Study in Australia — Future Link Consultants · 2026
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Australia combines a regulated education system, globally recognised qualifications, practical study pathways and a well-established international student support framework.
Australia uses the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) across regulated education and training sectors.
Students can enter through higher education, VET, ELICOS and Foundation Studies pathways depending on their profile.
Major cities and regional locations offer diverse study, cultural and lifestyle choices.
International-student providers and courses are regulated through the ESOS framework and CRICOS registration.
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, subject to visa conditions.
Eligible graduates may have access to the Temporary Graduate visa and other lawful pathways depending on qualification and circumstances.
Australia’s international education system is deliberately regulated. The ESOS framework protects international students through national standards, provider obligations and tuition protection mechanisms. CRICOS is the official register for providers and courses available to students on a Student visa.
Choose the level and pathway that matches your academic history, career objective, budget and intended post-study direction.
| Study route | What it offers | Typical positioning |
|---|---|---|
| ELICOS | English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. | English development; duration and starts vary by provider. |
| Foundation Studies | Academic preparation for undergraduate entry where direct entry is not appropriate. | Often around 6–12 months; provider-specific. |
| VET / TAFE | Practical, career-focused qualifications including certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas. | Often skills and employment oriented; course duration varies. |
| Bachelor degree | Undergraduate higher education qualification. | Often 3–5 years depending on degree and structure. |
| Honours | Advanced undergraduate study following an eligible bachelor pathway. | Often an additional year, subject to provider rules. |
| Master degree | Coursework, extended or research master's programs. | Duration varies; many are 1–2 years. |
| Doctoral degree | Research-focused doctoral study. | Often around 3+ years, depending on the program. |
Only providers and courses registered on CRICOS can deliver education to international students studying in Australia on a Student visa.
The Australian Qualifications Framework provides the national structure for regulated qualifications across schools, VET and higher education.
Australia’s eight states and territories offer different combinations of institutions, industries, lifestyle and cost. The right city depends on the student’s course and profile.
New South Wales. Major metropolitan destination with a broad higher-education and employment ecosystem.
Victoria. Large student city with a strong higher-education, professional and cultural environment.
Queensland. Major education destination with access to universities, VET and diverse industries.
South Australia. Capital-city option with university, VET and regional study opportunities.
Western Australia. Strong links to resources, engineering and broader professional sectors.
Australian Capital Territory. National capital with universities and public-sector-linked study opportunities.
Tasmania. Smaller-city option with university and vocational study pathways.
Northern Territory. Regional location with a distinct northern-Australian study and employment environment.
| Timing | What to expect |
|---|---|
| February / Semester 1 | A major intake for many universities and providers. |
| July / Semester 2 | Available for many, but not all, courses. Exact start dates are provider-specific. |
| Other starts | Some institutions offer trimester, quarterly or additional intakes, including courses beginning in other months. |
There is no single national admission score for all Australian institutions. Requirements are set by the provider and the specific course.
Completed qualifications and subjects must meet the course’s stated entry criteria. Some programs require prerequisite subjects or specific prior study.
Universities and colleges set their own English requirements. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and other accepted tests may be used depending on the provider.
Health, engineering, education, design and other regulated or specialised fields can have additional prerequisites, portfolios, interviews or professional requirements.
For packaged or pathway study, the progression between courses should be logical and documented through the relevant enrolments and CoEs.
The Student visa has its own English-language evidence rules when evidence is required. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the standard minimum is IELTS Academic or General Training 6.0 overall, with lower thresholds possible for certain eligible packaged pathways involving ELICOS, Foundation or approved pathway programs. Equivalent thresholds apply to specified tests.
| Approved test example | Standard Student visa minimum* | With eligible 10-week pathway* |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General Training | 6.0 overall | 5.5 overall |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 39 |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 | 51 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 6 |
*This is the visa evidence threshold, not a promise of university admission. The Department’s current table contains additional tests and pathway-specific rules. At-home/online versions of tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. TOEFL applicants must select “Taking TOEFL for Australia” from 21 January 2026.
