Studying in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide for Indian Students

Table of Contents

• Why Choose Australia as Your Study Abroad Destination?
• Australia’s Education System
• Popular Student-Friendly Cities in Australia
• Top Universities to Study in Australia in 2025
• Top Courses to Pursue in Australia in 2025
• Intakes in Australian Universities 2025
• Cost of Studying in Australia 2025
• Cost of Living in Australia 2025
• Scholarships Available for International Students in Australia
• Eligibility Criteria for Studying in Australia
• How to Apply for an Education Loan for Studying in Australia?
• How to Apply for a Study Visa for Studying in Australia?
• Post-Study Work Visa in Australia
• FAQs

Why Choose Australia as Your Study Abroad Destination?

Australia offers numerous advantages that make it an ideal choice for Indian students:

• Globally Recognised Education: Most Australian universities rank among the top in the world, offering programs designed to meet global industry demands.
• Welcoming Indian Community: With over 100,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia, the country provides a supportive and familiar environment.
• Strong Job Prospects: Indian students can gain valuable international work experience with Australia’s post-study work visa.
• Safe and Vibrant Lifestyle: Ranked as one of the top 20 safest countries in the world, Australia is known for its safety, beautiful landscapes, and quality of life, ensuring a balanced student experience.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR): The country’s clear pathways to PR after studying and working in the country attract numerous Indian students.

Australia’s Education System

Australia’s education system is highly regulated to ensure quality and consistency. Key aspects include:

• Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF): This framework links schools, vocational education, and higher education qualifications to a single standard, making it easier to transition between levels.
• Teaching Excellence: Courses focus on practical learning and research, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and innovation.
• Support for International Students: Dedicated support services are available for Indian students, including language support, academic mentoring, and career guidance.

Popular Student-Friendly Cities in Australia

• Sydney: A cosmopolitan hub with top universities, Sydney ranks as the 6th best student city in the world according to the QS Best Student Cities 2025. The city offers excellent public transport, parttime job opportunities, and a vibrant lifestyle.
• Melbourne: Known as the cultural capital, Melbourne ranks as the 5th best student city in the world according to the QS Best Student Cities 2025. Melbourne’s diverse student community and artsy vibe make it a favourite among Indian students.
• Brisbane: With affordable living costs and top institutions like the University of Queensland, Brisbane attracts many Indian students.
• Adelaide: The city offers affordable tuition and a quiet, focused environment with the University of Adelaide being the biggest attraction for students.
• Perth: Known for its beaches and high employability rates, Perth is a growing destination for students seeking work opportunities.

Top Universities to Study in Australia in 2025

Home to prestigious universities, Australia is committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and hands-on experience. Here are some of the top universities to consider as per the QS World Ranking 2025:

Top Courses to Pursue in Australia in 2025

With some of the most diverse degrees to pursue, 2025 will see an increasing number of students opt for the following programs in Australia:

• Engineering and Technology: Civil, mechanical, and software engineering are particularly popular.
• Business and Management: MBA and business analytics are in demand.
• Health Sciences: Nursing, public health, and biotechnology offer strong career prospects.
• Data Science and AI: Emerging fields with high employability.
• Environmental Sciences: Focused on sustainability and climate change.

Intakes in Australian Universities in 2025

Australian universities typically have two main intakes:

• Semester 1 (February/March): The primary intake, is ideal for Indian students planning to study in Australia.
• Semester 2 (July): Another popular intake for those who need more time to prepare.

Some universities also offer a November intake which is limited to select courses.

Cost of Studying in Australia in 2025

The cost of education in Australia depends on the program and university you choose to study in. Pursuing courses like humanities, education, and arts is comparatively more affordable than pursuing programs in medicine and engineering fields. Let’s have a look at the costs involved in pursuing

various programs:

Cost of Living in Australia in 2025

Living in Australia as an international student, your expenses would rely on aspects like which city your university is in, how you commute to your university, and the type of accommodation you opt for.

Here’s a classification of expenses for living in Australia:

Scholarships Available for Indian Students in Australia

With world-class education opportunities in prestigious universities, Australia offers numerous fully funded scholarships. Scholarships for Indian students aspiring to study in Australia make it the perfect choice for aspiring students seeking affordable education abroad. Let’s look at a few scholarships for Indian students planning to pursue their education in Australia.

