Are you planning to study masters in Australia in 2026, but are unsure where to start?
Australia offers top universities, global recognition, and great career opportunities for international students.
In this blog, we’ll discuss entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, and the best universities so you can confidently plan your future.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your dream of studying a master’s in Australia a reality.
Why study masters in Australia?
Studying for a master’s degree in Australia is a popular choice for international students, and for good reason. Here they are:
- World-class education: Australia’s reputation as a leading study destination is built on its high-quality education system.
Several Australian universities consistently rank in the top 100 globally, including the Group of Eight (Go8) Universities such as The University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, The University of Adelaide, Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland, Monash University, and the University of Western Australia.
- High quality of life: Australia is known for providing a relaxing lifestyle. Australian cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney, consistently rank among the world’s most livable cities due to their excellent infrastructure, healthcare, and public services.
- Career opportunities: Australia’s strong economic growth and demand for skilled professionals create more and more employment.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible graduates to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 3 years after completing their studies, providing invaluable work experience and potential pathways to permanent residency.
- Cultural diversity: Australia is a multicultural hub with a welcoming atmosphere. Nearly 30% of its population was born overseas, and over 260 languages are spoken in Australian homes.
This rich diversity creates a vibrant and inclusive environment where students can connect with people from all over the world.
Top Master’s Programs and Specialisations
Once you have decided to study masters in Australia, you might be thinking about the most demanding master’s programs and specialisations. Well, here is your answer to your question:
High-demand fields
Here are some of the high-demand fields where you can study Masters in Australia:
- Business: The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a very popular choice for students.
It teaches important skills in leadership, management, and business strategy. Common areas of focus include Finance, Marketing, and the growing field of Business Analytics, which helps students use data to make smart business decisions.
Many of Australia’s top universities, like the University of Melbourne and UNSW, are well-known for their excellent MBA programs.
- Technology & data: With Australia’s growing digital economy, technology degrees are in high demand.
The Master of Information Technology (IT) and Master of Data Science are especially popular.
These programs often offer specialisations in advanced areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing, preparing students for careers as software engineers, data analysts, and IT consultants.
- Health & Science: The health sector is one of the biggest employers in Australia, with strong demand for skilled professionals.
The Master of Nursing is popular among international students, as it can help you become a registered nurse in Australia and may offer a pathway to permanent residency.
Other important programs include the Master of Public Health, which focuses on community health and policies, and the Master of Biotechnology, which explores the latest scientific and technological advances in life sciences.
- Creative & Social Sciences: For students interested in making a difference in society and improving communication skills, these degrees offer rewarding career opportunities. The Master of Social Work is a recognised path to becoming a registered social worker in Australia, a field with high demand.
The Master of Communication and Master of International Relations are also popular, helping students build skills in media, public policy, and global affairs.
Is there 1-year masters in Australia?
Yes, many universities, such as Macquarie University, University of Technology Sydney, Curtin University, and many more, offer a one-year master’s course.
This will help you to save on your living expenses and enter the workforce sooner. It’s important to note that eligibility for a one-year program can sometimes depend on the student’s prior academic background.
Top Universities to study Master’s in Australia
Here are some of the top universities to study a master’s in Australia:
University of Melbourne
It is one of the top universities in Australia, and it is also part of the Group of 8 universities in Australia.
This university was established in 1853 and is one of the oldest universities and the first in Victoria.
It ranks #19 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 with 409 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
This university offers master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
It also offers both Executive MBA and Full-time MBA options to international students.
According to the Shiksha, the average tuition fee or cost to study masters in Australia is around INR 11.94 lakhs to INR 63.38 Lakhs,
- For an advanced master’s, the tuition fee is around INR 26.71 Lakhs to 30.7 Lakhs,
- for an MBA/PGDM course, the average tuition fee is around INR 26.17 lakhs to 42.3 Lakhs.
You can find your favourite master’s course here.
The University of Western Australia
This is a public university established in 1911 in the city of Perth. This university ranks #77 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 with over 125 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 48% international students.
This university offers master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
It also offers a full-time MBA program.
According to the Shiksha, the average tuition fee or cost to study masters in Australia is around INR 9.61 Lakh to 54.49 Lakhs and for the MBA/PGDM course is around INR 20.36 Lakhs to 39.12 Lakhs.
Macquarie University
It is considered one of the top universities in Australia as it ranks #=138 in QS World University Rankings 2025 with over 711 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
This university offers 213 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
It also offers both Full-time MBA and Online/Distance MBA.
One of the biggest advantages of studying a master’s in the UK at this university is that it also offers one-year postgraduate programs.
The average tuition fee at this university for postgraduate programs is around INR 9.33 Lakhs to INR 33.26 Lakhs, and for MBA/PGDM Courses is around INR 17.97 lakhs to INR 27.7 lakhs.
Monash University
It is one of the largest universities in Australia and is also part of the Group of Eight Universities (Go8).
It ranks #=36 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, #38 in Best Global Universities, and #4 in Best Global Universities in Australia with 266 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
This university offers 152 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
The average cost of living is as follows:
The average tuition fees or cost of studying masters in Australia for postgraduate \ courses is around INR 8.59 lakhs to 57.3 lakhs per year.
