Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Many people know Australia as an island continent. It has many unique lifestyles and cultures. It also has a prestigious background in international higher education. Students from across the world come here to complete their graduation in various courses every year. This article aims to guide you to the cheapest courses in Australia for international students.
Australia offers a world-class education for students all over the world. Its low-cost courses attract the most international students. However, studying abroad can quickly become a financial burden without proper planning.
Tuition fees are a major expense for the best courses to study in Australia for international students. Thus, cost-efficiency in studying abroad is very important for them.
Being far from home, international students face significant financial challenges, including managing living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation. These situations create substantial financial pressure.
But the good news is some universities offer scholarships and financial aid. Besides these, there are also a lot of cheap courses in Australia for international students.
The number of higher educational courses in Australia is increasing day by day. These courses are different from one another and also have some other factors determining course cost.
There’s a significant difference between domestic and international student rates. Mainly the Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). In this program, the government pays some portion of the tuition fees of domestic students. On the other hand, International students pay the university’s full tuition fee, which is much higher.
More prestigious universities ask for higher tuition fees. Universities with higher world rankings often charge more for their courses. A particular course charges differently from high-ranked universities than the lower-ranked ones.
Universities in urban cities have higher tuition fees than regional universities. Several facts determine this cost difference. Urban facilities are the main reason for these extra fees. Also, the cost of living for international students in Australia affects this difference.
The length of the course also can affect the cost. Postgraduate programs (Master’s, PhD) cost more than undergraduate programs (Bachelor’s degrees). There are also many short-term courses available in Australia.
Here is a list of some of the best affordable Australian universities and institutes that charge lower course fees:
This university has an Award-winning campus with beautiful natural surroundings. It offers courses in nursing, IT, environmental science, sports and exercise science, and creative industries.
The university has a strong focus on rural and environmental studies. Also, there are huge opportunities for practical learning. Its courses like agriculture, animal science, education, paramedicine, and oenology are very popular.
WSU is one of the well-reputed universities in Australia in engineering, business, social sciences, law, and design. The university mainly focused on innovations and industry connections.
Business, Information Technology, Nursing, Engineering, and Social Work are popular courses at this institute. It has strong graduate employment rates.
USQ Offers flexible learning options, including online and external study. It offers notable courses like Nursing, Business, Engineering, and Information Technology.
Engineering and Science are the most demanding courses at this university. The beautiful coastal location of this institute attracts students worldwide.
They offer a broad scope of courses in environmental science and marine biology. They focus on tropical environments, especially Asian studies, for international students.
ECU is one of the most prestigious nursing universities. Situated in Western Australia, the institute focuses on health sciences.
Marine Science, Tourism, Environmental Science, and Business are the most demanding courses here. Campuses across the East Coast of Australia attract international students most.
This institute offers an extensive range of courses in law and public policy. They focus on social sciences, policy studies, and government.
Students passionate about medical studies choose this institute first. They rank as one of the top universities in Australia for strong research facilities.
Engineering, Business, Law, and Science are notable courses at VU. It is the largest university in Victoria.
GU’s Criminology is the most attractive course for international students. They provide a wide contribution to the creative industry.
Here’s a carefully chosen list of the ten cheap international student courses based on tuition fees and popularity.
The career outcomes from this course are that of a human resource manager, recruitment consultant, learning and development advisor, etc.
University: University of the Sunshine Coast
Duration: 5 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 16,592 (approximate)
This business course offers a specialization in a particular subject area. Potential career paths for this course include business consultant, business owner, project manager, business strategist, general manager, and so on.
University: Federation University Australia
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 18,326 (approximate )
These courses prepare students for active careers in the hospitality industry. This program focuses on theoretical and practical management skills.
University: Southern Cross University
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 21,150 (approximate)
The Architectural Design program offers a broad foundation for desiring architects. This course prepares students with advanced standing for most professional architecture graduate programs.
University: Griffith University
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 23,231 (approximate)
From this course, students will learn about technology and innovation. They'll learn how technologies are making a positive change in the fashion and textiles industry. They also can build the knowledge to be part of it.
University: RMIT University
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 28,037 (approximate)
This course is for students who plan to pursue careers in the maritime industry as marine engineer officers on commercial vessels.
University: University of Tasmania
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 23,203 (approximate )
This course leads to many careers in the medical specialization. Your studies will focus on clinical sciences, biomedical sciences, as well as on healthcare.
University: Curtin University
Duration: 5 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 56,136 (approximate)
The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science is Australia’s leading study program in the discipline. Graduates in this course are in high demand worldwide with great medical competence.
University: University of Newcastle
Duration: 4 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 25,072. (approximate)
This degree counts as a general business degree without specializing in a particular subject area.
University: Australian Catholic University
Duration: 4 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 17,327 (approximate)
If you want to make a positive impact on people’s lives, This course will give you the skills and knowledge for a career in human services.
