Study in Australia: The Complete Guide for International Students 2026

You wake up at six in the morning in your apartment in Fitzroy, one of Melbourne’s trendiest neighborhoods. The Australian sun streams through your window; it’s March, autumn is just beginning here, and the temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius. In an hour, you have a lecture on International Relations at the University of Melbourne, a campus just a 15-minute tram ride away (which is free in the city center). After classes, you plan to study at the State Library of Victoria, and in the evening – a barbecue with friends by the Yarra River. Yesterday, you received an email from your employer, where you work 24 hours a week under your student visa, offering a raise to AUD 32 per hour. Sounds like an Instagram fantasy? This is just a typical Tuesday for an international student in Australia.

Australia isn’t always the first destination that comes to mind for international high school graduates considering studying abroad. Often, the focus is on the UK with Oxford and Cambridge, the Netherlands with Amsterdam and Maastricht, or Scandinavia with its free tuition. Yet, Australia is quietly establishing itself as one of the best places in the world to study: with four universities in the global QS top 50, an English-speaking environment, the right to work 48 hours per fortnight during studies, and after graduation, a Post-Study Work Visa for 2-4 years without needing an employer sponsor. No European country offers anything quite like it.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from choosing a university from the elite Group of Eight, to tuition and living costs, applying with international high school qualifications (such as the Polish Matura exam), language requirements (IELTS or TOEFL), the subclass 500 student visa, mandatory OSHC health insurance, and career prospects after graduation. If you’re considering studying in English at the highest level while also dreaming of the adventure of a lifetime – keep reading.

Why Australia? Seven Reasons Why It’s Worth It

Let’s start with a fundamental question: why travel to the other side of the world when studying abroad in Europe is closer and often more affordable? Here are seven reasons why Australia deserves your attention.

1. World-class education. Australia boasts six universities in the global QS 2025 top 100, with the University of Melbourne (#13) and the University of Sydney (#18) competing with institutions like UCL and ETH Zurich. The Australian system emphasizes independent thinking, group projects, and practical application of knowledge, moving beyond the traditional European model of passive lectures and single final exams.

2. English-speaking environment. Studies, work, daily life – everything is in English. You don’t have to learn Dutch as in the Netherlands or Danish as in Denmark. The English you use in your studies is the same English you’ll use at work, shopping, and with friends.

3. Post-Study Work Visa. This is an absolute game-changer. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you receive a 485 Temporary Graduate visa for 2 years (3 years after a master’s degree, and 4 years after a doctorate). You don’t need an employer sponsor. You simply stay and look for work. While the UK’s Graduate Route also offers 2 years, the Australian job market is often less saturated and easier to enter.

4. Right to work during studies. The subclass 500 student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks. With a minimum wage of AUD 24.10/hour (one of the highest in the world), you can realistically earn AUD 800-1,200 per month, covering a significant portion of your living costs.

5. Lifestyle. Beaches, surfing, bushwalking, the Great Barrier Reef, wildlife – these aren’t just tourist slogans; they’re your weekends. Australia consistently ranks high in quality of life indices, and Melbourne has repeatedly been named the world’s most livable city by The Economist.

6. Safety and multiculturalism. Australia is one of the safest countries in the world. With 28% of its population born overseas, it’s a society truly accustomed to migrants and won’t treat you as an outsider. In Melbourne and Sydney, you’ll meet people from virtually every country.

7. Gateway to Asia and the Pacific. If you’re interested in business, technology, or international relations in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is a natural base. A flight to Singapore takes 8 hours, to Tokyo, 10. Australian companies have strong ties with China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN countries.

Group of Eight – Australia’s Answer to the Ivy League

The Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s eight leading research-intensive universities. It’s the equivalent of the UK’s Russell Group or the American Ivy League, with the key difference being that they admit significantly more international students (an average of 28% compared to 10-15% at Ivy League institutions).

University of Melbourne (#13 QS 2025) – Australia’s flagship university. Campus in the heart of Melbourne, right next to Carlton Gardens. Melbourne employs the so-called Melbourne Model, where a three-year bachelor’s degree is intentionally general (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce), and specialization occurs during a two-year master’s. This approach, modeled after the American system, allows you to explore various fields before committing. Particularly strong in medicine, law, business, engineering, and social sciences. Tuition: A$38,000-50,000/year depending on the program.

