- The Australian Student visa (Subclass 500) application charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026
- Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms
- Applicants must show at least AUD 29,710 per year in living costs, and the accepted English requirement is generally IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5.
Often called the Great Outdoors, Australia is a charming country full of scenic landscapes with an extraordinary healthcare and education system. With more than 40 universities, it is a goldmine of educational institutions offering globally recognised degrees, so students looking to pursue their master's abroad should seriously consider Australia.
If you want to start a professional career and are looking for a master's in Australia, this guide walks you through the top institutions, fees, costs, eligibility, courses and scholarships you need to know for the 2026 intake.
Why Should You Study for a Master's in Australia?
Australia offers globally recognised degrees, strong graduate outcomes and the right to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study. Its universities are federally regulated for quality, and international graduates enjoy strong career prospects, making it one of the most attractive destinations for a master's degree in 2026.
Globally Recognised Education
Australia provides students with an excellent education and degrees that are globally recognised. Because of this, international students do not have to worry about their qualifications being invalid in their home countries.
High-Quality Education
Australian educational institutes are regulated by the Federal Government, ensuring that all universities and institutes provide high-quality education. Because of this consistently high quality, graduates rarely face difficulties when looking for a job.
Work While Studying
Australia lets students work while they study. International students on a Subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms, with unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, so they gain valuable work experience and earn extra income on the side.
High-Paying Jobs
Australia has an abundance of career opportunities and a growing number of high-paying jobs. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average full-time earnings are upwards of 90,000 AUD per annum, giving master's graduates strong earning potential.
IELTS requirements for Australia Student VisaRead →Which Are the Top Universities for a Master's in Australia?
Australia has more than 40 universities, and several rank among the world's best, including the University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney and Monash University. These institutions offer strong master's programmes across management, engineering, health and technology, attracting international students seeking globally recognised postgraduate qualifications in 2026.
Australia has more than 40 universities offering high-quality bachelor's, master's and postgraduate certificate programmes. Let us take a look at some of the top universities for a master's in Australia and a popular programme at each.
| University 2026 | Popular Master's Programme |
|---|---|
| The University of Sydney | Master of Management |
| The University of Melbourne | Master of Supply Chain Management |
| Monash University | Master of Business Administration |
| Deakin University | Master of Creative Arts |
| The University of Adelaide | Master of Accounting |
| Curtin University | Master of Finance |
What Are the Fees for a Master's in Australia?
Master's tuition fees in Australia typically range from around 22,000 to 60,000 AUD per year for international students, depending on the university and programme. Business, data science, physiotherapy and IT courses sit at the higher end, while creative arts and some coursework programmes are more affordable across the 2026 intake.
We have listed some popular master's programmes in Australia and their indicative fees below. Fees vary each year, so always confirm the exact amount on the university's own website before applying.
| Programme 2026 | University | Indicative Fees (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Creative Arts | Deakin University | 22,600 per annum |
| Master of Business Law | The University of Adelaide | 89,000 for two years |
| Master of Data Science | Monash University | 44,900 per annum |
| Master of Physiotherapy | The University of Sydney | 59,000 per annum |
| Master of Information Technology | The University of Melbourne | 37,184 per annum |
| Master of Management (Accounting) | The University of Melbourne | 71,373 for two years |
How Much Does a Master's in Australia Cost?
Beyond tuition, the total cost of a master's in Australia includes pre-arrival costs, English test fees, living expenses and accommodation. For a 2026 student visa, applicants must show at least 29,710 AUD per year for living costs, and actual spending varies widely between cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The total cost of pursuing a master's in Australia is made up of several smaller costs like the cost of living, pre-arrival costs and language test costs. We have listed each cost separately for easy understanding.
Pre-Arrival Costs
Pre-arrival costs include expenses like the visa charge and supporting-document fees. From 1 July 2026, the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) application charge is 2,500 AUD. The cost of procuring supporting documents is an extra expense that students may have to bear.
Language Proficiency Test Costs
International students have to take language proficiency tests and submit the scores to the universities they are applying to. Each Australian university accepts a variety of test scores, such as GMAT, TOEFL and IELTS. The approximate cost of these tests in India is mentioned below.
- GMAT - around 275 USD
- TOEFL - around 185 USD
- IELTS - around 200 USD
Cost of Living
For the student visa, the Department of Home Affairs requires applicants to show at least 29,710 AUD per year to cover living costs, and actual spending can be higher depending on the city. This typically covers food, public transport, entertainment and other everyday expenses. Below are indicative per-week expenses.
