The Cost of Studying a Masters in Australia

If you’re thinking of studying in Australia, you might be wondering how expensive it is to study down under. This page will take you through the key costs students face when studying in one of the most popular study abroad destinations.

University tuition fees

The cost of your Masters tuition can depend on the subject you study, as well as the units you take and the grade bands they fall into. The average fee is between AUD $22,000 and $50,000 per year (USD $14,200-32,280). This could be reduced to between AUD $4,445 and $16,323 for Commonwealth supported students, who pay a smaller ‘student contribution fee’.

You may also need to consider the cost of admissions tests such as the GRE and GMAT, English language tests and any other study materials you may require.

Costs associated with the Australian Student Visa

As part of the Student Visa application, you will need to show that you have access to funds to support your studies in Australia. There are several ways to provide evidence of your finances, including money stored in a financial institution, official government evidence of your parents or partner’s annual income, loans and scholarships.

Accommodation: university owned or private

The price of accommodation can vary depending on whether you are in university owned or private accommodation. University accommodation in Australia is typically between AUD$346 (uncatered) to $484 (catered) per week (USD $237-332), and this often includes utilities.

In private accommodation, a room in a flat (shared house) could be upward of AUD $140 to $293 per week (USD $96-201), as a rough estimate. An apartment can cost much more than this and include utilities, as shown in the table above.

Additional living costs for international students in Australia

Once you have sorted your accommodation, you’ll want to make sure you budget for other essential costs. The average cost of a grocery shop for one person is approximately AUD $100 (USD $67.08). To stay connected with family and friends, new and old, you will probably want to sort a mobile phone and internet connection. For 10GB of data, a monthly mobile plan could cost about AUD $44 (USD $29) or about AUD $86 (USD $56) a month for the internet. Outside of your studies, you may want to enjoy the Australian weather and stay active. The average cost of a fitness club per month is AUD $83 (USD $55) or a tennis court for one hour on the weekend is approximately AUD $28 (USD $18.50).

Getting around Australian cities is easy on public transport. In some cities there are even free routes, and others have a weekly maximum fare no matter how often you travel. Having a car can be a more convenient option for your daily commute and open up options for travelling further afield. It’s possible for international students to drive in Australia using their home driving licence and convert it to a local licence within the first few months of your stay. But the costs of having a car can add up to more than AUD $100 per week accounting for the cost of fuel, insurance, parking, and maintenance.

What financial support is available?

There are many ways to get financial support during your Master’s degree in Australia. As a Masters student, it is possible to work during your studies for 48 hours a fortnight during term. There are also scholarships for international students available. Check out our full guide on Masters scholarships in Australia to learn more about eligibility criteria, applications and the benefits. The Austudy scheme is also an option for students over the age of 25 on a full-time Masters to be paid to study in Australia.

But if you do experience financial hardship during your studies, then reach out to your institution’s international student support services to see what help may be available.

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