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Study in Australia

Australia lets students work up to 48 hours a fortnight in term and unlimited hours in study breaks, and offers a Temporary Graduate visa after you finish. It is costly to get in: the student visa charge rose to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026, and you must show savings for a year of living costs.

Browse 3 scholarships Read the guide

Facts checked on official websites on October 31, 2026

Tuition for international students
Set by each provider Study Australia says international fees vary across cities and programmes. Check the fee on each course page before you apply. Source: Study Australia
Proof of funds for the visa
AUD 29,710 a year Savings for annual living costs for one student, for visas lodged from 10 May 2024. Confirm the current figure with the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool. Source: Study Australia
Work while studying
48 hours a fortnight The limit during study periods since 1 July 2023. You can work unlimited hours during study breaks. Source: Study Australia
Student visa application charge
AUD 2,500 Up from AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2026. Since 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. Source: Study Australia

Why international students choose Australia

Australia combines a large university and vocational sector with generous work rights and a dedicated post-study visa. On a Student visa you can work while you study, and when you finish you may be able to stay on with a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which lets eligible students “live and work in Australia” (Study Australia). The rules have tightened recently, so check the details before you apply.

What it costs

There is no single national tuition fee. Study Australia says tuition fees for international students “vary across cities and programs”, so you need to check each course page (Study Australia). The same page offers cost-of-living estimates but notes they were last updated in November 2023, so treat them with care.

You will also need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The Department of Home Affairs requires overseas students to keep OSHC for their whole stay in Australia (Study Australia). Prices vary by insurer.

The student visa and proof of funds

The main visa is the Student visa (subclass 500). Key points:

  • Visa fee: the Student visa application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026 (Study Australia).
  • Proof of funds: for visas lodged from 10 May 2024, the savings needed for annual living costs were set at AUD 29,710 for an individual student (Study Australia). Home Affairs asks you to use its Document Checklist Tool to confirm the financial evidence you need, so check the current figure there before you apply.
  • New rules from 2 October 2026: most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa while in Australia, and applicants generally can no longer include family members, unless an exemption applies. A new Transfer stream for students changing providers is planned (Study Australia).

Working while you study

From 1 July 2023, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during their studies (TEQSA). Study Australia adds that you can work unlimited hours during study breaks (Study Australia).

After you graduate

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) has three streams: Post-Vocational Education Work, Post-Higher Education Work and Second Post-Higher Education Work. The Post-Vocational stream allows a stay of up to 18 months; for the Post-Higher Education stream, how long you can stay depends on your qualification and circumstances. You must be 35 or under when you apply, unless an exception applies (Study Australia).

It is not cheap: the application charge increased to AUD 5,750 on 1 July 2026, with applicants from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and ASEAN excluded from the increase (Study Australia).

Scholarships for Australia

The flagship government scheme is Australia Awards Scholarships, funded for people from a selection of developing countries who show leadership and a strong commitment to development. They cover full tuition fees, return air travel, an establishment allowance, OSHC and a fortnightly contribution to living expenses. Applications for the 2027 intake opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026 at 14.00 AEST (Study Australia). Universities also run their own scholarships, so check your chosen institution’s international office.

Scholarships in Australia 3

OpenAll year Fully funded University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships Australia · Master’s, PhD NextTBA Partly funded 1856 Cricket Scholarship, University of Melbourne Australia · Undergraduate, Master’s NextTBA Partly funded John Hall Rowing Scholarship, University of Melbourne Australia · Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

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Common questions about studying in Australia

Short answers, based on the official sources linked above.

How much money do I need for an Australian student visa?

For visas lodged from 10 May 2024, the savings needed for annual living costs were set at AUD 29,710 for an individual student. You also pay a visa application charge of AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, plus tuition and health cover. Use the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool to confirm the evidence you need.

Can international students work in Australia?

Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during their studies, a limit in place since 1 July 2023, and unlimited hours during study breaks.

Do I need health insurance to study in Australia?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs requires overseas students to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole of their stay. Prices vary by insurer, so compare registered providers.

Can I stay and work in Australia after graduating?

Eligible graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). You must be 35 or under when you apply, unless an exception applies, and the Post-Vocational stream allows a stay of up to 18 months. The application charge increased to AUD 5,750 on 1 July 2026.