StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Study in Australia

Australia is home to over 25 million people, and is incredibly diverse. Its rich culture and history are founded on its Aboriginal heritage and a blend of vibrant cultures. The country is a global leader for education, and a popular study destination for international students.

Why choose Australia as an international student

Australia has a strong and consistent reputation for education across the world. They have one of the world’s highest percentages of higher education qualified population, and continue to record high literacy and education rates. Australia is also proud of its contribution to important global research, and has the Group of Eight Universities, which are 8 prestigious research-focused universities.

For more information about the best universities in Australia, see our Top 10 Universities in Australia article.

As well as being renowned for its academic excellence, Australia also offers a fantastic life outside of the classroom to any international student. The country is welcoming and inclusive, and has a consistently high standard of living. This combined with the unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes offers students an opportunity to experience something completely new.

There are many incredible cities across Australia, and all have their own individual offerings for international students to enjoy. These include the capital city Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney. All of the cities will welcome international students with open arms, but take a look at our city guides below to see if one of them appeals to you more than the others.

In order to study in Australia as an international student, you will need to obtain a Subclass 500 student visa. For more information about this, read our Australia Student Visa Guide.

Search for courses in Australia

Highlighted courses in Australia

Master of Professional Psychology Master Degree

Western Sydney University Australia

Find out more

Master of International Business Master Degree

Griffith University Australia

Find out more

Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies GradDip

University of Canberra Australia

Find out more

Commerce Graduate Certificate

RMIT Online Australia

Find out more

Master of Strategic Communication Master Degree

UTS Online Australia

Find out more
View all courses in Australia

Common student questions

Can I study for free in Australia?

Higher education in Australia is not state-subsidised, and is split into public and private. As an international student, you will be required to pay tuition fees, although these will be lower at public universities than at private universities. There is more information about tuition fees to study in Australia in our Costs of Studying in Australia section.

Can I study in Australia as an international student?

International students have long been welcome at universities in Australia. As English is the national language in Australia, nearly all courses are delivered in English. You will need to obtain a student visa in order to study in Australia, which normally allows you to stay for up to 5 years. Once you have completed your studies, you will need to get a new visa in order to stay in Australia for work. For more information about this, as well as permanent residency, see our Australian Student Visas guide.

Can I work whilst studying in Australia as an international student?

Your work and study options will depend on where you are from. As an international student, the general rule is that you will be able to get a part time job and work in Australia for around 20 hours per week during term time, this allowance might increase outside of term time. Your visa will likely dictate how many hours you can work. It is also possible for international students to get post graduate jobs in their field of study, depending on their visa.

More information about Australia

Capital City Canberra
Currency AUD, Australian Dollar
Language(s) English
Universities on StudyLink 89 universities
Major Student Cities Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Language Requirements

Although Australia has no official language, its national language is English. You will also hear a variety of different languages being spoken throughout the country.

Most courses are taught in English, and it is likely that you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of the entry requirements. The level of language proficiency will depend on where you choose to study. If you do not meet the required standard for you course, it is common for universities to offer English language courses to help you improve.

If your first language is not English, you should make the most of your opportunity to learn the language as you study. Communicating with the locals and other students is the perfect way to practise. This is a skill that will look great on your CV/resume.

Photos from universities in Australia

Sign up to StudyLink.com

Sign up to StudyLink.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.

Sign up now
Students with books and test tubes