Graduate Study in Australia: Guide for International Students

Each higher education institution is unique in the programs offered, entry requirements, cost and lifestyle. Do your research thoroughly, and then apply to each of your chosen universities by following the information provided on the official website. In addition to submitting your academic record, you may also need to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, as well as completing any set tests or interviews.

The beginning of the academic year in Australia is February, although it may also be possible to commence studies in July, at the start of the second semester. You can usually apply between three and 18 months before a course starts, but the earlier the better.

You will need a visa to study in Australia. Australian student visas should be applied for online through the Department of Home Affairs. You’ll need to prove that you’re a genuine student, of good character, proficient in English, in good health and that you have enough money to support yourself while you study in Australia. Find about more about applying for your visa here.

The cost of studying in Australia varies significantly depending on the institution, study level and subject. Programs in fields such as engineering and medicine are typically at the higher end of the scale. As a rough guideline, you can expect master’s degrees to cost around AU$20,000-37,000 (~US$15,000-26,800) per year, and doctoral degrees in the region of AU$14,000-37,000 (~US$10,140-26,800).

Living expenses will vary depending on where you’re based and the type of lifestyle you indulge in. Most Australian universities provide guidelines for incoming students to help with budgeting.

The Department of Home Affairs requires international students to have at least AU$20,290 (~US$14,700) per year to cover living expenses, with additional funds required if accompanied by a partner and/or children. Most student visas allow you work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time and full time during holidays, so it may be possible to supplement your finances with a part-time job, though this shouldn’t be relied upon.

The Australian government is active in supporting international students to study in Australia, offering a selection of scholarships, grants and other financial aid. Major government-funded schemes include the Australia Awards and the International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) program. Many other organizations and individual universities also offer scholarships for international students, and a searchable database is available on the government website Study in Australia.

If you want to stay in Australia after you’ve graduated, you’ll need to get a work visa. If you’re under 50 years old, have studied a CRICOS-registered course in Australia for at least two years, and can pick an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)  you can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), under the Graduate Work stream. This allows you to stay in Australia for another 18 months after the issue date.

The other visa stream, for post-study work, is for graduates of any field of study. It is valid for two years if you studied a master’s by coursework, three years if you studied a master’s by research, and four years if you studied a PhD. Find out more about staying in Australia after graduating here.

A version of this article was originally published in January 2015. It was last updated in November 2018. 

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