Studying in Australia means getting an offer from a registered Australian institution, receiving a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), and applying for a Student visa (subclass 500). Indian applicants must pass the Genuine Student assessment, show A$29,710 for a year of living costs plus tuition and travel, and hold Overseas Student Health Cover. In 2026 the visa fee rose to A$2,500 and India moved to a higher evidence level, so preparation matters more than it used to.

Why Study in Australia?

Australia combines highly ranked universities, an English-speaking environment and work rights during study. Eight research-intensive universities form the Group of Eight, and many others have strong industry links in fields like IT, engineering, health, business and hospitality. Courses are flexible, campuses are diverse, and graduates can apply for a temporary work visa after their degree.

The country has also limited the number of new international students, and visa checks have tightened. Go in with a realistic budget and strong documents. AbroadUp's Australia admission support explains how we handle course selection, applications and visa filing.

What Changed for Indian Students in 2026

• Higher visa fee: the Student visa fee is A$2,500 from 1 July 2026, with a lower fee for English language and non-award courses.
• Higher scrutiny for India: from 8 January 2026, Indian applicants fall under Evidence Level 3, which means detailed financial and academic documents are checked closely and processing can take longer.
• Enrolment cap: the government set a National Planning Level of 295,000 new international students for 2026, shared across institutions.
• Priority processing: applications tied to providers with a strong compliance record are reported to be processed faster.
• Genuine Student test: this replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024.
• Post-study visa: the Temporary Graduate visa now has a lower age limit, shorter stays for many graduates and a higher fee.

Rules and figures change often, so confirm them on the Department of Home Affairs website before you pay any fee.

Degrees and Intakes

Semester 1 starts in February or March and Semester 2 starts in July. Some universities also run a November intake. Apply 6 to 9 months before your start date, because the visa process now takes longer and popular courses fill early.

Eligibility and English Requirements

• For a bachelor's: Class 12 with strong marks. Top universities ask for very high scores, and some students take a diploma or foundation year first.
• For a master's: a relevant bachelor's degree with the minimum marks set by the university and course.
• English: most universities ask for IELTS Academic around 6.5, and the visa often accepts around IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50. Many universities also accept PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo or a medium of instruction letter.
• Documents: transcripts, certificates, CV, statement of purpose, passport and any work experience letters.

Check the exact requirements for each course. AbroadUp's IELTS preparation course and exam preparation team can help you reach the score your shortlist needs.

Popular Australian Universities

Universities outside the Group of Eight, such as UTS, RMIT, Macquarie and Deakin, also have strong employer links and often more flexible entry rules. Compare graduate outcomes and city costs, not just rankings.

Cost of Studying in Australia

For the visa you must show your first year of tuition, your living costs and your travel costs, and the money must be traceable and genuinely available. Many advisers recommend holding the funds in the account for at least three months. Real living costs vary by city, and Sydney and Melbourne cost more than Adelaide or Perth. If the total feels heavy, compare routes on our budget friendly degrees page and our Study Free In Germany guide.

How to Apply Step by Step

1. Shortlist courses and universities by fit, cost, city and graduate outcomes.
2. Book your English test and confirm the score each university needs.
3. Apply to the university with transcripts, a statement of purpose and your English score.
4. Accept your offer and pay the deposit to receive your CoE.
5. Buy Overseas Student Health Cover for your whole stay.
6. Prepare your Genuine Student answers and financial documents.
7. Apply for your Student visa online, attend biometrics and health checks, and wait for the decision.

Student Visa and the Genuine Student Test

The Genuine Student assessment asks whether your main purpose in applying is to study. It looks at your circumstances, your reasons for choosing that course and provider, your study history and the value of the course to your future. Wanting to work or settle in Australia later does not count against you by itself, but your answers must be specific and consistent with your documents.

Most refusals come from vague answers, unexplained funds or a course that does not match your background. Apply well before your start date, because processing times vary by provider and profile. AbroadUp's visa and services team helps you prepare your answers and funds trail and checks your file before you submit.

Working While You Study

Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during the study period and without a limit during scheduled course breaks. A part-time job can help with rent and daily costs, but it will not cover tuition. Do not plan your visa funds around work income, since the visa requires you to show savings up front.

After Your Degree: The Temporary Graduate Visa

Graduates can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to stay and work. Most applicants must be 35 or younger, and the stay depends on the qualification, generally around 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's and longer for research degrees, though recent changes have shortened stays for many graduates. The fee has also risen, and one source puts it above A$5,000 from July 2026, so check the current amount.

Permanent residence is not automatic. Skilled migration is points-tested and competitive, so treat work rights as a way to build experience rather than a guarantee. If you are comparing post-study options, read our pages on studying in the UK, the USA and the Germany destination page.

Common Mistakes Indian Students Make

• Writing generic Genuine Student answers. Explain why this course, provider and country fit your background.
• Showing funds late or without a trail. Untraceable money is a common cause of refusal.
• Choosing a course that does not match your history. A big gap between your degree and your course raises questions.
• Applying to a high-risk provider only. Compliance records affect processing.
• Applying late. Visa processing and enrolment caps leave less room than before.

Frequently Asked Questions