Studying for a Master's degree in Australia is the path that many people choose to improve their knowledge and expand their future. There are many reasons why Australia is the top country of choice for many international students, but perhaps the quality of learning is the most important reason. If you are interested in this topic, let's follow 9 things to know before starting to study abroad for a Master's in Australia in the article below!

1. Why should you study for a Master's degree in Australia?

Many people choose Australia as the place to continue their Master's studies for the following reasons:

Top-tier education

Australia boasts 9 universities in the top 100 worldwide according to the QS 2027 rankings, and a Master's degree obtained in Australia is highly valued in many developed countries.

Reasonable tuition fees compared to the UK and the US

Compared to Master's tuition fees in Australia, those in the UK and the US are considered reasonable. Furthermore, some Australian universities offer tuition support and scholarships up to 100%, helping international Master's students live more comfortably.

Ideal learning environment

Australia is a developed country with modern infrastructure, convenient transportation, and a high-quality healthcare and social welfare system, providing a safe and stable living environment for international students. Allowed to work part-time during studies

Australian Master's students are allowed to:

Work a maximum of 48 hours every two weeks during the academic term
Work full-time during holidays

This helps students earn extra income to cover living expenses and gain practical work experience.

Many attractive scholarship opportunities:

Every year, the Australian Government and universities allocate hundreds of millions of AUD for scholarships for international students. Vietnamese students have many opportunities to receive partial or full scholarships, depending on their academic achievements and personal profile.

Opportunities to stay and work after graduation for up to 5 years

After completing their studies, students can apply for a work visa:
Vocational programs: stay for approximately 18 months
University & Master's programs: stay for 2 years, 3–4 years in regional programs
Research/PhD programs: stay for 3 years, up to 4–5 years in regional programs

Age requirement: Applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of application for the Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa (Subclass 485).

This visa allows students to stay in Australia for an extended period after graduation, providing opportunities to gain practical work experience, enhance professional skills, and increase chances of permanent residency and long-term career development in Australia.

Multicultural community, easy to integrate

Australia is a multicultural country with a large international student community. Vietnamese students studying abroad easily integrate, expand their social circle, and do not feel lonely while living and studying far from home.

2. Conditions for studying for a Master's degree in Australia

The conditions for studying in Australia for a master's degree depend on many factors, such as university, field of study or age, academic capacity, and English proficiency, so you can't say for sure when you haven't chosen the right course for you.

However, to know whether you are eligible to study abroad for a master's degree in Australia, you can consider the following factors:

  • Obtained a bachelor's degree from a university in Vietnam (recognized by the Australian education system).

  • Academic transcripts serve as proof of college GPA. Many schools only need a university degree, but top schools such as the leading universities in Australia, require a GPA from 6.0 to 8.0

  • English language requirements: You may not be required to submit an IELTS score immediately after applying. Instead, you can supplement your IELTS result after receiving a conditional offer letter. If your English score does not meet the requirements, you can take a preparatory English course.

  • A passport is an indispensable document.

  • If, after completing university in Vietnam and going to work, you need proof of that job

  • In addition, some other documents are needed, such as letters of recommendation, essays expressing learning purposes, achievements of competitions you have gained, and work experience (if applicable).

3. Master's Program in Australia

Currently, there are 2 programs for master's study abroad in Australia. Each type has different characteristics, so you can consider the choice to suit yourself.

1: Master by Coursework: You will study the required number of credits of the school; each subject or essay will have a different number of credits; the more time the subject has, the more credits there are. The advantage of this form of learning is that students can arrange their own study schedules. With this form of learning, it is suitable for students to choose a study program with high practicality, high application in work and the future. These students will not go on to higher education, and this is also the form chosen by many students when studying abroad in Australia.

2: Master by Research: Students will not come to school every day to study when choosing a master's degree in Australia. However, you need to find a professor/doctoral supervisor to complete the research project. For this form of studying abroad in Australia, although you do not have to go to school regularly, the difficulty of completing the project and protecting success is higher than studying on credit. Therefore, those who plan to study and study more intensively will choose this form of study and continue to be doctoral students.

