Australia keeps pulling Indian students for one reason above all: the runway to stay and work afterwards is longer than almost anywhere else. Thanks to the India-Australia trade agreement, Indian graduates get 2 to 4 years of post-study work rights, which is a serious head start on a career abroad.
But 2026 is not the Australia of a few years ago. The rules tightened, the post-study visa got more expensive, and an age cap now rules some applicants out before they start. This guide gives you the honest version: what it costs, and how the post-study 485 visa actually works.
Why Indian students choose Australia
The post-study work window is long. Under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, Indian graduates can secure 2 to 4 years of work rights depending on qualification level and where they studied. Regional study areas often earn extra time. That runway is the single biggest draw.
The universities are strong and globally ranked. The Group of Eight (including Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, UNSW, Monash and Queensland) are world-respected, and the sector is built around international students.
The lifestyle and Indian community are established. Large, settled Indian communities in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide make the transition easier than most first-time-abroad students expect.
One honest caveat before the enthusiasm runs away: Australia is expensive, the visa costs jumped in 2026, and the world class education comes at a high price. All manageable with a clear plan, but go in knowing it.
What it costs
Rough 2026 figures for an Indian student:
Tuition: AUD 20,000 to 45,000 a year (about Rs 14 to 28 lakhs), depending on the course and university. Postgraduate and professional programmes sit at the higher end.
Living costs: AUD 18,000 to 28,000 a year (roughly AUD 1,330 to 2,950 a month), with Sydney and Melbourne the most expensive and regional cities lower.
All in, a year in Australia typically lands around Rs 30 to 45 lakh including living costs, comparable to the UK and higher than most of Europe. (Fees and the exchange rate move, so treat these as planning ranges and confirm before you budget.)
The takeaway: Australia is a premium-cost destination. The long work rights are what make the maths work, because you have years to earn back the spend, not months.
The student visa and proof of funds
Indian students apply for the Student visa (subclass 500), which covers full-time study and allows limited part-time work during term. You’ll need an offer and Confirmation of Enrolment, genuine-student evidence, proof of funds covering tuition and living costs, health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover), and English proficiency.
Australia assesses whether you’re a genuine student carefully, so your funds and your study intentions need to hold together. Arranged, last-minute money and a weak study rationale are common refusal reasons, like in most other countries.
The 485 post-study work visa, and the 2026 changes
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is what lets you stay and work after graduating, full-time, in any job, for any employer. This is the prize. But three 2026 realities matter:
- The age cap dropped to 35. You must generally be 35 or under to apply for the 485. The exception is Masters by Research and PhD graduates, who remain eligible up to 50. This rules out some older applicants entirely, so check it before you commit.
- The visa got much more expensive. The 485 application charge rose steeply in 2026, reaching AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026. Budget for it.
- You must apply within 6 months of the date on your official course completion letter, not your graduation ceremony.
For eligible Indian graduates, the 2 to 4 year work window remains one of the best in the world. Just confirm you clear the age cap and factor the higher fee into your plan.
The permanent residency reality
This is where honesty matters most, because a lot of students go to Australia expecting PR and are surprised. Skilled permanent residency runs on a points system. The official minimum is 65 points, but that number is misleading: in 2026’s competitive rounds, 75 to 85 points are typically needed for shortage occupations, and 85 to 95 points for highly competitive fields like IT and accounting.
Points come from your age, English score, work experience, qualifications and other factors. The practical reality: PR is achievable, but it takes a strong profile, the right occupation, often regional study or work, and a deliberate multi-year plan. Treat the 485 years as the time to build those points, not as a guarantee of PR. Anyone promising you certain permanent residency is overselling it.
Intakes and planning
Australia’s main intakes are February and July, with some courses offering a smaller November intake. The seasons are flipped from the northern hemisphere, so a February start is the big one. Apply several months ahead, because offers, funds, health cover and the visa all take time.
Is Australia right for you?
Australia is a strong choice if you want a long post-study work runway, you’re within the age cap for the 485, you can fund a premium-cost degree, and you’re prepared to build your profile deliberately rather than assume outcomes. It’s the wrong choice if you’re over 35 and counting on the 485, if the total cost strains your budget without a clear payback, or if you’re banking on guaranteed migration pathways.
Working out whether Australia beats the UK, Canada or Europe for your specific profile and budget is exactly the call we help students make. If you want an honest read, including whether the age cap changes the picture for you, talk to our team.
Explore our detailed destination overview for Study in Australia, compare pathways against our
breakdown of UK vs Ireland for Indian Students, and map your funding options with our guide to
securing an Education Loan for Study Abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to study in Australia for Indian students? Tuition runs about AUD 20,000 to 45,000 a year (Rs 14 to 28 lakhs), plus AUD 18,000 to 28,000 for living costs. All in, budget roughly Rs 30 to 45 lakh a year.
How long can Indian students work in Australia after graduating? Under the India-Australia trade agreement, eligible Indian graduates get 2 to 4 years of post-study work rights on the subclass 485 visa, depending on qualification level and study location. Regional study often earns extra time.
What is the age limit for the Australia 485 visa? You generally must be 35 or under to apply for the 485 Temporary Graduate visa in 2026. Masters by Research and PhD graduates are the exception, remaining eligible up to 50.
How much does the 485 visa cost in 2026? The primary applicant charge rose to AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026, a steep increase over previous years. Budget for it as part of your total plan.
Is it easy to get PR in Australia after studying? Not easy, but possible with the right profile. Skilled PR runs on points: the minimum is 65, but competitive rounds in 2026 need 75 to 85 for shortage occupations and 85 to 95 for fields like IT. Treat your post-study years as time to build points, not a guarantee.
What are the intakes for Australian universities? The two main intakes are February and July, with July being popular and February the largest. Some courses offer a smaller November intake. Apply several months ahead of your intended start.