- For advanced master’s, the average tuition fees are around INR 18.25 lakhs to 33.43 lakhs.
- For MBA/PGDM programs, the average tuition fees are around INR 19.73 Lakhs to 35.13 Lakhs.
University of Sydney
It is one of the oldest universities in Australia, as it was established in 1850. It is located in Sydney, in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales.
This university ranks #=25 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, #29 in Best Global Universities, and #1 in Best Global Universities in Australia with over 379 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 61% international students from all over the world.
It is also a part of the top 8 Group of Eight Universities (Go8) in Australia.
This university offers 229 master’s programs in various disciplines such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences.
It also offers Full-time MBA, Executive MBA, and Part-time MBA.
The average cost of living if you study at this top university in Australia is as follows:
The average tuition fees or cost of studying masters in Australia for postgraduate courses is around INR 10.95 lakhs to 53.6 lakhs per year.
- For advanced master’s, the average tuition fees are around INR 25.02 lakhs to 28.09 lakhs.
- For MBA/PGDM programs, the average tuition fees are around INR 25.02 Lakhs to 33.43 Lakhs.
Requirements to study masters in Australia
To be eligible to study master’s in Australia, you must be eligible for both academic and English language proficiency standards:
Academic
- You need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
- While requirements vary by university and program, most require a minimum GPA equivalent to a GPA of 3.0 on a 5-point scale, or a percentage of 60%.
- For highly competitive programs like an MBA, relevant work experience may also be a mandatory requirement.
English proficiency
- The typical minimum score for a master’s program is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band score lower than 6.0.
- Some universities or specific courses, such as those in health or education, may require a higher score of 7.0 or above. Other accepted tests include TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic.
Documents required to study masters in Australia
Once you meet the general entry requirements, you must prepare a comprehensive set of documents to submit with your application.
These are some of the documents that are commonly asked for by universities; still, check the university website once for their separate requirements.
- Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Attested copies of all your academic records, including your Bachelor’s degree certificate and detailed mark sheets.
- Proof of English Proficiency: Your valid IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE test score report.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): A personal essay outlining your academic background, career goals, reasons for choosing the specific course and university, and why you wish to study in Australia. This document is critical and should be well-written and specific.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed document highlighting your academic achievements, work experience (if any), and other relevant skills.
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Typically, two academic or professional letters of recommendation that speak to your skills, abilities, and suitability for the program.
- Passport: A valid copy of your passport.
Australia study visa
After receiving your university’s offer letter, the next crucial step is applying for the Student visa (Subclass 500).
With this visa, you can:
- participate in an eligible course of study in Australia
- travel in and out of Australia
- work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session.
- You can stay up to 6 years in Australia
The Australia study visa fee is from AUD2000 (unless exempt).
- Financial Proof: You must show that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses for at least the first year of your stay.
As of late 2024, the minimum living expense amount is set at AUD 29,710 for a single student. You can show proof of funds through personal savings, an education loan, or a sponsor’s income and bank statements.
- Health and Character Requirements: You and any family members included in your application must undergo a health examination and provide a police clearance certificate to meet the character requirements. You must also have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your stay.
Scholarship to study masters in Australia
Monash International Merit Scholarship
- Total scholarship value: AUD50,000
- The major benefit of the scholarship is: $10,000 per annum (48 credit points of study) paid per year until the minimum number of points for your degree is completed.
You can apply for this scholarship and check more about this scholarship here.
Vice Chancellor International Scholarship
This scholarship is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Here are some more details about this scholarship:
- It covers 50% of your tuition fee.
- Valid till the end of your degree, subject to meeting ongoing eligibility requirements.
- This scholarship starts in the years 2025 and 2026.
Eligibility requirements
- Be a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand.
- Be a new, commencing student who has received an offer to study by the scholarship application closing date.
- Have a minimum GPA in previous studies of 6.0 or above on a 7-point scale or equivalent.
- Satisfy all academic and English language entry requirements for your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program.
- Be a full-time student starting in 2025 or 2026.
You can apply for this scholarship form here.
Deakin International Scholarship
This is one of the best scholarships to study masters in Australia as it is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- As stated in your offer letter, it covers 25% of your total tuition fee.
- This scholarship is available for the normal duration of the course.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, you must:
- be a new international student enrolling in a Deakin coursework degree
- meet the entry requirements for your course, including English language requirements
- have achieved at least a 65% average (or equivalent) in previous studies.
You can apply for this scholarship form here.
Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program
This is an undergraduate and postgraduate coursework scholarship for Indian students planning to study master’s in Australia.
- The value of this scholarship is up to AUD40,000.
Eligibility requirements
- Indian citizen and resident
- International student
- Received an unconditional offer of admission to a coursework degree
You can check more details about this scholarship in Australia here.
We have prepared a full-fledged PDF on Australia that can help you achieve your goal of studying in Australia and building your dream career.
Sign up for that PDF from here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing to study masters in Australia in 2026 can open doors to world-class education, global career opportunities, and even pathways to permanent residency.
With top-ranked universities, diverse programs, scholarships, and a welcoming environment, Australia is one of the best places to shape your future.
Ready to begin your journey? Contact our study abroad experts today for personalised guidance on courses, universities, scholarships, and visa support—so you can turn your dream of studying in Australia into reality with confidence.
