Cheapest courses in Australia for international students by city was one of those searches I did obsessively. I needed to know what was actually affordable in each city, not just general information. The information online was scattered and often outdated. I needed real numbers, broken down by city, so I could compare my options.
Three years later, I’m finishing my Master’s at the University of Melbourne. I’ve watched friends choose courses based on cost, and I’ve seen how those choices worked out. Some found great deals and saved money. Some found that “cheap” courses had hidden costs. Some realised that the cheapest option wasn’t always the best value.
So here’s everything I know about finding the cheapest courses in Australia by city, with real numbers and honest advice.
The Reality Check First
Let me start with this, because I wish someone had told me: there’s no such thing as a truly cheap course in Australia for international students.
The cheapest options are still expensive. You’re looking at $15,000 to $30,000 per year for course fees, plus living costs. That’s a lot of money, no matter how you slice it.
But some options are cheaper than others. Some cities are cheaper than others. Some course types are cheaper than others. And those differences can save you $10,000 to $50,000 over the course of your studies.
The key is finding the right balance between cost and value. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. But cost is still a real factor, and you need to be realistic about what you can afford.
Melbourne: Expensive but Options Exist
Melbourne is expensive, but there are still cheaper options if you know where to look.
TAFE courses in Melbourne usually cost $6,000 to $12,000 per year. These are the cheapest options in Melbourne.
Smaller universities in Melbourne usually cost $20,000 to $28,000 per year for bachelor degrees. This is cheaper than Group of Eight universities.
Group of Eight universities in Melbourne cost $35,000 to $45,000 per year. These are the most expensive options.
Living costs in Melbourne are high, around $20,000 to $25,000 per year.
So a one year TAFE course in Melbourne might cost $26,000 to $37,000 total. A three year bachelor degree at a smaller university might cost $120,000 to $159,000 total. A three year bachelor degree at a Group of Eight university might cost $165,000 to $210,000 total.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive options can be $139,000 over three years. That’s massive.
I’ve written about cheapest bachelor degrees in Australia by state and cheapest TAFE courses in Australia by state if you want more detail.
Sydney: Similar to Melbourne
Sydney is similar to Melbourne: expensive, but with cheaper options if you look beyond the big names.
TAFE courses in Sydney usually cost $6,000 to $12,000 per year.
Smaller universities in Sydney usually cost $22,000 to $28,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
Group of Eight universities in Sydney cost $35,000 to $45,000 per year.
Living costs in Sydney are high, around $22,000 to $25,000 per year.
So costs are similar to Melbourne, maybe slightly more expensive. The same strategies apply: look beyond the big names, consider TAFE, and compare total costs, not just course fees.
Brisbane: Cheaper Than Melbourne and Sydney
Brisbane is cheaper than Melbourne and Sydney, both for course fees and living costs.
TAFE courses in Brisbane usually cost $5,000 to $11,000 per year.
Smaller universities in Brisbane usually cost $20,000 to $26,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
University of Queensland costs $32,000 to $40,000 per year.
Living costs in Brisbane are lower, around $18,000 to $22,000 per year.
So a one year TAFE course in Brisbane might cost $23,000 to $33,000 total. A three year bachelor degree at a smaller university might cost $114,000 to $144,000 total.
The savings compared to Melbourne or Sydney can be $15,000 to $30,000 over three years. That’s significant.
Adelaide: One of the Cheapest Capitals
Adelaide is one of the cheapest capital cities for both course fees and living costs.
TAFE courses in Adelaide usually cost $5,000 to $10,000 per year.
Smaller universities in Adelaide usually cost $20,000 to $25,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
University of Adelaide costs $30,000 to $38,000 per year.
Living costs in Adelaide are significantly lower, around $16,000 to $20,000 per year.
So a one year TAFE course in Adelaide might cost $21,000 to $30,000 total. A three year bachelor degree at a smaller university might cost $108,000 to $135,000 total.
The savings compared to Melbourne or Sydney can be $30,000 to $50,000 over three years. That’s massive.
But here’s the trade off: fewer job opportunities. Adelaide is a smaller city with a smaller job market. If you need to work part time, this can be challenging.
Perth: Similar to Adelaide
Perth is similar to Adelaide: cheaper than Melbourne or Sydney, but with a smaller job market.
TAFE courses in Perth usually cost $5,000 to $10,000 per year.
Smaller universities in Perth usually cost $20,000 to $26,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
University of Western Australia costs $30,000 to $38,000 per year.
Living costs in Perth are lower, around $16,000 to $20,000 per year.
So costs are similar to Adelaide. The same trade offs apply: cheaper costs but fewer job opportunities.
