Cost of studying in Australia
Real numbers. No marketing fluff. Sydney and Melbourne sit at one end of the scale; Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and regional unis at the other, a 30–35% swing on total annual cost.
Sydney/Melbourne vs everywhere else
Both scenarios assume Masters-level tuition + a typical student lifestyle. Sydney and Melbourne carry a roughly 30% premium over the other state capitals.
Sydney / Melbourne (most expensive)
Go8 unis, central accommodation, urban lifestyle. Highest cost of living in AU.
Brisbane · Adelaide · Perth · Regional
UQ · UWA · Adelaide · Curtin · Tasmania. Lower fees and rents, same quality.
Tuition fees: Group of Eight
All values in AUD per year. PhDs are research-funded, most Indian PhD students pay zero tuition and receive a stipend.
| University | Bachelors / yr | Masters / yr | PhD / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | AUD 40,000–48,000 | AUD 45,000–58,000 | Funded research only |
| University of Sydney | AUD 42,000–52,000 | AUD 48,000–58,000 | Funded research only |
| Australian National University | AUD 40,000–50,000 | AUD 47,000–55,000 | Funded research only |
| UNSW Sydney | AUD 42,000–52,000 | AUD 50,000–60,000 | Funded research only |
| Monash University | AUD 38,000–48,000 | AUD 45,000–55,000 | Funded research only |
| University of Queensland | AUD 38,000–46,000 | AUD 44,000–52,000 | Funded research only |
| University of Western Australia | AUD 36,000–44,000 | AUD 40,000–50,000 | Funded research only |
| University of Adelaide | AUD 38,000–46,000 | AUD 42,000–52,000 | Funded research only |
University of Melbourne
University of Sydney
Australian National University
UNSW Sydney
Monash University
University of Queensland
University of Western Australia
University of Adelaide
What you can realistically earn
Students can work 48 hours per fortnight during semester (24 hrs/week average) and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks. AU minimum wage: AUD 24.95/hour (rises to AUD 26.44 from 1 July 2026).
A student working a steady 24 hrs/week earns about AUD 600/week (~INR 31,500/week) before tax. Realistic annual contribution to your costs: INR 10–15 lakh per year.
Money you can win, not borrow
AU scholarship money is competitive but real. Strong academics (75%+) and a sharp SOP unlock INR 4–25L in tuition relief at most unis. We apply to every one you're eligible for.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Government-funded, highly competitive: full tuition + AUD 30K stipend + airfare for select developing country applicants (India eligible).
Destination Australia Scholarship
AUD 15,000/year for international students studying at regional Australian campuses (e.g., Tasmania, Newcastle, regional NSW).
Go8 University Scholarships
Each Group of Eight uni offers merit-based awards (e.g., Melbourne Graduate Scholarship, Sydney International Student Award) ranging AUD 5–25K.
University-specific Indian student awards
Deakin, RMIT, Macquarie, Wollongong, Griffith all offer dedicated INR 4–10L tuition waivers for Indian students with strong academic records.
We help you apply for every eligible scholarship at no extra cost. It's part of standard counselling. Universities pay our commission, not you.
One-off costs nobody warns you about
These aren't in tuition or rent calculators but they hit your bank account in the first 2–3 months. The AUD 2,000 student visa (Subclass 500) fee alone shocks most students.
Get a custom AU budget plan for your situation
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Custom AU budget in 24 hours
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Continue exploring Australia
Three more guides. Keep going while you have momentum.