Study in Australia
A general overview for anyone considering studying in Australia — top universities, popular fields, how the student visa works, and what to budget for. Always confirm current fees and requirements on the official government sites linked at the bottom of this page.
The Group of Eight (Go8)
Australia's coalition of leading research-intensive universities, all ranked in the world's top 110.
States & Territories
Every state and territory has at least one public university — here's a quick map in words.
Popular Fields of Study
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Essentials
To study in Australia as an international student you'll generally need a Student visa, subclass 500.
🎫 CRICOS registration
Your course and institution must be CRICOS-registered. If a course isn't listed on CRICOS, you cannot get a student visa to study it.
💰 Visa application fee
From 1 July 2026 the standard subclass 500 application charge is around AUD $2,500. Fees are set by the Australian Government and change periodically — always check the current figure on the Home Affairs website before applying.
🏦 Financial capacity
You must show enough funds to cover tuition, travel and living costs — the official annual living-cost benchmark is currently around AUD $29,710 for the applicant, plus roughly $10,394 for a partner and $4,449 per child, if they're coming with you.
🩺 Health insurance (OSHC)
You must hold Overseas Student Health Insurance for the whole length of your stay in Australia.
🗣️ English requirement
Most providers accept IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge (CAE) scores — the exact score needed depends on your course and institution.
✅ Genuine Student requirement
You'll need to show you genuinely intend to study temporarily in Australia and outline your study and career plans.
Work Rights While Studying
🕒 During term
Student visa holders can currently work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
☀️ During scheduled breaks
There's generally no cap on work hours during official course breaks (e.g. between semesters).
After You Graduate — Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Many graduates can stay on for a work period after finishing their course, subject to eligibility.
| Stream | Who it's for | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education | Diploma / trade-level CRICOS qualifications | Up to 18 months |
| Post-Higher Education | Bachelor's, Master's or PhD graduates | Around 2–3 years, depending on qualification level |
| Second Post-Higher Education (regional bonus) | Graduates who studied at a designated regional campus | An extra 1–2 years, on top of the above |
Study Intakes
Official Resources
SALAM AUSTRALIA is an independent directory and is not a migration agent — always apply and verify details directly through the official Australian Government sites below.