Hobart: Usually the Cheapest
Hobart is usually the cheapest capital city for both course fees and living costs.
TAFE courses in Hobart usually cost $4,000 to $9,000 per year.
University of Tasmania costs $18,000 to $24,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
Living costs in Hobart are the lowest, around $12,000 to $16,000 per year.
So a one year TAFE course in Hobart might cost $16,000 to $25,000 total. A three year bachelor degree might cost $90,000 to $120,000 total.
The savings compared to Melbourne or Sydney can be $50,000 to $90,000 over three years. That’s massive.
But here’s the trade off: very limited job opportunities. Hobart is a small city with a small job market. And it’s isolated, which means flights are expensive and you might feel far from everything.
Regional Cities: Usually Cheapest But Limited Opportunities
Regional cities are usually the cheapest option, but they have significant limitations.
TAFE courses in regional cities usually cost $4,000 to $8,000 per year.
Universities in regional cities usually cost $18,000 to $24,000 per year for bachelor degrees.
Living costs in regional cities are the lowest, around $12,000 to $16,000 per year.
So costs are the lowest, but job opportunities are very limited. If you need to work part time, regional cities can be challenging.
I’ve written about study in regional Australia to save money if you want more detail.
Course Type: What’s Cheapest?
This is important, because course type affects cost significantly.
TAFE courses are usually cheapest. They cost $4,000 to $12,000 per year, depending on the course and location.
Vocational courses at private colleges vary. Some are competitive with TAFE. Others are more expensive. Research specific colleges.
Bachelor degrees at smaller universities cost $18,000 to $28,000 per year.
Bachelor degrees at Group of Eight universities cost $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
Masters degrees cost $20,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on the university and program.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive options can be $40,000 per year. That’s massive.
How to Actually Compare Costs
Don’t just compare course fees. Compare total costs: course fees plus living costs plus other expenses.
Use official websites to find exact course fees. Don’t trust third party websites, as fees change regularly.
Check living cost estimates, but add 20% to be safe. Universities and colleges often underestimate living costs.
Talk to current students about real costs. They’ll tell you what actually costs money that you might not expect.
Consider the full course, not just one year. A $5,000 difference per year is $15,000 over three years. That’s significant.
Think about opportunity costs. If you choose a cheaper city but can’t find part time work, you might need more family support. If you choose an expensive city but get better job opportunities, it might be worth it.
I’ve written about how to compare course fees in Australia using official websites if you want more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is cheapest for international students?
Hobart is usually cheapest, followed by regional cities, then Adelaide and Perth, then Brisbane, then Melbourne and Sydney. But cheapest isn’t always best. Consider job opportunities and whether you’ll enjoy living there.
Are cheaper courses worse quality?
Not necessarily. Some cheaper courses have excellent teaching and good job outcomes. The price difference is often about location and overheads, not teaching quality. That said, do your research. Check graduate employment rates and talk to current students.
Should I choose the cheapest option?
Not necessarily. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Consider job outcomes, course quality, location, and whether the course will help you achieve your goals. But if you’re on a tight budget, cheaper options can still give you a good education.
How much can I save by choosing a cheaper city?
It depends on the cities you’re comparing. You might save $30,000 to $90,000 over three years by choosing a cheaper city. But remember to factor in job opportunities. If you can’t find part time work in a cheaper city, you might need more family support.
Can I work part time to cover costs?
Yes, but be realistic. You can work 48 hours per fortnight during semester, which might earn you $20,800 to $31,200 per year depending on the job. That helps but won’t cover everything. You’ll still need savings or family support.
Are regional cities really that much cheaper?
Yes, usually. Regional cities are usually $10,000 to $20,000 per year cheaper than capital cities for total costs. But job opportunities are more limited, especially for international students. If you can find part time work, regional cities can save you significant money.
Final Thoughts
Finding the cheapest courses in Australia by city isn’t just about course fees. It’s about total costs: course fees, living costs, and other expenses. And it’s about value: whether the cheaper option will still help you achieve your goals.
Don’t choose based on cost alone. But don’t ignore cost either. Be realistic about what you can afford, and be honest about what trade offs you’re willing to make.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes since landing in Melbourne, but each one taught me something. The biggest lesson? Do your research, compare total costs, and talk to real students. They’ll give you the real numbers that marketing materials won’t.
If you’re still planning your study journey, check out my guides on how to compare course fees in Australia and hidden costs of studying in Australia. And if you’re comparing specific cities, use official websites for exact fees, but also talk to current students about real living costs. They’ll tell you what actually costs money.