University of Sydney (#18 QS 2025) – Australia’s oldest university (founded 1850), with a campus resembling Hogwarts (yes, really, the Quadrangle is a Neo-Gothic building that served as inspiration for the Harry Potter films). Strong in law, medicine, engineering, and business. Tuition: A$40,000-55,000/year.

Australian National University (ANU, #30 QS 2025) – The only university established by the Australian parliament, located in the capital, Canberra. Best in Australia for political science, international relations, and natural sciences. Canberra is smaller and quieter than Sydney or Melbourne, but living costs are lower. Tuition: A$35,000-48,000/year.

University of New South Wales (UNSW, #19 QS 2025) – Located in Sydney, strong in engineering, computer science, and business. UNSW operates on a trimester system (3 semesters a year), meaning you can complete a three-year program in less than 3 calendar years. Tuition: A$38,000-52,000/year.

University of Queensland (#40 QS 2025), Brisbane, tropical climate, campus on the Brisbane River. Strong in natural sciences, engineering, and business. Brisbane is a more affordable city than Sydney or Melbourne, and it’s growing – it will host the 2032 Olympic Games. Tuition: A$36,000-48,000/year.

Monash University (#37 QS 2025), Melbourne, Australia’s largest university by student numbers. Particularly strong in pharmacy (#1 globally in QS by subject), chemistry, and engineering. The Clayton campus is enormous – practically a small city. Tuition: A$37,000-50,000/year.

University of Western Australia (UWA, #77 QS 2025), Perth, campus on the Swan River, surrounded by parks. Perth is the most isolated major city in the world, but also one of the most beautiful. Lower living costs, less crowded, great weather all year round. Tuition: A$33,000-45,000/year.

University of Adelaide (#89 QS 2025) – Adelaide, Australia’s most underrated student city. Living costs are the lowest among major Australian cities, and students receive an additional 5 migration points for completing studies in South Australia (important when applying for permanent residency). Tuition: A$33,000-45,000/year.

Academic Year and Study System

The Australian academic year begins in February (Semester 1) and July (Semester 2). This is an inverted calendar compared to the Northern Hemisphere; remember that in the Southern Hemisphere, February is late summer, and July is mid-winter (though “winter” in Sydney means 15-18°C).

The main intake is February. Most programs also allow a July start, but some courses (especially medicine, law) only have a February intake. Applications for February usually close in October-November of the preceding year, although Go8 universities often have rolling admissions and accept applications until places are filled.

Bachelor’s degrees in Australia typically last 3 years. Exceptions include engineering (4 years), architecture (5 years), and medicine (6 years for undergraduate-entry programs). UNSW, with its trimester system, allows for faster completion. As mentioned, the University of Melbourne employs a three-year general bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year specialized master’s.

Grading system: High Distinction (HD, 80-100%), Distinction (D, 70-79%), Credit (C, 60-69%), Pass (P, 50-59%), Fail (below 50%). Classes are a mix of lectures, tutorials (smaller group sessions), and independent study. Emphasis is placed on continuous assessment – semester assignments, presentations, group projects, quizzes, rather than solely a single final exam.

Costs of Study and Living – A Realistic Budget

Let’s be honest: Australia is not a cheap option. But when you compare it to the UK post-Brexit or the United States, the economic calculation starts to look more sensible, especially considering the right to work and the Post-Study Work Visa.

Tuition: A$30,000-50,000 annually (approx. €18,000-30,000) depending on the university and program. Humanities and social sciences are generally cheaper (A$30,000-38,000), business and law are in the middle (A$38,000-45,000), and medicine and engineering are the most expensive (A$42,000-55,000). There are no discounts for EU citizens; international students pay the same rates as students from China or India.

Living costs: The Australian government requires proof of at least A$21,041 per year (approx. €12,600) for living expenses when applying for a student visa. This is the official minimum, but a realistic budget is higher:

• Accommodation: A$250-450/week for a room in a shared apartment in Sydney or Melbourne (A$1,000-1,800/month). In Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide: A$180-350/week. University dorms: A$300-500/week, but provide a ready-made social environment.
• Food: A$80-150/week (cooking at home + occasional eating out). Australian supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi) have reasonable prices. Eating out is expensive – lunch for A$15-25, dinner for A$25-50.
• Transport: A$40-60/week (Opal card in Sydney, myki in Melbourne). In Melbourne, trams in the CBD are free.
• Phone: A$30-50/month (Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, prepaid cards).
• OSHC insurance: A$500-700/year (mandatory, we’ll discuss in detail below).

