Study in Australia — Key Facts for Nepal Students
The following data is sourced from the Australian Department of Home Affairs and individual Australian university admissions offices. All figures are for the academic cycle unless otherwise stated.
- Country
- Australia — federal country with 6 states and 2 mainland territories
- Teaching medium
- English at all CRICOS-registered institutions
- Academic year
- February intake (main); July intake available at most universities
- Tuition fees — undergraduate (international)
- AUD 22,000–40,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Tuition fees — postgraduate / Master's (international)
- AUD 25,000–45,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Minimum living cost (visa financial requirement)
- AUD 24,505 per year (Department of Home Affairs, 2026 indexed figure)
- IELTS requirement
- 6.0–6.5 overall (undergraduate); 6.5–7.0 (postgraduate). No individual band below 6.0 typically. TOEFL iBT 64–94 and PTE Academic also accepted at many institutions.
- Student visa type
- Student visa (subclass 500) — applied for via the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au), requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Genuine Student requirement
- Part-time work (during studies)
- 48 hours per fortnight during term time; unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, per Department of Home Affairs visa conditions (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Post-study work permission
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — 2 years (Bachelor's), 3 years (Master's coursework), 4 years (Master's research/PhD) (Department of Home Affairs)
- PR pathway
- Points-tested Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or State/Territory nomination programmes. Eligibility subject to Department of Home Affairs assessment at time of application. (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- HOA service for Australia
- Information resource only. House of Admissions does not apply to Australian universities. HOA is a UK specialist. For UK applications, HOA guidance is 100% free.
Cost of Studying in Australia 2026 — Nepal Students
The following cost estimates are for reference. Exchange rates are approximate; verify current rates at Nepal Rastra Bank (nrb.org.np) before any financial planning. At approximately NPR 86–90 per AUD (Nepal Rastra Bank reference rate, 2025).
| Cost Item | AUD (Approx.) | NPR (Approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition — Master's (1 year) | AUD 25,000–45,000 | NPR 21.5–39 lakhs | University fee schedules |
| Living costs (minimum requirement) | AUD 24,505/year | NPR ~21 lakhs | Dept. of Home Affairs, 2026 |
| Student visa application fee | AUD 1,600 | NPR ~1.4 lakhs | Dept. of Home Affairs fee schedule |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | AUD 700–1,100/year | NPR ~60,000–95,000 | Approved OSHC providers vary |
| Subclass 485 visa application fee | AUD 2,055 | NPR ~1.8 lakhs | Dept. of Home Affairs fee schedule |
| Proof of funds required | Tuition + travel + AUD 24,505 | Varies by tuition | Dept. of Home Affairs financial requirements |
Australia's combined tuition and living costs (approximately AUD 46,000–70,000/year) tend to run higher than the UK's combined costs (approximately £18,000–40,000/year, roughly NPR 35–78 lakhs). This is an important factor when comparing total cost of study. See: UK vs Australia comparison guide.
Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) — Requirements for Nepal Students
A Student visa (subclass 500) is the primary visa category allowing international students to study at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution. All information below is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) and subject to change — always verify with the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
HOA does not prepare Australian student visa applications. HOA is a UK specialist. For Australian visa guidance, consult a Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) registered agent or the institution's international office directly.
To apply for an Australian Student visa, the following documents are typically required (Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au):
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
- Genuine Student (GS) requirement statement
- Evidence of financial capacity: tuition fees, travel costs, and AUD 24,505 for living costs (Dept. of Home Affairs financial requirement)
- Valid Nepali passport
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo English Test results (where required)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full visa duration
- Biometrics and health examination (if required for Nepal nationals — check at time of application)
- Completed online application via ImmiAccount — visa fee: AUD 1,600
Processing times vary. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current wait times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) — Australia
The Temporary Graduate visa allows international graduates of an eligible Australian qualification to live and work in Australia after completing their studies. Source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
- Duration — Bachelor's degree
- 2 years (Post-Higher Education Work stream)
- Duration — Master's degree (coursework)
- 3 years
- Duration — Master's (research) or PhD
- 4 years
- Employer restrictions
- None — visa holders may work for any employer in any sector
- Regional study bonus
- Additional time may be available for graduates who studied at a regional Australian campus, subject to current settings. (Department of Home Affairs)
- Eligibility
- Must have completed a CRICOS-registered qualification meeting Australian study requirements. Verify current eligibility before applying: Department of Home Affairs
- PR pathway after subclass 485
- Work experience gained on the subclass 485 visa can support points-tested eligibility for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), or state/territory nomination pathways. Migration policies change frequently — verify with the Department of Home Affairs or a MARA registered migration agent.
The UK offers a comparable Graduate Route Visa: a flat 2 years of unrestricted work rights post-graduation (3 years for PhD graduates) regardless of whether the degree is Bachelor's or Master's level, with no job offer or employer sponsor required (UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026). HOA can guide you to UK universities for this route — 100% free.
Popular Programmes in Australia for Nepal Students
These programmes have historically attracted high numbers of Nepali students at Australian institutions. This list is for reference only.
