Australia combines world-ranked universities, a straightforward student visa system and a clear post-study work route, which is why it remains one of the top three destinations for international students. It is also one of the most expensive destinations if you plan badly: tuition, living costs and visa charges add up quickly, and the Australian government now expects students to prove they can genuinely support themselves. This guide gives you the verified 2027 figures, honest tuition ranges, and a step-by-step plan from choosing a university to staying on after graduation.
Where to study: universities and what they are known for
Australia's leading universities are concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth, with strong regional options in Adelaide, Hobart and Townsville. The University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland are the names that appear most often in global rankings, and they are particularly strong in research-led subjects. For professional and applied degrees — engineering, IT, nursing, accounting, hospitality — universities of technology and strong regional universities can offer smaller classes, industry placements and lower living costs than the big-city flagships. Do not choose on ranking alone: check the exact course structure, whether it includes an internship or work placement, and the graduate employment outcomes for that field. A mid-ranked university with a strong placement programme in your subject is often a better investment than a famous name with no industry links.
Tuition fees: ranges, not single numbers
Tuition fees in Australia vary sharply by university, city and subject, so any guide that quotes a single figure is misleading. As a broad range, international undergraduate tuition commonly falls between roughly AUD 25,000 and AUD 50,000 per year, with humanities and business degrees toward the lower end and medicine, dentistry and some engineering programmes well above the top of that range. Postgraduate coursework degrees follow a similar pattern, and research degrees are priced differently again. These are ranges only: the exact 2027 fee for your course must be confirmed on the university's own website, because fees are set per course and revised annually. When comparing offers, compare the total cost of the degree — annual fee multiplied by the number of years — not just the first-year figure, and ask whether the university offers merit scholarships or early-acceptance discounts that reduce it.
Living costs and the financial evidence rule
The Australian government requires student visa applicants to show they can cover living costs. From 1 July 2026 the living-cost evidence figure for a single student is AUD 29,710 per year, and this is the benchmark your financial documents are assessed against — it is a visa requirement, not just a budgeting suggestion. In practice, students in Sydney and Melbourne often spend more, particularly on rent, while students in Adelaide, Hobart or regional cities can spend less. Budget separately for rent, food, transport, textbooks and a return airfare, and keep a contingency buffer: unexpected costs are the most common reason students run into trouble mid-degree. If you bring a partner or children, the required evidence figures are higher, and those amounts should be confirmed on the Department of Home Affairs site at the time you apply.
Student visa (subclass 500): fees, OSHC and steps
The Student visa (subclass 500) allows you to live and study full-time in Australia for the length of your course. From 1 July 2026, the visa application charge for the main applicant is AUD 2,500; for applicants in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) or other non-award courses it is AUD 2,050, with additional applicants charged AUD 1,530 for an adult and AUD 500 for a child. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory: you must hold approved health cover for the full length of your visa, and your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is normally only issued once your OSHC is arranged. The application steps are: choose your course and receive an offer, accept it and receive your CoE, arrange OSHC, gather financial evidence and English test results, then lodge the visa application online. Most applicants also need to show they are a genuine student — a genuine intention to study, not to use study as a route to work — so your statement of purpose should explain why you chose this course, this university and Australia itself, and how it fits your career back home.
Working while you study, and staying after graduation
Student visa holders can work limited hours during term and unrestricted hours during scheduled breaks — confirm the current hourly limit on the Department of Home Affairs site before you rely on part-time work, because the limit has changed in recent years and work income should never be your primary funding plan. The real post-study prize is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which lets eligible graduates live and work in Australia after completing their studies. From 1 July 2026 the application charge for the subclass 485 visa is AUD 5,750. The length of post-study work rights depends on your qualification level and where you studied: graduates of regional institutions can qualify for longer stays, and higher qualifications generally attract longer visas. Plan for this from day one — choose a course and location that keep the 485 route open, keep your academic record clean, and apply before your student visa expires.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS for Australia? Yes, in most cases: universities and the visa system require an approved English test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, at a level set by your course. Check the exact score on your university's course page.
Can I bring my family? Yes — partners and children can be included as additional applicants on your student visa, with additional visa charges and higher living-cost evidence requirements, and OSHC must cover them too.
Is Australia cheaper than the UK or USA? It depends on the city and course. Tuition ranges overlap with the UK, but Australia's living-cost evidence figure and the 485 post-study work route make the total value calculation different — compare total degree cost plus post-study options, not tuition alone.
When should I apply for 2027 entry? Start 9 to 12 months ahead: research courses, sit your English test, and apply to universities so that you hold a CoE with enough time for the visa process, which itself can take weeks to months depending on your country.
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Sources and verification: Australian Department of Home Affairs (Student visa subclass 500 charge AUD 2,500 main applicant from 1 July 2026; AUD 2,050 ELICOS/non-award; additional adult AUD 1,530, child AUD 500; Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 charge AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026; living-cost evidence AUD 29,710 per year for a single student; OSHC mandatory for the full visa length). Tuition figures are ranges only; exact 2027 fees to be confirmed on each university's official site. Work-hour limits and 485 stay lengths to be confirmed on the Department of Home Affairs site at time of application.