Cost of Studying in Australia | Australia University Fees

The cost of studying in Australia in 2026 ranges from 700 million to 1.2 billion VND/year, depending on the level of study, major and city. This is a number that many parents and students are interested in when learning how much money is needed to study in Australia.

In fact, the total cost includes not only tuition but also living expenses, housing, insurance, and initial expenses. Therefore, to know exactly how much it costs to study in Australia for 1 year, you need to look at each expense as a whole.

In this article, IDP Vietnam will fully update the latest cost of studying in Australia in 2026, helping you build a clear and effective financial plan.

According to statistics from IDP Education, the cost of studying in Australia is about 28,450 AUD for high school, about 39,280 AUD for bachelor's degree, and about 41,421 AUD for master's degree.

However, the cost will vary depending on the school, the city you live in, and the level of personal spending. In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, you also need to prepare some expenses before coming to Australia, including:

• Student visa application fee

• On-demand medical examination costs

• OSHC Health Insurance

• Housing Fees

The cost of studying in Australia varies from level to level of study

Tuition fees to study in Australia in 2026 will vary depending on the school, field of study, and program you choose. In addition, each school will have its own regulations on the time and method of payment of tuition fees. Normally, international students are required to pay tuition fees at the beginning of each semester. Below are the general tuition fees for each level of study at Australian schools that you can refer to:

The cost of studying in Australia varies from level to level of study

2.1 Secondary Tuition Fees

On average, secondary school tuition fees in Australia range from AUD 14,400 to AUD 47,400 per year, depending on the type of school (public or private) and region.

This fee may be higher at private schools or in larger cities. Note, this is only a tuition fee and does not include living expenses, insurance and other expenses incurred during the process of studying in Australia.

2.2 Tuition fees for college and vocational training

Studying in Australia at the college level has two options: vocational college or diploma, with the following tuition fees:

• Vocational College: The program lasts 1 – 2 years, with tuition fees from 14,730 – 24,104 AUD/year

• Transfer College: Designed for transfer to university, the duration of study is from 6 to 12 months, with tuition fees ranging from 23,541 to 46,080 AUD/year.

2.3 Undergraduate tuition fees

The average undergraduate tuition fee in Australia ranges from 22,655 to 52,660 AUD/year, with a study program lasting 3-4 years. This tuition fee will vary depending on the field of study and the university you choose. The specific cost will depend on the program you choose. Bachelor's Degree:

• Arts & Social Sciences: 25,000 – 40,000 AUD/year

• Business/Trade: 30,000 – 50,000 AUD/year

• Engineering/Technology: 30,000 – 50,000 AUD/year

• Law: 35,000 – 50,000 AUD/year

• Science: 30,000 – 45,000 AUD/year

• Medicine & Health: 50,000 – 80,000 AUD/year

Please note that these numbers are for reference only, please contact IDP Vietnam for the latest updates.

2.4 Tuition fees for Master's and Doctoral degrees

Tuition fees for Master's and Doctoral degrees in Australia also vary depending on the field of study, university and form of training. Here are the general tuition fees that you can refer to:

• Master's degree: The average tuition fee is 24,042 – 58,800 AUD/year, with a study period of 1 – 2 years.

• Ph.D.: Tuition fees range from AUD 26,600 to AUD 55,232 per year, depending on the field of study and university, with a research program lasting 3 – 4 years.

The average total cost of living in Australia ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 AUD/month depending on the city and lifestyle. Includes living expenses and housing costs.

3.1 Cost of living in Australia

The cost of living in Australia is an important factor in helping you maintain a comfortable and balanced life between study and experience. This level of spending will vary depending on the area you live in, your consumption habits, and the type of housing you choose. Here are the living costs you can afford when studying in Australia range from the following:

3.2. Housing Costs in Australia

Note: Costs can vary by city — Sydney and Melbourne are usually 20–30% higher than Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth.

With a budget of less than 600 AUD/month, a hostel or hostel is the optimal choice. If you want to improve your English and integrate quickly, homestays with native speakers are worth considering despite the higher cost.

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) health insurance is a mandatory requirement for international students when applying for an Australian student visa. This is a type of insurance designed specifically to support healthcare costs during their studies in Australia.

OSHC costs usually range from 500 to 700 AUD per year, depending on the length of the course and the insurance provider.

This insurance helps pay for basic medical services such as:

• Doctor Consultation

• Inpatient treatment (hospitalization)

• Emergency Ambulance Costs

So, when calculating the cost of studying in Australia, you need to include OSHC in your mandatory financial plan.