IT & Engineering
Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering
Business
MBA, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, International Business, Business Analytics
Healthcare
Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Public Health, Medical Sciences
Law & Social Sciences
LLM, Social Work, Psychology, Education, International Relations
Sciences
Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Hospitality & Tourism
Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Event Management, Culinary Arts
UK vs Australia — Key Differences for Nepal Students
HOA specialises in UK admissions and can guide Nepal students through this comparison. The following is a factual overview of key differences. Full analysis available at the UK vs Australia comparison guide.
UK vs Australia — Side by Side
United Kingdom — HOA Specialisation
- Graduate Route Visa: flat 2 years regardless of degree level
- IELTS waiver (MOI) at 25+ universities for TU/KU/PU graduates
- Master's duration: typically 1 year (cost advantage)
- Combined cost: approximately £18,000–40,000/year (~NPR 35–78 lakhs)
- Chevening Scholarship — fully funded
- HOA guidance: 100% free — 153 partner universities
Australia — Reference Information
- Subclass 485 visa: 2–4 years, scaled by degree level
- No MOI route — IELTS or equivalent generally required at all institutions
- Master's duration: typically 1.5–2 years (higher total cost)
- Combined cost: approximately AUD 46,000–70,000/year (~NPR 39.5–60 lakhs)
- PR via points-tested skilled migration (subclass 189/190) — pathway exists but subject to occupation lists and policy changes
- HOA does not apply to Australian universities
Considering UK Universities Instead?
House of Admissions places Nepali students in 153 UK universities — free of charge. 99% UK visa success rate (internal tracking data, 2016–2026). Offices in Putalisadak, Kathmandu and Trade Mall, Chipledhunga, Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions — Study in Australia from Nepal
No. House of Admissions (HOA) is a UK-specialist education agent. HOA provides admissions support, visa preparation, and scholarship guidance exclusively for UK universities. For Australian universities, HOA provides factual reference information to help Nepali students compare UK and Australia — but does not submit applications to Australian institutions. For UK university applications, HOA's service is 100% free.
Tuition fees at Australian universities range from approximately AUD 22,000 to AUD 45,000 per year for international students, depending on the institution and programme. Living costs are estimated at AUD 24,505 per year as the minimum financial requirement set by the Department of Home Affairs for the 2026 student visa application. Total annual cost: approximately AUD 46,000–70,000. Sources: individual Australian university fee schedules and Department of Home Affairs published financial requirements.
Most Australian universities require an IELTS Academic score of 6.0–6.5 overall for undergraduate programmes and 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate programmes, with no individual band below 6.0. Some institutions also accept TOEFL iBT (minimum 64–94), PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. Requirements vary by institution and programme; check directly with the university admissions office.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows international graduates of an eligible Australian qualification to live and work in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. Under the Post-Higher Education Work stream, duration depends on qualification level: 2 years for Bachelor's degrees, 3 years for Master's degrees (coursework), and 4 years for Master's (research) and PhD degrees. Regional study can extend eligibility further. Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Yes, potentially. Australian study followed by 485 visa work experience can support eligibility for points-tested skilled migration visas such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or State/Territory nomination programmes. Eligibility depends on points score (age, English ability, qualifications, work experience), occupation demand, and current migration policy settings, which change frequently. Source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Always verify current eligibility with a registered migration agent (MARA).
Key differences: (1) Post-study work visa — Australia's subclass 485 visa runs 2–4 years depending on degree level; the UK Graduate Route Visa gives a flat 2 years (3 for PhD) regardless of qualification level. (2) MOI route — 25+ UK universities accept a Medium of Instruction letter instead of IELTS for TU/KU/PU graduates; Australia generally requires IELTS or equivalent for all applicants. (3) Tuition and living costs — Australia tends to run higher overall (AUD 46,000–70,000/year combined) than the UK (£18,000–40,000/year combined, roughly NPR 35–78 lakhs). (4) HOA expertise — HOA specialises exclusively in UK admissions and cannot apply to Australian universities. See the full UK vs Australia comparison at houseofadmissions.com/study-in-uk/compare/uk-vs-australia-nepal/.
An Australian Student visa (subclass 500) requires: a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered Australian institution; Genuine Student (GS) requirement statement; evidence of financial capacity (minimum AUD 24,505/year living costs plus tuition and travel, per Department of Home Affairs 2026 figures); valid passport; Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC); English proficiency evidence; and biometrics. Source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Requirements vary by individual circumstance.
Frequently cited Australian universities for international students include the University of Melbourne (QS World Ranking #13, 2025), University of Sydney (#18), Australian National University (#34), University of New South Wales (#19), and Monash University (#37) — collectively part of the "Group of Eight" research-intensive universities. Rankings sourced from QS World University Rankings 2025. Note: HOA does not partner with Australian universities and provides this information for reference only.
Sources & Further Reading
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa financial requirements
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- QS World University Rankings 2025
- HOA — UK vs Australia Comparison Guide (internal)
Explore UK Study Options — HOA Free Guidance
Page last updated: · Source data: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au