10 Cheapest Universities in Australia For International Students

Australia is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, but the cost of obtaining an education can be prohibitive for many international students. Fortunately, there are a number of affordable options available. 

In this article, we will highlight the 10 cheapest universities in Australia for international students. These universities offer high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of their more expensive counterparts, making them a great choice for students who are looking to pursue their academic goals without breaking the bank. Whether you’re interested in studying business, engineering, or any other discipline, there’s sure to be a university on this list that’s right for you.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at Australia’s cheapest universities for international students. While Australia has some affordable universities, students seeking even more budget-friendly options may want to consider exploring the cheapest universities in Canada and Russia as well.

Overview of Cheapest Universities in Australia For International Students 

1. Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University is a public research university located on the east coast of Australia. It has campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour, and Gold Coast, as well as online study options. It was established in 1994.

The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across a variety of disciplines, including business, education, health, law, and social sciences.

Southern Cross University have a population of about 14,858 students in which 3,034 are international students.

Tuition fees range from 29,943 AUD to 37,429 AUD per year

2. University of New England

The University of New England (UNE) is a public research university located in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. It was founded in 1938 as a college of the University of Sydney, but became a fully autonomous institution in 1954.

The university has a strong focus on agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources, and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in these areas, as well as in health, business, education, and the humanities.

University of New England has approximately 22,500 higher education students.

Tuition fees range from 29,943 AUD to 40,423 AUD per year

3. James Cook University

James Cook University (JCU) is a public university in North Queensland, Australia. The second oldest university in Queensland, JCU is a teaching and research institution. It was established in 1970.

The university’s main fields of research include environmental sciences, biological sciences, mathematical sciences, earth sciences, agricultural and veterinary sciences, technology and medical and health sciences.

JCU has a total student population of around 22,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 33,057 AUD to 49,047 AUD per year

4. University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is a public research university located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was founded in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs) and became a university in 1992.

USQ offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields of business, law, engineering, health sciences, education, creative arts, and sciences.

As of 2021, USQ has a total student population of around 24,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 32,937 AUD to 40,423 AUD per year

5. Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a public research university located in the Northern Territory of Australia. With campuses in Darwin, Alice Springs, and Katherine, It was established in 2003 through a merger of several higher education institutions in the Northern Territory.

CDU focuses on offering practical and career-focused education, research, and training for a variety of industries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fields such as Business, Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Law and Creative Arts, among others.

CDU has a total student population of around 11,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 33,087 AUD to 43,118 AUD per year

6. University of the Sunshine Coast

University of the Sunshine Coast is a public university based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. After opening with 524 students in 1996 as the Sunshine Coast University College, it was later renamed the University of the Sunshine Coast in 1999.

USC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a range of fields, including business, education, engineering, health, humanities, social sciences, and science.

USC has a total student population of around 15,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 31,440 AUD to 41,321 AUD per year

7. Federation University

Federation University Australia (FedUni) is a public university located in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 2014 following the merger of the University of Ballarat and the Monash University Gippsland Campus.

FedUni undergraduate and postgraduate programs in several faculties, including Arts, Business and Law, Education and Humanities, Health, Science, Psychology and Social Work, and Technology.

FedUni as of 2021 has a total student population of around 23,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 32,937 AUD to 40,423 AUD per year

8. University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania is a public research university located in Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1890, the university has campuses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

UTAS offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields such as business, engineering, health, humanities and social sciences, law, fine arts, and science.

As of 2021, the University of Tasmania had a total student population of around 28,000 students from over 100 countries.

Tuition fees range from 35,931 AUD to 44,914 AUD per year

9. CQUniversity

CQUniversity is a public university located in Queensland, Australia. It was established in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology (Capricornia), and became a university in 1992.

CQUniversity offers undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational education programs across various fields of study, including business, engineering, health, education, creative industries, and more.

CQUniversity had a total student population of approximately 35,000 students. This includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students across all of the university’s campuses in Australia.

Tuition fees range from 31,739 AUD to 43,267 AUD per year

10. Australian Catholic University

The Australian Catholic University, also known as ACU, is a public research university founded in 1991. It is located in Australia and has campuses in different states including Brisbane, North Sydney, Melbourne, Strathfield, Ballarat, Canberra and Blacktown and is the only Australian university that is associated with the Catholic Church.

ACU offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields such as arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) had a total student population of around 34,000 students which includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Tuition fees range from 33,057 AUD to 49,047 AUD per year