Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Oct 9, 2024
The Australian Government charges very high tuition fees for international students. On top of this, administrative costs of the universities in Australia are relatively high when compared to other countries like the UK, USA, or Canada. All these make the cost of attending a university in Australia very high. Still, Australia is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations, attracting over 4,50,000 international students. Reason being the cheapest universities in Australia.
The least expensive universities in Australia include University of Sunshine Coast, University of Southern Queensland among others with tuition fees starting as low as 16,000 AUD per year. Any degree from these universities offers higher ROI due to low tuition fees and high salaries. Let us go through some other cheap universities in Australia, their rankings, popular courses and average tuition fees.
University Fees Structure in Australia
In many Australian universities, a standard academic subject is worth 3 units. Under this system, an academic year consists of 24 units of study, with students expected to complete 12 units per semester. Students enrolled in at least nine units per semester are considered to be studying full-time. The degree durations are
- Bachelor degree: 3 years (24 units)
- Honors degree: 4 years (32 units)
- Master’s degree: 1.5 years (12 units)
The fee structure in Australian universities can be categorized into following table
| Level of Study | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Secondary school | AUD 7,800 - AUD 30,000 per year |
| English language course | AUD 300 per week |
| Vocational Education and Training | AUD 5,700 - AUD 24,000 per year |
| Foundation courses | AUD 18,000 - AUD 49,000 total |
| Bachelor Degree | AUD 17,000 - AUD 50,000 per year |
| Master's Degree | AUD 17,000 - AUD 53,000 per year |
| Doctoral Degree | AUD 23,000 - AUD 95,000 per year |
| MBA | AUD 21,000 - AUD 126,000 per year |
Top 10 Cheap Universities in Australia for Indian Students
The following table displays some of the top universities in Australia offering education at an affordable price than other universities, making them some of the cheapest options for Indian students going to study in Australia.
| QS Ranking 2025 | University | Popular Courses | Intakes | Annual Tuition Fee Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #396 | University of Southern Queensland | Arts, Humanities, Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering | Fall and Spring | 13,420-48,000 AUD |
| #1001-1200 | University of Sunshine Coast | Business, Economics, Education, Life Sciences, Psychology | Fall and Spring | 14,000-29,600 AUD |
| #40 | University of Queensland | Clinical, Health, Education, Engineering, Law | Fall and mid-year | 25,600-91,819 AUD |
| #255 | Griffith University | Law, Engineering, Education, Computer Science | Fall and Spring | 17,000-88,500 AUD |
| #384 | Western Sydney University | Clinical, Health, Education, law | Mid-year | 17,508-42,336 AUD |
| #851-900 | Charles Sturt University | Arts, Humanities, Education, Computer Science, Social Science | Mid-year | 17,176-67,040 AUD |
| #516 | Edith Cowan University | Business, Economics, Education, Engineering, Psychology | Mid-year | 10,906-45,300 AUD |
| #167 | University of Wollongong | Business, Economics, Education, Engineering, Law | Fall and Spring | 16,848-50,544 AUD |
| #901-950 | Australian Catholic University | Education, Life Sciences, Psychology | Mid-year | 24,824-42,304 AUD |
| #495 | Central Queensland University | Education, Life Sciences, Psychology, Computer Science, Arts and Science | Fall and Spring | 17,600-56,764 AUD |
Other Affordable Universities in Australia
Apart from the universities tabulated above, there are also many options you can look for. Here, we have tabulated some of the cheap options for undergraduate, masters and MBA level of study.
| Undergraduate and Master’s | MBA |
|---|---|
| Central Queensland University | Edith Cowan University |
| University of Sunshine Coast | Western Sydney University |
| University of Southern Queensland | Federation University Australia |
| University of Wollongong | Australian National University |
| Western Sydney University | La Trobe University |
| Griffith University | Victoria University |
| University of Divinity | Kaplan Business School |
| Federation University Australia | Queensland University of Technology |
| Southern Cross University | University of Canberra |
Cost of Living in Australia
The cost of attendance in Australia involves your pre-arrival expenses and cost of living. The pre-arrival fees will come out to approximately AUD 3,000, which includes your airfare, standardized exam charges, college application fees, and visa charges.
Australia’s annual student cost of living will come to around AUD 35,000, which covers food, transport, grocery, accommodation, and other minimal expenses. Here is a breakdown of the living costs in Australia for students.
| Factors | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 297-743 AUD |
| Food and Groceries | 208 -416 AUD |
| Transportation | 44 -89 AUD |
| Household Bills | 20-50 AUD |
| Shopping | 223 AUD |
City-wise Average Cost of Living in Australia
Besides the average cost of living, location also plays a vital role in stay options. For example, living expenses in Sydney are higher for international students than in Canberra or the Gold Coast. The below table will give you an estimated idea on the cost of living in the major cities in Australia.
| City | Average Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Melbourne | 24,500 AUD |
| Brisbane | 25,600 AUD |
| Canberra | 22,400 AUD |
| Gold Coast | 20,600 AUD |
| Adelaide | 24,500 AUD |
| Perth | 25,700 AUD |
To sum up, try to live in a shared apartment or hostel with peers. Cheap schools in Australia for international students offer on-campus accommodations, which can be helpful. With an Australian student ID, you can get a lot of discounts as a student on movies, transport, museums, and other activities. You can avail them as well to save more money.
FAQs
Ques: What are the cheapest universities in Australia for international students?
Ans: Some of the most affordable universities include:
- University of Sunshine Coast: Tuition fees start at 14,000 AUD per year.
- University of Southern Queensland: Tuition fees range from 13,420 AUD per year.
- Edith Cowan University: Tuition fees start as low as 10,906 AUD per year.
Ques: How much does it cost to study for a Bachelor’s degree in Australia?
Ans: The average annual tuition fees for a Bachelor’s degree in Australia range from 17,000 AUD to 50,000 AUD, depending on the university and the course.
Ques: What is the estimated cost of living for international students in Australia?
Ans: On average, international students spend around 35,000 AUD per year on living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials.
For city-wise costs:
- Sydney: Highest average cost at 26,000 AUD per year.
- Gold Coast: Lower average cost at 20,600 AUD per year.
Ques: What is the cost of studying an MBA in Australia?
Ans: The annual tuition fees for an MBA program in Australia can vary significantly. The range is from 21,000 AUD to 126,000 AUD per year, depending on the university and the program's structure.
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