Top 8 Cheapest Universities in Australia for International Students

Pursuing higher studies in Australia is a financially prudent choice for international students, as the country offers world-class education at a competitive cost. Several cheapest universities in Australia offer a globally recognised degree with average annual tuition fees ranging from AUD 15,000 to AUD 35,000 (approximately INR 8,14,535 – INR 19,00,583) for undergraduate programs and AUD 20,000 to AUD 42,000 (approximately INR 10,86,047 – INR 22,80,699) for postgraduate programs. Institutions like the University of Southern Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast are among the cost-effective options.

According to the Australian Government, Australia will welcome 270,000 new international students in 2025, ensuring a high-quality education experience and excellent opportunities. Compared to the US or UK, Australia offers great value for money with budget-friendly public universities, generous scholarships, and part-time work opportunities. Dreaming of studying in Australia? Still worried about high tuition fees? Don't be! Explore the most cheapest universities in Australia from the list below and start your academic journey without breaking your bank!

Below is the inforgrahphic that highlights the top 8 cheapest universities in Australia.

Let’s discover more about each affordable Australian university’s offerings, fees, and available courses in the following sections,

1. University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is Australia’s most affordable university for higher education. It was established in 1967 and is located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The university offers three intakes: February, July, and November. The tuition fee of UniSQ for UG programs is AUD 22,500 and for PG programs, the fee is AUD 24,300 per year.

For students who even find it difficult to pay these low tuition fees, the university also offers various scholarships, including the Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship, the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship, and the UniSQ Residential College Scholarship for 2025. 

With over 700 specialised programs across diverse fields, such as specialisations in agriculture and environment, business and commerce, and creative arts and media, The alumni network of UniSQ spans over 110,000 graduates in 146 countries. Additionally, the university requires English proficiency tests like IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.0 for UG, 6.5 for PG), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 70 for diploma, 80 for UG and 90 for PG)  or PTE (with a minimum score of 50 for UG, 58 for PG), along with compliance with Australian student visa prerequisites, including Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). 

2. University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)

The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), established in 1994, is the second cheapest university in Australia. It is located in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. The university offers three intakes: February, June, and October. The undergraduate tuition fee of UniSC is AUD 24,300 and the postgraduate fee is AUD 22,500 per annum. Moreover, students at UniSC have access to several scholarships such as International Student Scholarship (a 15% tuition fee reduction), English Excellence Scholarship (a 20% tuition fee reduction), Merit scholarships, Equity scholarships and Regional scholarships.

The university houses eight schools that provide over 120 programs in diverse disciplines such as business, IT, tourism, and creative industries. It also offers education, engineering and science, health, humanities and social sciences, etc. With over 25,000 active alumni worldwide, USC offers a friendly, supportive environment and top-notch education, making it an appealing choice for international students. To get admitted to UniSC, international students must meet English proficiency requirements like academic IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.0 for UG, 6.5 for PG), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 76 for UG and 85 for PG), PTE (with a minimum score of 50 for UG, 58 for PG), ensuring eligibility for an Australian student visa.

3. Griffith University

The third most affordable university is Griffith University with budget-friendly tuition fees of AUD 30,500 for UG and AUD 15,500 for PG programs per year. The university was founded on December 30, 1971, and is located in South East Queensland, Australia. The intakes offered by Griffith University are February, June, and October. The Brighter Futures Scholarship, Chancellor's Scholarship, and Rachel Hunter Refugee Scholarship, which are offered to international students to manage their expenses, all have a deadline of Monday, 10 March 2025, at 4 PM for Trimester 1, 2025, Round 3.

The country stands out for its excellence in higher education, particularly in MBA programs and research-based courses. With over 200 courses offered annually and an enrollment exceeding 50,000 students, it caters to diverse academic interests across disciplines like Architecture, criminology and law, Education and Law, Engineering, Health, Business and Government, IT, Science and Environment. Further, to enrol at Griffith University, students need to submit any one of the English proficiency scores like IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.5), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 79), or PTE (with a minimum score of 58).

4. Edith Cowan University (ECU)

The fourth affordable university in Australia is the Edith Cowan University, established in 1991, which charges AUD 25,000 for undergraduates and AUD 28,500 for postgraduates. The university is located in Perth, Western Australia. February, July, and October are the three intakes available to apply. ECU provides financial support to international students through various scholarships, including the 2025 International Undergraduate Scholarship, the 2025 Australian Qualification International Scholarship, and the 2025 International Masters Scholarship. Each of these scholarships offers a 20% reduction in tuition fees.

With a robust network of over 175,000 alumni worldwide, ECU provides a supportive and diverse environment for its 31,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, attracting 7,000 international students from 100+ countries. The university is renowned for its practical learning focus and research excellence. ECU offers over 400 courses across eight schools in various disciplines like Business, Law, Education, Nursing and Midwifery, Science, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. The university ensures up-to-date content through collaborations with industry partners, making it a top choice for affordable master's programs in Australia. ECU's commitment to teaching quality is evident through its consistent five-star rating for 16 consecutive years. 

To join ECU, make sure you have the required English language score: IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.5), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 84), or PTE (with a minimum score of 64).

