Tuition fees in Australian universities are relatively high compared to many countries worldwide. However, high-quality education in Australian educational institutions is worth investing in your time and money. High tuition fees are a serious issue for international students dreaming of studying in Australia.
When choosing Australia as a study abroad destination, The first thing that most international students look for is affordable Australian universities. Therefore, we made a list of the 11 cheapest universities in Australia for international students in 2024 to help you find a suitable college that fits your qualifications and abilities.
We will also mention the average tuition fees in each of these universities.
Australian Higher Education System
According to Project Atlas statistics, Australia is the fifth most popular study-abroad destination in the world after the USA, UK, China, and Canada, with more than 700,000 foreign students enrolled in Australian institutions.
Many Australian universities top the list of the best universities in the world. In THE World University Ranking for the year 2024, 6 Australian universities ranked among the top 70 universities in the world, which are:
- University of Melbourne (ranked #33).
- Australian National University (ranked #54).
- The University of Queensland (ranked #55).
- Monash University (ranked #57).
- University of Sydney (ranked #58)
- UNSW Sydney (ranked #70).
Australian Higher education levels
Australia’s higher education system starts with a three-year bachelor’s degree. It is very common for students to enroll in a dual Bachelor’s degree program leading to two Bachelor’s degrees. This is most common in fields such as arts, commerce, law, and science.
As for the graduate level, you can find:
1. Graduate Certificate
You can start earning a Graduate Certificate in Australia after completing your Bachelor’s degree.
Graduate Certificates usually take six months to complete and are a great way to expand your skills in specific areas covered by your undergraduate program or to gain skills in a new field.
2. Graduate Diploma
Similar to a Graduate Certificate, a Graduate Diploma in Australia usually requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher.
In some cases, work experience is a vital part of the admission requirements. Graduate Diplomas are usually delivered by universities and private providers and take twelve months to complete.
3. Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in Australia can help you to become a leader in your field. It usually takes a year or two to complete, depending on whether you have completed a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with honors.
4. Doctoral degree
A PhD is the highest academic degree in Australian universities. During your PhD studies, you will be conducting research that will make a significant contribution to the knowledge in your field of study. PhD in Australia usually takes three years.
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Can I study in Australia for free?
Although universities in Australia are not tuition-free, you still have the chance to study in Australia for free as an international student. Scholarships and financial aid are among the most common ways to study in Australia for free.
Most Australian universities, the Australian government, and many foundations provide Scholarships to foreign students in Australia. To help you find financial opportunities in Australia easily, we recommend checking these scholarships Search engines in Australia:
- Australia Awards.
- Australian Government Research Training Program
- Destination Australia
- The group of Eight.
Another option to help you finance your studies in Australia is the part-time job opportunities available for you as an international student in Australia. Students can work while studying in Australia for 20 hours per week. However, on official holidays they can work for more hours and thus make more money.
List of the Cheapest Universities in Australia for International Students 2024
Australia has 43 universities (40 Australian universities, two international universities, and one specialist university). Students’ rights are protected under Australian law under the Education Overseas Student Services (ESOS).
Tuition fees in Australian universities vary depending on the level of study and chosen program. Recently, Australian universities implemented an increase in tuition fees for international students.
In 2024, the University of Wollongong is considered the cheapest university in Australia for international students that offers programs for bachelor, master, and Ph.D. with an average tuition fee of AU$24,000 per academic year.
Generally, all Australian universities mentioned in our list are affordable universities with low tuition fees compared to other universities in Australia.
11. Central Queensland University
Central Queensland University is a dual-sector Australian public university based in Central Queensland. CQUniversity is the only Australian university with a campus in every state of Australia.
The main campus is located in Norman Gardens in Rockhampton and is part of an exclusive international network of universities committed to social innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact.
This affordable Australian university welcomes students from more than 140 different countries around the world. As the total number of students exceeds 20,000 enrolled students, 35% of them are international students.