• Australian Government Research and Training Program (AGRTP)
  Funded by the Australian Government, this scholarship supports a student’s Research Doctorate and Research master’s degree. The scholarship, valued at $34,000, covers the applicant’s tuition fee and health insurance for up to three years.
• Australian Awards Scholarship
  Funded by the Department of Education and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), this scholarship aims to provide international students with an opportunity to pursue their UG/PG program at participating universities in Australia and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The scholarship includes full tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and other allied expenses for two years, on the condition that the student must return to their home country upon completion of studies.
• Destination Australia Scholarship
  This scholarship aims to encourage international students to experience the academic excellence of
  Australia’s education providers. Valued at $15,000 per year for each scholarship, and $1,500 in promotional and administration assistance for each scholarship annually, this scholarship can be availed for up to 4 years.
• John Allwright Fellowship (JAF)
  Administered through the Australia Awards system, the scholarship offers an opportunity to scientists engaged in research projects at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to obtain postgraduate qualifications at Australian institutions. It provides PhD and master’s scholarships every year to agricultural researchers.

Eligibility Criteria for Studying in Australia

To study in Australia, you'll need to meet several requirements, including:

• English proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate their English proficiency by taking an English proficiency test like IELTS.
• Financial capacity: As an applicant, you are required to provide evidence of having the financial resources to cover your entire study abroad process. The Australian Consulate may refuse your visa application if you don't provide enough evidence.

How to Apply for an Education Loan for Studying in Australia?

Securing an education loan to study in Australia can be a time-consuming process as you will compare various lenders to find the most suitable loan for you. It is also recommended that you start the loan process for studying in Australia at least 3-4 months before your enrolment day to ensure smooth and timely completion

At Lorien Finance, we ensure you don’t have to go through this daunting and time-consuming process, thus, we do all the hard work for you.

On getting in touch with you, our loan counsellors understand all your needs related to securing a study abroad loan for Australia at your dream university and help you compare the interest rates among 15 international and domestic banks and NBFCs. They negotiate with these lenders on your behalf so that you fulfil your study-abroad dream cost-effectively.

Once you find the most suitable lender per your needs, the loan counsellor will help you proceed with the application process. After submitting all required information and necessary documents, your application will be logged in with the lender, who after carefully scrutinising it, will approve or reject it.

Lorien’s loan counsellors help you throughout the way to minimise any chances of loan rejection. Once the loan is sanctioned, you decide your loan disbursement date and finalise your loan.

We aim to ensure you have a smooth loan application process without any hassle so that your focus remains on your education abroad.

How to Apply for a Study Visa for Australia?

With some of the world’s top universities offering high-quality education in Australia, international students from all parts of the world are attracted to the country. As Indian students planning to pursue higher education in Australia, you require a student visa. A student subclass 500 visa permits you to stay in Australia for the duration of your study program, mostly up to five years and in line with your enrolment date. The student subclass 500 visa lets you:

• Enrol in your desired study program and university
• Be accompanied by a family member to Australia

To apply for your Australian student visa, you should:

• Be enrolled in your desired study program in Australia
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or for the duration of your program
• Provide evidence of welfare arrangements done in Australia if you’re below 18 years of age

As an Indian student applying for an Australian study visa, here are the steps you need to follow:

• You can apply for your student visa in Australia on The Department of Home Affairs website by creating your ImmiAccount.
• Complete your visa application online and submit all the required documents. You will need to pay a fee of AUD 1600.
• After you submit your application, you receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which will be used to track your application online.
• The decision on your visa takes around a couple of weeks, so it is recommended to apply for your Australian study visa at least 6 months before your course starts.

Documents Required for an Australia Student Visa

• Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment eCOE)
• A valid passport
• Your visa application fee
• You are required to meet Genuine Student Criteria
• Academic and work experience documents
• Evidence of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS test scores)
• Evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare)
• Details of your health insurance policy (OSHC)
• Passport-sized photograph

Post-Study Work Visa in Australia

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. It lets you live, work and study in Australia temporarily for up to 3 years. With this visa, you can even include members of the family unit in your application. The length of your stay will depend on the level of your Australian study qualification.

• Bachelor’s degree (including honours)-2 years
• Masters (coursework and extended)-2 years
• Masters (research)-3 years
• Doctoral degree-3 years

The cost of applying for a Temporary Graduate visa is AUD 1945. It is mandatory for the applicant to be in Australia at the time of applying for the visa.

FAQs

Can Indian students work while studying in Australia?
International students are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters and unlimited hours during holidays.

What are the job prospects after studying in Australia?
With a robust job market in fields like IT, engineering, healthcare, and business, Australia has numerous opportunities for international graduates.

Is the Australian education system accepted in India?
Degrees from Australian universities are recognised and valued globally, including in India.

Can a post-study work visa lead to permanent residency?
The post-study work visa in Australia can contribute towards meeting the criteria for permanent residency, especially if graduates gain skilled work experience. Many graduates use this work permit as a stepping-stone to securing a permanent visa, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to settle in Australia.