Study in Australia

Australia offers internationally recognised qualifications, high academic standards, advanced research facilities and practical programmes connected to industry. Students also benefit from an English-speaking environment, multicultural communities and extensive international- student support.

International students can apply for:

• Primary and secondary education
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students
• Foundation and pathway programmes
• Vocational Education and Training qualifications
• Diplomas and advanced diplomas
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Graduate certificates and diplomas
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral and research degrees

Universities primarily offer academic degrees and research programmes. TAFE institutions and other Vocational Education and Training providers deliver practical, employment- focused certificates and diplomas.

Some vocational qualifications provide entry into university programmes through credit- transfer or articulation arrangements.

CRICOS stands for the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. It is the official register of Australian institutions and courses approved for students studying on a Student visa.

Students should confirm both the provider and the specific course on the official CRICOS register before paying a deposit.

Requirements differ between institutions and programmes, but applicants commonly need:

• Valid passport
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• English-language test results
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• CV or résumé for postgraduate study
• Letters of recommendation
• Portfolio for creative programmes
• Relevant work experience for selected courses
• Evidence of financial capacity
• Additional examinations or interviews where required

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Depending on the institution and programme, accepted tests may include:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English examinations
• Other approved English-language tests

The English requirement for admission may differ from the requirement for a Student visa. Nursing, teaching, law and other regulated professions may require higher results.

Possibly. Some institutions accept alternative English tests, evidence of previous education in English or completion of an approved English-language pathway.

However, the student must satisfy both the education provider’s admission requirements and any applicable Student visa English-language requirements.

Foundation programmes help international students prepare for entry into a bachelor’s degree. They normally combine academic subjects, English-language development and study skills.

Diploma pathways may allow students to progress into the second year of a related bachelor’s programme, subject to successful completion and the university’s credit arrangements.

The principal intakes are usually:

• February or March
• July

Some institutions offer additional intakes in September, October or November. Vocational and English-language providers may have several starting dates throughout the year.

Students should begin preparation approximately 9 to 12 months before their intended intake.

Indicative tuition fees are:

• Programme: Approximate annual tuition
• English-language course: AUD 300–500 per week
• Vocational certificate or diploma: AUD 12,000–25,000
• Bachelor’s degree: AUD 25,000–55,000
• Master’s degree: AUD 28,000–60,000
• Doctoral programme: AUD 25,000–50,000

Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and certain MBA programmes may cost considerably more. Students should confirm the latest fee directly with the provider.

Students should budget for:

• Accommodation
• Food and household expenses
• Local transportation
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Books and equipment
• Telephone and internet
• Flights and personal expenses

Living costs vary considerably by city and lifestyle. Sydney and Melbourne are generally among the more expensive destinations.

The current Student visa financial-capacity benchmark for an individual applicant is at least AUD 29,710, in addition to tuition and travel costs. This is a visa benchmark, not necessarily the student’s actual annual expenditure. Official financial-capacity guidance.

Yes. International students may apply for:

• University merit scholarships
• Faculty and programme awards
• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Research Training Program funding
• Regional scholarships
• Country-specific awards
• External grants and bursaries

Awards may cover part of the tuition fee or, in highly competitive cases, tuition and living expenses. Search official scholarship information.

Full scholarships are available but highly competitive. Applicants usually need excellent academic results, a strong research or professional profile and evidence of leadership.

Most university scholarships provide a partial tuition reduction rather than complete funding.

Most international students require a Student visa—Subclass 500. It can cover higher education, vocational training, English-language study, schools, pathways and eligible research programmes.

Applicants must normally hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment when the visa is decided. Department of Home Affairs Student visa guidance.

A Confirmation of Enrolment, or CoE, is an official electronic document issued after the student accepts an offer and meets the provider’s enrolment conditions, which usually include paying the required deposit.

A conditional offer or offer letter is not normally a substitute for a valid CoE when applying for the Student visa.

The usual process is:

1. 1Select a CRICOS-registered course and provider.
2. 2Submit the admission application.
3. 3Receive and review the offer letter.
4. 4Accept the offer and pay the required deposit.
5. 5Obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment.
6. 6Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover.
7. 7Prepare financial and Genuine Student evidence.
8. 8Apply online through ImmiAccount.
9. 9Complete medical examinations or provide further evidence if requested.
10. 10Wait for the visa decision before finalising travel.

From 1 July 2026, the standard primary-applicant Student visa charge starts from AUD 2,500, although concessions apply to certain passport holders and course categories.

Fees for accompanying family members are additional and visa charges can change. Official Student visa fee update.

The Genuine Student requirement assesses whether studying is the applicant’s primary reason for requesting a Student visa.

Applicants may need to explain:

• Their current family, employment and financial circumstances
• Why they selected Australia
• Why they chose the particular course and provider
• Their understanding of the programme
• How the qualification will benefit their career
• Their previous study and immigration history
• Other relevant personal circumstances

Responses should be personal, credible and supported by evidence. Official Genuine Student guidance.

Evidence may include:

• Personal or family bank statements
• Education-loan documents
• Sponsor’s employment and income evidence
• Tax documents
• Scholarship confirmation
• Evidence of tuition payments
• Proof of investments or accessible savings
• Evidence explaining the source of funds

Applicants should demonstrate access to sufficient funds and a credible plan for financing the entire programme. Expected earnings from part-time work should not be the main funding source.

