qualification for office use. 
• All MBA courses in Australia are triple-accredited, that is by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Thus, it is best to study at some of the top universities in Australia for MBA. 
• There are popular MBA programs in Australia, some of which make it the world's top-ranked B-schools. 
• International students studying MBA in Australia can work for 40 hours while studying plus earn and network while studying. Check: Part-time work options for international students in Australia
• Australia opens more than 45,500+ job vacancies for MBA degree holders annually. 
• More than 6,000+ vacancies are open for Finance MBA graduates in Australia each year.
• Australian universities may or may not accept GMAT scores for MBA admissions.

Check: Why Study MBA Abroad?

Best Universities in Australia for MBA

International students opt to study at the best universities in Australia for an MBA because of Australia's status as a sought-after study destination, quality education, high-end research opportunities, and excellent career prospects. They are popular among international students and have been ranked highly in Australia and globally. 

Top Universities in Australia for MBA - QS World Ranking 2025

Regarding pursuing an MBA degree in Australia, Australia is a hot favourite study destination for MBA aspirants in the Asia-Pacific. Business and management schools are assessed on factors like imparting academic skills, research excellence, and employability. The following table shows the top Australian universities ranking as per QS for 2025 for Global MBA:

Read more about Australia University Rankings 2025

Apart from this, favourable visa policies also draw a lot of students to pursue their higher studies in Australia. The universities in Australia are internationally recognised and offer courses in the most preferred language, i.e. English. Management courses in these universities focus on imparting leadership qualities and giving real-world experience by offering internships in top companies. There are two main intakes for applying to Australian universities:

• February Intake in Australia
• July Intake in Australia
• November Intaje in Australia (applicable for a few universities)

Top MBA Courses in Australia

Indian applicants aiming for an MBA in Australia have a handful of specialisations to choose from. Some of the most popular MBA specialisations have been tabulated below along with the Australian universities offering them:

While this is not an exhaustive list of MBA specialisations offered in Australia, applicants can still look for their preferred ones when applying for admission. 

MBA in Australia Admission Requirements 

Entry requirements for an MBA in Australia for international students include at least 60% at the undergraduate level, a minimum of 2 years of work experience and English language proficiency scores. The following section is divided into more information: 

MBA in Australia Course Duration

In most universities, the duration of the MBA programme is 2 years. The period for an MBA in most universities in Australia is between 15 months and 2 years. Apart from this, many universities have started offering one-year MBA programmes. Melbourne Business School has started a one-year MBA program, which is highly popular among aspirants. The following is a list of MBA programs offered by some of the top business schools: 

Read: How to choose between a year and two-year MBA program?

Exams to Study MBA in Australia 

Students who do not meet the English language requirements of  TOEFL / IELTS / PTE can pursue ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) courses. ELICOS is the Australian equivalent of English language courses. Students who need to prove English language proficiency to study at a university or a vocational college or want to work can pursue any course under ELICOS. There are different types of ELICOS courses; students can pursue any course depending on their requirements. 

Also Read: TAFE Institutes in Australia   

MBA in Australia: Eligibility Requirements for Admission  

Some of the basic requirements for getting admission to top Australian universities for MBA are as follows: 

• Bachelor's degree: Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in any field. 
• IELTS: Students must secure a good IELTS score to get an Australian visa. Students from non-native English-speaking countries must showcase their English language proficiency to secure admission to a university. Check: IELTS v/s TOEFL v/s PTE? 
• Work Experience: Although it is not mandatory, having at least three years of work experience proves advantageous for aspirants. Most universities prefer candidates with two to three years of work experience. 
• GMAT Score: Most Australian universities and colleges accept GMAT scores for admission to the MBA program. A good GMAT score is required for a top university. However, the average GMAT score for getting admission to an Australian university is 655+. 

*Note: Some colleges in Australia do not require GMAT scores for MBA admissions. Applicants must check the admission requirements before applying for an MBA in Australia.

