Study in Australia from India

Studying in Australia from India: 8 things to know

Australia suits Indian students who want up to 3 years of post-study work after a master’s, but since 2 Oct 2026 coursework master’s students cannot bring a partner or child, and the visa costs AUD 2,500.

1. New from 2 Oct 2026: no family on most student visas. Only PhD, DFAT/Defence-sponsored, fully funded foreign-government scholarship and Pacific/ASEAN students can include a partner or child. Coursework master's students from India cannot, and family cannot join later.
2. New from 2 Oct 2026: apply from outside Australia. Visitor, 485, working holiday and other listed visa holders can never switch to a student visa onshore.
3. Caps: 295,000 new international students nationally in 2027 (same as 2026). A university past 80% of its allocation = slower visa (Priority 2, 5–8 weeks to start); past 115% = Priority 3 (9–12 weeks). Priority 1 = 1–4 weeks.
4. Visa fee AUD 2,500 (main applicant), not refunded on refusal.
5. Funds: 12 months' tuition + AUD 29,710 living + AUD 2,000 travel, or parents' income of AUD 87,856+ shown with tax documents. Source of money must be shown; education loans count (best with disbursement proof).
6. English for the visa: IELTS 6.0 / PTE 47 / TOEFL 67. No at-home tests, no Duolingo, no Indian MOI exemption. Universities usually want IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0).
7. Intakes: February and July. Example deadlines: UQ 30 Nov (Feb start) and 31 May (July start). Apply early — programs fill.
8. After graduating: 485 for up to 3 years after a master's (Indian nationals), if 35 or under and applied in Australia within 6 months. Fee AUD 5,750 (main applicant; AUD 2,875 per adult family member).

How do Australian universities and master’s degrees work?

An Australian master’s takes 1–2 years depending on your earlier degree: 2 years with any bachelor’s, 1.5 years with a related one, 1 year with an honours degree. Each university sets its own admission rules.

• Providers: 44 universities and 176 other registered higher education providers (TEQSA register); TAFEs and private colleges for VET. Check every provider on the TEQSA National Register and every course on CRICOS (the visa needs a full-time CRICOS course).
• Levels (AQF): Bachelor (level 7, usually 3 years), Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma (level 8, not degrees), Master's (level 9, 1–2 years), Doctorate (level 10).
• Master's length depends on the earlier degree: 2 years with any bachelor's, 1.5 years with a related one, 1 year with an honours degree (Monash, UQ, UNSW examples).
• Admission: set by each university (minimum WAM/GPA, sometimes prerequisites, work experience, interview). Quotas and provider caps can close programs before the deadline.
• States differ on renting rules and regional benefits; tuition is set by each provider, not the state.

Can I apply with an Indian degree, and is a 3-year bachelor’s accepted?

Generally yes: under the Australia–India recognition mechanism (2 Mar 2023), a bachelor’s from a UGC/AICTE-authorised institution gives admission to master’s. Each university converts your grades; UNSW, for example, asks for 65%.

• 3-year bachelor's: generally accepted for master's. The Australia–India recognition mechanism (2 Mar 2023) says an Indian bachelor's from a UGC/AICTE-authorised institution gives admission to graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master's. Examples: UNSW "3-year bachelor's, any discipline, 65%"; Melbourne WAM 65% or equivalent; Monash 60%.
• Grades: the university converts them. UQ uses a 7-point GPA and counts all failed subjects; Melbourne may adjust for the institution's standing; UQ also weighs institution reputation/ranking.
• Online degrees: recognised if COVID/force-majeure; other online degrees "considered" case by case.
• Bachelor's from Class XII: Class XII counts as Year 12 equivalent; RMIT example: CBSE/ISC 65% or State Board 70% where an Australian score of 65 is needed. Foundation year if below.
• Tests: no national entrance test; some MBAs accept GMAT/GRE. AGSM MBA needs 2 years' work experience.
• No APS-type pre-check: the university assesses the documents.

How do I apply to an Australian university?

You apply directly on each university’s portal, or through an agent the university lists. Intakes are February and July; you accept the offer, pay the deposit and receive the CoE before applying for the visa.

• Apply directly on each university's portal, or through an agent the university lists. Agents cannot guarantee PR or jobs.
• Fee example: UQ A$150 per application, non-refundable.
• Documents: certified transcripts and degree certificate (final-year students: current transcript, offer conditional), passport, English test, sometimes CV, referees, statement.
• Offer → deposit → CoE: accept, pay the tuition deposit (and OSHC if through the university), receive the CoE, then apply for the visa. Deferral possible in some programs.

How much does it cost, and how much money must I show?

There is no tuition-free public option: Monash’s Master of IT costs A$57,540 a year (2027). For the visa you show 12 months’ tuition plus AUD 29,710 living and AUD 2,000 travel, or parents’ income of AUD 87,856+.