Central Queensland University offers many programs related to the following faculties: Health, Business and Accounting, Creative, Performing and Visual Arts, Digital Media, Communications and Arts, Education and Childcare, Engineering, Built Environment and Aviation, Information Systems and Technology, Law, Criminology and Justice, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work and Community Service, Safety Sciences, Science, Environment and Agriculture, service industries.
The cost of studying at Central Queensland University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$33,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$32,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$30,000 per year.
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10. Flinders University
Flinders University is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honor of British navigator Matthew Flinders. The university is a pioneer in taking an interdisciplinary approach to education, and its medical and humanities schools are among the top 10 in Australia.
Flinders University is ranked among the top 500 educational institutions in the world in THE Times Higher Education rankings.
The main fields of study at the university are business, creative arts, education, environmental engineering, health sciences, humanities, information technology, law, medicine, nursing, psychology, public health, social sciences, and social work.
The cost of studying at Flinders University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$31,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$33,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$29,000 per year.
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9. Western Sydney University
In 9th place on our list of the cheapest universities in Australia for international students is Western Sydney University. It is a multi-campus Australian university in the greater Western region of Sydney, Australia.
It was established in 1989 and is distinguished for providing world-class quality education, and is globally recognized for its research and teaching innovations. The university strives to achieve excellence through scholarship, teaching, learning, research, and service to local and international communities
It offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate research degrees with campuses in Bankstown, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Parramatta, and Penrith. Faculties and schools at Western Sydney University:
The Built Environment School | College of Business Administration | Faculty of Computing, Data and Mathematics Sciences | College of Education | College of Engineering | College of Health Sciences | College of Arts, Humanities and Communication | Faculty of Law | Faculty of Medicine | College of Nursing | School of Psychology | College of Science | Faculty of Social Sciences | College of Postgraduate Research.
The cost of studying at Western Sydney University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$29,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$31,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: Not stated.
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8. Victoria University
Victoria University is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is one of the few Australian universities with a dual-sector. This means that students are able to transfer between professional education to higher education – such as moving from a certificate or diploma course to an undergraduate degree or even a graduate qualification through a course or research.
The University of Victoria has seven academic faculties, six research institutes, seven research centers, and Victoria Polytechnic (which provides vocational education and training).
Faculties at Victoria University: Arts and Education, Business, Engineering and Science, Health and Biomedicine, Law and Justice, Sports and Science. The number of students at this affordable Australian university is approximately 20,000 enrolled students, and 30% of them are international students.
The cost of studying at Victoria University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$26,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$30,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$32,000 per year.
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7. Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University is an Australian public university established in 1994 with campuses in Lismore and Coffs Harbor in northern New South Wales. It Ranks among the top 100 young universities in the world by Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Southern Cross University has many faculties and colleges, including arts, social sciences, environment, science and engineering, Gnibi Australian Aboriginal College, and more. Southern Cross University welcomes international students from more than 60 different countries around the world.
Currently, There are 11,000 enrolled students and around 32% of them are international students.
The cost of studying at Southern Cross University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$27,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$29,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: Not stated.
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6. University of New England
In 6th place on our list of the cheapest universities in Australia for international students is The University of New England. It is a public university that was established in 1938 and has approximately 22,500 enrolled students. Its original and main campus is located in Armidale, in North Central New South Wales.
It offers many scholarships annually for international students. Each year, the university provides students with more than $5 million in grants and awards and more than $18 million for staff and students participating in research.
In the 2019 Australian Universities Student Satisfaction Survey, the University of New England scored the sixth-highest student satisfaction rating out of all Australian universities.
The University of New England has a wide range of programs offered at all levels with part-time or full-time entry options. The university includes the following departments:
College of Animals and Agriculture, College of Business and Finance, College of Earth and Environment Education, College of Education, College of Health, College of Humanities and Arts, College of Information Technology and Data Science, College of Languages, College of Law and Criminology, College of Psychology and Mental Health and finally Social Sciences.
