2026-04-04 · Liam Petrov
Australia Masters Total Cost 2026: Tuition + OSHC + Rent Across 5 Major Cities
Complete 2026 Australian master's cost breakdown: tuition + OSHC + rent + groceries + transport across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. Includes 1-year and 1.5-2-year programme totals.
International students considering an Australian master’s degree need three numbers in hand before applying: tuition, mandatory OSHC, and city-specific living costs. After the Subclass 485 fee doubled to AUD 4,600 in March 2026 and university tuition continued its 3-5% annual rise, the total bill for a 1.5-year master’s at a Group of Eight university in Sydney has crossed AUD 100,000 for the first time. This guide pulls together the latest 2026 numbers — straight from university tuition pages, OSHC provider quotes, and city-specific rental data — for the five largest international student destinations in Australia.
TL;DR
A 1-year master’s at a Go8 university costs roughly AUD 65,000–95,000 total (tuition + OSHC + rent + everything else); a 1.5-year programme runs AUD 90,000–130,000; 2-year programmes go AUD 110,000–155,000. Sydney is the most expensive (~25-30% above Adelaide); Melbourne second; Brisbane / Perth mid-range; Adelaide cheapest among major cities.
1. Tuition: Group of Eight 2026-2027 fees
Per university tuition pages (verified April 2026), Go8 master’s coursework fees:
| University | Business / Commerce (AUD/yr) | Engineering / IT (AUD/yr) | Science / Health (AUD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 53,408 - 60,800 | 50,432 - 56,288 | 47,360 - 54,800 |
| University of Sydney | 55,000 - 62,500 | 51,500 - 58,000 | 48,000 - 55,500 |
| ANU | 51,200 - 58,400 | 49,920 - 56,160 | 47,680 - 52,960 |
| UNSW | 53,760 - 61,440 | 50,880 - 57,600 | 48,000 - 55,200 |
| Monash | 49,500 - 56,700 | 48,400 - 54,400 | 45,800 - 52,000 |
| University of Queensland | 47,200 - 53,600 | 45,400 - 51,200 | 43,600 - 49,600 |
| University of Western Australia | 44,500 - 50,400 | 43,100 - 49,000 | 41,200 - 47,200 |
| University of Adelaide | 44,800 - 50,500 | 42,300 - 47,800 | 40,500 - 46,300 |
Programme length:
- 1 year (MBA, MComm, MPM at select unis): tuition × 1
- 1.5 years (most master’s coursework): tuition × 1.5
- 2 years (master’s by research, some professional): tuition × 2
Common 1.5-year totals: AUD 67,000-90,000 just in tuition.
2. OSHC: 2026 monthly premiums
Mandatory under student visa Condition 8501. Five providers approved by Department of Health (April 2026 quotes):
| Provider | Single (AUD/yr) | Couple (AUD/yr) | Family (AUD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa | 660 - 720 | 1,580 - 1,720 | 2,800 - 3,200 |
| Medibank | 645 - 700 | 1,540 - 1,680 | 2,750 - 3,150 |
| Allianz Care | 580 - 640 | 1,420 - 1,560 | 2,500 - 2,900 |
| AHM | 595 - 660 | 1,460 - 1,620 | 2,580 - 2,950 |
| NIB | 615 - 680 | 1,490 - 1,650 | 2,650 - 3,050 |
Average single OSHC for 1.5-year programme: ~AUD 950 - 1,050.