Total annual budget (tuition + living) in Sydney/Melbourne: A$55,000-75,000 (approx. €33,000-45,000). In Brisbane/Perth/Adelaide: A$48,000-65,000 (approx. €29,000-39,000).

For comparison: a year at the University of Edinburgh costs approximately £35,000-45,000 (tuition + living), which is about €40,000-52,000. Over a three-year period, Australia can be comparable or even cheaper, and you get a Post-Study Work Visa included.

Admissions – How to Apply with International High School Qualifications

Good news: Australian universities do not require standardized tests like the SAT or ACT (unlike some European universities). Admissions are based on your high school academic results.

The Polish Matura exam is recognized by Australian universities. Your results from the extended-level Matura subjects are converted into an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), a scale from 0-99.95 used to rank applicants. The conversion method varies by university, but generally:

• University of Melbourne: requires an ATAR equivalent of 85-96+ depending on the program
• University of Sydney: ATAR 80-99+
• UNSW: ATAR 80-96+
• ANU: ATAR 80-95+

In practice: if you have strong high school results (e.g., 70%+ from extended-level subjects), you have a good chance at Go8 universities. The more competitive the program (medicine, law), the higher the requirements.

Application process:

1. Choose your university and program – search on university websites in the “International admissions” or “Future students” sections.
2. Check requirements, minimum ATAR, required subjects (e.g., advanced mathematics for engineering), language requirements.
3. Submit your application online – directly on the university’s website (there is no central system like UCAS in the UK). Application fee: A$100-150.
4. Attach documents, school transcripts (translated into English by a certified translator), IELTS/TOEFL score, passport.
5. Await an offer – usually 2-6 weeks. A conditional offer if you haven’t yet received your final high school diploma, an unconditional offer if you have.
6. Accept the offer and pay a deposit, usually the equivalent of one semester’s tuition.
7. Apply for a visa – after receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Important: there is no single deadline. Most Go8 universities have rolling admissions with indicative deadlines; for Semester 1 (February), typically by October 31st-November 30th of the preceding year, and for Semester 2 (July), by May 31st. Popular programs may close earlier.

Language Requirements – IELTS or TOEFL?

English proficiency is a mandatory requirement. Australian universities accept several certificates:

IELTS Academic, the most popular choice in Australia. Requirements:

• Most bachelor’s programs: 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each band
• More demanding programs: law, medicine, teaching: 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5-7.0 in each band
• University of Melbourne: 6.5 (min. 6.0) for most, 7.0 for law and medicine
• University of Sydney: 6.5 (min. 6.0) standard, 7.0-7.5 for selected programs

TOEFL iBT – equally accepted:

• Standard: 79-94 overall (with minimum scores in individual sections)
• Premium programs: 94-100+
• You can find a comparison of TOEFL vs. IELTS here

PTE Academic, increasingly popular in Australia (computer-based test, results in 48 hours). Standard requirement: 58-65.

My advice: take the IELTS Academic – it’s the standard in Australia. Preparation at prepclass.io will give you a solid foundation. If you prefer a computer-based test, PTE Academic is an excellent alternative.

Student Visa (subclass 500) – Step by Step

As an international student, you will need a subclass 500 student visa to study in Australia. The process is entirely online and usually takes 4-6 weeks (but can be longer, so apply well in advance).

Requirements:

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) – you will receive this from the university after accepting the offer and paying the deposit.
2. Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement, a declaration (in essay form) that your primary purpose is study, not immigration. You describe your motivation, post-study plans, and ties to your home country. This is an important document – treat it seriously.
3. Proof of funds, documenting access to a minimum of A$21,041/year for living expenses + tuition + travel costs. This could be a parent’s bank statement, a scholarship, or a loan.
4. OSHC – paid health insurance for the entire duration of your studies (see section below).
5. IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score.
6. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
7. Police clearance certificate (from your home country).
8. Medical examinations, at a designated clinic (panel physician) in your home country.

Visa fee: A$710 (approx. €430). Cost of medical examinations: approx. €45-90.

Right to work: The subclass 500 visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during breaks (winter/summer holidays). The 48-hour limit applies to all jobs combined. The minimum wage is A$24.10/hour – one of the highest in the world.

OSHC Health Insurance

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all international students in Australia for the entire duration of their visa. You don’t negotiate, you simply purchase it.

