Australian loans for international students

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 5 minutes

It’s not hard to understand why so many international students want to move to Australia. The country has a world-class education system, excellent climate, and high quality of life. But studying in Australia can be expensive – and you need to be financially prepared before you take the leap.  

In this blog, we’ll help you get started. We’ll explore the student loan options available for international students in Australia, as well as other ways to fund your studies.  

How much money will I need? 

Before you begin to research student loans, it’s important to understand how much it costs to live and study in Australia. You can use the Course Search Tool to find out detailed tuition fee for your dream course and the Cost of Living Calculator to estimate the living cost based on the city you want to move to.  

What student loans in Australia could I be eligible for? 

Australia’s student loan system is known as the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).  Unfortunately, HELP can only be accessed by Australian citizens or individuals who hold a humanitarian visa. However, there are still lots of other student loans available for international students in Australia.  

University loans 

Universities across Australia provide loans for local and international students. Most institutions offer both short-term and long-term loans; these can help students cover emergencies, as well as pay for bigger expenses.  

Here are a few examples of what some universities offer:  

  • The University of Melbourne will loan eligible students up to$5,000 AUD ($3,883 USD) if they have an Australian co-signer. They’ll loan students up to $3,000 AUD ($2,330 USD) if their co-signer lives overseas or isn’t an Australian citizen/ permanent resident. 

  • The University of Sydney offers loans up to $2,000 ($1,550 USD), which can be paid back up to two years after graduation.  

  • Students in need of financial assistance at Monash University can take out loans between $750-$3,000 AUD ($544 – $2,330 USD), to be paid back within 6-12 months. 

Universities across Australia offer similar loans. It’s best to check directly with your institution to see exactly what loans are available to students – and to make sure you’re eligible.  

International student loan schemes  

You might be eligible to take out federal student loans in your home country to study in Australia. For example, students from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Norway, or Denmark who attend the University of Sydney can access government funding from home.  

Private loans  

A private loan is one of the simplest forms of international student loans in Australia: you borrow money from a bank or similar lender and repay the loan (with interest) over an agreed-upon period of time. These loans can be secured – which means they’re tied to collateral – or unsecured. But with unsecured loans, interest rates are usually higher. 

How else can I pay for my studies? 

Student loans aren’t the only way to pay for your education in Australia. Here are a few other options to consider:  

Work in Australia  

Many international students are attracted to Australia because they know they’ll be able to work. Unlike other studies abroad destinations, you can work up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying and unlimited hours during study breaks on an Australian student visa. Even more, the minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week – meaning many international students are able to pay for some of the costs associated with living in Australia while they study.   

Apply for scholarships 

There are a number of scholarship opportunities for international students in Australia – both funded by the government, and universities. Some, like Australia Awards scholarships, support students with full tuition, living costs, and airfare. Check out the Australian Government’s search tool to find a scholarship that’s right for you.  

Read more: scholarships for international students in Australia 

Take out a private loan in your home country

To apply for a student visa in Australia, you need to prove you have sufficient funds. For this reason, many students decide to take out a private bank loan in their home country before coming to study in Australia.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to fund your studies in Australia as an international student. But everyone’s financial situation is different, so we recommend doing lots of research to find a loan you feel confident about – and one that will work for you both during, and after university.

Still, deciding where in the world you want to study? Check out our article types of loans for international students, which explores more loan options in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.

We are not immigration agents. For all up-to-date information about visa rules and regulations, see the official guidelines on the Australia Department of Home Affairs website.

Last updated 20 December 2024.

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    So, what do The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne offer?

    Off-campus housing 

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    There are lots of private student accommodation options located close to universities. They are usually not managed by universities themselves. But they are designed specifically for students and usually have many of the same facilities as a student residence – such as food halls or study rooms.

    Remember, even if you don’t live in a university residence, you can still have a full social life and take part in activities with fellow students.

    Check out these resources to help find off-campus student accommodation in Melbourne and Adelaide: 

    • Adelaide Student Housing is a website made to help international students look for accommodation in the city. It’s run by the Government of South Australia and features more than two dozen student housing options – including places like UniLodge, Y Suites, and Atira Student Living. The website also lists weekly prices for each property, making it easy for international students to compare. Prices range between $105-$690 AUD a week.

    • Close to the University of Melbourne, you can also find places like UniLodge and Infinity Place. Prices for these two options range between $173-$589 AUD a week. If you want to look for more student housing locations check out the website University Living, which lists accommodation for students in hundreds of cities around the world.

    Private rentals  

    When you finally arrive in Australia, you might also decide to live on your own in an apartment. There are definitely some benefits to living in a private rental. You get more independence and privacy. You can also choose to live anywhere you like in your new city or town.

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    You can look for private rentals in Melbourne, Adelaide, and across Australia using websites like Domain, Gumtree, or realestate.com.au. 

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    The UK has long drawn people from around the world to live, work and study. It boasts an excellent healthcare system and impressive universities. Its countryside and cities are dotted with historic buildings and castles. Another big plus? The UK is incredibly diverse.  According to the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, about 14% of the UK’s population was born abroad, and 35% of immigrants live in London. And, many of the UK’s migrants come to work. In fact, in 2019 48% of EU residents moved to the UK to work, while 21% of non-EU residents did.

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    The top jobs in the UK for international applicants 

    The UK has two shortage occupation lists. One outlines occupations in healthcare and education that need more personnel. The other list features occupation shortages from a range of different fields – including the arts, science, and IT.

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    However, nurses and other healthcare professionals were added to the Shortage Occupation List just this March. “Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic,” said the UK Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, in a statement.

    The move, he said, will help ensure international healthcare professionals get the immigration status they deserve.

    Learn more about how to register as a nurse in the UK.

    2. Pharmacists

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    To work as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to register with a regulatory body called the General Pharmaceutical Council, which you can learn more about on the NHS website. (The NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system).

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    4. Secondary education teachers

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    You can learn more about teacher salaries on the UK Department of Education website. To qualify for a visa, you’ll have to earn at least £20,480 (or more depending on where you’re located).

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    You’ll also have to earn 80% or more of the going rate for graphic designers in the UK. This is about £18,800 per year.

    How to get a UK work visa

    A Skilled Worker visa lets you work in the UK with an employer who is approved by the Home Office, which is a UK government department. As we mentioned above, you’ll have to reach 70 immigration points to be eligible. Having a job offer from an employer, professional skills, and English proficiency all contribute to your points.

    Depending on your situation, you may decide to apply for another type of visa or immigration route, such as the EU Settlement Scheme or UK Graduate visa. There is also a Health and Care Worker visa, which enables healthcare professions to work with the NHS.

    How to find a job in the UK

    So, how can you find an employer in the UK to sponsor you? There are lots of job boards that are related to specific professions. For example, the UK’s Department of Education offers a website to search for teaching vacancies by location. There’s also Nurses.co.uk, which features thousands of nursing jobs. More generally, websites like Reed and Jobsite are also good places to look for employment in the UK.

    All in all, the UK is an excellent place to call home. And better yet, there’s plenty of job opportunities to help you thrive.

    Our Secure English Language test, PTE Academic UKVI, is accepted by the UK’s Home Office for all UK visas to test your four language skills – including the Skilled Worker visa.

    Learn more about the PTE UKVI test today.