Affordable and Cheap Universities in Australia 2026: Courses, Fees & Duration

Meridean Overseas

Updated On 06 February 2026 & Read Time 7 minutes

14.6k

Australia is known for its wide variety of unique creatures, and there is no match when it comes to the diversity in plants and animals. You can also witness some of the greatest natural attractions in the world. However, in the last few years, Australia has been the favourite location for Indian students for foreign studies.

Australia has gained high popularity as an excellent study-abroad destination for international students. However, studying in Australia could be a bit expensive for international students.

affordable-and-cheap-universities-in-australia-courses-fees-and-duration

Therefore, international students planning to study in the country look for options for cheap universities in Australia.

In this blog, we'll explore the top affordable universities in Australia for international students and the fees they charge. So, let’s begin with the blog!

Table of Contents

Overview
Top Affordable Universities in Australia
Conclusion

Top Affordable Universities in Australia

Below is the list of cheap universities in Australia for international students.

University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ), a well-known higher education and research institution in Australia, was founded in 1967. Southern Queensland University offers over 700 bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. The University of Southern Queensland is divided into two faculties, each of which has six schools. Engineering, science, communications, law, business, humanities, management, education, and the arts are among the subjects taught at these schools.

With low tuition prices, this is one of the most affordable universities in Australia for international students in 2026. The cost of studying at the University of Southern Queensland for international students is between 21,000 AUD to 32,000 AUD per year, depending on your specialisation.

University of the Sunshine Coast

The University of the Sunshine Coast is a public university based in Queensland and was established in 1996. It is well-known for its innovative approach to teaching and is one of the most affordable universities in Australia for international students. This is one of Australia's cheapest institutions on the Sunshine Coast.

USC has eight schools offering over 120 majors and 280 course options for undergraduate and graduate students in seven major academic fields, including business, IT and tourism, creative industries, education, etc. As far as tuition fees are concerned, for international students, they are somewhere between AUD 24,000 and AUD 29,000 per year.

Federation University Australia

Federation University Australia (FedUni) is Victoria's most prestigious rural university. It ranks first in Victoria for assisting graduates in finding full-time jobs.

For 150 years, FedUni has been the alma mater of Australia's leaders, innovators, and intellectuals. It is also listed in the top 20% of colleges worldwide for Quality Education (SDG4) and the top 25% for Good Health and Well-being (SDG3), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7), Peace and Justice (SDG16), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG17). The university offers affordable education with a fee structure of between AUD 25,000 to AUD 27,000.

Griffith University

Griffith University is a public research university in South East Queensland, founded in 1975 and recognised for its expertise in higher education and research in a wide range of subjects. It was founded in 1975.

Griffith University is well-known for its MBA programme and research-oriented courses. The institution provides over 200 courses, and over 50,000 students enrol each year. Architecture, business, criminology, and law are among the specialisations available. The cost of studying at the university is somewhere between AUD 29,000 to AUD 40,000 per year.

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University, usually known as CSU, is an Australian multi-campus public university in New South Wales that was founded in 1989. It provides hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate courses through its five campuses.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is one of the cheapest universities in Australia. Apart from this, it also offers various scholarships and bursaries, which can significantly help international students reduce the cost of studying in Australia. The cost of studying at Charles Sturt University for international students is somewhere around AUD 29,000 to AUD 33,000 per year, depending upon your specialisation.

Western Sydney University

For overseas students, this is one of the most affordable colleges in Australia. The university enrols around 45,000 students from over 70 nationalities, making it a multicultural institution.

The University of Western Sydney provides speciality courses in law, health, and social sciences. Though tuition costs at Western Sydney University are slightly more than at other colleges in Australia, students can cover a variety of expenses through part-time work and grants. The cost of studying at Western Sydney University for international students is around AUD 27,000 to AUD 35,000.

University of Divinity

The University of Divinity in Melbourne is one of the most affordable universities in Australia. It was founded in 1910 and has 11 universities specialising in theology and theological studies.

The Divinity School of the University of Divinity is well-known for its expertise in divinity and theological studies. It has an incredible faculty-to-student ratio of 1:7. Tuition prices for various undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate courses are among the lowest in Australia as the cheapest university for international students in 2026. The tuition fee for various courses at the university is somewhere between AUD 13,000 to AUD 26,000.

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland is also one of the cheapest universities in Australia, which offers low tuition fees for all levels of courses. According to the QS World Ranking 2026, the university was ranked 50th. The university hosts around 58,000 students annually, including 16,000 international students.

UQ is also a founder member of the Group of Eight (Go8) Universities and one of three Australian institutions that are members of the International Universities 21. As far as tuition fees are concerned, international students at the University of Queensland are somewhere between AUD 37,000 and AUD 45,000 per year.

Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University is one of Australia's most affordable and low-cost universities for overseas students. With over 31,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and one of Australia's most varied student populations, ECU typically admits 7,000 international students from over 100 countries.

This university offers over 400 courses through its eight schools: Business and Law School, Arts and Humanities School, Education School, Engineering School, Medical and Health Sciences School, Nursing and Midwifery School, Science School, and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. According to the data, tuition fees for MS courses are AUD 28,500, making the university an excellent choice for the cheapest master degree in Australia for international students. The tuition fee charged by the university from international students is around AUD 27,000 to AUD 37,500.

University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong is one of the most affordable universities in Australia, with over 300 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes. It is one of Australia's low-cost institutions for overseas students, offering degrees in arts and humanities, engineering, health and medicine, mathematics, and physics. The University of Wollongong's tuition fee is between AUD 12,000 to AUD 20,000 per year.

Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of affordable and cheap universities in Australia for 2026, it's evident that pursuing higher education Down Under doesn't have to strain your finances. These institutions not only offer budget-friendly tuition but also provide a rich academic experience and a supportive environment. Students can find quality education from vibrant cities to scenic regional areas without compromising their wallets.

However, we would also like to add that there are just a few universities in Australia, there are more universities you can explore to get admission at a really inexpensive cost. There are also some grants and scholarships offered by the Government or university that reduce the financial burden on students. So, do your research properly to find the best option in your budget.

If you are willing to study in Australia and would like to get a deeper insight into the cheap universities in Australia, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). If you are unable to travel to our offices, we offer online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide you with the best guidance regarding your application to study in Australia. Apart from this, our expert counsellors will also provide assistance in the visa process for your successful study abroad journey. Don't hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.