The cost of studying at the University of New England
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$27,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$29,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$31,000 per year.
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5. University of the Sunshine Coast
University of the Sunshine Coast is a public university established in 1994, located in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
USC Australia is home to some of Australia’s most advanced learning facilities, including simulation labs for nursing and paramedics, advanced engineering technologies, and a state-of-the-art CAVE2™ 3D visualization studio.
The university has more than 11,000 enrolled students, 20% of whom are international students. It ranks as one of the best universities in Australia in terms of the overall student experience.
This affordable Australian university has a group of basic learning faculties: Business, Information Technology and Tourism, Creative Industries, and Design and Communication. Education, engineering and sciences, health sciences, nursing and sports, humanities, psychology, and social sciences, law, and criminology.
The cost of studying at University of the Sunshine Coast
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$25,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$29,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$29,000 per year.
4. Federation University Australia
Federation University Australia is a public bisector university based in Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. It also has campuses in Ararat, Horsham, Stawell, Churchill, Berwick, Brisbane.
It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in Australia, established in 1870. It is also ranked first in Australia for quality of teaching at the graduate level.
This cheap Australian university achieved exceptional 5-star results in the 2018 Excellence in Research Australia assessment, exceeding global standards in the following research areas: applied mathematics, environmental sciences and management, nursing, civil engineering, clinical services, human movement, and sports science.
Factories at Federation University Australia are: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Business, Education and Early Childhood, Information Technology Engineering, Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedics, Occupational Health and Safety, Performing Arts, Psychology, Science and Mathematics, Sports and Physical Education, Visual Arts, Education Technical.
The cost of studying at Federation University Australia
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$25,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$27,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$23,000 per year.
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3. Charles Sturt University
In 3rd place on our list of the cheapest universities in Australia for international students is Charles Sturt University. It is a multi-campus Australian public university established in 1989 and located in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Queensland. It is the largest regional university in Australia.
Charles Sturt University offers several distance learning programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Charles Sturt University’s four major colleges include College of Arts and Education, College of Business, College of Justice and Behavioral Sciences, and College of Science. All former colleges are spread over more than one campus and consist of many schools and centers designed for specific fields of study and research.
Charles Sturt University offers over 350 different study programs, as well as the opportunity to study online. As one of the best online universities in Australia, the university ensures that students have the flexibility to study anytime and anywhere.
The cost of studying at Charles Sturt University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$26,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$27,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$23,000 per year.
2. University of Southern Queensland
The University of Southern Queensland is a regional university established in 1990 and it provides high-quality education to students from all over the world through its three main university locations (Toowoomba, Springfield, and Ipswich).
The university’s programs and research focus on specific areas including agriculture and agro-industry, space and defense technologies, health and behavioral sciences, environmental sciences, regional societies, and economic development.
The university is best known for having the largest Japanese-designed garden in Australia, the largest integrated solar car park in Australia, and a library with rainforest and water features.
In 2017, the university won the International Green Dresses Award for its approach to sustainability with a focus on renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, and integrating sustainability into strategic planning.
The cost of studying at University of Southern Queensland
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$26,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$26,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$27,000 per year.
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1. University of Wollongong
On the top of our list of the 11 cheapest universities in Australia for international students is the University of Wollongong. It is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, about 80 kilometers south of Sydney.
The university has more than 32,000 enrolled students, including more than 12,800 international students from 134 different countries..
This affordable Australian university is ranked among the newest universities in the world. It includes 5 major faculties: School of Business, School of Engineering and Information Sciences, School of Law, Humanities and Arts, School of Science, Medicine and Health, and School of Social Sciences.
The cost of studying at University of Wollongong
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: AU$24,000 per year.
- Master’s programs: AU$28,000 per year.
- Ph.D. programs: AU$18,000 per year.
This was a full list of the 11 cheapest universities in Australia for international students in 2024 and the tuition fees in each of them. If you are planning to study in Australia on a limited budget, I am sure that you will find the right choice between these affordable Australian universities!
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