4. Time to study in Australia at the Master's level

Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is Australia's largest multidisciplinary university. Graduate students thrive with the support of leading professionals. In addition, the number of international students studying for a Master's degree in Australia at the University of Sydney is exceptionally large, accounting for about one-fourth of the total number of students at the university. The University of Sydney has become the dream of many students in Australia in particular and around the world.The duration of studying in Australia for a Master's degree usually lasts from 1 to 4 years depending on the program you are studying. With the Master's coursework program, you will study for about 1-2 years. There are cases where you want to shorten the study time to quickly return home or go to work, which will increase the speed of learning faster. As for luring students to choose to study for a Master's degree in research, the study period lasts up to 3-4 years.

5. Tuition Fees for Master's Degree in Australia

Studying abroad in Australia has a modest tuition fee, but you and your family still have to know and determine the following costs:

The tuition fee for studying for a Master's degree in Australia is not too high, but you and your family still need to know and determine the cost of studying for a Master's degree in Australia—including tuition fees, compulsory health insurance (OSHC), and general living expenses as follows:

Expense Items

Cost (AUD/year)

Master

A26,640 – $63,600/year

English course (if applicable)

A$400 – A$680/week

Average OSHC/year

A$665/year

Cost of living

A$24,505 – A$29,710/year

Related Article: How much does it cost to study in Australia?

6. Information about Master's Scholarships to Study in Australia

Getting a scholarship when studying for a Master's degree in Australia is not too difficult because many universities have scholarships exclusively for foreign students. The scholarship level ranges from 10 to 100%. are divided into the following 2 levels:

  • Scholarship level 10 - 30%: The school will automatically consider academic achievement and with such a scholarship level, the number of students will not be limited, so if you have a bachelor's degree in Good or higher, you may receive a scholarship.

  • The type of scholarship level is 50 - 100%: limited number and high competition, the school only selects excellent applications and has many outstanding achievements and special talents to award. In this way, it is easier to attract talents to study at the school.

Some notable Australian Master's scholarship programs

Schools

Name of Scholarship

Values

University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

"UTS Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship

Value"

100% of the whole course

La Trobe University

La Trobe Vice Chancellor Scholarship

50%- 100% Full Course

Adelaide University (AU)

The Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship

50% of the entire course

Flinders University

Vice-Chancellor International Scholarships

50% of the entire course

Federation University

Vice Chancellor's Award

50% of the entire course

University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Academic Excellence International Scholarship

30% of the entire course

University of Wollongong (UOW)

Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship

30% of the entire course

Flinders University

Global Excellent Scholarship

30% of the entire course

Swinburne University of Technology

George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship

30% of annual tuition fees

The University of Melbourne (UniMelb)

Melbourne International Graduate Scholarship

20% of the entire course

However, each school has different requirements for scholarship applications, so to be sure, you can contact IDP's hotline at 1900 6955 for more detailed advice.

7. Documents to be prepared before studying for a Master's degree in Australia

To prepare for studying abroad for a Master's degree in Australia, there are many types of documents and documents that you need to prepare. Some documents take a long time to obtain, so you can prepare them as soon as possible.

1 - Application for Master's degree

  • University diplomas and transcripts.

  • Passport.

  • IELTS certificate or equivalent

  • Application for registration.

  • Awards, other achievements if any, CV, essay, design (if required by the school)

2 - Visa Application

  • An offer letter from the school in Australia.

  • Confirmation of Enrollment

  • Health Insurance

  • Documents to work in Vietnam (if any)

  • Scholarship letter, if applicable

  • Documents about studying in Vietnam.

  • Proof of financial documents.

Contact IDP for detailed advice.

Note:

  • The visa processing time for postgraduate students is 30 days to 7 months

  • Universities in Australia usually open in 2 batches, February and July, but there are also some schools whose admission period falls in October-November.

The advice for international students is to apply for a study and apply for visa early, which will have an advantage because the Australian visa processing time needs to be relatively long.

8. Reputable Universities to Choose When Studying for a Master's Degree in Australia

Refer to the top prestigious schools and many scholarships in Australia for Master's studies below.

