Australia is a well-liked study abroad location since it offers some of the greatest programs and the most prolonged work permit for international students.
While tuition fees and cost of living are obvious costs, there is a host of hidden costs of sending your child to Australia that you may have missed. Let’s find out the invisible costs of studying in Australia!
Cost of Education in Australia
Most of the cost of studying abroad is tuition fees. According to our college cost calculator, the average tuition for an undergraduate degree in Australia ranges from 70 to 96 lakhs.
Several factors, such as the chosen subject, degree program, university type, etc., affect the cost of attending an Australian university.
Australia is less expensive to study abroad for a bachelor’s degree because it provides a range of scholarship options for international students who may have financial difficulties.
But there are some hidden costs such as flights, security deposits on a flat, visa applications, mandatory health insurance, and much more that most parents do not account for when budgeting for their child’s bachelor’s or master’s in Australia.
5 hidden Costs for Indian Students in Australia
From visa application fees to mandatory health insurance, flights, and accommodation; there are several invisible costs you have to pay while planning your child’s future education in Australia.
While parents focus on tuition fees and general living costs, they often miss out on these expenses!
1. Visa Application Fees
Students frequently apply on their own for a Student Subclass 500 visa. This is essential information for students who enroll in undergraduate or graduate programs at an educational institution.
A visa application fee for students is approximately ₹34,500.
2. Insurance for health
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has mandated that your child gets an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a requirement of their visa application procedure.
An individual’s annual health insurance premiums typically range between ₹40 – ₹45,000. It is available for private or institutional purchase. One is solely responsible for keeping the policy up to date
3. College application fee
When submitting their application forms, students must pay a non-refundable application fee. The price will change based on the university. The majority of application fees, however, fall between ₹2,700 – ₹5,500.
4. Entrance Exams
Depending on the chosen program’s requirements, students must take and pass a few exams if the institute asks for them.
| Examinations | Exam Fees |
| IELTS | ₹15,500 |
| TOEFL | ₹14,200 |
| GRE | ₹17,000 |
| GMAT | ₹20,000 |
5. Flight tickets
One-way fare can be around ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh. Your child must also have the money for a return flight per the rules when applying for an Australian visa.
This amount may vary depending on the type of journey taken, the airline chosen, the booking dates, the location from which they’re departing, etc.
Tuition Costs of Studying in Australia
Let us take a look at the cost of education in Australia at different levels. This is a broad format and does not include expensive medical and veterinary courses.
- Undergraduate Bachelor Degree – AUD 20,000 – 45,000$ (INR 10,65,000 – 23,96,000)
- Postgraduate Master’s Degree – AUD 22,000 – 50,000$ (INR 11,71,000 – 26,63,000)
- Doctoral Degree – AUD 18,000 – 42,000$ (INR 9,58,000 – 22,37,000)
- Vocational Education and Training – AUD 4,000 – 22,000$ (INR 2,13,000 – 11,71,000)
- English Language Studies – AUD 300 per week (INR 15,978)
Here’s a list of some of the top universities, their popular courses and fees
1. Australian National University
Top Courses
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) Science
- Master of Applied Data Analytics
- Master of Museum & Heritage Studies
- Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 46,000 – $ 48,000 (INR 24,50,059 – INR 25,56,000)
2. The University of Melbourne
Top Courses
- Bachelor of Agriculture
- Master of Architectural Engineering
- Master of Business Analytics
Annual Fees (in AUD) $ 45,000 – $ 89,000 (INR 23,96,000 – INR 47,40,000)
3. The University of Sydney
Top Courses
- MBA
- Master of Engineering (Software Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science (Health)
- Bachelor of Economics
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 50,000 – $ 54,000 (INR 26,63,000 – INR 28,76,000)
4. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Top Courses
- Master of Mining Engineering
- Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Manufacturing)
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 47,000 – $ 66,000 (INR 25,00,000 – INR 35,00,000)
5. The University of Queensland
Top Courses
- Master of Tourism, Hotel & Event Management
- Bachelor of Health, Sport & Physical Education
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 45,120 – $ 47,000 (INR 24,00,000 – INR 25,00,000)
6. Monash University
Top Courses
- Bachelor of Architectural Design
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Data Science
- Master of Advanced Nursing
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 37,000 – $ 45,000 (INR 19,70,000 – 23,96,000)
7. The University of Western Australia (UWA)
Top Courses
- Master of Professional Engineering
- Master of Biological Science & Master of Biotechnology
- Bachelor of Marine Sciences
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 9000 (INR 4,79,000)
8. The University of Adelaide
Top Courses
- Master of Engineering (Mining)
- Master of Petroleum Engineering
- Bachelor of Oral Health
- Bachelor of Nursing
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 45,000 – $ 48,000 (INR 23,96,000 – INR 25,56,000)
9. University of Technology Sydney
Top Courses
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Accounting
- Master of Artificial Intelligence
- Master of Physiotherapy
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 1,256 per credit (INR 66,000)
10. University of Wollongong (UOW)
Top Courses
- Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
- Bachelor of Mathematics
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Psychology
- MBA
Annual Fees (in AUD): $ 14,000 – $ 16,000 per semester (INR 7,44,000 – INR 8,51,000)
Cost of Living in Australia
The cost of living in Australia for international students will depend on various factors such as location of accommodation, food, commuting options, lifestyle habits, etc.
However, on average, the annual cost of living in Australia is: AUD 35,000 (INR 18,62,000)
Includes: Accommodation, Grocery, Transport. Internet, leisure, and miscellaneous expenses.
Below is an approximate break-up.
Accommodation Costs in Australia
- Hostels & Guesthouses – AUD 90 – 150 per week (INR 4,700 – INR 7,900)
- Shared Rental – AUD 95 – 125 per week (INR 5,000 – INR 6,600)
- On-campus – AUD 110 – 280 per week (INR 5,800 – INR 14,800)
- Homestay – AUD 235 – 325 per week (INR 12,500 – INR 17,200)
- Rental – AUD 185 – 440 per week (INR 9,800 – INR 23,400)
- Boarding schools – AUD 11,000 – 22,000 a year (INR 5,85,000 – INR 11,70,000)
Other Living Costs
- Groceries and eating out – AUD 140 – 280 per week (INR 7,400 – INR 14,800)
- Gas, Electricity – AUD 10 – 20 per week (INR 500 – INR 1064)
- Phone and Internet – AUD 15 – 30 per week (INR 700 – INR 1500)
- Public Transport – AUD 30 – 60 per week (INR 1500 – INR 3000)
- Car (if purchased) – AUD 150 – 260 per week (INR 7900 – INR 13,800)
- Entertainment – AUD 80 – 150 per week (INR 4,200 – INR 7900)
