How do tertiary education fees work in Australia?
Let's face it: university fees are complicated! It can feel like you need a finance degree just to wade through all the lingo. If you'd like help understanding the cost of university, this guide is for you.
Choosing to invest in your education is exciting. But you deserve to take that step confident you’re across everything you need to know about the costs.
Our guide to university fees in Australia is designed to answer all those questions you’ve had swirling through your mind.
If you want to ask an expert about anything you read today, feel free to reach out to our helpful squad of student advisors. They support students on these topics every day, and will be able to answer specific questions you have about your circumstances.
How are course tuition fees calculated?
First, it’s worth understanding how your fees are calculated by the universities. You've probably noticed when browsing courses that there’s an ‘indicative fee’ rather than a definitive number—this is because course fees tend to differ for everyone.
In Australia, the cost of your course is determined by a few things:
- How many subjects you take: Instead of charging you a flat fee for enrolling in a degree, universities charge you by the subject, at the start of each new study period. This is because everyone completes different subjects, at a different pace, even within the same qualification.
- Your chosen study area: Certain study areas (like medicine) are more complex to teach than others, which influences the cost.
- Your level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Your chosen university: Some universities are government funded (public universities) and others are funded directly by student enrolments (private universities). The type of university you pick will have an impact on your fees.
- The year you commence your studies: Government policies can influence course fees year to year. For example, in 2021, the Morrison Government introduced a policy that meant studying in a 'high demand field' cost less than studying in a 'low demand' field. If you started your studies in 2021, your fees would have been different than they were in 2020.
- The type of place you’re offered: This is the key factor that determines how much you pay, and we’ll expand upon it below. If you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place, your course fees will be substantially less, because the government helps fund your spot.
What type of student are you?
Domestic vs international students
For university enrolment purposes, you’re classified as either a domestic student or an international student.
Domestic students are Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent Australian visa holders. International students are citizens of any other country temporarily living in Australia.
The cost of university in Australia for domestic students
If you’re a domestic student, you will be offered either a Commonwealth supported place or a full fee-paying place, depending on what’s available within your chosen course. This has the biggest impact on how much your tuition fees are.
If you’re a: Commonwealth supported place student
A Commonwealth supported place is a place in a university course that is partly subsidised by the Australian Government. These places are very common in undergraduate courses because the government wants to help the population become university qualified, though spots can also be available in some non-research postgraduate courses.
If you land one, then the government will cover part of your tuition fees, and you won’t have to pay them back.
You’re only required to cover the remainder, or what’s called the student contribution amount. The student contribution amount is set according to your field of study.
What this looks like:
Let’s say you’re enrolled in an education subject. You might only pay the student contribution amount of $578 instead of the full subject fee of $2,519—a pretty significant saving.
You can see what the student contribution amount is likely to be per subject, based on your discipline, by visiting our Fees page.
You’re eligible for a Commonwealth supported place if you’re:
- an Australian citizen who will study at least one subject from your course while living in Australia
- a New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder who will study their whole course while living in Australia
- a former permanent humanitarian visa holder or Pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who will study their whole course while living in Australia
Most eligible undergraduate students will be offered a Commonwealth supported place.
How you’ll pay your fees:
You can choose to pay your student contribution amount upfront before a relevant payment deadline. However, most students prefer to delay their payment by taking out a HECS-HELP loan. This loan is then repaid through your income tax once you’re working full-time.
Learn more about Commonwealth supported places
Read our guide to HECS-HELP loans
If you’re a: Full fee-paying student
You will be a full fee-paying student if you aren’t eligible for a Commonwealth supported place, or if your course only offers full fee-paying places. This means the government doesn’t receive any funding for the course, and you’re required to cover the total cost.
Full fee places are more common in postgraduate courses, including higher degrees by research.
Luckily, you’re not on the hook to pay the tuition fees upfront. You can take out a FEE-HELP loan or apply for a scholarship to help you reach your goals.
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you’re:
- an Australian citizen who will study at least one subject from your course while living in Australia
- a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and will study their whole course while living in Australia
- a permanent humanitarian visa holder or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder who will study their whole course while living in Australia
- a Pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of their subject(s)
- an Australian permanent resident who has been approved for bridging studies
How you’ll pay your fees:
You can apply for a FEE-HELP loan when you enrol in your subjects. You’ll then start paying the loan back once you’ve finished studying and you’re earning an appropriate income. If you prefer, you can elect to pay for your subjects straight away with a credit card—it’s up to you and whatever you feel comfortable with.
Learn more about full fee-paying places
Read more about FEE-HELP loans
The cost of university in Australia for international students
Things are a little different for international students, who are offered a full fee-paying place by default.
If this is you, then you will be required to pay your tuition 100% upfront by a relevant due date. Your uni fees will also likely be a little higher than what domestic students are charged, though they are also calculated by your field of study, your study load (how many subjects you complete at once), and the year you enrol.
Universities offer a range of international student scholarships to ease the costs of studying in Australia. Explore Study Australia to find out what’s available.
Other costs to factor in as a uni student
In addition to your tuition fees, there are also a few other costs that will crop up when you study.
The student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
The main one is an administrative fee called the student services and amenities fee, which is charged by some universities. It covers all the essentials you can access during your time as a student, like career advice, financial advice and counselling.
The amount will be no more than $365 for the year in 2025—though exactly what you're charged depends on a few things, like whether you're a full or part-time student.
You can apply for a SA-HELP loan to pay for this if you need to.
Textbooks, laptops and supplies
The other main cost is your textbooks, plus any supplies you might need and not already own, like a laptop or uniform for work placements.
Textbook costs vary depending on the field of study. To give you a general guide, one book might cost between $50 to $150. The good news is you can usually buy copies second hand, for a lot less.
You can find second hand or discounted textbooks:
- at your university’s library
- on StudentVIP
- by going direct to the textbook publisher’s website
- by checking Facebook Marketplace
- by joining your university’s student Facebook group (or the OUA Facebook group) and putting out a request.
If you’re studying to upskill for your career, and your course is directly related to your job, you can claim textbooks and uniforms on your tax. Read more about the self-education expenses you can claim as a student.
Hopefully, you feel more informed after reading our tuition fee guide. But if you have new questions, we’re here to support you! At Open Universities Australia it’s our goal to demystify higher education for everyone, so that you can confidently study with the university of your choice.
Book a one-on-one with a student advisor to discuss your plans. It’s free, and you can speak at a time that suits you.
