Australia hosts approximately 715,000 international students, making it the third-largest study destination after the US and UK. Students must enroll at CRICOS-registered (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) providers. The Subclass 500 Student Visa grants permission to study for the program duration plus grace periods. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, introduced 2023, permits up to 18 months (bachelor’s) or 5 years (postgraduate research) of post-study work, extended from previous visa settings. Tuition ranges from AUD 20,000–45,000 annually for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) research universities command international prestige. Major policy changes in 2024–25 affect migration caps and visa requirements; consult current Home Affairs guidance.
Key facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Approx. international students | ~715,000 (2025–26) |
| Top universities | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, ANU, Monash, Western Australia |
| Language of instruction | English (100%) |
| Annual tuition range | AUD 20,000–45,000 (≈ US$13,000–29,000) bachelor’s; AUD 20,000–50,000 master’s |
| Student visa category | Subclass 500 Student Visa |
| Post-study work route | Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (18 mo.–5 yrs) |
| Intake months | February/March (summer/autumn, primary), July/August (spring, secondary) |
Study system
Undergraduate degrees: Three years (bachelor’s honours). Four-year degrees available in law, medicine, engineering (some). Academic year: February–November (Semester 1 Feb–May; Semester 2 July–Nov; summer session Dec–Jan optional). Grading: High Distinction (85–100), Distinction (75–84), Credit (65–74), Pass (50–64), Fail (below 50). GPA: 4.0 or 7.0 scale depending on institution.
Master’s programs: One to two years (Master’s by coursework); 2 years (Master’s by research, M.Res). Postgraduate research (M.Phil, PhD) 3+ years. Intake: Semester 1 (Feb/March) or Semester 2 (July/August).
PhD / Doctoral: 3–4 years typical (disciplinary variation). Funded (full tuition waiver + stipend) for most competitively awarded positions at Group of Eight universities; international students increasingly competing for limited funding. Self-funded or scholarship-reliant common.
Calendar: Semester system (Semester 1: Feb–May, Semester 2: July–Nov; intersession Dec–Jan). Most teaching Feb–Nov.
Grading: Percentage-based (0–100%) or HD/D/C/P/F scale; conversion to GPA varies by institution.
Applications
Centralised systems: No national centralized application platform. Universities accept direct applications via institutional portals or via agents (educational consultants registered with QEAC—Qualified Education Agent Code).
Application deadlines (typical):
- Semester 1 (Feb/March): December 31 (rolling; closing dates vary by institution, competitive programs close earlier).
- Semester 2 (July/August): May 31 rolling.
- Master’s programs: Rolling from 3–6 months before intake; competitive programs close January (for March intake) and May (for July intake).
English language requirements:
- IELTS: 6.5–7.5 (undergraduate), 7.0–8.0 (postgraduate), discipline-dependent.
- TOEFL iBT: 90–110 (undergraduate), 100–120 (postgraduate).
- Duolingo English Test: 110–150.
- Cambridge/Pearson PTE: Equivalent bands required.
- Exemptions: Native English speaker, or tertiary degree completed in English in accredited institution (UK, US, Canada, Ireland, NZ).
Entry requirements:
- Undergraduate: Year 12 (secondary) completion equivalent with B/C grade average; VCE/HSC equivalents accepted.
- Master’s: Bachelor’s degree (credit average/GPA 2.0+ typical); some programs require honours or relevant experience.
Costs
Tuition (annual, 2025–26, international students):
- STEM (engineering, science, IT): AUD 25,000–45,000
- Business, law, humanities: AUD 20,000–35,000
- Medicine, veterinary: AUD 35,000–50,000+
- Master’s (general): AUD 20,000–40,000; (professional MBA) AUD 40,000–65,000+
Cost of living (annual, by city, 2025–26):
- Sydney: AUD 24,000–32,000
- Melbourne: AUD 22,000–30,000
- Brisbane: AUD 20,000–26,000
- Perth, Adelaide: AUD 18,000–24,000
- Canberra: AUD 19,000–25,000
Breakdown (Melbourne, single student, annual):
- Accommodation (shared house, apartment): AUD 12,000–18,000
- Food, groceries: AUD 3,500–5,000
- Transport (public pass): AUD 1,500–2,200
- Utilities, internet: AUD 1,200–1,800
- Personal, entertainment: AUD 3,000–4,000
Financial proof for Student Visa: AUD 20,000–60,000 or evidence of scholarship/sponsorship covering full tuition + living costs for visa duration. Exact amount varies; Department of Home Affairs uses indexed financial requirement (typically 1.4–2.0x annual cost). GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) assessment also applies—must demonstrate intent to return home post-study.
Student visa and work rights
Visa category: Subclass 500 Student Visa, issued by Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Application process:
- Receive electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) from CRICOS-registered institution.
- Apply online via ImmiAccount (Home Affairs portal).
- Provide financial proof, health insurance (OSHC), character, health checks.
- Fee: AUD 710 (from 1 July 2024; subject to annual indexation).
- Processing: Priority processing 2–3 weeks; standard 4–8 weeks.
- Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover—OSHC): Mandatory, cost AUD 250–450 per year depending on provider and coverage.
Financial proof requirement: AUD 20,000–60,000 in bank statement or evidence of funding. Home Affairs uses specific calculation: (annual fees + living allowance of AUD 22,000–33,000) × program duration. GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) declaration required—must prove genuine intent to study and return home.
