Student visa requirements for Nepalese students to study in Australia

The visa you need will depend on the course level, the type of study you want to pursue, and the duration of the program. As an international student, you would require a student (subclass 500) visa, regardless of your field of study, the university you applied to, and the tuition fees. 

Coming into effect on July 1, 2016, a student subclass 500 visa lets you stay in Australia for the duration of your study program, which is mostly up to five years and in line with your enrolment date. For a smooth stay, you need to ensure that your visa remains valid and that you abide by the student visa conditions mentioned on your student visa. You can read up in detail about this kind of visa on the Australian Government’s website.

Cost of studying for Nepalese students in Australia

Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and the university or school you opt for. For instance, veterinary and medical degrees cost substantially more than other degrees. The average tuition fees at one of Australia’s tertiary institutions range between AUD 20,000 and AUD 30,000 a year.

S.no.	Study Program	Average fees in AUD*
1.	School	AUD 7,800 to AUD 30,000 annually
2.	English language studies	AUD 350-450 weekly (varies as per course length)
3.	Vocational Education and Training (Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma)	AUD 4000 - AUD 22,000 annually
4.	Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree	AUD 15,000 - AUD 35,000 annually
5.	Postgraduate Master’s Degree	AUD 20,000 - AUD 42,000 annually
6.	Doctoral Degree	AUD 20,000 - AUD 42,000 annually (attractive scholarships up to 100% available with living grants on meeting the university requirements)

*Please note all figures are indicative

Most commonly, courses in humanities, arts, and education are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program

Scholarships to study for Nepalese students in Australia

Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in Australia as a Nepalese student:

S.no.	Scholarship	Description
1	Australia Awards	This includes scholarships coming from the Department of Education the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT).
2	Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship	These fellowships were started with the aim of empowering women and are open to high-achieving female researchers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to pursue their research in Australian education and research institutions.
3	Australian Government Research and Training Program (RTP)	This pool of funding is dedicated to supporting a student’s (local and international) Research Doctorate and Research Master’s degree.

*This is an indicative list, speak with your IDP expert for details and the best available options suited to your profile

Intakes in Australia for Nepalese students

Unlike a single intake in Nepalese universities, Australian colleges and universities offer two major intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The two intakes available in Australia are:

Semester 1:  Starts late February/early March to late May/early June

Semester 2: Starts late July/early August through to November

IELTS for studying in Australia 

To study at an Australian university, aspiring students must meet specific IELTS test score requirements. For advanced studies, a minimum overall score of 5.5 is needed. However, for postgraduate programs, a more stringent requirement is in place, necessitating a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 in all four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), while undergraduate options require a 6.0 overall score. These score requirements are crucial considerations when applying for an Australian student visa.

Top courses to Study in Australia

Here’s a list of top courses that international students opt to pursue in Australia for higher education:

• Engineering

• Business Analytics

• MBA (Masters of Business Administration)

• Life Sciences

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Social Sciences

• Medicine

Top Universities to Study in Australia

When deciding which university to study at, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings. 

QS Ranking of Australian Universities
S.No.	Institution	QS Ranking 2024 (Globally)	QS Ranking 2023 (Globally)
1	The Australian National University (ANU)	34	30
2	The University of Sydney	19	33
3	The University of Melbourne	14	41
4	The University of South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19	45
5	The University of Queensland	43	50

Job prospects in Australia

Did you know that you can cut down your cost of living and gain work experience while pursuing your study program in Australia? Thanks to Australian laws, working part-time on a student visa for up to 48 hours per fortnight is permitted.

Employment options:

• On-campus

• Retail

• Hospitality

• Tutoring

• Office jobs

• Freelance

• Miscellaneous

• Volunteering

Cost of living in Australia

According to the Human Development Index 2023 and the Quality-of-Life Index 2022, Australia is ranked among the top 10 nations*, which implies Australia is counted in the top countries in terms of GDP, education system, and purchasing power parity index. So, along with the high level of income, it enjoys an excellent quality of health awareness, the medical system, and political stability. So, excited? 

You should also consider these common expenses when creating your budget:

Living expenses	Weekly budget (indicative)
Groceries and eating out	AUD 140 to AUD 280
Gas, electricity	AUD 10 to AUD 20
Phone and Internet	AUD 15 to AUD 30
Public transport	AUD 30 to AUD 60
Car (after purchase)	AUD 150 to AUD 260
Entertainment	AUD 80 to AUD 150

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We know you have a lot of questions in your mind, so have answered common questions students as you raise about studying and living in the UK.

Ques 1: How much show money do I need to study in Australia?

Ans: Beginning October 1, 2023, students applying for a visa must prove that they have at least AUD 24,505 in savings to cover their living expenses for one year.

Ques 2: Who can sponsor me to study in Australia?

Ans: Unless you are entirely self-sponsoring, your visa application can be sponsored by your parents, legal guardians, or spouse. In this context, sponsorship relates to the individuals responsible for funding your travel, educational expenditures, and associated financial requirements while you pursue your studies in Australia.

Ques 3: What is the maximum age limit for a student visa in Australia?

Ans: To apply for an Australian student visa, you must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit for student visas in Australia. The conditions of the Subclass 500 student visa in Australia do not apply to those under 18 years old.

Ques 4: How much will it cost to study in Australia?

Ans: On average, tuition fees at Australian tertiary institutions typically fall within the range of AUD 20,000 to AUD 30,000 per year.

Ques 5: What are the new rules for student visas in Australia 2023?

Ans: Starting on July 1, 2023, there will be a maximum limit of 48 hours per fortnight for work restrictions on student visa holders.