The short answer: a year of study in Australia for an international student usually lands between AUD 45,000 (regional) and AUD 85,000+ (Sydney or Melbourne) once tuition, living costs, health cover and one-off costs are added together. Tuition alone runs from about AUD 20,000 to AUD 90,000 per year depending on the field, and living costs are around AUD 29,710–38,000 per year — which is also the figure you generally need to show as proof of funds.
The four costs that make up your total
| Cost | Typical annual figure (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 20,000–90,000 | Set by the institution and field, not the government |
| Living costs | 29,710–38,000 | Sydney and Melbourne sit at the top of the range; Adelaide, Perth and regional areas sit lower |
| OSHC health cover | 600–3,500+ | Compulsory for the whole visa period; family cover costs more |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | 1,600–2,000 | One-off application charge |
The living-cost figure is the one that catches people out, because it is also a requirement: you must be able to show genuine access to funds for living costs (around AUD 29,710 per year) on top of your tuition when you apply. It is not a fee you pay to the government — it is money you must be able to demonstrate you have.
Tuition by field
| Field | Annual tuition (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Humanities / Social Science | 20,000–56,000 |
| Business / MBA | 25,000–75,000+ |
| Engineering / Technology | 30,000–63,000 |
| Medicine / Health | 30,000–90,000 |
Two patterns are worth knowing before you compare universities. First, postgraduate coursework costs more than undergraduate in the same field, and MBA-style programs are priced at the top of their band. Second, the same degree costs different amounts at different institutions — a Group of Eight university will usually sit above a regional university for an identical qualification. Always price the specific course, not the field.
Living costs, and why the city matters more than anything else
Living costs of AUD 29,710–38,000 per year cover rent, food, transport, phone and incidentals. Where you land inside that range is mostly a function of rent:
- Sydney and Melbourne — the most expensive; shared housing still takes the largest share of a student budget.
- Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide — noticeably cheaper, with Adelaide and Perth typically the lowest of the mainland capitals.
- Regional areas — cheapest rents, and some regional study pathways carry additional visa advantages for graduates.
Your other compulsory cost is OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover), required for the entire duration of your student visa at roughly AUD 600–3,500+ per year depending on the provider and whether you cover a partner or children. Getting this wrong is a common cause of visa delays, so buy it before you lodge.
Sample annual budgets
| Scenario | Realistic annual total (AUD, tuition included) |
|---|---|
| Regional university, mid-range course | About 45,000 |
| Capital city outside Sydney/Melbourne | About 55,000–70,000 |
| Sydney or Melbourne, higher-fee course | 85,000+ |
Multiply by the length of your program — a two-year master's is roughly double the annual figure, and the visa charge and OSHC are usually paid once for the whole period rather than annually. That is why the first-year cash requirement is often larger than people expect.
What actually reduces your total
- City choice is the single biggest lever — the gap between regional and Sydney living costs is larger than most scholarship awards.
- Course length and level — a shorter qualification costs less in both fees and living costs, but check it still meets the study requirement for any post-study visa you want later.
- Institutional scholarships — many universities publish their own international scholarships; these reduce tuition, not living costs.
- Health cover choices — OSHC providers are not identical on price, so compare before you buy (cover levels differ too).
All figures on this page are indicative Australian dollar ranges for planning, not quotes. Tuition is set by each institution; government charges are indexed and change. Confirm current amounts at studyaustralia.gov.au and immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you commit.