Australia is still one of the best places for Indian students to study in 2025. But before you start packing, you need to know everything about your finances, from tuition costs to daily living costs, to plan well.
As per reports, international students are required to show at least AUD 29,710 as proof of funds to get the visa. Yet, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
You need to set aside funds for tuition fees, health insurance, accommodation, food, transport, and other such living expenses. Read on to understand all you need to know about the cost of studying and living in Australia for Indian students in 2025.
- Most Australian universities want international students to pay at least one semester’s tuition upfront for admission. This is required to get Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), a mandatory document for an Australian student visa.
And the exact tuition fee depends on several factors, like:
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degrees)
A lot of Indian study abroad aspirants are stuck with this question: What are the fees for a bachelor’s degree in Australia?
The average cost is between AUD 20,000 and AUD 45,000 per year. Engineering and IT programs usually cost more than arts programs.
Postgraduate (Master’s Degree)
Fees for postgraduate programs are usually higher than those for undergraduate programs. You can expect to pay about AUD 22,000– AUD 50,000 per year. But it’s truly worth it, considering the high graduate employability.
Professional Courses (Medicine, Dentistry, Law)
Professional courses are always in higher demand in Australia. When it comes to tuition fees, medicine and related fields are at the higher end due to the need for advanced resources. But many see it as an investment, as the country is in urgent need of skilled professionals in various sectors.
Take the medical field as an example. As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the health care and social assistance industry employs about 1.7 million people. That’s about 15% of the entire workforce.
Doctoral Programs (PhD)
Many universities give scholarships to research candidates, which makes PhD tuition fees more flexible. Taking that into account, the tuition fees range could be approximately AUD 18,000–44,000 per year.
Vocational Education and Training
Indian students who want to save money can enrol in short-term job-oriented courses. Most of them are available at an affordable cost, with placement assistance.
For instance, William Angliss Institute of TAFE offers 6-month aviation courses at just AUD 10,800.
Check out the estimated tuition fees of the best universities in Australia:
| University |
Estimated Annual Tuition Fee Range (AUD) |
| Monash University |
30,000 – 45,000 |
| University of Technology Sydney |
34,000 – 44,000 |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
40,000 – 50,000 |
| La Trobe University |
28,000 – 38,000 |
| Bond University |
34,000 – 42,000 |
| Deakin University |
30,000 – 40,000 |
| RMIT University |
29,000 – 41,000 |
| Macquarie University |
32,000 – 45,000 |
| University of Wollongong |
28,000 – 37,000 |
Did You Know?
Seven of the world’s top 100 universities are located in Australia. That’s why it’s one of the best study abroad destinations in 2025.
Living expenses form a big part of the monthly budget for an Indian student in Australia. But the best part is that, if planned well ahead, you can bring down most of these costs. Here’s a general estimate of what you can expect to spend under each head:
All international students must have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). But there are times when you might have to pay for general health services out of your own pocket.
- If your doctor (GP) doesn’t bulk bill, expect to pay between AUD 60–80 for a standard 15-minute consultation. You can claim a portion of this with health insurance.
- Dental-related treatments are pretty costly in the country and often not included in the insurance plan. Even a routine visit may cost as much as AUD 150–200.
- If not fully covered, basic medical tests like blood work or X-rays could cost you an extra AUD 50 to AUD 150.
After tuition fees, housing is the most significant expense in living costs in Australia for Indian students. And it purely depends on the type of accommodation you choose. Luckily, you can find many options like:
On-campus Housing
A lot of Australian universities have dorms or student housing on or near campus. This is usually the easiest option, as you are close to your classes and don’t have to worry about paying extra for utilities.
But the price can be very high, between AUD 559 and 772 per week. And it’s not just in Australia; on-campus housing costs are going up all over the world because of the high demand. That means you need to apply early.
Living on campus is usually the best choice for first-year students. It can be hard to manage rental agreements, pay separate bills, and take care of other responsibilities off-campus unless you’ve relatives over there to guide you. Also, living on campus makes it easier to create connection networks and have fun as a student.
