Study in Australia from India: 2026 guide
Last updated 2026-07-22 · every rule below is sourced and dated
To study in Australia from India you need a Student visa (subclass 500), tied to enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets you live and work in Australia — usually two to three years depending on your qualification level.
Australia pairs strong universities with a clear post-study work visa and a points-based migration system that rewards local work experience. Its student and graduate rules were tightened across 2024–26, so figures and age limits shifted. This page sets out the route and work rights, each traced to the Australian government's Study Australia and Home Affairs pages.
Why study in Australia?
- The subclass 485 graduate visa gives full work rights with no sponsor and no skills assessment for the main stream
- Australian work experience feeds directly into the points-based PR system
- Strong universities across a country with an established Indian student community
Choose your level of study
This page covers Australia specifically. For how a degree level works across destinations — entry requirements, timelines and what we help with — see the level guides:
Costs, student visa and work rights
Student visa route (subclass 500)
You need a Student visa (subclass 500) to study full-time in a CRICOS-registered course. It covers the duration of your study and lets you bring eligible family members in some cases.
Study Australia — Student visa · verified 2026-07-22
Post-study work (subclass 485)
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets recent graduates of a CRICOS-registered course live, study and work in Australia temporarily — usually between two and three years depending on your qualification. The Post-Higher Education Work stream is the usual route for degree graduates and needs no skills assessment.
Study Australia / Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) · verified 2026-07-22
Working during study
Student visa holders can work, subject to a cap on hours during study periods set by the Department of Home Affairs. The cap has changed in recent years — confirm the current limit on the Home Affairs site before relying on it.
Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500) · verified 2026-07-22 · confirm before you rely on it
485 age limit, English, fees (change)
The 485 has an age ceiling, an English-language requirement, minimum study periods and application fees, all of which were revised in the 2024–26 migration reforms. Confirm the current criteria and charges on the Home Affairs page for your stream at the time you apply.
Department of Home Affairs — subclass 485 · verified 2026-07-22 · confirm before you rely on it
Tuition and OSHC (guide)
Tuition is set per university and course; international students must also hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the visa. Take tuition from your offer and the OSHC premium from an approved provider — there is no single national figure.
Per-university fees / approved OSHC providers · verified 2026-07-22 · confirm before you rely on it
Top universities in Australia
A starting shortlist of well-known institutions — not a ranking, and far from exhaustive. The right university depends on your subject, budget and where you want to work after.
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- Australian National University (ANU)
- University of New South Wales (UNSW)
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
When are the intakes?
Two main intakes: Semester 1 (February/March) and Semester 2 (July); some courses offer a smaller November intake.
Get counselling for Australia
We counsel Indian students end to end — course and university shortlisting, the application, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and the student-visa file. Tell us your subject and budget and we will map the realistic options.
More questions, answered
- How long can I stay in Australia after studying?
- The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) usually gives between two and three years depending on your qualification level, through the Post-Higher Education Work stream for degree graduates. The exact duration, age limit and English requirement were revised in recent reforms, so confirm them on the Home Affairs site for your case.
- How much does it cost to study in Australia from India?
- Tuition is set per university and course, and you must also hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the full visa period. There is no single national figure — take tuition from your offer letter and the OSHC premium from an approved provider, then budget living costs on top.
- Can I work while studying in Australia?
- Yes, subject to a cap on hours during study periods that is set by the Department of Home Affairs and has changed in recent years. Because the limit moved, confirm the current figure on the Home Affairs student-visa page rather than relying on an older number.
Sources
- Study Australia — Student visa
- Study Australia / Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
- Department of Home Affairs — subclass 485
Tuition, fees, fund levels and work-rights rules are set by governments and universities and change. Figures here are dated and marked where they must be confirmed at application. This is guidance, not immigration or legal advice — confirm the current rules for your own case before you commit.