A recent HSBC report announced that the cost of study in Australia is higher than in any other country. However, Australia also boasts the world’s highest concentration of international students; around 20% of the country’s higher education enrolments are international, compared to the global average of around 7%. Clearly, despite the high costs, Australia continues to remain a highly attractive choice – due to its high quality of life, leading universities, great student cities, impeccable healthcare and more.
There is also good news for prospective students; thanks to drop in the Australian dollar this year, you’re now likely to get more Aussie dollars in exchange for your home currency.
The HSBC report says the average cost per year of study in Australia for international students is AU$42,093 (~US$32,950). This breaks down to AU$24,081 (US$18,850) for fees and AU$18,012 (US$14,100) for living costs. However, tuition fees at Australian universities will vary considerably depending on where and what you study, and the level you will be studying at.
Read on for a breakdown of these costs and for advice on how to find Australian scholarships to support your studies.
Tuition fees and course costs for international students
According to Study in Australia, the official government site for international students, typical annual tuition fees for international students are:
Bachelor’s degree – AU$15,000 (US$11,750) to AU$33,000 (US$25,800);
Master’s degree – AU$20,000 (US$15,650) to $37,000 (US$28,900);
Doctoral degree – AU$14,000 (US$10,950) to $37,000 (US$28,900).
These figures do not include high-value courses such as veterinary or medical degrees, which can cost significantly more.
Tuition fees at Australian universities are generally calculated per unit, not per year. Each unit falls into a fee band, and as most students will be studying a combination of units from different bands, fees will be different for everybody.
Some universities in Australia publish official fees estimates, including Australian National University (ANU), which is the nation’s highest-ranked institution (25th in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15). The yearly cost of an international undergraduate degree from ANU ranges from AU$28,608 (US$22,350) for many Bachelor of Arts programs, up to AU$33,168 (US$25,900) for Bachelor of Science or Medical Science programs.
For graduate degree programs, annual fees start from AU$28,608 (US$22,200) for a few master’s programs and reach up to AU$36,528 (US$28,350). However, the majority of master’s programs are priced somewhere in the middle at around AU$33,200 (US$25,800).
PhD programs are priced similarly, with the majority at the higher end of the scale at AU$36,528 (US$28,350). In a league of its own, however, ANU’s Doctorate of Medicine and Surgery degree (MChD) costs AU$65,712 (US$51,000).
Another cost to consider is the Student Services and Amenities fee, which is a charge for services and amenities of a non-academic nature, up to a maximum of AU$286 (US$222) in 2015. Not all universities in Australia charge this, but make sure you know what to expect.
Students’ cost of living in Australia
Although HSBC calculates the average cost of living in Australia to be AU$18,012 (US$14,100) per year, the Australian government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIPB) puts a much more specific figure on the costs for international students. In order to be eligible to study in Australia, you will need to show you have AU$18,610 (US$14,430) per year. If you’re bringing a partner add AU$6,515 (US$5,050) to this figure. And if you have children, you’ll need to show you have an additional AU$3,720 (US$2,880) for one child and AU$2,790 (US$2,160) for every additional child.
As well as proof of these funds, you will also need to show you have return air fare for yourself and every family member you take with you, and AU$8,000 (US$7,471) per year for any children aged 5-18 to cover school fees.
Although the above outlines the amount required by Australia’s immigration standards, you may not need to spend that much once you arrive. The official Study in Australia guidelines recommend budgeting between AU$70 (US$55) and AU$400 (US$310) per week for accommodation, depending on whether you stay in shared accommodation (the cheapest), on campus, or in private rented accommodation (the most expensive).
Other weekly expenses include: groceries and eating out from AU$80 to AU$200 (US$60 to US$155); gas and electricity from AU$60 to AU100 (US$45 to US$77); phone and internet from AU$20 to AU$50 (US$15 to US$40); public transport from AU$10 to AU$50 (US$7 to US$40); and entertainment from AU$50 to AU$100 (US$40 to US$80).
To simplify, this works out to a minimum of around AU$300 (US$230) per week.
Most Australian universities provide detailed breakdowns of the cost of living in Australia on their websites, including student accommodation and sometimes even local area prices and advice. For example, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (304th in the world rankings), offers a handy ‘Shopping Smarter’ page with links and tips for discounted shopping.
Remember the costs listed by the university will usually be for an academic year (about 40 weeks), rather than a calendar year, so you will need to budget extra if you want to stay longer.
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