Shared Rentals
Many international students choose to live with other students in an apartment for better freedom. The cost of student accommodation in Australia in such cases could be AUD 225 and 375 per week per person. On top of that, you need to set aside an amount for utilities as well.
Fun Fact
Rental culture is pretty popular in Australia. As per stats, about 31% of the Australian population lives in rented properties.
Homestays
Alternatively, you can stay with an Australian family to get used to the culture. The price varies a lot per city and facility. But the average would be around AUD 250 and 350 per week. Luckily, meals are included at this price (which is a huge plus). It’s the best choice for students who are new to Australia and want to make the move easier.
Private Apartments
Renting a private studio or apartment is an option for students who want to be completely independent. Private rentals in bigger cities like Sydney or Melbourne usually cost between AUD 400 and 600 per week.
This is the most expensive option, but you will have complete privacy and control over your living space. And here also, utility bills are an extra cost.
Getting around Australia is quite easy due to the fairly priced yet reliable transport system. Students should plan to spend between AUD 100 and 150 a month on transport. You can bring down the figure to a great extent using student concession passes, like:
- The Transport for NSW Student Concession Opal Card gives students 50% off fares in Sydney, which makes the average cost AUD 30–40 per week. It’s open to international students with an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.
- Students in Victoria can apply for the Myki International Student Travel Pass. It’s a discounted unlimited travel pass for full-time undergrad or TAFE students that costs between AUD 570 – 1070, depending on the time period. Just like the Opal Card, you can save up to 50% on standard fees with this pass.
Did You Know?
Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network with 250 km+ of track and 500+ trams.
If you live in a private rental or shared housing, utilities are a necessary part of your monthly expenses in Australia. Here’s how it breaks down:
- In shared housing, electricity and gas could cost about AUD 15 – 20 per person
- Most student homes choose broadband plans that cost between AUD 60 and 70 per month. If three or four students share this, it costs AUD 15–20 per person.
- Usually included in the rent, but if you have to pay for it separately, expect to pay AUD 10–15 per week.
So overall, set aside AUD 150 and 200 per month for utility bills.
Cooking at home is obviously the best way to save money in Australia. For Indian students, weekly groceries like rice, lentils, vegetables, and spices usually cost between AUD 100 and 120. Bulk buying can reduce this figure.
And if you want to spend weekends in restaurants, a simple Indian meal at a restaurant can cost between AUD 12 and AUD 18. Special thali-style meals can double this figure.
Did You Know?
Indian food is so popular to the extent that butter chicken ranks among the top five choices for takeaway in seven states.
Students who cook most of their meals at home spend about AUD 400–500 a month. Those who eat out a lot may pay more than AUD 700.
Even though studies are important, so are fun and social activities. Have a look at some budget-friendly hangouts where you can relax:
- Hosier Lane, Melbourne: Get off at Flinders Street Station and head straight to Melbourne’s most famous street-art alley. You can take pictures of colourful graffiti murals and then go to a warm café for a perfectly brewed chai latte for just about AUD 10 – 14.
- Queen Victoria Market Night SMB Market, Melbourne: Queen Vic becomes a busy food festival with live music and vintage stalls on Wednesday nights. You can expect to pay about AUD 8–12 for each Indian dish and AUD 5 for a cold drink.
- South Bank Parklands, Brisbane: Take a walk along the river promenade and check out the artisan markets on the weekends. Get pakoras or samosas from Indian food trucks for as low as AUD 3 – 5.
Before you even set foot in Australia, there are some mandatory expenses you need to take care of.
Student Visa (subclass 500) applicants are required to pay AUD 2,000 as a visa application fee. It’s completely non-refundable even in case of a visa rejection. If you apply with dependents (like a spouse or children), each applicant has to pay extra fees.
International students must have health insurance for the whole time they are studying. It’s called OSHC (Department of Health and Aged Care, source). The average cost of a single student OSHC policy is between AUD 609 and AUD 720 per year.
Make sure that you take the policy from an Australian Government-approved provider like Allianz Care and BUPA.
You have to pay for the whole visa length up front. If you’re going to be in a master’s program for two years, you should expect to pay for two years in advance.