3. City-specific rent (international student housing)
April 2026 rental data per Domain.com.au, realestate.com.au, and student housing operators (Iglu, Scape, UniLodge):
Sydney
- Shared house room: AUD 280-380/week (Glebe, Newtown, Erskineville, Marrickville)
- Studio in purpose-built student accommodation: AUD 480-650/week (UTS / USyd / UNSW campus areas)
- 1BR private: AUD 550-720/week (Inner West, Surry Hills)
- Annual estimate (52 weeks): AUD 14,560-37,440
Melbourne
- Shared house room: AUD 250-340/week (Carlton, Brunswick, Northcote, Footscray)
- Studio PBSA: AUD 420-580/week
- 1BR private: AUD 480-620/week
- Annual estimate: AUD 13,000-32,240
Brisbane
- Shared house room: AUD 200-280/week (West End, Toowong, Indooroopilly)
- Studio PBSA: AUD 350-480/week
- 1BR private: AUD 380-520/week
- Annual estimate: AUD 10,400-27,040
Perth
- Shared house room: AUD 200-270/week (Crawley, Subiaco, Mt Lawley)
- Studio PBSA: AUD 320-450/week
- 1BR private: AUD 360-490/week
- Annual estimate: AUD 10,400-25,480
Adelaide
- Shared house room: AUD 170-240/week (Adelaide CBD, North Adelaide, Norwood)
- Studio PBSA: AUD 290-410/week
- 1BR private: AUD 320-440/week
- Annual estimate: AUD 8,840-22,880
4. Other living costs (per month, single international student)
| Category | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries / dining | AUD 600-900 | AUD 550-850 | AUD 500-800 | AUD 500-800 | AUD 450-750 |
| Public transport | AUD 60-180 | AUD 55-160 | AUD 50-150 | AUD 45-130 | AUD 40-115 |
| Phone + internet | AUD 60-100 | AUD 60-100 | AUD 55-95 | AUD 55-95 | AUD 50-90 |
| Personal / clothing / entertainment | AUD 200-400 | AUD 200-400 | AUD 180-380 | AUD 180-380 | AUD 160-340 |
| Total non-rent / non-tuition | AUD 920-1,580 | AUD 865-1,510 | AUD 785-1,425 | AUD 780-1,405 | AUD 700-1,295 |
Annual non-rent / non-tuition / non-OSHC: AUD 8,400-19,000 depending on city and lifestyle.
Sydney median is 48% higher than Adelaide.
5. Total cost summary (1.5-year master’s)
| City + uni tier | Tuition | OSHC | Rent | Other | Total (1.5 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Go8 | 90,000 | 1,050 | 21,000-56,000 | 12,500-28,500 | 125,000-176,000 |
| Melbourne Go8 | 87,500 | 1,000 | 19,500-48,000 | 11,800-26,800 | 120,000-163,000 |
| Brisbane Go8 (UQ) | 76,800 | 950 | 15,500-40,500 | 10,500-23,500 | 104,000-142,000 |
| Perth Go8 (UWA) | 74,500 | 950 | 15,500-38,000 | 10,400-23,200 | 101,000-137,000 |
| Adelaide Go8 (UAdelaide) | 72,500 | 920 | 13,000-34,500 | 9,300-21,000 | 96,000-129,000 |
Notes:
- “Tuition × 1.5” applies to standard 1.5-year programmes.
- OSHC × 1.5 (~1,400 AUD).
- Rent × 78 weeks (1.5 years).
- “Other” × 18 months.
- Range reflects shared house (low end) vs studio PBSA (high end).
6. Cost vs return on investment
6.1 Median graduate starting salary (2025 AGSA + 2026 estimates)
- Group of Eight master’s, Sydney/Melbourne: AUD 75,000-95,000
- Other cities Go8: AUD 70,000-90,000
- Non-Go8 master’s: AUD 60,000-78,000
6.2 ROI on 1.5-year programme
- 1.5-year programme cost: AUD 125,000 (Sydney mid-range)
- Net post-tax salary (Sydney master’s grad): AUD 65,000-75,000/year × 2 years on 485 = AUD 130,000-150,000
- Programme paid back in ~2 years on 485, with skills, network, and PR pathway value remaining
7. City selection considerations
7.1 Sydney
- Pros: Most international student-friendly, finance/tech ecosystem, multicultural
- Cons: Highest cost, traffic/transport stress, expensive housing
- Recommended for: Finance, business, IT, MBA programmes
7.2 Melbourne
- Pros: Cultural capital, education hub (most universities), better living quality
- Cons: 2nd most expensive, weather variable
- Recommended for: Arts, education, healthcare, research
7.3 Brisbane
- Pros: Better weather, lower cost, growing tech scene
- Cons: Smaller international community, distance from major employers
- Recommended for: STEM, mining engineering, biotech, hospitality
7.4 Perth
- Pros: Lower cost, closer to Asia, high quality of life
- Cons: Geographic isolation from eastern Australia
- Recommended for: Mining, engineering, marine science, geology
7.5 Adelaide
- Pros: Lowest cost, regional bonus for 485 visa (extra 1-2 years), South Australia state nomination friendly
- Cons: Smaller economy, fewer mainstream career paths
- Recommended for: Cost-conscious students, pathway to PR via 491 regional visa, agriculture/wine industry
8. Reducing the bill: practical tips
8.1 Scholarships (apply at admission)
- Australia Awards: full-tuition + AUD 31,200 stipend
- University Vice-Chancellor / Dean’s awards: AUD 5,000-25,000 tuition reduction
- Postgraduate research: RTP for HDR with full tuition + stipend ~AUD 32,000
8.2 Cost optimisation while studying
- Choose shared house over studio (save AUD 6,000-12,000/year)
- Cook at home (save ~AUD 2,500/year vs eating out)
- Buy a transport pass (Concession card = student discount)
- Use OSHC wisely; some procedures cheaper at GP than ER
8.3 Working part-time
- 48 hours/fortnight permitted on student visa (post-March 2026)
- Casual work pays AUD 25-35/hr (retail, hospitality)
- 20 hrs/week × AUD 28/hr × 40 weeks = AUD 22,400/year (covers rent + food easily)
- After-tax: ~AUD 18,000-19,000/year
Get an OSHC quote now
Loading… If the widget does not appear, please refresh the page.