Australia does not have one national tuition fee. Your actual budget depends on the provider, course, level of study and location.
| Budget item | Planning rule |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Use the first 12 months of course fees for visa calculations, less eligible amounts already paid and evidenced. |
| Living costs | Use the current Home Affairs financial-capacity figures, then add a realistic city-specific buffer. |
| Travel | Include travel costs for the student and any accompanying family members. |
| Schooling for children | If school-age children accompany the student, additional schooling costs must be considered; Home Affairs currently specifies at least AUD 13,502 per year for each school-age child, subject to the stated rules and exceptions. |
| OSHC | Mandatory for most Student visa holders and accompanying dependants; price depends on provider, duration and family composition. |
| Visa & other costs | Include the visa charge plus possible health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. |
Funding can come from Australian Government programs, universities, education providers and public/private organisations. Australia Awards Scholarships are highly competitive and are available only to citizens of participating countries under country-specific rules.
Australia’s international education system is operating under managed growth. These changes matter when choosing a provider and planning visa timing.
The 2026 National Planning Level is 295,000 New Overseas Student Commencements (NOSCs). It is not a cap on individual students or visas. It forms part of Australia’s managed international education system and works alongside government settings for student visa processing and provider allocations.
Offshore Student visa processing is influenced by government policy priorities and provider-level progress against the managed-growth framework. This can affect processing priority and timing.
From 1 July 2026, the Student visa application charge increased from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 for most applicants. Lower charges or concessions may apply to eligible categories under the applicable rules.
From 1 July 2026, the Temporary Graduate visa application charge increased from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750, subject to stated concessions.
From 19 May 2026 to 19 May 2027, Australia has suspended applications for new CRICOS registration of private VET or ELICOS providers and new private VET/ELICOS courses for international students. Existing registered providers remain able to operate under the stated rules.
In July 2026 the Government confirmed a 2027 National Planning Level of 295,000 New Overseas Student Commencements (NOSCs), the same overall level as 2026. The NPL is part of the managed international education system; it is not a limit on individual student visas.
The Student visa (subclass 500) is the main visa for international students undertaking eligible study in Australia.
| Requirement | Current 2026 position |
|---|---|
| Visa | Student visa (subclass 500). |
| Enrolment | You must be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided. |
| OSHC | You must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies. |
| Genuine Student | You must satisfy the Genuine Student criterion and demonstrate that study is the primary reason for the visa. |
| Financial capacity | You must be able to demonstrate access to the required funds when evidence is requested/required. |
| Health & character | You and relevant family members must meet applicable health and character requirements. |
| Work | Generally up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, subject to visa conditions and exemptions. |
| Application charge | AUD 2,500 for most primary applicants from 1 July 2026; specified concessions apply. |
The subclass 500 framework covers higher education, VET, pathway programs, ELICOS, schools and postgraduate research, subject to the relevant course and visa rules.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024. The assessment focuses on whether the applicant is genuinely seeking entry and stay as a student.
Explain family, community, employment and economic circumstances and provide supporting evidence where relevant.
Explain why the chosen course and Australian provider make sense, including understanding of the course and living/study requirements.
Explain how the course will benefit the applicant’s future. The story should be consistent with academic and career history.
Disclose other relevant circumstances and ensure the information across the application is accurate and consistent.
Where financial evidence is required, Home Affairs expects genuine access to funds. Evidence may include deposits with a financial institution, government or financial-institution loans, scholarships or similar support. If another person is providing funds, the application may need evidence of the relationship, identity and financial support.
| Current visa calculation figure (at time of review) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student — 12 months living costs | AUD 29,710 |
| Partner — 12 months living costs | AUD 10,394 |
| Child — 12 months living costs | AUD 4,449 |
| School-age child schooling | At least AUD 13,502/year, subject to the applicable rules and exceptions |
| Parent/partner income alternative | AUD 87,856 in the previous 12 months for a single applicant; AUD 102,500 where family members are included, subject to the Department’s rules. |
Student visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover, unless an exemption applies. OSHC should cover the required period of stay.
Some applicants need health examinations. Check the Department’s instructions and ImmiAccount for the examinations applicable to the case.
Applicants and relevant family members must meet character requirements. The Department may request police certificates or other character information.