Since very few universities in Australia require the GMAT, this is because they focus more on the candidate's practical (work) experience. Australian universities demand that candidates maintain academic consistency and obtain high scores in high school and the bachelor's level program. Eligibility criteria vary from university to university. Universities can be classified into three main categories depending on their admission requirements: 

• Category 1: These universities require students to have a good GMAT score, significant work experience and an IELTS score as a mandatory requirement. 
• Category 2: These universities require students to either have a good GMAT score or work experience and an IELTS score. 
• Category 3: In this category, universities grant admission only based on a student's academic and IELTS scores.   

Check: Eligibility requirements and application procedure: Australia 

MBA Fees in Australia

One of the most important factors when deciding on a university is the course curriculum and the program's cost. Always compare the cost of studying in different universities and pay for the reasonable one. According to mbanews.com, the MBA fee in Australia for international students has increased from 2023 to 2025. Therefore, various factors contributing to the cost, such as course fees, accommodation, travel expenses, and research for the project work, should always be considered. The cost of studying MBA in Australia varies from AUD 126,000 to AUD 16,000. Here’s a list of the MBA fees of the top 10 MBA schools in Australia: 

Also Read: 12 Most Affordable MBA Colleges in Australia 

Scholarships/Financial Aid for MBA in Australia

The biggest challenge aspirants face while planning to study abroad is arranging for funds. Getting a loan is one of them. However, not all students are eligible to get an education loan. Most of the universities in Australia do not offer tuition fee waivers or financial assistance for a professional degree like MBA. Therefore, students often look out for scholarships to fund their education. It is also important that students should always take care of the eligibility criteria and different types of costs covered in the scholarship they are awarded. 

Some of the popular scholarships for pursuing an MBA in Australia are: 

• Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. Candidates: Through this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the selected candidates who wish to pursue master 's-level courses abroad. This scholarship is for all country applicants except for the UK.  
• Dr Abdul Kalam International Undergraduate Scholarship- Engineering Honours & Information Technology: This fellowship is offered in memory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the University of Sydney. It is awarded to students pursuing bachelor's or master's level courses. 
• Deakin India 10 per cent Bursary- MBA: It is a need-based scholarship that is awarded to students who want to pursue a master's level degree. Students are not required to apply separately for this scholarship; they are automatically considered for it while applying for admission to different courses. 
• Macquarie University Tuition Fee Grants for Indian Students—MBA: This scholarship is awarded to students who wish to pursue a master 's-level course. The candidate must have three years of work experience to qualify for this scholarship. 

MBA in Australia Salary (Top career options after MBA in Australia) 

Demand for MBAs is high across the globe and employers are ready to pay handsomely if you have the right skill and talent. MBA graduates are among the best paid in the world. Due to their high demand amongst multinationals and the excellent reputation of B-schools in Australia. 

Top industries offering MBA jobs: 

• Financial Services 
• IT/Computer Services 
• Consulting/Professional Services 
• Education 
• Manufacturing/Engineering 

Read: MBA v/s MIM

Skill Shortage List 

According to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) released by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) of Australia, if your occupation features on the shortage list, then you have a better chance of getting the Australian Visa. However, you still need to fulfil the other visa requirements. If you are under 45 and possess 6-7 years of professional experience, you can also get an Australian visa even if you cannot pass the points test. 

Work Visa after MBA in Australia 

The post-study work visa in Australia is issued to international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. This visa allows the holder to stay, work and study in Australia temporarily after completing his education. Students can get a temporary Graduate visa (SUBCLASS 485) as the primary applicant. 

This Temporary Graduate visa has two streams: 

• The Graduate Work stream 
• The Post-Study Work stream 
• Post Vocational Educational stream

The main applicant covered by the application needs to be present in Australia when applying for a visa and also when his/her visa is decided. 

Further, the applicant's qualifications must relate to an occupation listed on the occupation skilled list for getting the Graduate Workstream visa. In this category, the visa holder is allowed to stay for 18 months. 

Apart from this, the applicant must have a higher education degree to acquire the Post-Study Work stream visa. In this category, the visa holder is allowed to stay between two and four years. 

Check: Life after MBA from Australia: Placements and Job Prospects 

Prospective students can contact our team of study abroad experts for more information about eligibility fulfilment based on entry requirements or the application process. Sign up here for free - Shiksha Abroad Counselling.