8.1. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

Established in 1949, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) is one of the leading universities in Sydney and one of Australia's most prestigious universities. The university stands out for its practice-oriented training, research strengths and business cooperation networks, providing an international learning environment and career development opportunities for graduates.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, UNSW Sydney is ranked #19 in the world and #1 in Australia, making it the only Australian university to be in the top 20 of this year's rankings.

When studying a Master's degree in Australia at UNSW Sydney, international students can choose from a wide range of fields of study such as Communication, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Social Sciences, Architecture, Law, Medicine and Science. Postgraduate programmes at UNSW focus on combining professional knowledge with hands-on experience and research, suitable for students who are oriented towards professional and professional development in an international environment.

The tuition fee for a Master's degree at UNSW Sydney (full-time) is around A$41,000 – A$73,000 per year, depending on the subject and programme.

8.2. The University of Melbourne

Founded in 1853, The University of Melbourne is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Australia, distinguishing itself for the quality of its teaching and academic research. With an international learning environment, the university attracts students from many countries, providing a multicultural learning experience for international students.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, The University of Melbourne is ranked #22 in the world and #2 in Australia, continuing to be among the top universities in Australia and the world. The university also ranks highly in many areas in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, including Life Sciences & Medicine (#14 in the world), Social Sciences & Management (#19) and Arts & Humanities (#16).

When studying for a Master's degree in Australia at the University of Melbourne, students can choose from a variety of fields of study such as Business & Management, Environment, Medicine, Arts & Humanities, Music and many more. The programs combine academic foundation with research and practical application, suitable for international students who are oriented to postgraduate study and career development.

Master's tuition fees at The University of Melbourne for international students are calculated according to the discipline, program, and volume of study. According to the university's 2026 international tuition fee table, tuition fees vary significantly between programs, so students are advised to check the specific tuition fees for each course before applying.

8.3. The University of Sydney

Founded in 1850, The University of Sydney is Australia's first university and one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. The university stands out for its diverse training system, research strengths and international academic environment, with more than 450 courses in 10 fields of study.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, The University of Sydney is ranked #28 in the world, continuing to be among the highest-ranked universities globally. The university also has many disciplines that rank prominently in QS sector rankings.

When studying for a Master's degree in Australia at The University of Sydney, international students can choose from a wide range of fields such as Medicine, Architecture, Social Sciences, Dentistry, Science, Engineering, Business and Law. Postgraduate programs are designed with a wide range of fields of study, research and career orientation.

Master's tuition fees at The University of Sydney for international students vary depending on the field of study and program. According to the reference fee for the 2026 admission period, postgraduate coursework tuition fees range from around A$48,100 per year, while some industry groups have higher fees.

8.4. Monash University

Study Australian Master's at Monash University

Monash University is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Australia, and a member of Australia's top 8 research universities.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, Monash University is ranked #31 in the world, among the top universities in the world and a member of the most prestigious group of research universities in Australia.

When studying for a Master's degree in Australia at Monash University, international students can choose from a wide range of fields of study such as Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Communication, Education, Law, Health and Pharmacy. Monash also has outstanding strengths in many fields according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, of which Pharmacy & Pharmacy #2 in the world, Engineering & Technology #4 and Business & Management #4.

The tuition fee for a Master's program at Monash University (full-time) is around A$37,600 – A$53,000/year, depending on the field of study and program of study.

8.5. The Australian National University (ANU)

Established in 1946, The Australian National University (ANU) is Australia's national university, distinguished by its strengths in research and postgraduate training. The university was built with the aim of developing research capacity at an international level and is now one of Australia's important research higher education institutions. ANU also has a diverse international student community, with more than 17,000 students from more than 100 countries.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, The Australian National University (ANU) is ranked #32 in the world, continuing to be among the highest-ranked universities in Australia and around the world.

ANU has strengths in a wide range of areas such as Modern Languages, Marine & Maritime Sciences, Law, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations. With a strong research orientation, the Master's programmes at ANU are suitable for students who want to develop in-depth knowledge, analytical thinking and research capacity in an international academic environment.

