Omari Gates
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students, with its high-quality higher education system, safe cities, and extensive opportunities. However, it is also one of the most expensive places to pursue a degree. The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on factors such as citizenship status, degree choice, and location. While the Australian government provides loans, subsidies, and social security benefits to domestic students, international students are not eligible for this support and must bear the full cost of their education. This raises the question: does the government pay for college in Australia, and if so, what are the implications for domestic and international students?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who pays for college in Australia? | The cost of college in Australia is covered by both the students and the federal government. |
| Does the government pay for college for international students? | No, international students are not eligible for government support and have to pay the full cost of their education. |
| Are there scholarships for international students? | Yes, there are scholarships and grants available for international students. |
| Who provides the scholarships? | The Australian government, higher education institutions, and other public or private organizations. |
| What are the costs of living for international students? | International students need between $1,400 and $2,500 AUD/month to cover all their living expenses, including accommodation, food, and social activities. |
| What are the costs of living for domestic students? | Domestic students need to prove they have $21,041 AUD/year for living costs. |
| What are the costs of studying for international students? | International undergraduate students can expect to pay between $20,000 and $45,000 AUD/year. |
| What are the costs of studying for domestic students? | Domestic students pay less than international students. They are also eligible for the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). |
| What is the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)? | HELP is a government-backed loan scheme that provides loans, subsidies, and social security welfare payments to domestic students. |
| What is the loan limit for HELP loans? | The 2025 HELP loan limit is $126,389 AUD for most degrees. For medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and certain approved aviation courses, the limit is $182,172 AUD. |
| When do students need to start repaying the HELP loans? | Students start repaying the loans once their income exceeds a certain threshold. For the 2024-2025 income year, the compulsory repayment threshold is $54,435 AUD. |
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What You'll Learn
Government loans and subsidies
The cost of university education in Australia is shared by the government and students. The government subsidises the full cost of the degree, and students pay the rest. Australian and New Zealand citizens pay less for their degrees compared to international students as they are eligible for Commonwealth Support Places.
The Commonwealth Government provides loans, subsidies, and/or social security welfare payments and benefits to domestic students to relieve the cost of tertiary education. These benefits are not available to international students. Some domestic students are supported by the government and are required to pay only part of the cost of tuition, called the "student contribution", and the government pays the balance. Some government-supported students can defer payment of their contribution as a HECS-HELP loan.
The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) is available to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent humanitarian visa holders. HELP loans are not unlimited – there is a set loan limit for most degrees. If you’re studying medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science leading to initial registration, or if you’re studying certain approved aviation courses, the HELP loan limit is higher. Any fees above this will need to be paid upfront. These loans don’t need to be paid back until you’re earning a certain amount of taxable income, called the repayment threshold. If a person with an accumulated HELP debt dies, the remainder of their debt is cancelled.
FEE-HELP provides eligible fee-paying students with a loan to cover their tertiary education fees. Undergraduate students who obtain these loans are charged a 20% loan fee on top of the amount borrowed. This does not apply to postgraduate courses.
There are also scholarships and grants available to international students who want to study in Australia. The Australia Awards, funded by the Australian Government, cover full tuition fees, travel expenses, and part of the monthly living costs.
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Commonwealth Supported Places
In Australia, the Commonwealth Government provides loans, subsidies, and/or social security welfare payments and benefits to relieve the cost of tertiary education. The government also subsidises the full cost of most university degrees, with students paying the rest.
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at an Australian university or approved higher education provider where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This is a subsidy to reduce the cost of your course, and it does not need to be repaid. The student contribution amount, or the remaining part of the fees, can be paid through a HECS-HELP loan, which does need to be repaid.
CSPs are available to citizens of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Australian permanent residents. The number and allocation of CSPs are determined by the Commonwealth Government each year through the Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS). The majority of CSPs are managed through the Tertiary Admissions Centre (TACs) in each state or territory, with universities making the selections.
CSPs are more common for undergraduate study, with most postgraduate courses not having CSPs available. For undergraduate degrees, the cost to the student can range from $20,000 to $55,000, depending on the degree choice.
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Scholarships and grants
Scholarships
The Australian Government offers scholarships and fellowships, known as Australia Awards, which cover full tuition fees, travel expenses, and part of the monthly living costs. These are available to Australian nationals and citizens from other eligible countries, including the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific area, and Asia.
The Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship Program offers financial support to female researchers from APEC economies who plan to pursue a research program in partnership with Australian universities.
The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is a government-funded mobility program that encourages both local and international students to enrol at academic institutions in regional areas of Australia.
