Study in the Australia
Explore the Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities of Study in Australia for Indian Students
Explore the Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities of Study in Australia for Indian Students
On this Page:
After, Canada the most popular destination among Indian students is Australia, with around 66% of student visa applications coming from India. However, the Australian government has imposed more challenges by increasing the paperwork and immediate funds from ₹13,99,146 to ₹16,96,332. Despite these stricter regulations, Australia remains a highly desirable place to study, with an attractive job market for graduates. Also, the number of student intakes is capped at 270,000 in Australian universities signaling the need for more strategic and swift study plans. To help you navigate through the new rules, we have created this guide to help you study in Australia.
Searching for pictures of Australia online will likely come across images full of scenic beauty. However, for Indian students, this attraction is secondary and the primary attraction is the essential details about applying visa which allows them to study in Australia. Therefore, we’ve crafted a skimmed and precise table mentioning the major information that every student should know to make a decision.
| Factors | Description |
|---|---|
|
Average Cost of Study |
INR 11,29,907 - INR 25,42,29 per year (varies by course and institution) |
|
Average Cost of Living |
INR 8,47,430 - INR 14,12,384 per year (depending on city and lifestyle) |
|
Source of Funding |
Scholarships, education loans, part-time work, personal savings |
|
Intakes |
February (major intake), July (limited programs) |
|
Types of Visas |
Subclass 500 (student visa) |
|
Best Cities |
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide |
|
Visa Application Fee |
INR 35,027 |
In September 2024, Australia announced a cap on the student intake, raising concerns among many students. This led to a key question: Should we still consider Australia as an option? The answer is Yes! The country is home to 7 universities ranked in the top 100 according to QS World Rankings, providing students with access to high-quality education. The cap is on the number of intakes and is not intended to limit the number of talent or passion. The policy was introduced largely due to concerns about the authenticity of financial documents submitted by some applicants during the student visa process.
But, after all this, Australia continues to offer pools of opportunities to students, with its blooming startup culture and appreciation for the diverse skill set. If you let today’s doubts hold you back, you risk missing out on tomorrow's golden opportunities.
The first step of one’s career is the course and the university that a student needs to finalize before they start applying for the visa application. Below, you will find a list of universities that are particularly popular among Indian students and are especially welcoming to them.
| University | Undergraduate Course Requirement | Postgraduate Course Requirement | MBA Course Requirement | Popular Courses in Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- Completion of 12 years of schooling (e.g., HSC or equivalent) - IELTS: 6.0+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may require additional portfolios or tests. |
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 65%) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may require relevant work experience or portfolios. |
- Bachelor’s degree - Minimum 2-3 years of professional work experience - GMAT not required (but recommended for some programs) - IELTS 6.5+ |
- Business and Commerce - Information Technology - Engineering - Health Sciences - Education |
|
|
- Completion of Year 12 (e.g., HSC or equivalent) - IELTS 6.0+ (no band less than 5.5) - Additional requirements for design or creative programs (e.g., portfolio). |
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 65%) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs require professional experience or supplementary submissions. |
- Bachelor’s degree - Minimum 3 years of work experience - GMAT may be required (depending on the program) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) |
- Architecture - Engineering - Business and Finance - Design (Fashion, Graphic) - Media and Communication |
|
|
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may have additional selection criteria like interviews or portfolios. |
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 65%) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some courses may require work experience or portfolios for admission. |
- Bachelor’s degree - Minimum of 3 years of work experience - GMAT required (minimum score 550) - IELTS 7.0+ (no band less than 6.5) |
- Business Analytics - Cybersecurity - Psychology - Finance - Media and Communications |
|
|
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may have additional entry requirements like portfolios or interviews. |
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 65%) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may require work experience or additional assessments. |
- Bachelor’s degree - Minimum 3 years of work experience - GMAT required (minimum score 600) - IELTS 7.0+ (no band less than 6.5) |
- Law - Arts - Science - Business - Engineering |
|
|
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some courses may require a portfolio or interview. |
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 65%) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) - Some programs may require relevant work experience or additional documentation. |
- Bachelor’s degree - Minimum 3 years of work experience - GMAT may be required (depending on the program) - IELTS 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0) |
- Medicine - Pharmacy - Arts - Engineering - Business |
The general requirements that every student must fulfill to study in Australia are as follows:
Students must typically be at least 17 years old.
For undergraduate courses, a minimum score of 50% in relevant subjects is usually required. Postgraduate courses may have additional requirements, such as previous work experience or portfolios.
