Australia

• Most bachelor's degrees take three years.
• You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term and unlimited hours when your course is not in session.
• The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) gives most degree graduates 2–3 years to live and work in Australia, and longer for Indian nationals under the AI-ECTA trade agreement.
• Qualifications sit within a national framework (the AQF) that is recognised internationally in many industries.

Teaching language

English

Intakes

Most universities start their year in March, and many also offer a mid-year (second semester) intake. Some providers run trimesters with more start dates.

Bachelor's

Usually 3 years (4 with honours)

Master's

1–2 years

PhD

Usually 3 years, plus about 1 year for review

Tuition

Study Australia does not publish a national fee range: fees vary by provider, level of study and city, so check each course in its Course Search (checked October 2026).

You apply directly to each provider, usually online, or through an education agent that the provider works with. If you are accepted you get a letter of offer; after you accept, the provider issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you need for your visa. Assessment can take a few weeks, and longer for postgraduate courses.

The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is issued by your Australian education provider for a full-time CRICOS-registered course after you accept its Letter of Offer and pay your deposit, and you must attach it to your Student visa (subclass 500) application.

1. 1

   Step 1: Apply to an education provider

   Apply directly to the provider, usually through its website, for a full-time course registered on CRICOS. Assessment can take a few weeks, or longer for postgraduate courses.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
2. 2

   Step 2: Accept your Letter of Offer

   Read the Letter of Offer carefully, as it sets out your course, enrolment conditions and fees, then accept it and pay your deposit.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
3. 3

   Step 3: Receive your CoE

   Your provider sends you the CoE after you accept the offer and pay the deposit, and you must include a copy in your visa application. It must still be valid when your visa is decided, so if it is cancelled you must attach a new CoE in ImmiAccount.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
4. 4

   Step 4: Arrange OSHC and documents

   Get Overseas Student Health Cover for your whole stay (unless you are exempt), and use the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool for your passport country and provider to see which evidence you need, such as English test results and proof of funds. You can have any required health examinations before you apply.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
5. 5

   Step 5: Lodge your application in ImmiAccount

   Apply online in ImmiAccount, from outside Australia unless you meet an exemption, attach your CoE and documents, answer the Genuine Student questions in English and pay the visa application charge. Submit a complete, decision-ready application, as missing documents can lead to refusal or delay.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
6. 6

   Step 6: Give biometrics and health checks

   If you are asked for biometrics, provide them within 14 days and before you travel, and complete any health examinations listed in ImmiAccount. Reply promptly to requests for information and avoid booking travel until your visa is finalised.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
7. 7

   Step 7: Travel once your visa is granted

   If you applied from outside Australia you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted, and the decision letter gives your visa grant number, expiry date and conditions. Start your OSHC from the day you arrive, not from your course start date, and do not enter Australia before it begins.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)

Visa

Student visa (subclass 500)

You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), proof of English and money, and you must meet the Genuine Student requirement. From 2 October 2026 most people must apply from outside Australia and be outside when the visa is granted, and most applicants can no longer include a partner or children (exemptions include PhD students, some government-sponsored or scholarship students, and eligible Pacific and ASEAN students). Offshore applications are processed under Ministerial Direction 115 (since 14 November 2025), which gives higher priority to providers within their enrolment allocations.

Proof of funds

AUD 29,710 a year for living costs (the figure in use since 10 May 2024), plus 12 months of course fees and travel costs (AUD 2,000 for most applicants outside Australia). Instead, you can show that a parent or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply.

Visa fee

AUD 2,500 for most applicants (from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000); lower rates apply to some ASEAN, Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders and to independent ELICOS and non-award courses.

While you study

Up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours when it is not. Students doing a master's by research or a doctorate have no work limit. You cannot work before your course starts.

After you graduate

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream: 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's, and 3 years for a research master's or doctorate. Indian nationals get longer stays under AI-ECTA (for example 3 years for any master's and 4 years for a PhD). You must be 35 or under (exceptions apply), be in Australia, have held a Student visa in the last 6 months, and provide English test results, health insurance and evidence that you applied for an Australian police check.