• Tuition (examples, international): Monash Master of IT A$57,540 a year (2027); UQ Master of Computer Science A$60,952. No tuition-free public option.
• Visa funds: tuition for 12 months + AUD 29,710 + AUD 2,000 travel (more for a family member where allowed). A one-day balance certificate is not enough.
• Living costs: official calculator is dated (Nov 2023); real costs can be well above the visa minimum. Don't rely on work.
• Scholarships for Indians: UNSW 20% off tuition every year (2026–27 starts); Monash grants A$5,000–15,000 (automatic with an offer); Adelaide Ashok Khurana; Research Training Program for research degrees; Quad Fellowship (STEM).
• OSHC is compulsory from the arrival day; covers GP, some hospital, ambulance, limited medicines — not dental, optical, physio.

How do I get an Australian student visa from India?

You apply online in ImmiAccount for the subclass 500 student visa, from outside Australia, once you have your CoE. The fee is AUD 2,500, not refunded, and processing starts in 1–12 weeks depending on the university’s priority.

• Student visa subclass 500, applied online in ImmiAccount from outside Australia. Biometrics and health exams if asked.
• Fee: AUD 2,500 + health/biometrics costs. Not refunded.
• Checklist: passport, CoE (none = invalid), Genuine Student answers (150 words each, with evidence: ties to India, why this course and university, career value), English evidence and funds if the Document Checklist Tool asks, OSHC details (missing = refusal).
• Lodging 15 Nov–31 Dec is prioritised against the university's next-year allocation.
• Refusal: the letter says if review is possible; tribunal decides most student reviews on paper since 1 Jun 2026.
• Not eligible: part-time or online courses; switching from a visitor visa in Australia; including a spouse/child on a coursework master's.

When should I start preparing?

Start 12 months before a February intake: shortlist and check the university’s visa priority status from February to May, apply from July to October (UQ closes 30 Nov), and lodge the visa in November–December.

Can I work while studying, and what happens on arrival?

You can work 48 hours a fortnight in term and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks, but not before the course starts. OSHC health cover is compulsory from the arrival day; give the university your address within 7 days.

• Work: 48 hours a fortnight in term, unlimited in scheduled breaks, none before the course starts. Minimum wage AUD 26.44/hour (from 1 Jul 2026). Same workplace rights as everyone; contacting Fair Work won't cancel a visa.
• Rules to keep the visa: stay enrolled full-time at the same AQF level or higher; meet attendance and progress; tell the university of address changes within 7 days.
• Changing university in the first 6 months needs the current provider's release.
• Housing: start early; an offer doesn't guarantee a room. Bond: NSW max 4 weeks' rent; Victoria generally max one month. Never pay before checking the property and the person (scam warning signs: pressure, no inspection, vague details).
• Arrival admin: TFN free online (arrives within 28 days); bank needs eCoE, passport, address; most states accept an Indian licence with permit/translation (not NT).
• Emergency 000; police non-urgent 131 444. Racism is illegal (Human Rights Commission 1300 656 419).

Can I stay and work in Australia after graduating?

Yes: Indian master’s graduates get the 485 visa for up to 3 years if 35 or under and applying in Australia within 6 months of finishing. The fee is AUD 5,750, and the 485 is granted once only.

• 485 (Post-Higher Education Work): Indian nationals — master's 3 years, bachelor's 2 (3 with first-class STEM honours), PhD 4. Age 35 or under (under 50 for research master's/PhD). IELTS 6.5 (5.5 each) / PTE 55 / TOEFL 81; AFP police check. Once only. A graduate certificate alone doesn't qualify.
• Second 485: 1–2 extra years for regional study and 2 years living regionally (not Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane).
• Employer visa (482 Core Skills): salary at least AUD 79,423 (2026–27) and 1 year's experience.
• Points-tested PR (189/190/491): under 45, 65 points, skills assessment. Australian study +5, regional study +5, STEM research degree +10, Professional Year +5.
• Citizenship: 4 years in Australia, the last 1 as a permanent resident.
• Back in India: AIU equivalence (online, evaluation.aiu.ac.in); India recognises Australian qualifications under the 2023 mechanism.

Common mistakes Indian students make

The costliest mistakes: planning to bring a spouse or child on a coursework master’s, picking a university past its cap (slow visa or closed), and the wrong English test (at-home, Duolingo) or an MOI letter.

1. Planning to bring a spouse/child on a coursework master's.
2. Picking a university that is past its cap (slow visa or closed).
3. Wrong English test (at-home, Duolingo, TOEFL not "for Australia") or an MOI letter.
4. Unexplained funds or loans without disbursement proof.
5. Weak Genuine Student answers without evidence.
6. Lodging without the CoE or OSHC details.
7. Coming on a visitor visa to switch onshore.
8. Turning 36 before applying for the 485.
9. Working over 48 hours a fortnight in term.
10. Rental scams and agents promising PR.