Since Australia is an English-speaking country, proficiency is necessary to adjust. Thus, English test scores are required during the visa application process. The three most popular tests that are accepted by universities are listed below. While it is not mandatory to take only one, many universities ask to qualify for two or even all three tests depending on the university.
For admission to an Australian university, students should appear for the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) exam. The higher your score, the better university you get. However, admission criteria also depend on the specific course and the university’s guidelines. Some courses in Australia may require an internal university exam or even the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for eligibility. Always check the university's website for confirmation of requirements.
This might help you; How to Crack GMAT With Only 1 Month in Hand?
The SOP is a letter with 500-1000 words that decide your future. It outlines your personal goals, achievements, and observations. University uses it as a means to assess your character and strengths, effectively representing you in your absence.
A LOR is a document provided by a teacher, supervisor, or Head of Department who has observed your performance and understands your strengths and weaknesses. Remember, if someone is writing your LOR inform them to include both negative and positive perspectives as it is important to make your LOR more authentic and relatable.
Confused between LOR and SOP? Know the difference
After receiving an acceptance email from the university, the next step is to apply for the student visa application. Prepare all these documents before you click that submit button:
Preparing these documents is easy, but, ensure that you meet the requirements, particularly for the Proof of Funds to avoid any kind of rejection.
The cost of study in Australia is 10x more than in India. Also, students need around AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500 (approx. INR 1.5 Lakh) monthly as living expenses. Below is a general breakdown of the costs, including tuition fees:
| Expenses | Estimated Cost (AUD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Australia Tuition Fee |
AUD 20,000 - AUD 45,000 per year |
Varies by course and institution |
|
Visa Application Fee |
AUD 620 |
Fee for applying for a student visa |
|
Health Insurance |
AUD 500 - AUD 600 per year |
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) required |
|
Rent |
AUD 500 - AUD 1,500 per month |
Varies by location and accommodation type |
|
Grocery |
AUD 300 - AUD 600 per month |
Monthly expenses for food and household supplies |
|
Electricity |
AUD 80 - AUD 150 per month |
Monthly utility costs |
|
Travel |
AUD 50 - AUD 100 per month |
Monthly transport costs |
|
Book & Supplies |
AUD 500 - AUD 1,000 per year |
Annual costs for textbooks and course materials |
|
Internet & Phone |
AUD 50 - AUD 100 per month |
Monthly expenses for internet services and phone plans |
|
Miscellaneous |
AUD 50 - AUD 100 per month |
Additional personal expenses |
Many students believe that scholarships are exclusively for exceptional performers, but this is a common myth. In reality, various types of scholarships are available to cater to different needs. Below are some popular scholarships you can explore to study in Australia:
This scholarship is provided by the previous alumni who have benefited from the scholarships. They contribute some amount to the studies of new students to return the help they received during their studies:
Read More: Education Future International Scholarship
Offered by Monash University, this scholarship is aimed at academically exceptional students. To renew the scholarship annually, students must maintain a high academic performance.
Read More: Monash International Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to exceptional students who excelled in their previous exams and have not pursued any courses in Australia.
Read More: Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship
Student visas have some restrictions on the working hours. It is important to explore various ways to earn money. You can do some off-campus jobs in restaurants, babysitting, or other manageable tasks. However, be sure to adhere to the permitted working hours; failure to do so could result in visa rejection and deportation.
After completing your studies in Australia, you will definitely explore options for settling down. Here is a basic guide from obtaining a student visa to permanent residency:
Apply for the Post-Study Work Visa, after you complete your study in Australia which extends your stay from 18 months to 4 years, depending on your course duration and level.
When you secure a job, check if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Being listed in the occupation list is essential and also makes your pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) easy.
With the right combination of work experience, educational qualifications, and English proficiency, you can apply for PR. Remember that this process can be lengthy, so patience and thorough understanding are crucial.
India is the second-largest source of international students in Australia, with a total of 122,391 Indian students studying in Australia from January to September 2023.
To study in Australia from India, you are required to have a student visa that covers the duration of your course. Read more about the Australia study visa.
The general requirements state that you should be over 18 years old, possess the necessary educational certificates, and have sufficient funds to support your stay.
Yes, Australia has a world-class reputation. Recently, six Australian universities were ranked among the world’s top 100 by Times Higher Education.
The job market in Australia is large, but employability depends on your skills. It is important to focus on enhancing your employability while studying.
Masters study in Australia cost typically ranges between AUD 34,484 to AUD 53,760 (INR 19.52 to 30.12 Lakhs).
Yes, many universities, such as Macquarie University, offer 1-year Masters programs in Australia.
