Australian universities

View the list of Australian universities HERE. 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION 

• Universities: Australia has 42 universities, including 36 public and 6 private institutions, located mainly in major cities across the country. Many Australian universities operate campuses both in Australia and overseas, or collaborate with local and international universities. Most universities accept credit transfers for students progressing into bachelor’s or master’s programs. In addition to universities, there are colleges and education institutes licensed to deliver bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

• Education Purpose: The mission of Australia’s higher education sector is to preserve knowledge, educate and train students, conduct research, create new knowledge, and provide expertise to government and industry partners. Depending on the field of study, programs may be more research-focused or practice-oriented. Most universities are multi-disciplinary (offering over 400 fields of study) and primarily deliver bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs. Some universities also offer vocational diplomas, and a small number offer high school programs. All universities have their own English language centres to provide academic English preparation and study support for international students. Many universities also offer foundation programs for students progressing into bachelor’s degrees.

• Ranking: 9 out of 42 Australian universities are ranked among the Top 100 universities worldwide. 8 universities belong to the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) – Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. All remaining universities are ranked within the top 2 - 4% of universities globally.
  
  
• Qualification Levels: Universities or higher education institutes typically offer some or all of the following qualifications:
  • Diploma: 1–2 years
  • Bachelor’s degree: 3–7 years
  • Bachelor (Honours): minimum 4 years
  • Graduate Certificate: 6 months
  • Graduate Diploma: 12 months
  • Master’s by coursework: 1–2 years
  • Master’s by research: 1–2 years
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): 3 years
    
    
• Entry Requirements: Requirements vary by university and degree level, but generally include:
  • GPA: ≥ 65% (for visa safety) 
  • English proficiency: equivalent to IELTS 6.0 - 6.5
  • SAT: may be required depending on your high school curriculum 
  • Work experience: may be required for some master’s or PhD programs
    
    
• Tuition Fees: Average tuition fees range from AUD 25,000 – 50,000 per year, depending on the university. Some fields, such as Medicine, have higher fees: AUD 57,000 – 87,000 per year.
  
  
• Accommodation & Living Costs: Students may stay in homestay, on-campus accommodation, or shared housing. The Australian Department of Home Affairs estimates living costs at AUD 29,710 per year, while actual expenses typically range AUD 20,000  – 25,000 per year, depending on lifestyle. Students under 18 must live in school-approved homestay, boarding school, or with school-approved relatives.
  
  
• Intakes: Major intakes are:
  • Semester 1: February or March
  • Semester 2: July or August
  • Extra semester: Some universities offer October - November intakes.
    
    
• Part-time Work: Students may work 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during holidays. Common jobs include hospitality, retail, warehouse, tutoring, or suitable office roles. The minimum wage in Australia is AUD 26.44/hour.
  
  
• Post-study Work & Permanent Residency Opportunities: Graduates may stay in Australia for post-study work under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485):
  • Bachelor’s graduates (2+ year programs): 2 years
  • Master’s graduates (Coursework): 2 years
  • Master’s graduates (Research) and PhD graduates: 3 years
  • Graduates from regional areas may receive an additional 1 - 2 years (see details here).

All graduates may apply for permanent residency if meeting eligibility criteria – either through the skilled migration pathway (see priority occupations here) or through employer sponsorship, leading to permanent residency upon meeting conditions.

2. NOTES FOR STUDENTS 

Direct entry to bachelor program: While many universities allow students to enter directly into the first year of a bachelor's degree, many universities may not - due to either your high school study curriculum or your academic result. Therefore, to get to bachelor program, students have several choices: 

• Bachelor - Direct entry (3 - 4 - 5 years) 
• Diploma (1 year) + Bachelor Year 2, 3, 4, 5 
• Foundation (1 year) + Bachelor Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Foundation (1 year) + Diploma (1 year) + Bachelor Year 2, 3, 4, 5 

Please check with us for your relevant study pathways.

If you are under 18 and apply to study in Australia, you must stay in:

• A school-approved homestay,
• On-campus accommodation, or
• With an approved relative.

You must also have an approved guardian until you turn 18. Please see more information for under-18 students HERE.

Master’s Level: Australian universities classify overseas universities into three categories:

• Section 1: Equivalent to Australian universities
• Section 2: Equivalent to Australian advanced diplomas
• Section 3: Equivalent to Australian diplomas

Please refer to Australia’s NOOSR classification here and also check Europe’s NARIC classification here for more information. 

Generally, only graduates from Section 1 universities are eligible for direct entry into Australian master’s programs. However, some Australian universities have recently begun accepting graduates from Section 2 institutions into selected master’s programs. Please check with Duc Anh EduConnect team for your specific case.

PhD Level: You can apply for PhD study either after a Master Research course or Bachelor Honous course. 

Credit Transfer: Students currently studying at university or already have Diploma degree can transfer to an Australian university. University will assess your transcript and university syllabus to determine how many credits you can transferred and how many additional subjects you need to complete to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Processing Time: 

• University admission processing time typically takes 2 – 4 – 8 weeks
• Visa application processing also takes 2 – 4 – 8 weeks

Support from Duc Anh EduConnect 

Duc Anh EduConnect offers FREE and comprehensive support throughout the entire study abroad journey. Our experienced team assists students with course and university selection, admission and scholarship applications, student visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, airport pick-up, and ongoing support while studying overseas.

Please CONTACT US for FREE consultation and application.