Master's Degrees in Australia: A Guide for Indian Students

A master's in Australia comes in two main types: a master's by coursework, which is taught through classes and assessments, and a master's by research, where most of your time goes on a supervised research project. Some courses have more than one start date a year; check each course page.

This guide covers subjects to consider, the difference between coursework and research, what affects the cost, the work rules on a student visa and what happens after you graduate. If you are still deciding on a country, see our page on how to study in Australia.

Why Indian students choose a master's in Australia

• A wide choice of subjects: from engineering and IT to public health and education.
• Full-time study on a student visa: to get a student visa (subclass 500), you must be enrolled in a full-time course registered on CRICOS (Home Affairs).
• Research options: students who want a research career can choose a master's by research.

Universities that teach master's courses include the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.

Master's subjects to consider in Australia

Examples of master's subjects include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Data Science
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Environmental Science
• Master of Education

Course names, length and entry requirements differ between universities. Read each university's course page before you apply.

Coursework or research: which master's suits you?

A master's by coursework suits students who want to build skills for a job. You attend classes, complete assignments and exams, and some courses include a project or work-integrated learning.

A master's by research suits students who want to go on to a PhD or a research career. You work on a research project with a supervisor and write a thesis. Expect to:

• work closely with an academic supervisor
• use university labs and libraries
• present or publish your work, where your project allows
• build a base for doctoral study

Research places depend on finding a supervisor, so contact the university early.

Cost of a master's in Australia for Indian students

The total cost has three main parts:

• Tuition fees: these vary a lot by university and course. Each university lists its international fees on its course pages. Check the fee for your exact course and the year you will start.
• Living-cost funds for the visa: the amount the Department of Home Affairs requires you to show is AUD 29,710 for 12 months (approx. ₹19,63,300, ECB rate of 16 Oct 2026). This is the amount you must show for the visa, not an estimate of what you will actually spend. Source: Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500).
• Student visa fee: AUD 2,500 (approx. ₹1,65,200, ECB rate of 16 Oct 2026), from 1 July 2026 (Study Australia). Check the latest fee on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
• Other costs: health cover for international students, flights and accommodation set-up.

Rupee figures are approximate. Fees are charged in Australian dollars, so convert at the current rate when you plan.

Work rules while you study

According to Study Australia's student visa (subclass 500) page, student visa holders can work:

• up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session
• without a limit during scheduled course breaks
• without a limit once a master's by research or doctoral course has started

The same page notes that student visa application rules changed on 2 October 2026, including who can apply while in Australia and whether family members can be included. Check it before you apply.

After your master's: post-study work

Eligible master's graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) under the Post-Higher Education Work stream. For Indian nationals, Home Affairs lists a stay of 3 years after a master's (coursework, extended or research), under the Australia–India ECTA (Home Affairs, Post-Higher Education Work stream). See Study Australia's 485 visa page for the current rules, and our guide to careers after a degree in Australia.

A simple application timeline

Start 8 to 12 months before your course begins. A typical order:

1. 8 to 12 months before: research courses and universities, and check entry requirements.
2. 6 to 9 months before: prepare documents and take your English test (such as IELTS or TOEFL).
3. 4 to 8 months before: submit applications and apply for scholarships.
4. 3 to 5 months before: receive offers, accept one and pay any deposit.
5. 2 to 4 months before: apply for your student visa and arrange accommodation.

Check the deadline for each course and scholarship on its own page before you plan.

Scholarships and funding

Some Australian universities offer scholarships for international students. Check the scholarships page of each university on your list, as each sets its own rules and deadlines.

Living and studying in Australia

As an international student you can expect:

• part-time work, within your visa's work rules
• post-study work options, if you are eligible

How Shiksha Galore helps you apply

At Shiksha Galore, we help Indian students plan a master's in Australia. We offer:

• free counselling, one to one, including course and university choice
• guidance on university applications
• student visa guidance
• guidance on scholarship registration

Contact Shiksha Galore

Planning a master's in Australia? Book free counselling with Shiksha Galore:

• Enquire online: book free counselling with our enquiry form
• WhatsApp: +91 93563 71683
• Call: +91 80107 22713 (Mon to Sat, 9am to 6pm)

Contact Us Today:

• Call: +91 8010722713
• Email: info@shikshagalore.com
• Visit Us: Office No. 4 & 5, Building No.7, Mira Thakur Galaxy, Yashwant Shrusti Rd, Sanjay Nagar, Boisar, Khaira, Maharashtra 401501, India
• Free Consultancy Form: Click Here