The cost of studying at a university in Australia
This guide outlines the cost of fees, accommodation, lifestyle and financial assistance options if you are planning to study in Australia
How much does it cost to study in Australia? If you are interested in studying in Australia, one of the most important things to consider is how much everything is going to cost. This essential guide breaks down the cost of every aspect of university life to ensure that you have everything covered.
Note that prices and exchange rates are correct at the time of publication and may vary from those shown here.
Tuition fees
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for university study but, like the UK and the US, it is also one of the most expensive.
However, regions differ greatly and it is worth exploring all avenues before ruling out the possibility of studying Down Under. For example, international students can pay their fees well in advance of the term starting, which helps with budgeting during the school term.
In 2017, the average international undergraduate studying in Australia needed $29,235 per year (all figures noted are in Australian dollars), or £17,152. Undergraduate degrees last between three and four years in Australia, therefore an international student should expect to finish a three-year degree with $87,705 (£51,456) of debt in tuition fees.
A master’s degree costs $20,000-37,000 (£11,734-21,708), with a doctoral degree ranging from $14,000 to $37,000 (£8,213-21,707).
Veterinary and medical degrees cost considerably more than this. For example, at the Australian National University in 2017, a BA in an arts subject cost $32,640 (£19,150) per year and a BSc in a science subject was about $43,632 (£25,599) per year.
Fees in Australia are generally calculated per unit, rather than per year. Most students will be studying a combination of units from different bands and each unit will fall into a different band and costing – so all students will be paying varying amounts each year.
Like many other countries, domestic students will pay far less to study in Australia than international students. The University of Melbourne, for example, lists the cost of a master’s in psychiatry in 2018 at $18,080 (£10,607) per year, and up to $54,880 (£32,198) for a doctorate in veterinary medicine. The contributions demanded from domestic students are capped and subsidised by the government, and many are eligible for the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).
Accommodation costs
Accommodation costs vary, depending on the type and region: the more rural regions, in the western and northern Australian states, will be much cheaper, whereas more urban areas, for example around Sydney, will cost more, particularly if you are downtown.
On-campus accommodation is typically $90-280 (£52-164) per week, a homestay is $235-325 (£137-190) per week and shared rental accommodation is $85-215 (£50-126) per week. Australian universities usually recommend $18,000-28,000 (£10,560-16,427) per annum.
Other essential student costs
Rented accommodation may have some of the utility costs included. If they are not, the average gas and electricity bill is $50-100 (£29-58) a month, phone and internet (typically in one single package) is $150-200 (£88-117) a month and the equivalent of a council tax bill (water/sewerage/waste management) is $50 (£29) a month split between tenants.
In order to obtain a visa for studying in Australia, applicants will need to prove they have $19,830 (£11,634) per year for living costs alone, to cover one to two years. Student visas can cost anything up to $560 (£328). Always check the terms of a student visa, because certain types prohibit students from working while they study.
It is compulsory to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which costs the average undergraduate student $2,164.17 (£1,269) for three years.
There is a possibility that students will be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) on top of their tuition fees – a non-academic fee that funds services and support programmes that can be used by all students. This varies by university and region, but is typically $294 (£172) per academic year.
You also need to prove that you have booked a return airfare to your home country at the end of the period of study.
A budget for books and academic supplies is estimated at $500-1,000 (£293-586) per year.
Some universities provide a private transport system free of charge for students to get around and there are many discount programmes depending on the state (Queensland, South Australia and Melbourne all provide subsidised transport for students).
Without a discount, a monthly public transport pass costs $30-70 (£30-41) and a one-way ticket is $4 (£2.35). Bicycles are also a popular mode of transport in the urban university areas, in Melbourne in particular. A litre of petrol, on average, costs $1.31 (77p).
Lifestyle
The average weekly grocery shop costs $80 (£47) and eating a meal in an average restaurant is $18 (£10.56). The average cinema ticket costs $18 and a Big Mac is $4.53/£2.66 (2017 figures).
A pint of beer costs $7 (£4.11) and a glass of wine is $9 (£5.28). The average gym membership is $62.51 (£36.67) per month. Nights out vary, depending on the territory: $61 (£34.45) in Melbourne, $55.50 (£31.34) in Brisbane, $50.50 (£28.52) in Adelaide, $57.50 (£32.47) in Perth and $51.60 (£29.14) in Sydney.
What financial support is available
There are scholarships and grants available for international students, but they are limited. They have tended to be offered to postgraduate students rather than undergraduate students – although this imbalance is slowly shifting. Most are based on academic merit rather than financial need.
Most scholarships are offered directly by the universities themselves, and these will be listed on their websites.
There are several well-established scholarship programmes available for international students: the Australia Awards, which is funded by the Australian government and covers full tuition fees, travel expenses and some living costs; the APEC Women in Research Fellowship Program, offering financial support to female researchers from developing APEC economies who plan to pursue a research programme, which partners with Australian universities; and the Endeavour Postgraduate Awards, offering support to international students enrolling in an MA or PhD degree.
An ISIC card is well worth applying for as a student, as living costs and entertainment options are expensive in Australia. The card, which is internationally recognised proof of your student status, costs $30 (£17.60) and offers 20% per cent off at restaurants and cafes, cinema tickets from $11.50, 5 per cent off groceries, fuel and alcohol and 40 per cent off international airfares.
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