If you need detailed advice on OSHC insurance or how to study in Australia, contact IDP for the latest support and updates.

• Australian student visa fees:

The visa fee is a mandatory expense when applying for an Australian student visa. Currently, the fee for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) for international students is about 2,000 AUD (updated from July 2025).This is a fee set by the Australian Government and may change from time to time. Therefore, when finding out how much money you need to study in Australia, you should update the latest information before applying.Cost of applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500)Note: this is the Australian Government's minimum regulatory level and may vary from time to time. Refer to the Australian student visa or contact the IDP hotline 19006955 for support in updating accurate and fast information

• Medical Examination Fee

The cost of a medical examination to study in Australia will range from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND. The fee will depend on the medical facility designated by the Australian Consulate in Vietnam.

Airline tickets are a one-time expense but not a small one, which many international students often forget when planning their finances.

Saving tip: Booking tickets 3–4 months in advance and avoiding Tet and summer holidays can save 20–30% of the cost of air tickets.

• Australian student visa fees:

The visa fee is a mandatory expense when applying for an Australian student visa. Currently, the fee for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) for international students is about 2,000 AUD (updated from July 2025).

This is a fee set by the Australian Government and may change from time to time. Therefore, when finding out how much money you need to study in Australia, you should update the latest information before applying.

Cost of applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500)

Managing your finances wisely will not only help you reduce your cost burden, but it will also make your journey to study in Australia more fulfilling and less stressful. You can refer to some cost-saving tips to study in Australia below:

7.1 Hunt for scholarships to study in Australia

There are many attractive scholarship programs for Vietnamese students when choosing to study in Australia. Some typical scholarships can be mentioned such as:

• Australia Awards Scholarships – scholarships funded by the Australian Government

• The University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship.

• Sydney International Student Award by the University of Sydney.

When applying for a scholarship, you need to carefully research the admission criteria of each program. At the same time, make sure that all necessary documents and documents are fully prepared and submitted on time to increase your chances of successfully hunting for scholarships to study in Australia.

7.2 Overtime

International students are allowed to work up to 48 hours/2 weeks during the semester and not limited to vacations.

• Minimum wage (from 1 July 2025): 24.95 AUD/hour (before tax).

• It can be higher if done on weekends, holidays or in some specific industries.

Working part-time not only helps you increase your income, but also trains your soft skills and expands your network in Australia. Part-time Work in Australia: Regulations, Benefits, and Popular Jobs

7.3 Choosing a school and place of residence

You should prioritise studying in low-cost cities such as Adelaide, Hobart or Brisbane instead of Sydney or Melbourne to save significantly on the cost of studying in Australia. In the early stages, you can choose to live in a dormitory or share with friends to reduce the financial burden. Once you have settled into your life, you should consider renting a private house to suit your budget.

7.4 Manage personal finances effectively

The cost of studying abroad in Australia is not only encapsulated in tuition fees but also many other additional fees such as meals, travel, and parties. To avoid falling into a difficult situation in an unfamiliar place, you should have a reasonable spending plan. If you have a limited budget, you can save by cooking at home instead of eating out, traveling by public transportation, buying old books and supplies at student societies. Having a reasonable spending plan will not only help you have financial stability but also help you accumulate for long-term goals in the future.

7.5 Take advantage of the student offer

The Australian government has a number of support policies in place to help international students reduce the cost of living in Australia. For example, students studying full-time at schools in the state of New South Wales can apply for the Concession Opal Card to get discounts on using public transport. Taking advantage of these incentives will help you save significantly in the total cost of studying in Australia.

The total cost of studying in Australia for the first year varies depending on the level and field of study, as well as the city you choose. Below is the total cost, including tuition fees, living expenses, visas, and insurance:

Monthly Cost of Living in Australia:

(Excluding rent of 300–1,300 AUD/month)

The actual cost will vary by city — Sydney and Melbourne are usually 15–25% higher than Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth.

As you can see, the cost of studying in Australia depends on many factors such as the level of study, the field of study, and the city you choose. On average, international students should prepare between 700 million and 1.2 billion VND to ensure stable living and studying conditions in Australia.

It's crucial to start planning your finances as early as possible: clearly define each expense, proactively seek scholarships, and choose a city that fits your budget to optimize costs from the start.

If you need detailed advice on costs, scholarships, and a suitable study plan, please contact IDP Education — an agency with over 57 years of experience in international study abroad consulting. Our team of experts will support you from choosing a school, preparing your application, finding accommodation, to registering for the IELTS test — all in a clear plan tailored to your personal budget.

📞 Hotline: 19006955 — Free consultation, no commitment required.