Grants
The Australian Government provides various grants to subsidise the cost of education, including:
- Maintenance Grant
- Special Support Grant
- Travel grants
- University bursaries and grants
Other Support
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is available to Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders. There are four types of HELP loans:
- HECS-HELP: A scheme that helps Commonwealth-supported students pay their student contribution amount.
- FEE-HELP: Covers tuition fees for fee-paying students.
- SA-HELP: Pays the student services and amenities fees.
- VET Student Loans: Pays for vocational education and training fees.
The Australian Government also provides support payments, which are means- and assets-tested.
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Student contribution
In Australia, the cost of a university degree is covered by both the student and the government. The government subsidises the full cost of the degree, and students pay the rest, known as the "student contribution". The student contribution amount varies depending on where and what the student is studying, but is capped and subsidised by the government. The government sets the minimum and maximum range for each fee band. For example, in 2022, the government set the range for Band 1 at AU$0-3,985, Band 2 at AU$0-8,021, Band 3 at AU$0-10,754, and Band 4 at AU$0-14,640.
Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent humanitarian visa holders are eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), which are subsidised by the government. As an Australian citizen in a CSP, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $55,000 for an undergraduate degree. The lower range is for three-year degrees in arts or sciences, while the higher end includes subjects like law and medicine, which require more than three years.
Students can also apply for government loans to help pay for their degrees. The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) includes four types of loans: HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP, and VET Student Loans. HECS-HELP is a scheme that helps Commonwealth-supported students pay their student contribution amount, FEE-HELP covers tuition fees for fee-paying students, SA-HELP pays the student services and amenities fee, and VET Student Loans pay for vocational education and training fees. These loans don't need to be paid back until the student is earning a certain amount of taxable income, known as the repayment threshold. The 2024-2025 income year compulsory repayment threshold is $54,435.
It's important to note that full fee-paying places for undergraduate degrees were phased out in 2009. However, students who do not receive a Commonwealth Supported Place may still obtain a full fee place (FFP) if they meet the relevant qualifications. Most postgraduate courses do not have Commonwealth Supported Places, so students are required to pay full fees.
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International students
Australia is a popular study destination for international students, ranking third behind only the US and the UK. However, it is also one of the most expensive places to study, with high tuition fees and living costs. International students in Australia typically pay full fees for their studies, which vary depending on the discipline, degree level, and university. Undergraduate degrees can cost between $20,000 and $45,000 per year, while a master's degree can range from $22,000 to $50,000. Doctoral degrees and PhD programs are priced similarly, with annual fees starting at $20,000 and going up to $42,000 or more.
Living costs for international students in Australia can range from $1,400 to $2,500 per month, including accommodation, food, and social activities. The cost of accommodation depends on the type and region, with rural areas being more affordable than urban areas like Sydney. On-campus accommodation typically costs between $440 and $1,120 per month, while shared rental accommodation can range from $740 to $1,760 per month. Students also need to budget for other expenses such as utilities, internet, and transportation.
To obtain a student visa for Australia, applicants must prove they have sufficient financial resources. This includes demonstrating at least 12 months of course fees in a bank account, plus $21,041 for living costs and up to $2,000 for travel expenses. Alternatively, applicants can show that their parents or partner have funds of at least $7,362 in the 12 months before their application.
While the Australian government does not directly pay for college for international students, there are financial assistance options available. The Australian Government, higher education institutions, and other public and private organisations offer scholarships, grants, and bursaries to support international students. One example is the Australia Awards, funded by the Australian Government, which covers full tuition fees, travel expenses, and part of the monthly living costs. The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is another initiative that encourages international students to enrol in regional areas of Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian government subsidises the full cost of a degree, and students pay the rest. The government also provides loans, subsidies, and/or social security welfare payments and benefits to domestic students to relieve the cost of tertiary education.
There are four types of government loans available to Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders. These include:
- HECS-HELP
- FEE-HELP
- SA-HELP
- VET Student Loans
The typical annual tuition fees for international students are:
- Undergraduate bachelor's degree: AU$20,000 (US$13,675) to $45,000 (US$30,769)
- Postgraduate master's degree: AU$22,000 (US$15,045) to $50,000 (US$34,192)
- Doctoral degree: AU$20,000 (US$13,675) to $42,000 (US$28,721)
Domestic students are eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places, which means their study costs are largely subsidised by the government. The student contribution amount varies depending on where and what you study, but are capped by the government. For 2022, the government set the following ranges for each fee band:
- Band 1: AU$0-3,985
- Band 2: AU$0-8,021
- Band 3: AU$0-10,754
- Band 4: AU$0-14,640
There are well-established scholarship programs available for international students, such as the Australia Awards, which are funded by the Australian government and cover tuition fees, travel expenses, and some living costs. There are also scholarships and grants available from higher education institutions and other public or private organisations.