OSHC covers:

• Doctor’s visits (in-hospital and out-of-hospital)
• Hospitalization
• A portion of prescription medications
• Ambulance services in most states
• Basic diagnostic procedures

Does not cover: dentistry, optics, physiotherapy, pre-existing conditions.

Main providers: Medibank, Allianz Care, Bupa, nib. Cost: A$500-700 annually – typically, the university offers the option to pay for OSHC together with tuition.

Comparison with European health cards: In Europe, citizens of EU countries often have access to public healthcare through cards like the EHIC/EKUZ. This does not apply in Australia; you must have OSHC. It’s an additional cost, but the coverage is robust.

Student Cities – Where to Study?

Melbourne, the #1 city for students in Australia. Regularly chosen as the world’s most livable city. The cultural, artistic, culinary, and café scene is phenomenal – Melbourne is considered Australia’s coffee capital (and for good reason). The University of Melbourne and Monash University have campuses here. Climate: four seasons in one day (seriously, they have a saying for it). Winter: 8-14°C, summer: 20-35°C. Room cost: A$250-400/week. Melbourne is home to a significant international community, including many individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Sydney, the largest, most iconic, most expensive. Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach – these are your daily backdrops. The University of Sydney and UNSW have campuses here. Climate is milder than Melbourne, warmer winters (12-18°C), hot summers (22-35°C). Room cost: A$300-450/week – the most expensive in Australia. But earnings are also the highest.

Brisbane, tropical, growing, more affordable. The University of Queensland is the flagship university here. Subtropical climate – warm all year round (winter: 15-22°C, summer: 25-33°C). Host of the 2032 Olympic Games, which drives investment and development. Room cost: A$200-350/week. A great option for those who want to study at a top 50 university on a lower budget.

Perth, sunny, isolated, beautiful. The University of Western Australia has a campus considered one of the most beautiful in Australia (on the Swan River, surrounded by parks and gardens). Perth is geographically closer to Singapore than Sydney. Room cost: A$200-350/week. The job market is strong in the mining and energy sectors.

Adelaide – Australia’s most student-friendly city proportionally to its population. The University of Adelaide and other institutions give the city an academic character. The most affordable major city, rooms from A$180/week. Additional 5 migration points for graduates (important when applying for permanent residency). The wine region (Barossa Valley) is within easy reach.

Canberra – the capital, home to ANU. A small city (430,000 inhabitants), quiet, focused on politics and administration. Excellent for political science and international relations. Costs are between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Post-Study Work Visa, Your Gateway to a Career

This is the section where Australia truly stands out. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in the Post-Study Work stream gives you the right to work in Australia after completing your studies – without needing an employer sponsor.

The visa length depends on the level of study completed:

• Bachelor’s degree: 2 years
• Master’s by coursework: 2 years
• Master’s by research: 3 years
• Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years
• Studying in a regional area (e.g., Adelaide, Perth): an additional year or two

What does this mean in practice? You complete a three-year bachelor’s degree at the University of Adelaide, you get a 485 visa for 3-4 years (2 base years + 1-2 additional for a regional area). You have almost four years to find a job, gain experience, and potentially apply for permanent residency.

Requirements for the 485 visa:

• Completion of studies (minimum 2 years) in Australia
• Under 50 years of age
• IELTS 6.0 overall (min. 5.0 in each band) or equivalent
• Health insurance
• Australian Federal Police check

Job market: Australia has low unemployment (approx. 3.5-4%) and a chronic shortage of workers in many sectors, including IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and finance. Go8 graduates with good results and work experience gained during studies have solid prospects. The average graduate salary in Australia: A$65,000-75,000/year (approx. €39,000-45,000).

Scholarships and Funding

Australia is not known for generous undergraduate scholarships (unlike the USA), but options do exist:

Australia Awards – an Australian government program, primarily for developing countries. International students from certain countries may qualify, so it’s worth monitoring program updates.

Destination Australia, scholarships of A$15,000/year for students studying in regional areas (e.g., Adelaide, Tasmania, Townsville). These are real funds that significantly reduce your budget.

University scholarships – each Go8 university offers scholarships for international students:

• University of Melbourne: Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship, up to 50% tuition fee reduction (highly competitive)
• University of Sydney: Sydney Scholars Awards – A$6,000-40,000
• UNSW: International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, up to full tuition coverage
• ANU: Chancellor’s International Scholarship – up to 50% tuition
• University of Queensland: UQ International Scholarships, A$10,000-40,000

Advice: apply for scholarships simultaneously with your admission application. Some universities automatically consider you for scholarships based on academic results – you don’t need to submit a separate application. Others require an additional essay. Check the specific university’s website.