FAQ
Q1: Can I work full-time during my master’s to fully cover costs? No. Student visa Condition 8105 caps you at 48 hours per fortnight during semester (effectively 24 hr/wk) and unrestricted during scheduled break periods. Working 48 hr/fortnight at AUD 28/hr × 40 weeks = AUD 26,880 gross — covers rent + food in Adelaide / Perth, partial in Sydney / Melbourne. Combined with parental support, mid-range students can cover AUD 60,000-80,000 total cost.
Q2: Are there cheaper “non-Go8” alternatives that still get me a 485 visa? Yes. Universities like RMIT, UTS, Macquarie, La Trobe, Curtin offer master’s at 15-25% lower tuition than Go8, all CRICOS-registered (485 eligible). Quality varies — RMIT design, UTS engineering, Macquarie commerce are strong; choose based on subject ranking not just university name.
Q3: How much should I budget for the first 3 months pre-arrival + arrival?
- Visa: AUD 1,690 (Subclass 500)
- OSHC pre-purchase: AUD 600
- Pre-departure flight + visa medical + Aus exit prep: AUD 2,000-3,500
- First 3 months in Aus (rent + food + setup): AUD 8,000-15,000
- Total pre-departure budget: AUD 12,300-20,800 for first 3 months. Have at least AUD 25,000 in liquid savings before departing.
Q4: Is renting before arrival risky? Many Sydney landlords ask for guarantor. Yes risky if signing online without inspection. Recommended: book purpose-built student accommodation (Iglu, Scape, UniLodge) for first 3 months from overseas, then move to shared house after settling. PBSA is more expensive but secure and includes furniture/utilities.
Q5: Does a 1-year master’s reduce total cost meaningfully? Yes — substantially. 1-year MBA at UNSW = AUD 90,000 vs 1.5-year MBA at Sydney = AUD 96,000. But 1.5-year programme has more time for internships, networking, English improvement. Trade-off is real.
Q6: How does Adelaide regional study bonus work for 485 visa? Studying in Regional Australia (Adelaide qualifies) for 2+ years gives you an additional 1-2 years on 485 (bringing typical 2-year master’s 485 to 3-4 years). Combined with state-sponsored 491 visa, Adelaide is the easiest path to PR for cost-conscious students.
Q7: What’s the typical scholarship “discount”? University Vice-Chancellor scholarships average AUD 7,000-15,000 off tuition. Australia Awards (highly competitive) cover full tuition + living + airfares. ESOS Excellence Awards: ~AUD 10,000 reduction. Most students rely on parental funding + part-time work + small scholarship combination.
Data limitations
Tuition fees, OSHC premiums, and rents shift quarterly. The April 2026 figures here reflect the most current data; verify each university’s current tuition page and ozproperty.com.au for live rent before final budgeting. Rent ranges depend heavily on suburb choice, distance from campus, and house quality — outliers are common.
References
- Department of Education — Higher Education Statistics 2024-2025
- Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 500 visa
- Australian Group of Eight tuition pages 2026-2027
- Bupa, Medibank, Allianz Care, AHM, NIB — official OSHC quotes April 2026
- Domain.com.au + realestate.com.au rental data April 2026
- AGSA (Australian Graduate Survey) 2025
- ABS Cost of Living indices 2025