5. Charles Darwin University (CDU)

With AUD 27,096 for undergraduate and AUD 29,352 for postgraduate programs, Charles Darwin University is the fifth most affordable university in Australia. Established in 2003, it is located in Arwin, Northern Territory, Australia. There are three intakes available for students to apply, they are February, July, and November. Scholarships like Vice-Chancellor's International High Achievers Scholarships (VCIHAS), which covers 50% of the tuition fee, CDU Global Merit Scholarship 2024 & 2025, which covers 30% of the tuition fee and CDU International College Merit Scholarship 202,5 which covers 30% off first-year tuition fees.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers flexible on-campus and online study options for a range of higher degree and vocational programs. The university specializes in Business, Education, Law, Arts, Health, Engineering, Science, IT, Environmental Health, and Digital Design. CDU has a global reach, with a vast alumni network of 70,000 active members spanning 140 countries. To join ECU, you must take one of the following exams and achieve a good score: IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.0), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 79), or PTE (with a minimum score of 58).

6. Western Sydney University (WSU)

Western Sydney University (WSU), established in 1989, is a reputable public institution and a cost-effective option for international students, with average tuition fees of AUD 28,928 for undergraduate and AUD 31,760 for postgraduate programs. WSU is located in the Greater Western region of Sydney, Australia and offers two intakes namely Autumn and Spring. Some of the scholarships offered by WSU are the Vice-Chancellor's Academic Excellence Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships, which cover 50% of tuition fees, while the Western Sydney International Scholarships for Undergraduates offer either a $6,000 or $3,000 multi-year partial scholarship towards tuition fees for up to three years.

Western Sydney University (WSU) provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to over 45,000 students from more than 70 countries. The diverse fields of study at WSU include law, medicine, accounting, business, computing, education, and humanities. Western Sydney University boasts an extensive alumni network of 200,000 individuals actively contributing to various industries worldwide. The university's Sydney campus offers international students numerous benefits, including student discounts, library access, career services, and other valuable resources. 

WSU requires students to submit any of the following English language test scores: IELTS (with a minimum score of 6.5), TOEFL (with a minimum score of 82), or PTE (with a minimum score of 58).

7. Charles Sturt University (CSU)

With affordable tuition fees of AUD 29,750 for undergraduate and AUD 32,100 for postgraduate programs, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. The university is located in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria, Australia. CSU offers three intakes such as Semester 1 in February and Semester 2 in July 2025. Some major scholarships offered by CSU are the 2025 Launch Merit Scholarship (which covers a 30% tuition fee), the Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship (which covers a 50% tuition fee), and the International Student Merit Scholarship (which covers a 25% tuition fee.

Known for its excellence in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Medical Science, Psychology, and Business Studies among various other disciplines. With over 215,000 active alumni worldwide, CSU provides a global network for its students. International students admitted to CSU benefit from privileges such as free lifetime membership in the university library, fee discounts, and comprehensive health and welfare support, enhancing their overall academic experience. IELTS score, a minimum of 6.0 for UG & PG programs and 6.5 for higher degrees, is required to get admission.

8. University of Queensland (UQ)

The University of Queensland (UQ), established in 1909, comes next in our list of cheapest universities in Australia. The average tuition fee is AUD 27,420 for undergraduate and AUD 35,632 for postgraduate programs. University of Queensland offers two intakes, which are in February and July. 

To support international students financially, The University of Queensland offer various scholarships, including Graduate School Scholarships (UQGSS) for domestic and international postgraduate research students. The UQ International Excellence Scholarship provides a 25% tuition fee reduction per year, while the International House Global Residency Scholarship offers $7,000 annually. The International Onshore Merit Scholarship grants international students a tuition fee reduction of A$5,000 to $10,000 for Semester 1 and 2.

The university provides a world-class educational experience to students from all over the world through its diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including Law, Business, Economics, Engineering, Architecture, IT, and Education. A minimum IELTS (6.5) and TOEFL (87) are required to get admission. Moreover, applicants must apply for an Australian Student Visa and obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before arrival.

Also Check: Cheapest universities in the world

Conclusion

Australia remains a top choice for international students, but the high tuition fees at most universities stop many. However, not all institutions come with a hefty price tag. There are many cheapest universities in Australia, such as Charles Darwin University and Western Sydney University, provide quality education at an affordable cost. Combined with generous scholarships, these options make studying in Australia more accessible and financially viable for students worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the cheapest course in Australia?

In Australia, the cheapest course is often a Bachelor of Business degree. Considerably lower tuition fees may be accessible by first completing a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

2. Which university is the cheapest in Australia?

The University of Southern Queensland is considered one of the cheapest universities in Australia.

3. Which city is the cheapest for international students in Australia?

Canberra is an ideal destination for international students due to its reputation for affordability and exceptional quality of life. As Australia's capital city, it offers a perfect balance of cost-effectiveness and a great living experience.

4. What are the affordable universities in Australia for Doctoral programs?

Some universities are known for their relatively reasonable fees for doctoral programs. They are,

• University of New England (UNE)
• Central Queensland University (CQU)
• Southern Cross University (SCU)
• Federation University Australia