When it comes to higher education, Australia is definitely on everyone's list. International students find it comfortable to study there as the place is very diverse, is filled with warm and friendly natives and if you know the way, you can also get the best education at a very affordable price. At present, Australia is one of the most preferred places for higher studies. And it is no surprise. When it comes to studies, Australia has always been innovative. They offer high-quality education with a lot of uniqueness. If it is a Master's Degree that you wish to pursue, then Australia is the destination.
Australia offers quality education with opportunity. With such offers, students try to get admitted to the right college in Australia. Studying abroad is going to be costly, but you can find ways to reduce the pressure on your wallet. Fees do not limit the quality education that this place gives. Some colleges have high standards of teaching at a reasonable and affordable fee range. Many colleges also encourage their students to take a part-time job; this way you can decrease the burden. On a Student visa (subclass 500) you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Several colleges offer great scholarship deals. Things work out fine once you take your first step. Below is a list of colleges that offer quality education and also have an affordable fee range.
The table below shows official 2026 international master's coursework fees at Charles Darwin University, one of Australia's more affordable institutions, taken directly from the university's published fee schedule. Other budget-friendly universities such as the University of Southern Queensland, University of New England and Victoria University sit in a similar AUD 30,000 to AUD 38,000 range.
- Affordable Australian universities charge international master's students roughly AUD 30,000 to AUD 38,000 per year in 2026, while top-ranked universities charge AUD 40,000 or more
- At Charles Darwin University, official 2026 master's coursework fees run from AUD 32,760 to AUD 41,552 a year
- The Australian dollar is worth about 65 Indian rupees as of June 2026, so a typical AUD 33,000 fee is close to INR 21.5 lakh
- Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
Which Colleges Offer the Most Affordable MS Programs in Australia?
The most affordable MS options in Australia for international students are mid-tier public universities such as Charles Darwin University, University of Southern Queensland, University of New England, Victoria University and Charles Sturt University. Their international master's coursework fees in 2026 generally sit between AUD 30,000 and AUD 38,000 per year, well below the AUD 40,000-plus charged by top-ranked institutions.
| Charles Darwin University Master's Coursework (2026) | International Fee per Year (AUD) | Approx INR per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education | AUD 32,760 | approx INR 21.3 lakh |
| Master of Public Health | AUD 34,736 | approx INR 22.6 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | AUD 36,440 | approx INR 23.7 lakh |
| Master of Information Technology (Cyber Security) | AUD 36,440 | approx INR 23.7 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | AUD 38,192 | approx INR 24.8 lakh |
| Master of Engineering | AUD 41,552 | approx INR 27.0 lakh |
These universities are strong options for cost-conscious students. They are efficient in their fields and offer genuine ways to keep fees down. RMIT University, Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology are well-regarded yet relatively affordable Australian universities with solid global standing. They can be a good place to start your research, and most of them also offer scholarships, so it is worth exploring that route as well.
Cost of studying MS in Australia for Indian students 2026Read →How Are Affordable MS Colleges Distributed Across Australia?
Affordable MS colleges are spread across most Australian states and territories. New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory all host mid-range public universities with lower international fees and living costs. Western Australia tends to be pricier, so students there usually rely on scholarships to bring overall study costs down.
Let us also discuss studying in particular areas of Australia, so that you can select your destination more carefully.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, centred on Canberra, is a great place to study from. It is very diverse and you will fit in well. The more affordable option in Canberra, with a good education system, is the University of Canberra. There is another option as well, the Australian National University, but it is far more expensive than the University of Canberra. Of course, the Australian National University does offer scholarships, and you can apply for those. If you have good grades and strong test scores, then you have less to worry about. If not, the University of Canberra may be your best deal.
New South Wales
New South Wales offers amazing deals when it comes to studying on a low budget. Not only are some of the colleges less expensive, but the cost of living in regional areas is also lower. Several options here are affordable and the state is a delightful place to live in.
Three of the more affordable colleges in this area are:
- Australian Catholic University
- University of New England
- Charles Sturt University
These colleges do not just provide education at a comparatively lower fee range, they also give good scholarships. Be sure to apply for these scholarships, as they reduce the fee, and if you are lucky you may also receive a major or full award.
Northern Territory
If the Northern Territory attracts you, Charles Darwin University is an excellent nearby option with a good global standing. The education here is top-notch, but that does not push fees to a very high level. Its international master's coursework fees in 2026 start at around AUD 32,760 a year, making it a strong match for budget-conscious international students.
Queensland
In Queensland, there are two colleges that have an affordable fee range:
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- University of Southern Queensland
You may also find other colleges nearby, and you can choose according to what you wish to pursue. Almost all the universities in this area offer scholarships.
South Australia
South Australia is also an affordable option for international students. The best fit colleges here are:
- University of South Australia
- Flinders University
Out of these, the University of South Australia tends to offer the more affordable fee. Even though the fee is lower, it does not bring down the quality of teaching.
Victoria
Victoria, like New South Wales and Queensland, is another option for getting an MS degree in an affordable price range. One of the well-known colleges here is Monash University, which is recognised for its generous scholarship schemes, including full awards. It is worth applying for a scholarship here, as Monash also has standard scholarships, so in most cases you can find a way to bring down your cost of study in Australia. Victoria University is another budget-friendly choice in the state.
Western Australia
Studying in Western Australia may turn out to be a bit more costly. There is no university in this area that clearly stands out as low-cost, so the best you can do is apply for scholarships to reduce your fees.
Australia student visa guide for Indian students 2026Read →What Scholarships Are Available for MS Programs in Australia?
Most Australian universities offer scholarships for international master's students, ranging from partial fee reductions to full tuition awards. Government-funded Australia Awards Scholarships and university schemes from Monash, Deakin, Adelaide, Griffith and the University of South Australia are widely available. Applying early and meeting academic merit criteria gives Indian students the best chance of cutting their total MS cost.
Scholarships offered by Colleges
Some of the scholarships and providers commonly available to international students in Australia are:
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Australian National University
- Deakin University
- Monash University
- Murdoch University
- Curtin University
- University of Adelaide
- University of Queensland
- University of Melbourne
- Griffith University
- University of Sydney
- University of South Australia
Scholarship plans can reduce your costs considerably. There are several routes you can follow to study an MS in Australia at a lower price. The main effort you have to put in is extensive research, which may help you find a university or scholarship that eventually works for you.