Students under 18 must have acceptable welfare arrangements, such as provider-approved accommodation/welfare arrangements or the applicable guardian pathway.
Applicants aged 18 or over must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement as required.
Student visa holders must comply with visa conditions, including maintaining enrolment and meeting course-progress/attendance requirements where applicable.
Australia’s ESOS framework establishes national obligations for providers serving international students. The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) can assist eligible international students when an education provider is unable to fully deliver a course.
International students can work in Australia, but the right to work is controlled by visa conditions and must not interfere with the primary purpose of study.
| Topic | Current rule / guidance |
|---|---|
| During study terms | Generally up to 48 hours per fortnight for Student visa holders while the course is in session. |
| Scheduled course breaks | Students can generally work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, subject to the visa conditions that apply to them. |
| Masters by Research / Doctoral | Students who have started a Masters by Research or Doctoral degree may work more than 48 hours per fortnight under the relevant condition. |
| Multiple jobs | You can work more than one job, but the total hours must remain within the applicable limit. |
| Workplace rights | International students have the same workplace protections as other workers, including minimum employment standards. |
| National minimum wage | From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is AUD 26.44/hour or AUD 1,004.90/week for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Many workers are covered by an award with its own minimum rates. |
It can take time to find suitable work and hours can fluctuate. Students should arrive with adequate funds and treat employment income as a supplement rather than the foundation of the visa financial plan.
Open a bank account, apply for a Tax File Number, understand the applicable minimum wage/award and keep records of hours and payslips.
Check VEVO and your visa grant details. The 48-hour rule is a visa condition; breaching it can have immigration consequences.
Australia’s post-study framework is qualification-specific. A graduate should assess eligibility against the visa stream that matches the qualification and current legislation at the time of application.
| Temporary Graduate stream | Who it is designed for | Indicative stay |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education Work | Associate degree, diploma or trade qualification relevant to an eligible nominated occupation. | Up to 18 months for eligible applicants; the applicable age, qualification, occupation and passport rules must be met. |
| Post-Higher Education Work | Bachelor degree, Masters or Doctoral qualification meeting the stream’s study requirements. | Usually 2–3 years depending on the qualification and applicable rules; passport-specific arrangements may provide different periods. Applicants must meet the stream’s eligibility requirements, including the applicable age requirement. |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | Eligible first Temporary Graduate visa holders who studied and lived in designated regional areas and meet the stream requirements. | Between 1 and 2 years, depending on the applicable regional eligibility requirements. |
The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (subclass 403) is a separate temporary pathway for eligible Indian graduates and early-career professionals in targeted fields. It provides up to 2 years in Australia, with selection through a pre-application ballot and up to 3,000 grants each year.
Some graduates may later explore employer-sponsored or skilled visas. These pathways depend on occupation, skills, experience, nomination/sponsorship and the rules in force at the time.
No. Tuition varies by institution, course, level and location. Check the exact course listing.
No. That is a common Student visa evidence threshold when applicable. The institution may require a higher score or different component scores.
No. The standard Student visa limit while the course is in session is 48 hours per fortnight, not 48 hours per week.
No. Financial-capacity rules are assessed separately. Build your funding plan before travel.
Most Student visa holders do. Exemptions exist for specified categories.
No. Regional study can matter for certain graduate pathways, but course quality, eligibility and career fit remain essential.
Eligible family members can generally be included or may apply later as subsequent entrants, subject to visa rules and evidence.
No. Home Affairs provides processing guidance and priorities, but individual outcomes and timing vary.
Every student’s Australia journey is different. The right course, provider, city, budget, English strategy and visa plan depend on the individual profile.
Review academic background, goals, budget and study history before shortlisting.
Build a course shortlist around eligibility, career direction, location and intake timing.
Coordinate documentation and application preparation for the selected providers.
Map tuition, living costs, OSHC and visa financial-capacity requirements.
Prepare the application around current Home Affairs requirements, including GS and evidence readiness.
Prepare for accommodation, travel, documents, compliance and the transition to Australia.
Speak with Future Link Consultants for a profile-led assessment and personalised Australia study roadmap.
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