- Food and meals - upwards of 160 AUD per week
- Public transport - between 30 AUD and 80 AUD per week
- Entertainment, internet and other costs - upwards of 100 AUD per week
Accommodation Cost
The cost of accommodation varies for each region of the country and depends on the type of accommodation a student chooses.
- Hostels and rentals - upwards of 100 AUD per week
- Boarding houses - between 11,000 AUD and 22,000 AUD per year
- On-campus stay - between 110 AUD and 280 AUD per week
What Is the Eligibility for a Master's in Australia?
To be eligible for a master's in Australia, students generally need a recognised bachelor's degree, valid English test scores such as IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, and, for some programmes, GMAT or GRE scores plus relevant work experience. Exact requirements vary by university and course.
A student must meet a specific list of requirements to be eligible for a master's in Australia. These requirements are usually listed on each university's website, but the common eligibility requirements are mentioned below.
- An undergraduate or bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or college
- Valid language proficiency test scores, such as IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5
- GMAT or GRE scores (required by some programmes)
- Relevant work experience (required for some programmes)
What Are the Requirements for a Master's in Australia?
Applicants must gather documents before applying to an Australian university and for the student visa. These usually include academic transcripts and certificates, English test scores, GMAT or GRE results where required, letters of recommendation, a resume, proof of financial capacity and, for the visa, proof of acceptance and health cover for 2026.
Now that we have looked at the eligibility criteria, let us look at the documents required. A student must gather the specified documents before applying. For the student or work visa, applicants may need proof of acceptance into a recognised university, proof of financial stability, proof of good health and proof of tuition-fee payment.
- Academic transcripts and certificates (from Grade 12 to bachelor's degree)
- GMAT or GRE scores where required (above 650 for GMAT and above the 75th percentile for GRE)
- Language proficiency scores - IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, TOEFL above 80, or PTE (varies by university)
- Two professional references or letters of recommendation
- Proof of work experience where required
- Resume or CV
- Proof of financial capacity and Overseas Student Health Cover
Which Master's Courses Can You Study in Australia?
Australia offers a wide range of specialised master's courses that attract students worldwide. Popular options in 2026 include data science, information technology, computer science, business analytics, engineering, public health, physiotherapy, nursing, management, finance, law, accounting and psychology, with many one-year programmes available across leading Australian universities for faster completion.
Australia has a wealth of specialised master's courses and programmes that attract students from within Australia and around the world. A few of the top master's courses and the universities offering them are listed below.
- Master of Data Science - Monash University
- Master of Information Technology - Deakin University
- Master of Computer Science - The University of Wollongong
- Master of Justice and Criminology - RMIT University
- Master of Business Law - The University of Adelaide
Master in Public Health and Physiotherapy
As the healthcare industry grows rapidly, master's programmes in public health and physiotherapy are in high demand. They prepare students for administrative, managerial and clinical roles, and physiotherapy graduates can practise as professional physiotherapists after completing their programme.
- Master of Public Health - The University of Melbourne / Deakin University
- Master of Physiotherapy - The University of Sydney / University of Technology Sydney
Master in Management, Finance and Engineering
Management, finance and engineering are among the most sought-after master's fields in Australia, offering strong career prospects and high earning potential in both local and global settings.
- Master of Management - The University of Melbourne / The University of Sydney
- Master of Finance - The University of Melbourne / The University of New South Wales
- Master of Engineering - The University of New South Wales / University of Technology Sydney
One-Year Master's Programmes
Many Australian universities offer one-year master's programmes across diverse fields, giving students the opportunity to gain a qualification and broaden their horizons faster.
- Full-Time MBA (fast-tracked) - Melbourne Business School, The University of Melbourne
- Master of Science (Research) - The University of Southern Queensland
- Master of Science in Global Subsea Engineering - Curtin University
- Master of Law (one-year programme) - The University of Queensland / Macquarie University
Which Scholarships Are Available for a Master's in Australia?
Many scholarships help international students fund a master's in Australia, each with different eligibility criteria and award amounts, and several are open to Indian students. Examples include the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's scholarships, the Melbourne Graduate Scholarship and university-specific India awards, ranging from partial tuition waivers to substantial cash grants for 2026.
There are many scholarships available for students pursuing a master's in Australia. They differ in their requirements and in the amount they offer, and some are specifically for Indian students. A few popular options are listed below.
- Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme, Tier 1 and Tier 2 (University of Sydney) - varies
- Melbourne Graduate Scholarship (University of Melbourne) - varies
- Macquarie University India Scholarship (Macquarie University) - tuition fee waiver
- Scholarships for outstanding Indian students (University of Adelaide) - varies
- Kraft Heinz Scholarship (University of Melbourne) - around 30,000 AUD