Most Student visa holders and their accompanying dependants must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover—OSHC for the required duration. OSHC helps with selected medical, hospital, prescription-medicine and emergency ambulance costs. Policies differ, so students should check exclusions, waiting periods and out-of-pocket expenses. Official OSHC guidance.

Eligible Student visa holders can generally work:

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session
• Unlimited hours during officially scheduled course breaks

Students normally cannot begin working before their course starts. Different arrangements apply to students who have commenced a master’s degree by research or doctorate.

Students must check the exact conditions attached to their own visa. Official Student visa work guidance.

Students should not expect part-time employment to cover their full tuition and living expenses. Employment availability, hours and income are not guaranteed.

The principal purpose of the Student visa is education, and students must maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress.

Yes, where the internship is permitted under the course and visa conditions. A compulsory placement may be included in a CRICOS-registered programme.

Students should confirm whether the placement is paid or unpaid, how it affects permitted working hours and whether professional checks or registrations are required.

Students may be able to change courses or providers, but they must follow their enrolment contract and Student visa conditions.

Changing to a lower qualification level, transferring too early or leaving a provider without completing the correct process may affect visa status. Students should obtain advice before making changes. Official course-transfer guidance.

Eligible students may include:

• A spouse or de facto partner
• Dependent children under 18
• Eligible children of their partner

Family members must provide evidence of their relationship, satisfy health and character requirements, hold appropriate insurance and demonstrate sufficient funds. School fees may apply to accompanying children. Official family guidance.

Family members should be declared in the original application even if they intend to travel later.

A partner’s work rights depend on the primary student’s course and the conditions attached to the dependant’s visa. Different limits may apply when the primary student is completing a bachelor’s, coursework master’s, research master’s or doctoral programme.

The partner must check their visa conditions before starting employment.

Applicants under 18 must have approved accommodation, support and welfare arrangements. These may involve:

• Living with a parent or eligible relative
• A nominated student guardian
• Provider-approved welfare arrangements
• A Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare

The student must not enter Australia before the approved welfare arrangements begin. Home Affairs guidance for students under 18.

A parent, legal guardian or qualifying relative may be eligible for a Student Guardian visa—Subclass 590. The guardian must meet financial, health, character and other requirements.

Only one guardian is normally appointed at a time, and the visa has restrictions on employment and study.

Eligible graduates may apply for a Temporary Graduate visa—Subclass 485. The appropriate stream and duration depend on the qualification, age and other eligibility requirements.

The principal streams are:

• Post-Vocational Education Work
• Post-Higher Education Work
• Second Post-Higher Education Work for certain regional graduates

Current indicative periods include:

• Up to 18 months under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream
• Usually 2 to 3 years under the Post-Higher Education Work stream
• A possible additional 1 to 2 years for qualifying regional graduates

Applicants are generally required to be aged 35 or under, although exceptions apply to certain passport holders and research-degree graduates. Official Temporary Graduate visa guidance.

Depending on the visa stream, applicants may need to complete CRICOS-registered study equivalent to at least two academic years, normally 92 registered weeks, over a minimum of 16 calendar months in Australia.

Course credits, online study and time spent outside Australia can affect eligibility. Students should examine the requirements before accepting exemptions or accelerated study.

No. Admission, a Student visa, a Temporary Graduate visa, employment and permanent residence are separate processes.

Migration eligibility can depend on age, occupation, qualifications, English ability, work experience, skills assessment, points, state nomination or employer sponsorship. Rules and occupation lists may change.

No education provider or consultant can guarantee permanent residence.

Some Australian universities offer undergraduate-entry medical programmes, while others require applicants to complete a bachelor’s degree before applying to graduate-entry medicine. Applicants may need excellent academic results, an admission test such as UCAT ANZ, ISAT or GAMSAT, and an interview. Requirements differ between medical schools, and places for international students are highly competitive.

Common options include:

• University accommodation
• Purpose-built student residences
• Homestays
• Shared apartments
• Private rental properties

Students should compare rent, deposits, utilities, transport, distance from campus and contract conditions before booking.

The most suitable location depends on the student’s course, budget and career objectives.

Popular destinations include:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Canberra
• Gold Coast
• Hobart
• Darwin
• Newcastle
• Wollongong

Smaller and regional cities may offer a different lifestyle and potentially lower expenses, but students should also assess transport, employment and industry connections.

Students should consider:

• CRICOS registration
• Programme accreditation
• Academic entry requirements
• Total tuition and living costs
• Scholarship availability
• Course content and assessments
• Industry placements
• Graduate outcomes
• Campus location
• Student support
• Temporary Graduate visa eligibility

A famous university is not automatically the best choice for every student.

IEC Edu Consultancy supports students with:

• Initial academic and financial assessment
• Course and provider selection
• CRICOS and accreditation checks
• University, TAFE and pathway applications
• Personal statements and supporting documents
• Scholarship guidance
• Genuine Student preparation
• Student visa documentation guidance
• Financial-profile preparation
• Accommodation and pre-departure support
• Post-arrival assistance

Contact IEC Edu Consultancy for a personalised assessment and a carefully selected list of suitable Australian institutions and programmes.

Australian admission standards, tuition fees and immigration rules can change. Applicants should confirm current requirements with their education provider and the Australian Government before applying.