Study in Australia
Australia remains one of the largest destinations for Vietnamese students, with solid post-study work rights and a high visa grant rate. Recent policy makes the choice of institution and the timing of an application unusually consequential.
- Tuition
- US$11,500/yr
- Living
- US$11,500/yr
- Total
- US$23,000/yr
- Work rights
- 48 hours per fortnight during term
- Post-study
- Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
Current position
Policy for international students
- On 3 July 2026 the Australian government published new settings for managing international education, forming the basis for 2027 admissions planning.
- The National Planning Level holds at 295,000 new international students, unchanged from 2026, and existing providers face no reduction against the previous year.
- Ministerial Direction 115 continues to apply to Subclass 500 visa assessment. Alongside academic record, finances and study intent, a provider's progress against its allocated quota can affect both priority and processing time.
- Because of that, choosing the right institution at the right point in the intake cycle now materially affects visa outcomes.
Cost
What a year in Australia costs
Adjust the level, city and scholarship percentage to see the effect on your annual total.
Scholarships: University international scholarships typically cover 20-50% of tuition, with a smaller number of full-fee awards for outstanding applicants.
Estimated annual cost
US dollars, indicative
Indicative US dollars per year. Actual fees depend on the institution and programme; confirm before you commit.
Admission
Entry requirements
- Completion of the current year in Vietnam with a GPA from 7.0
- No English certificate required
- High school graduate
- IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
- High school graduate with a leaving score from 8.0, or
- Completion of the first year of a Vietnamese university degree with a GPA from 6.5, or
- An Australian foundation year or transfer diploma
- IELTS from 6.0 or equivalent
- Bachelor's degree with GPA from 6.5
- Work experience depending on the field and institution
- IELTS from 6.5 or equivalent
Funding
Scholarships & financial support
University international scholarships typically cover 20-50% of tuition, with a smaller number of full-fee awards for outstanding applicants.
Awards are almost always decided at the point of admission rather than afterwards, and most pools are allocated on a rolling basis. Applying early in the cycle is the single biggest thing within your control.
At a glance
- Work during study
- 48 hours per fortnight during term
- After graduation
- Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
- Baseline tuition
- US$11,500/yr
- Baseline living
- US$11,500/yr
Subjects
What Australia is strong in
- Culinary Arts
- Information Technology
- Education
- Accounting
- Business & Management
- Engineering
- Law
- Tourism & Hospitality Management
- Communications & Media
- Medicine & Health
- Agriculture
- Psychology
Institutions
Where to study in Australia
30 institutions in our directory, across 3 categories.
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Deakin University Melbourne, VIC
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Curtin University Perth, WA
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Edith Cowan University Perth, WA
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La Trobe University Melbourne, VIC
-
CQUniversity Australia Rockhampton, QLD
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Southern Cross University Lismore, NSW
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University of Canberra Canberra, ACT
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University of Sydney Sydney, NSW
Immigration
The Australia student visa
- Study in Australia requires a Student visa (Subclass 500). It permits enrolment in a course, residence for the duration of study up to five years, and work of up to 48 hours per fortnight during term — uncapped in breaks, and uncapped throughout for research master's and doctoral students.
- According to Department of Home Affairs data from July 2026, Vietnam is among the largest source countries for Australian student visa applications, with an 87% grant rate in the 2025-26 financial year.
- A high grant rate does not mean relaxed criteria. Alongside financial capacity and the Genuine Student requirement, a clear, logical and internally consistent study plan is what makes an application persuasive.
- A refused application can be resubmitted, but at significant risk: the grant rate falls sharply and the file is examined far more closely. Prepare six to eight months ahead of the intake.
Questions
Frequently asked
What IELTS score do I need for Australia?
5.5 for a diploma, 6.0 for a bachelor's degree and 6.5 for a master's, as a general rule. Some programmes — nursing, education, law — set higher requirements, and packaged English courses can bridge a shortfall.
How much does a year in Australia cost?
About US$23,000 per year including tuition and living in Melbourne or Sydney, and less in regional areas — which also carry migration advantages.
Can I work part-time?
Yes — 48 hours per fortnight during term, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Master's by research and doctoral students have no cap.
Do I need to prove finances?
Yes. You must show first-year tuition, living costs at the current AUD threshold, and travel costs, alongside evidence that the funds are genuinely available to you.
Can I stay and work after graduating?
Yes, on the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). The duration depends on qualification level and, in some cases, where you studied — regional study attracts additional entitlements.
What happens if my visa is refused?
You may reapply, but the second application is assessed considerably more strictly and the success rate drops sharply. This is the main argument for preparing thoroughly the first time — ideally six to eight months before the course begins.
Planning Australia for 2026–27?
We will check your profile against the entry requirements, size the real budget and map the scholarship rounds worth applying to.