Best cheap universities in australia
Are you considering higher education in Australia on a limited budget? If so, you’ve landed in the right place to find the best cheap universities in Australia and discover cheap universities for international students in Australia. There’s no need to look any further for a comprehensive guide to the top affordable universities in Australia for 2025, empowering you to pursue your academic goals without breaking the bank. While Australia is a highly sought-after destination for international students due to its excellent education system, diverse range of programs, and high standard of living,
it’s also true that living costs in Australia can be relatively high, averaging around AUD 1,700 to AUD 2,500 per month. This typically includes accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, and other personal expenses. Many students often find part-time work to support themselves, which can significantly help manage these costs.
The question often arises: can you truly study a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Australia without breaking the bank? The answer is yes, though it’s not that simple. When comparing degree options across Oceania, Australian universities aren’t as affordable as most European countries. Despite this, many students dream of studying in Australia for its world-class education and diverse culture. The main concerns for international students usually revolve around tuition fees and the cost of living.
Fortunately, finding an affordable university in Australia makes studying more accessible. These cheap universities in Australia offer quality education at a lower cost and are excellent options for budget-conscious students, providing globally recognized degrees that are an excellent way for their personal and professional growth. When students choose an affordable university, they can easily focus on their studies without any burden of expenses. In this guide, we will explore these cheap universities in Australia for international students in detail.
Why Pakistani Students Choose Australia
Pakistani students frequently choose Australia for their higher education due to several compelling reasons. Firstly, Australia is known for having some of the best universities in the world, offering top-ranked universities and high-quality education that leads to globally recognized degrees. This commitment to Quality Education means Australian universities are highly ranked and consistently offer globally recognized degrees to international students. Secondly, Australia’s living costs are often more affordable compared to other countries like the UK, the USA, and Canada, allowing students to easily manage living costs in Australia.

Beyond academics and cost, Post-Study Work Opportunities are a major draw; after graduation, students can apply for a post-study work visa, which helps them gain experience. Lastly, the Multicultural Society of Australia’s diverse and welcoming environment makes Pakistani students feel at home, fostering a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for international learners.
List of Affordable Universities in Australia for 2025
Australia offers world-class education at surprisingly affordable rates, making it a prime destination for students looking for an australia cheap university. Here’s a curated list of institutions providing quality education without breaking the bank, perfect for finding affordable universities in Australia:
Victoria University (VU): Victoria University is another fantastic university and one of the cheapest universities in Australia, an affordable education choice. Undergraduate programs begin at AUD 22,000 per year, with education, law, and sports science as popular programs. Key Benefits include VU prioritizing hands-on learning and industrial placement. It’s popular with Pakistanis because the university provides Pakistani cuisine and cultural events in Melbourne, creating a home-like atmosphere. It is also featured in the list of universities in Australia with the cheapest available Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
University of Southern Queensland (USQ): Known for its affordable tuition fees and diverse academic programs, USQ is an excellent choice for quality education on a budget. It’s a Public university with Fall and Spring intakes. For Pakistani students, USQ simplifies financial management by offering flexible options for on-campus and online studies, with low tuition costs and subsidies available for South Asian students, making it a most affordable option. Its undergraduate programs begin at AUD 24,000 per year, with IT, engineering, and business being popular programs.
Charles Darwin University (CDU): Situated in the vibrant city of Darwin, CDU offers competitive tuition fees and a welcoming environment for international students. This Public university has Fall and Spring intakes. CDU is popular because of its high-quality education and practical courses designed to meet the market’s job requirements. Tuition fees start at AUD 20,000 per year, with environmental science, nursing, and engineering as popular programs. Key Benefits include Scholarships and the low cost of living in Darwin. Special consideration for Pakistanis means the university actively invites students from Pakistan and offers help adapted to South Asian cultural needs.
Federation University Australia: This Public university is renowned for its cost-effective education options, making it a popular choice among international students, with Mid-year intakes.
