Study in Australia: Fees, Intakes, Universities, Jobs for Vietnamese Students

The total average cost for self-funded Vietnamese students ranges from AUD $50,000 to $90,000 per year. This includes university tuition fees averaging AUD $20,000 to $60,000+ per year, depending on the major and the mandatory financial capacity proof required by the Australian government, which is AUD $29,710 per year for living costs. Living expenses in major hubs like Sydney and Melbourne are 15% to 30% higher than in regional areas.

To successfully secure scholarships ranging from 20% to 100% tuition coverage from Australian universities, Vietnamese students must generally meet these criteria:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum of 7.0/10 for partial scholarships (prestigious Group of Eight universities require 8.5 to 9.0+).
• English Proficiency: An IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall (with no sub-score below 6.0) or equivalent PTE Academic scores.
• Supporting Documents: A strong Statement of Purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation, and notable extracurricular certificates.

Since 2 October 2026, most international students must complete at least 12 months of their principal course before transferring to another provider (up from six months), unless their current provider releases them or an exemption applies. This rule runs until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, the government plans a new Student visa transfer stream, under which students changing providers must be granted a new visa before starting at the new provider. Student visa holders seeking another Student visa must now also generally apply from outside Australia.

No. The Australian government has closed the onshore visa-hopping pathway for most temporary visa categories. Visitors holding a Tourist Visa (Subclass 600), Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), or a short-term work visa can no longer apply for a Student Visa while in Australia. They must leave Australia and apply for their Subclass 500 visa offshore from their home country.

International students on a Subclass 500 visa are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight (every two weeks) during the academic term, and unlimited hours during official university breaks. This cap does not apply to postgraduate students enrolled in Master's by Research or Doctoral (PhD) programmes. From 1 July 2026, Australia's National Minimum Wage is AUD $26.44 per hour, and casual workers receive at least a 25% loading on top.

To obtain Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia after graduation, Vietnamese students must target the Points-Tested Skilled Migration stream (Subclasses 189, 190, or 491). First, secure a Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Visa to gain local experience. PR invites heavily favour graduates who choose Regional study areas (earning 5 extra points) and graduate in high-demand priority sectors such as Healthcare, Nursing, Engineering, IT, or Early Childhood Education.

For undergraduate admission in Australia, Vietnamese students generally need a GPA of 6.5/10 from an accredited high school. However, top-tier Group of Eight (Go8) universities usually require a minimum GPA of 8.0 or 8.5/10. For postgraduate programmes, a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to a credit average (65% or 7.0/10 in Vietnam) is standard.

Vietnamese students and migrants favour Australia for several distinct structural reasons:

• Proximity & Time Zone: It is geographically much closer to Vietnam than the US, UK, or Europe, making travel and staying in touch with family easier.
• Post-Study Work Rights: Australia offers clear paths to gain professional corporate experience through the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) after completing a degree.
• Socioeconomic Alignment: The rising middle class in Vietnam makes Australian tuition achievable, especially given the presence of massive, welcoming diaspora networks that help newcomers adapt.

New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria host the vast majority of the Vietnamese population. Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (Victoria) serve as the primary urban hubs, together housing the largest concentrations of Vietnamese-born residents, students, and businesses in the country.

If you are applying for a Student Visa: from October 2, 2026, most Student visa (Subclass 500) applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children, unless an exemption applies, and family members cannot be added after the visa is granted. Applications lodged before October 2, 2026, are assessed under the previous rules.

The officially designated Little Vietnam precinct is located in Marrickville (along Illawarra Road, from the intersection of Marrickville Road to Warren Road) in Sydney's Inner West. It was formally recognised and named by the local council to celebrate the area's rich Vietnamese culinary and cultural footprint.

The visa type depends on the primary purpose of the stay:

• For Studying: A Student Visa (Subclass 500) is mandatory.
• For Tourism or Short Business Trips: A Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is required.
• For Working Post-Graduation: Students transition to the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).

While Marrickville holds the official name, the largest and most established commercial and cultural Vietnamese community in Australia is located in Cabramatta in Southwestern Sydney. Nearly 40% of Cabramatta's population is of Vietnamese descent, making it the ultimate hub for authentic Vietnamese food, groceries, festivals, and community infrastructure. In Melbourne, the heart of the community is found in St Albans and Springvale.