Australian universities

View the list of Australian universities here.

1. General Information

Universities: Australia has 42 universities, including 39 public and 3 private institutions, located mainly in major cities across the country. Many Australian universities operate campuses both in Australia and overseas, or collaborate with local and international universities. Most universities accept credit transfers for students progressing into bachelor’s or master’s programs. In addition to universities, there are colleges and education institutes licensed to deliver bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Education Purpose: The mission of Australia’s higher education sector is to preserve knowledge, educate and train students, conduct research, create new knowledge, and provide expertise to government and industry partners. Depending on the field of study, programs may be more research-focused or practice-oriented. Most universities are multi-disciplinary (offering over 400 fields of study) and primarily deliver bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs. Some universities also offer vocational diplomas, and a small number offer high school programs. All universities have their own English language centres to provide academic English preparation and study support for international students. Many universities also offer foundation programs for students progressing into bachelor’s degrees.
Ranking: 9 out of 42 Australian universities are ranked among the Top 100 universities worldwide. 8 universities belong to the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) – Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. All remaining universities are ranked within the top 2–4% of universities globally.
Qualification Levels: Universities or higher education institutes typically offer some or all of the following qualifications:
- Diploma: 1–2 years
- Bachelor’s degree: 3–7 years
- Bachelor (Honours): minimum 4 years
- Graduate Certificate: 6 months
- Graduate Diploma: 12 months
- Master’s by coursework: 1–2 years
- Master’s by research: 1–2 years
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): 3 years
Entry Requirements: Requirements vary by university and degree level, but generally include:
- Academic performance: good to excellent, depending on the program
- English proficiency: 64 PTE Academic or IELTS 6.0–6.5
- Work experience: may be required for some master’s or PhD programs
Tuition Fees: Average tuition fees range from AUD 25,000 – 50,000 per year, depending on the university. Some fields, such as Medicine, have higher fees: AUD 57,000 – 87,000 per year.
Accommodation & Living Costs: Students may stay in homestay, on-campus accommodation, or shared housing. The Australian Department of Home Affairs estimates living costs at AUD 29,710 per year, while actual expenses typically range AUD 15,000 – 23,000 per year, depending on lifestyle. Students under 18 must live in school-approved homestay, boarding school, or with school-approved relatives.
Intakes: Major intakes are:
- Semester 1: February or March
- Semester 2: July or August
- Some universities also offer October–November intakes.
Part-time Work: Students may work 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during holidays. Common jobs include hospitality, retail, warehouse, tutoring, or suitable office roles. The minimum wage in Australia is AUD 24.95/hour.
Post-study Work & Permanent Residency Opportunities: Graduates may stay in Australia for post-study work under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485):
- Bachelor’s graduates (2+ year programs): 2 years
- Master’s graduates: 3 years
- PhD graduates: 4 years
- Graduates from regional areas may receive an additional 1–2 years (see details here).

All graduates may apply for permanent residency if meeting eligibility criteria – either through the skilled migration pathway (see priority occupations here) or through employer sponsorship, leading to permanent residency upon meeting conditions.

2. Important notes for Vietnamese students studying at Australian universities

● Bachelor’s Level: Exceptional students may enter the first year of a bachelor’s degree directly. However, most Vietnamese students are required to complete a foundation program or diploma pathway before progressing to university, as the Vietnamese high school diploma is not yet fully recognised in Australia.

Vietnamese students typically have the following study pathways:

Direct entry (if eligible)
Foundation + Bachelor’s degree
Diploma + Bachelor’s degree
Foundation + Diploma + Bachelor’s degree

Please check with us for personalized advice on the most suitable pathway for your academic background.

If you start from a foundation program and are under 18, you must stay in:

A school-approved homestay,
On-campus accommodation, or
With an approved relative.

You must also have an approved guardian until you turn 18. Please see more information for under-18 students here.

● Master’s Level: Australian universities classify Vietnamese universities into three categories:

Section 1: Equivalent to Australian universities
Section 2: Equivalent to Australian advanced diplomas
Section 3: Equivalent to Australian diplomas

Please refer to Australia’s NOOSR classification here and Europe’s NARIC classification here.

Generally, only graduates from Section 1 universities in Vietnam are eligible for direct entry into Australian master’s programs. However, some Australian universities have recently begun accepting graduates from Section 2 institutions into selected master’s programs.

You should check with us for an evaluation of your specific case.

PhD Level: Vietnamese students applying for PhD programs are strongly advised to complete a Master’s by Research, which significantly increases the likelihood of receiving an offer for a PhD position.
Credit Transfer Opportunities: Students currently studying at a Vietnamese university or who have completed a college-level qualification in Vietnam may transfer to an Australian university. The institution will assess your transcript to determine how many credits can be transferred and how many additional subjects you need to complete to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Processing Time: Application processing typically takes 2 – 4 – 8 weeks, and visa processing also takes 2 – 4 – 8 weeks, depending on the case. Therefore, students should submit their applications to Duc Anh EduConnect 3–4 months before their intended intake.
Australian Student Visa: The visa approval rate for Duc Anh EduConnect students is 98%. Please see detailed information about the Australian student visa here.