Master's tuition fees at ANU for international students vary depending on the field of study, program and volume of study. Therefore, students should check the specific tuition fees of each program before applying.

8.6. The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of the top 8 universities in Australia with a system of modern facilities and high-quality lecturers. The university orients training associated with practice, creating conditions for students to participate in internships and accumulate professional experience right in the process of studying.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, The University of Queensland ranks #40 in the world and #6 in Australia, continuing to be among the top universities globally. UQ is particularly outstanding for research in areas such as Science, Biomedicine, Engineering, Environment and Health.

When studying for a Master's degree in Australia at UQ, international students can choose from a variety of majors such as Sports Science, Mining, Education, Environment, Nursing, Tourism – Hospitality, Medicine and Pharmacy, Business, Design, Architecture, Communication, Psychology, Journalism and Music. The training programs are built with the orientation of developing professional knowledge, practical skills and research capacity.

Master's degree tuition fees at The University of Queensland for international students vary depending on the field of study and program of study. For some Master's programs, full-time tuition fees in 2026 are around A$45,792 – A$58,056/year, depending on the program and the amount of study.

8.7. The University of Western Australia (UWA)

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of the leading research universities in Australia and a member of the Group of 8 Universities in Australia. The university stands out for its strengths in research, innovation and training in a wide range of fields, and has a network of more than 150 partner universities globally.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, UWA is ranked #77 in the world, continuing to be among the top 100 universities globally.

When studying a Master's degree in Australia at UWA, international students can choose from a wide range of fields of study such as Agriculture, Medicine, Engineering, Mining, Psychology, Dentistry, Accounting, Finance, Data Science and Information Technology. Postgraduate programs at UWA combine professional training with research-oriented and hands-on experience, suitable for students looking for professional development and long-term career orientation.

The tuition fee for a Master's program at UWA (full-time) is around A$39,300 – A$54,900/year, depending on the field of study and program of study. Tuition fees are published by UWA on a per-course basis and may be adjusted annually.

Frequently asked questions about studying for a Master's degree in Australia

1. How much IELTS do I need to study for a Master's degree in Australia?

Most schools require IELTS 6.5 or higher, with no skill below 6.0. If you do not meet the requirements, you can take an academic English course at the school before starting your main program.

2. How to apply for a scholarship to study for a Master's degree in Australia?

You need to prepare a profile with good academic performance, extracurricular records or experience achievements. Many schools offer scholarships of 25% - 100% of tuition fees for international students. IDP can help you find and apply for suitable scholarships.

3. How to apply for a visa to stay and work after studying for a Master's degree in Australia?

Upon graduation, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) to stay and work for up to five years, depending on your program of study. This is an opportunity to gain experience and improve your prospects for permanent residency.

4. Which major should I choose to study for a Master's degree in Australia?

Some of the most popular Master's programs chosen by Vietnamese students in Australia include: Business & Administration (MBA, Management, Marketing, Finance), Information Technology, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering & Applied Science, Health, Nursing & Social Work, Education & Languages. The choice of major is based on interests, career goals, job opportunities or settlement policies in Australia.

IDP Free Master's Study Abroad Advice in Australia!

Hopefully, this article will answer your questions and provide basic information about studying abroad for a Master's degree in Australia. If you want to estimate the fees of studying abroad in Australia in a specific way, check out the IDP Cost of Living Calculator here.

You can also contact IDP for advice on choosing a school, choosing a major based on your interests and strengths, guidance on preparing study abroad documents, and practicing interviews for student visas in Australia with a success rate of up to 95%. In addition, IDP always actively seeks scholarships to study in Australia up to 100% for students who come to apply at IDP.

In addition, you can register to participate in the study abroad event to have the opportunity to receive direct advice and updates on the latest information about studying abroad

IDP also provides essential support services for international students through finding accommodation, booking flight tickets at preferential rates, providing a free phone SIM (UK), and equipping skills before departure (pre-departure session).

Contact IDP for a master's study abroad consultation in Australia today!