Also compare with European scholarship options; you might find that a combination of an Australian scholarship plus part-time work during studies yields a similar net effect to a European scholarship.

Time Zone, Contact with Home, and International Community

Let’s be honest: Australia is far away. The time difference between your home country and Sydney can be significant, often +9 to +10 hours ahead. For example, if it’s 8:00 PM in your home country, it might be 5:00 AM the next day in Sydney. When you finish classes in Australia at 5:00 PM, it could be early morning in your home country.

What this means in practice:

• Calls with family: early Australian time (evening in your home country) or late evening in your home country (early morning in Australia).
• Flight from your home country to Australia: 20-24 hours with one layover (most often via Dubai, Doha, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur). Ticket: €800-1,500 return.
• Visits: realistically 1-2 times a year (Australian summer holidays = Christmas in many Northern Hemisphere countries, which is an ideal time).

Australia is home to a large and diverse international community, with significant populations from various countries, particularly in cities like Melbourne and Sydney. While not specifically an academic diaspora, these are multi-generational communities, often descendants of migration waves from past decades, and an increasing number of young international students are arriving for studies and work. In major cities, you’ll find cultural clubs, specialized grocery stores, and community groups that cater to different nationalities, helping international students feel at home.

If maintaining close contact with family and frequent visits are a priority, studying in Europe will be logistically easier. But if you view your studies as the adventure of a lifetime and a step towards an international career – distance quickly becomes less significant.

How to Prepare for Your Application: A Timeline

Assuming you are aiming for Semester 1 (February) of the next year:

February-March (year before departure): Research universities and programs. Check ATAR requirements, how your high school qualifications are converted, and language requirements. Begin preparing for IELTS or TOEFL on prepclass.io.

April-May: Take the IELTS/TOEFL. Results are valid for 2 years. If you don’t achieve the required score – retake it in June.

May-July: Complete your high school final exams. Have your school documents translated by a certified translator.

August-September: Submit online applications to your chosen universities (usually 2-4 institutions). Attach translations, IELTS score, passport. Pay the application fee.

September-October: Receive offers. Compare, accept the best one, pay the deposit. Receive your CoE.

October-November: Submit your subclass 500 visa application online. Write your GTE statement. Undergo medical examinations. Pay for OSHC.

December-January: Receive your visa. Book accommodation (dorm or room). Buy your flight ticket. Pack.

February: Fly to Australia. Orientation Week. Begin your studies.

This timeline is approximate; each university has its own deadlines, so check their websites for exact dates.

Read Also

• Studying Abroad – A Comprehensive Guide for Future Students
• The IELTS Exam: A Complete Guide 2026
• TOEFL vs. IELTS – Which Certificate for University?
• International High School Qualifications and Studying Abroad: Converting Your Results
• Scholarships for Studying in Europe – A Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: Is Australia for You?

Australia offers studies for the ambitious – for those who want more than just another European university a short flight from their home country. It’s a country that provides world-class education (4 universities in the QS top 50), the right to work from day one of your studies, a Post-Study Work Visa for 2-4 years after graduation, and a lifestyle that many in other parts of the world can only dream of.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s far. Yes, the time difference can be challenging. But if you calculate the ROI – a three-year bachelor’s degree (a year shorter than typical European bachelor’s degrees in many fields), earnings during studies (A$800-1,200/month), a Post-Study Work Visa with access to a job market where the average graduate salary is A$70,000/year – the numbers start to make sense. And the experience of living on the other side of the world, in a multicultural, English-speaking country with beaches, kangaroos, and the best coffee on the planet? That’s priceless.

Next Steps

1. Research universities, visit the Group of Eight websites and look for programs that interest you. Each university has an “International students” section with an ATAR calculator.
2. Prepare for IELTS – start studying on prepclass.io, aiming for 6.5+ overall. If you’re just starting, our IELTS guide will help you plan your preparation.
3. Convert your high school results – use our guide to converting your results to see what ATAR you can expect.
4. Compare with Europe, read our guides on studying in the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain and decide what fits your priorities.
5. Contact us – if you need help with your application, choosing a university, or preparing for IELTS, write to College Council. We’ll help you through the entire process step-by-step.

See you Down Under!