Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for international students seeking higher education. The latest national higher education data reports more than 1.08 million domestic higher education enrolments in 2024, while the government’s monthly international education data shows more than 565,000 international student enrolments across sectors in January 2026. Demand remains strong because of the country’s academic system, quality of life, and landscapes.
Although the cost of living in Australia can be high and tuition varies by provider, study level, and location, it should not stop you from pursuing your study abroad goals. There are still affordable universities in Australia where international students can find good value for money.
Affordable Schools in Australia for International Students
1. Federation University of Australia
Federation University Australia, commonly called Federation, is a public university and TAFE provider in regional Victoria, with campuses in Ballarat, Berwick, Gippsland, and the Wimmera. Its history spans more than 150 years, and the university is moving toward a co-operative education model with work placements embedded across programs.
Federation offers programs in areas such as humanities, engineering, business, science, mathematics, nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, psychology, performing and visual arts, information technology, occupational health, and physical education.
Because tuition depends on the award, course load, and year of study, international students should check the current course fee schedule before applying.
2. Torrens University
Torrens University is a private university in Australia. It was established in 2013 and opened its doors in Adelaide in 2014, making it one of the country’s younger universities.
Torrens University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across areas such as business, communication, design, education, health, hospitality, technology, and hotel management.
The university has grown into a national institution with multiple campuses and students from more than 120 countries.
3. Charles Darwin University
Charles Darwin University is a public university that opened in 2003 after the merger of Northern Territory University, Menzies School of Health Research, and Centralian College. Headquartered in Darwin, CDU also has campuses and study centers across the Northern Territory, as well as locations in Sydney and Brisbane.
As a dual-sector university, CDU offers vocational and higher education courses in areas such as business and law, education, engineering and information technology, health and human sciences, Indigenous studies, nursing, and midwifery.
CDU is one of the more affordable Australian universities on this list, especially for students looking for study options in the Northern Territory.
4. Australian Catholic University
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public Catholic university in Australia. It opened on January 1, 1991, after the amalgamation of four Catholic tertiary institutions, some of which trace their history back to the 1800s.
ACU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs through its four faculties: Education and Arts, Health Sciences, Law and Business, and Theology and Philosophy.
Students study across ACU’s Australian campuses, and the university also has a Rome campus. International tuition varies by course, so applicants should check the current international student fee schedule before choosing a program.
5. University of the Sunshine Coast
The University of the Sunshine Coast, now commonly called UniSC, first opened in 1996. It has grown into a public university with five campuses across South East Queensland.
This affordable university in Australia offers programs in areas such as business, tourism, information technology, design, communication, creative industries, engineering, science, education, health, and sport science.
6. Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University (WSU) is a public university that began operating in 1989. True to its name, it serves Greater Western Sydney through a network of campuses across Sydney.
Like other Australian universities before it, WSU was established following the merger of predecessor institutions. Today, the university offers programs through schools and disciplines such as business, computing, education, law, medicine, nursing and midwifery, social sciences, psychology, science, health, and humanities.
International students should note that tuition fees vary by program and may change each year, so the university’s current international fee information should be checked before applying.
7. University of Wollongong
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from about AUD 34,272/year (undergraduate, based on two 2026 sessions) | from about AUD 25,128/year (graduate, based on two 2026 sessions)
The University of Wollongong is a public research university based in New South Wales. It began as a division of the New South Wales University of Technology and became an independent university in 1975.
UOW offers programs through faculties covering arts, social sciences, business, engineering, information sciences, science, medicine, and health.
UOW calculates international tuition by credit point and session, so the annual cost depends on the course and study load.
8. Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University (SCU) is a multi-campus public university with campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour, and the Gold Coast. It was officially established on January 1, 1994.
The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as arts, social sciences, business, tourism, education, engineering, environment, health, human sciences, law, and justice. SCU also has a strong focus on Indigenous knowledge and community engagement.
International fees are usually shown by course and annual study load, so students should confirm the latest figure on the relevant course page.
9. University of New England
The University of New England (UNE), not to be confused with the university of the same name in the United States, is a public university in Armidale, New South Wales. It was established as New England University College in 1938 and became an independent university in 1954.
This affordable university in Australia is organized into faculties covering humanities, arts, social sciences, education, medicine, health, science, agriculture, business, and law.
UNE is also known for its residential college system and its long history as a regional Australian university.
FAQs: Studying in Australia
What Are the Requirements for Studying in Australia?
Requirements vary by university and program. In general, applicants need an appropriate prior qualification, such as high school completion for undergraduate entry or a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate entry. They may also need to meet English-language requirements through tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, depending on the university and course.
Most student visa applicants also need to show they can meet Australia’s financial requirements. Always check the university course page and the official student visa checklist before applying.
Can You Study Using English at Australian Universities?
Yes. English is the main language of instruction at Australian universities. If English is not your first language or your prior study does not meet an institution’s English criteria, you may need to take the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or another accepted test. Cutoff scores vary by university and course, so check the relevant admissions page before applying.
You can study in Australia at a price that will not break the bank while still earning a quality higher education and enjoying the country’s landscapes. Without compromising quality, take the next step and discover programs that best suit your goals.
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Australia for international students was helpful. Also, check out the Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students sections to learn more!