The flight ticket cost from Australia to India depends on various factors like:
- Season
- Airline
- Whether you book a direct flight or one with a stopover.
A one-way flight from Delhi or Mumbai to Sydney or Melbourne usually costs between AUD 1,200– 1,800. Usually, booking ahead of time (3–4 months) helps you save money.
Most Indian students have to take the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or any other equivalent test to show that they can speak English well. Here’s what you need to pay for the test:
| Test |
Estimated Fee (INR) |
| IELTS |
17,000 |
| PTE Academic |
17,900 |
| TOEFL iBT |
16,900 |
| OET |
17,500 |
| Duolingo English Test |
4,000 |
The exact fee depends on the test centre and the type you choose.
As part of the Australian student visa process, students must provide their fingerprints and have a medical exam by an Australian government-approved doctor.
- The biometrics fee at VFS Global centers in India is between ₹2,000 and ₹2,500.
- The government of India has a list of empanelled hospitals that perform medical examinations on visa applicants. These tests usually cost ₹6,000–₹7,000 and include a chest X-ray, urine and blood tests, and a physical check-up.
The Passport Seva Kendra (Ministry of External Affairs, India) gives out the PCC. It proves that the applicant has never been convicted of a crime and is required for the Australian visa. The fee is ₹500.
Above all these, first of all, you need to prove that you’ve enough money to handle the average cost of living and studying in Australia for international students. Here’s what you need to have:
| Category |
Minimum Amount (AUD) |
| First-year Tuition Fee |
15,000 – AUD 60,000 |
| Living expenses |
29,710 |
| Return airfare |
1,200 – 1,800 |
If you want to bring your spouse with you, an extra fund of AUD 10,394 should also be shown. Similarly, you’re required to show an additional AUD 4,449 for each accompanying dependent child. If the child is of school age, again an extra AUD 13,502 is to be shown for the educational cost.
Luckily, Government bodies support students, especially those with a weak financial background, to afford the cost of studying and living in Australia in 2025. Here are some such schemes:
- The Indian government offers the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) program, which helps students from specific groups study overseas, notably in Australia, for their Master’s and PhD degrees. It pays for tuition, living costs, and other expenses.
- The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) pays for the Australia Awards Scholarships, which cover full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance, and living expenses for eligible students from developing countries, including India.
- The Australian Government runs OS-HELP, which is an interest-free loan for qualifying overseas students who are studying abroad or in an exchange program that has been approved. Students can borrow up to AUD 7,000 to pay for their travel, lodging, and classes while they are studying abroad.
On top of that, the best universities in Australia also offer many scholarships, like:
| Scholarship Name |
Benefit |
Eligibility |
| Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Program |
100% tuition fee waivers |
85% and above in Year 12 |
| RMIT International Scholarships |
AUD 5,000 per year |
Academic Merit |
| University of Wollongong Global Excellence Scholarship |
50% tuition fee reduction |
Minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 50 for each session of enrolment |
| Western Sydney University |
Up to AUD 6,000 |
Minimum academic GPA |
1. Can we cover the living expenses in Australia with just a part-time job?
International students can work up to 48 hours every two weeks. This can help pay for things like food or transportation, but not all of your living expenses.
2. What are the cheapest cities in Australia for students?
Adelaide, Hobart, and Wollongong are all good places for students on a budget because they usually offer lower rents and daily living costs.
3. Do I need health insurance besides OSHC?
Only OSHC is mandatory. However, some students choose to get supplementary coverage for things like dental care, eye care, or physiotherapy, for extra safety.
4. Can fixed deposits (FDs) be shown as proof of funds?
Yes, fixed deposits are accepted if they can be liquidated easily. Make sure you attach the FD certificate and a bank letter confirming withdrawal terms.
Studying and living in Australia in 2025 will cost about AUD 62,965 per year. But the best part is that you can reduce this figure to a great extent with a well-structured plan and guidance.
That’s where we come in. At The Chopras – TC Global, we have a dedicated team of overseas education consultants for Australia that helps you make a detailed plan and gives you specific advice on how to save your money. Reach out to us now to book a free expert consultation!
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