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC): USC combines quality education with a lower cost of living, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious students. It’s a Public university with Fall and Spring intakes. Tuition Fees start at AUD 24,000 annually, and Creative industries, social sciences, and health are popular programs. Key Advantages include the Sunshine Coast’s low cost of living, helping students save further. It’s best for Pakistani Students due to friendly policies for international students and easy access to part-time work opportunities.
Southern Cross University: With campuses in picturesque locations, Southern Cross University provides affordable education and a relaxed Australian lifestyle. It’s a Public university with Fall and Spring intakes.
Central Queensland University (CQU): CQU is known for its affordability and offers a wide range of academic programs. Located in Queensland, this Public university provides a friendly atmosphere for international students and has Fall and Spring intakes.
University of Wollongong: Known for its affordability, it offers 300+ programs, including arts, engineering, health, and more. With campuses in Greater Sydney and affordable tuition, Wollongong is a top choice for international students. It’s a Public university with Fall and Spring intakes.
Western Sydney University: Western Sydney University stands out for its competitive tuition fees for international students pursuing undergraduate degrees. It’s a diverse and vibrant institution with a strong academic reputation, a Public university with Mid-year intakes. It is also featured in the list of universities in Australia with the cheapest available Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Edith Cowan University (ECU): ECU offers a variety of affordable master’s programs for international students. It’s known for its focus on practical learning and research excellence, a Public university with Mid-year intakes.
La Trobe University: La Trobe University is renowned for offering cost-effective master’s degrees, particularly those with a research-oriented approach. It provides an ideal environment for postgraduate studies without straining your finances, a Public university with Fall and Spring intakes. It is also featured in the list of universities in Australia with the cheapest available Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Scholarships for International Students in Australia
Beyond finding cheap universities in Australia, it’s important to know about financial aid. Many Australian universities offer scholarships for international students to help them manage their tuition fees and expenses. These scholarships make education affordable by covering their tuition fees and living expenses. Some prominent scholarships include. The Destination Australia Scholarship:

This scholarship aims to promote studying in regional Australia. Australia Awards Scholarships: This government program provides students from developing nations, including Pakistan, with living expenses and complete tuition coverage. Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships: These are awarded to exceptional international students by institutions such as Charles Darwin University and the University of Southern Queensland.
Other Affordable Institutions
While the above are prominent, other universities also provide cheap degrees. Those that stand out thanks to the number of affordable degrees listed on our portals include:
Stanley College, Perth: A private institution offering vocational and higher education programs, providing various scholarships and flexible payment options, though tuition fees are higher than public universities.
University of Melbourne: Australia’s leading public research university, offering competitive tuition fees and various scholarships and financial aid options available.
Curtin University, Perth: A prominent public university with relatively affordable tuition fees and various scholarships and financial aid options available.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane: A public university providing competitive tuition fees and a variety of scholarships.
University of Canberra, Canberra: A public university renowned for its strong focus on professional education and research, offering affordable tuition fees and various scholarships and financial aid options.
Charles Sturt University (CSU): A public university offering competitive tuition fees and a variety of scholarships and financial aid options.
Swinburne Online: The digital arm of Swinburne University of Technology, providing flexible and accessible online education with competitive tuition fees and various financial aid options available.
Kaplan Business School: A private institution with campuses in major Australian cities, offering various scholarships and payment plans to assist students, though tuition fees are higher than public universities.
Cheap universities in Australia for international students without IELTS
Australia has always been on the priority list for international students studying abroad, and for good reason. The universities in this country are famous not just because of their best education system, but also for offering many Bachelor’s and Master’s programs even without IELTS. However, some students may find Australia a bit costly compared to other countries. While there is no doubt a significant difference between the universities in Australia with cheap tuition fees of public and private universities, the exciting news is that there are some cheapest universities in Australia for international students without IELTS as well. In addition, the semester fee of public universities is more reasonable compared to private institutions.
Australia also provides many financial aid options and scholarships to help international students cover their studies and living expenses. Suppose you are not aware of these reasonable universities. In that case, we recommend you book your consultancy with our team at Abroadgoer Consultants, and they will guide you about everything you need to know.