For many students looking to study abroad, researching their dream destination is an exciting task as they begin to plan their future. There is however one bit of research with the power to be most stressful: finances. This is especially true of university tuition fees. With so many numbers it can feel difficult to compare all the information.

Not to worry, here at Hotcourses, we have researched Australian tuition fees for you. We’ve combined all the data to give you a comprehensive picture of what to expect so that you can get back to the exciting parts of preparing for your adventure Down Under.

All costs in this article are provided in US dollars, with a conversion rate of 1 USD: 1.4 AUD at the time of writing.

What do tuition fees cover?

Tuition fees in Australia are tailored to the individual student and charged by the unit (of the modules you choose to study). You can expect them to cover:

• lectures, seminars, and tutorials
• examinations
• access to university resources, e.g. libraries and computer rooms
• access to course-related facilities and equipment, e.g. laboratories and studios
• course admin costs and other academic services

Tuition fees do not usually cover any student supplies (e.g. textbooks or stationery) or living expenses (e.g. rent, travel or bills). For more information about these, why not read our article about the cost of living in Australia?

Australian universities also require students to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). This is a government-mandated fee to help provide support and non-academic amenities for students. In 2022, the SSAF was USD 225 per year. Some universities include the SSAF within their international fee structure, so check before you apply.

Understanding tuition fees

When calculating the price of tuition fees in Australia, costs will vary, so it’s critical to consider several factors.

Home country

Anyone applying to a university from outside Australia and New Zealand is considered an international student (also known as an overseas student). Therefore, they will have to pay international student fees. If you are a citizen of New Zealand, you are entitled to the same subsidised fee rates as domestic (Australian) students.

Geographic location

Tuition fees tend to be most expensive in Australia’s desirable east coast cities. But travel north, south, or east, and you’ll find options more agreeable to a tighter budget.

Academic institution

Higher ranked universities will generally charge more for tuition, meaning fees can vary significantly between institutions. You can use the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings as a reference.

Type of qualification

Often, tuition fees for postgraduate degrees are more costly per year than they are at the undergraduate level.

Subject studied

You’ll usually pay more for a STEM degree than for arts or humanities degrees. Medical and veterinary sciences are usually much more expensive than other degree types.

Course length

Don’t forget to consider the length of your course. As tuition fees are not usually charged as a one-off payment, the longer your course takes, the more expensive it will be. Undergraduate degrees in Australia are typically three years long (four years if you study for an honour’s degree).

Method of learning

If you decide to study online, it’s often considerably cheaper than traditional methods of study. Similarly, at the postgraduate level, research-based courses will be cheaper than those which are taught.

Years abroad

If your course offers a year abroad, the tuition fees for that year may be different to other years.

How much do undergraduate tuition fees cost in Australia?

Overseas tuition fees in Australia typically cost anywhere between USD 15,000 to USD 70,000 per year. There's a big range, so it’s understandable if you need a little more detail. We’ve put together all the data you need to understand what you might pay for your course.

Remember, since Australian universities charge tuition fees per unit, they are unique to each student. Therefore, these tables show indicative costs only. In our first table, you can see the cost of overseas undergraduate tuition fees (per year) at five of Australia’s top universities. These fees are for full-time courses starting in 2022.

Typical Australian international undergraduate tuition fees per year

Next, we break down these figures even further to show you the fees for some of the most popular undergraduate courses in Australia.

Typical Australian annual international undergraduate tuition fees (by course)

With these two tables, hopefully, you can get a basic understanding of what you might expect to pay in tuition fees as an undergraduate in Australia. And of course, if you already know which universities you are interested in, you can request prospectuses for more information about courses and fees.

How much are postgraduate tuition fees in Australia?

Broadly speaking, the range in postgraduate international tuition fees in Australia is about USD 6,000 to USD 70,000 per year.

We’ve put together some tables to help you understand how all these figures can be applied to your situation. Remember, as with undergraduate level, tuition fees are charged per unit and will be completely unique to each student. Therefore, these tables show indicative costs only. The prices shown are for the 2022 academic year.

Typical Australian international postgraduate tuition fees per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year)

The next table shows the costs of some popular postgraduate course options at the same five universities. Remember, the range shown for each course may include options at every level of postgraduate study, from postgraduate certificates all the way through to doctorates.

Typical Australian annual international postgraduate tuition fee per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year) by course type

*full course cost

Feeling a little more confident about what to expect? Perhaps now would be a good time to order some university prospectuses and narrow down your university choices.

How do I pay my tuition fees in Australia?

In Australia, tuition fees are paid directly to the university, usually annually and upfront. Some universities charge their tuition fees annually, whilst others charge by quarter or semester. Be sure to check fee structures with your chosen university before you apply.

You will need to pay a deposit to secure your place at the institution you have chosen to obtain your ‘Confirmation of Enrolment'. You will need to have received this before applying for your student visa. 

Did you know?

Many universities offer scholarships and funding opportunities to international students. It’s worth checking to see if there’s one that might suit you.

Now that you know all you need to about the cost of tuition fees, why not learn about the application process for universities in Australia? You could also find your perfect degree in Australia using our course matcher tool. 

Disclaimer: Whilst we’ve done all we can to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, be aware that these are guidelines and averages only. Costs may vary or change at any time, so be sure to verify fee structures with any prospective institutions.