University: Charles Sturt University
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 26,240 (approximate)
Here’s a carefully chosen list of the ten cheapest postgraduate courses for international students based on tuition fees and overall popularity.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a popular and affordable course in Australia. It helps students prepare for optional further study. Having this degree will lead you to registration as a professional psychologist.
University: Australian Catholic University
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 17,449 (approximate)
Medical Research aims to give students a solid foundation for postgraduate study. This project will provide an important understanding of the processes of medical research.
University: University of Tasmania
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 24,084 (approximate)
This Mechanical Engineering program is a postgraduate qualification that includes master’s level units as part of the program.
University: Engineering Institute of Technology
Duration: 1.5 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 27,702 (approximate)
Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies is a fascinating course for Postgraduates. It's also one of the most affordable higher education courses in Australia.
Another affordable course in Australia is Communication. Students will have advanced-level communication, social sciences, cultural studies, and creative arts studies. Students graduate for professional and/or higher degree research practice.
University: University of Technology Sydney
Duration: 1 Year
Tuition Fees: $USD 15,792 (approximate)
The nursing program allows eligible postgraduate graduates to extend their skills. It also helps in research.
University: University of Technology Sydney
Duration: 1 Year
Tuition Fees: $USD 29,849 (approximate)
This course focuses on human performance as well as the roles and benefits of physical activity and exercise.
University: University of Canberra
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 21,924 (approximate)
Criminology and Justice aims to prepare students to become future leaders in the field of criminology. It also builds on the skills and knowledge learned in the particular undergraduate degree.
University: University of the Sunshine Coast
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 16,609 (approximate)
Business Informatics course is the perfect course to teach you data science management. In this course, you will also learn about innovative systems that simplify and maximize productivity.
University: University of Canberra
Duration: 3 Years
Tuition Fees: $USD 21,260 (approximate)
This course can take you places to build a career in customs. It gives you the technical skills and knowledge to thrive in an industry with exciting opportunities.
VET courses offer a compelling path for students seeking a swift entry into the workforce. These programs mainly stand out for their affordability compared to traditional university degrees. VET courses also range from a few months to two years, significantly shorter than university degrees.
The table below Highlights the most affordable VET courses and their respective institutions.
Course Title |
Institution |
Animal Care |
TAFE International Western Australia |
Veterinary Bioscience |
University of Melbourne |
Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
University of Sydney |
Veterinary Nursing |
Australian Animal Care Institute |
Perth Animal Care |
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) |
Here are some popular available scholarships for international students in Australia. Generally, the Australian government and universities provide these scholarships to international students:
Nowadays, getting a scholarship has become more common. Students need to take wise steps to secure a scholarship in Australia. The following consideration facts could help you with this purpose.
The following table compares the tuition fees for popular courses in major cities. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are costly for living and studying in regional areas. Here is a quick comparison of how tuition fees vary location-wise:
Course Name |
Tuition Fees in Major Cities (approximate) |
Tuition Fees in Regional Areas (approximate) |
BBA (Undergraduate) |
$30,000- $80,000 |
$25,000- $70,000 |
BA (Undergraduate) |
$29,000- $40,000 |
$20,000- $29,000 |
BSC |
$35,000- $37,000 |
$30,000- $35,000 |
Engineering |
$40,000-$60,000 |
$25,000- $60,000 |
MBBS |
$40,000-$50,000 |
$35,000- $45,000 |
Besides the lower tuition fees, international students can also have many other benefits in regional areas. For example, they can access an additional year of post-study work rights. This facility is available under the Temporary Graduate Visa.
Moreover, living costs in regional Australia are lower than in major cities. It’s one of the big advantages for international students to manage their study budgets. Also, studying in a regional area can be helpful sometimes in getting permanent residency in Australia.
As an international student, saving money is a major object. Especially in Australia, where the study cost is higher. Here are some tips provided that any student could follow to save money.
Share a rental house to split the cost. Also, you can rent houses in suburban areas to lower the rent cost.
Many places offer discounts for students. You can even lower their transport costs by showing the university’s ID card.
Track your expenses to create a monthly budget. Cooking at home, using public transport, and avoiding unnecessary debts could also reduce costs. You should focus more on your essential expenses.
At present, Australia navigates the challenges and opportunities of providing affordable education. They are considering several facts to shape this future.
In recent years, potential changes in tuition fees have become a matter of discussion. They are working more and more on the financial sustainability of educational institutes. Also, online courses reduce tuition fees for international students in Australia. These learning methods play a vital role in making education more affordable.
Finding the cheapest courses in Australia for international students can be very helpful. It enables students to access high-quality education without excessive debt. So, keep your research and consider all available options to get the best education in Australia.
November 13 2024
October 30 2024
October 28 2024
Author: Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Are you an international student or professional eyeing a permanent residency (PR) visa in New Zealand? If so, Read More
Author: Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Malaysia might already be on your list if you're considering studying abroad. The country highly prioritizes education ... Read More
Author: Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Can you imagine a world without doctors? They are the last hope for people who are sick and need treatment. Doctors are tra... Read More