Work hours during studies:
- Full-time permitted during enrolled weeks (main teaching period). Clarification from February 2024: Students can work unlimited hours if enrollment is in progress, including during semester breaks within the enrolled semester.
- Practical implication: Most students work 20 hours/week during semester (to balance study), unlimited during official breaks (e.g., June/July mid-year break).
- No employer sponsorship required; work is unrestricted.
Recent major changes:
- February 2024: DHA relaxed work-hour interpretation; students can now work full-time during any weeks (not just official breaks) as long as enrolled in program.
- July 2024: Student visa fee increased AUD 680 → AUD 710; health insurance cost reviews ongoing.
- Dependents: Partner (spouse/de facto) and dependent children eligible for Subclass 500 dependent visas. Partners may work unlimited hours; children study free in government schools most states.
- Migration rate cap: From 2024–25, Home Affairs target is net 2.5% annual migration growth; international student visa issuance subject to ministerial review (announced August 2024).
Post-study work
Primary route: Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (introduced April 2023, replacing Subclass 491/189 graduate pathways for simplification).
Duration:
- Bachelor’s degree: 18 months (from 15 May 2023).
- Postgraduate taught master’s: 2–3 years (depending on field—engineering, science, IT, healthcare 3 years; others 2 years; effective from 15 May 2023).
- Postgraduate research (master’s research, PhD): 5 years.
- PhD (research degree from Group of Eight university or similar): 5 years guaranteed.
Application process:
- Apply within 6 months of course completion (or end date on eCoE).
- Provide graduation documentation, character, health, financial proof.
- Fee: AUD 710 (same as Student Visa, from July 2024).
- Processing: 4–8 weeks standard.
Work authorization: Unrestricted work permission (any employer, role, hours, location).
Eligibility:
- Completed degree on Subclass 500 visa at CRICOS provider.
- Degree accredited (higher education, VET recognized).
- Met character and health requirements.
- Resided continuously in Australia for study duration (no/limited overseas absences).
Pathway to permanent residence: Subclass 485 visa does NOT directly lead to PR/skilled migration. Transition options:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Points-based independent migration. Applicant age 18–45 (max 45 points), education (max 20 points for master’s), English (max 20 points for IELTS 8.0+), Australian work experience (max 20 points; Subclass 485 work counts). Occupational skills assessment required (relevant professional body). Cutoff CRS: typically 85–100 points.
- Employer-sponsored visa (Subclass 186/482): Employer nominates role; visa granted with employer sponsorship.
- State sponsorship (Subclass 189 + state nomination): State nominates occupation shortage; lower points required.
Timeline: Bachelor’s degree (3 yrs) + Subclass 485 (1.5 yrs) + skilled migration processing (6–18 months) = 5–6+ years to PR typical.
Recent changes (2025–26):
- Skilled migration occupation list review: From September 2024, DHA reviewing Critical Skills List (CSL); some occupations (IT, engineering, healthcare, construction) prioritized; others may be removed.
- Points test changes: Language and Australian work experience weightings under review (proposed increase in weighting from January 2026).
Working while studying
On-campus employment:
- Hours: Unlimited (no specified cap under Subclass 500).
- Wage: National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2024): AUD 23.23/hour (base rate). Casual loading (25%+ additional for no leave entitlements) common in casual/part-time roles → effective ~AUD 29/hour.
- Tax: Australian income tax threshold AUD 18,200/year (2024–25); below threshold, no tax payable. Above threshold, progressive tax 21%–45% depending on income.
Off-campus employment:
- Hours: Unrestricted under current Subclass 500 guidelines (as of Feb 2024).
- Wage: National Minimum Wage as above.
- Tax: Full income tax liability above AUD 18,200 threshold.
TFN (Tax File Number): Required for all employment; apply to Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Processing 4–6 weeks; interim TFN issued for employment pending full processing.
Superannuation (Super): Employer must contribute 11.5% (from 1 July 2024) of earnings to employee superannuation (retirement account). International students can withdraw super when departing on visa cancellation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment—DASP).
Employer sponsorship: Not required for on-campus or off-campus work under Subclass 500. Employer simply hires.
Best-known universities
| University | Strengths |
|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Engineering, law, medicine, business, research intensive, Go8 leader |
| University of Sydney | Engineering, law, medicine, business, strong international ranking, Go8 |
| UNSW Sydney | Engineering (top-ranked), law, business, science, technology, Go8 |
| University of Queensland | Engineering, medicine, science, agriculture, Go8, strong international profile |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Science, engineering, mathematics, research intensive, Go8, Canberra-based |
| Monash University | Engineering, IT, business, medicine, large research output, top rankings |
| University of Western Australia | Engineering, law, medicine, mining/petroleum research, Go8, Perth-based |
| University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | Engineering, IT, business, design, strong industry partnerships |
| RMIT University | Engineering, IT, design, fashion, strong practical/vocational focus |
| Macquarie University | Business, law, linguistics, psychology, strong postgraduate focus |
Primary sources
- Department of Home Affairs. Student Visa (Subclass 500). https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500 (accessed 2026-04)
- Department of Home Affairs. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485 (accessed 2026-04)
- CRICOS Registry. https://cricos.education.gov.au (accessed 2026-04)
- Universities Australia. International Students. https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au (accessed 2026-04)
- QS World University Rankings. https://www.topuniversities.com (accessed 2026-04)
Last updated: 2026-04-15.