Best Courses to Study in Australia

How to read “best course” lists

There is no single “best” course in Australia — the right course depends on your interests, your prior subjects, your budget, and the career or further study you are aiming for. Lists that rank fields by demand or salary go out of date quickly and vary by state and employer, so treat any such claim with caution.

This guide describes fields that international students commonly study in Australia and gives a simple framework for choosing. It does not promise jobs, migration outcomes, or specific salaries — those depend on many factors outside any course.

Fields international students commonly study

Australian universities offer a broad range of disciplines across undergraduate (bachelor) and postgraduate (master, graduate diploma) levels. The fields below are widely offered and frequently chosen by international students; choosing among them is a personal decision, not a ranking.

• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, software and more)
• Information technology and computer science
• Health and nursing (registration-based professions)
• Business, management, accounting and finance
• Sciences, data science and environmental studies
• Education, social sciences, design and the arts

A simple way to choose

Start from what you want to do after the course, then work backwards. Check the entry requirements (prior subjects, English-language scores), the course structure, the campus location and cost of living, and whether the course leads to a profession that requires registration or accreditation.

For professional fields such as engineering, nursing, teaching and accounting, the course often needs to be accredited by the relevant professional body if you intend to practise — so confirm accreditation and any registration steps before you enrol.

• Match prior subjects and English requirements to the course
• Compare course structure, duration and campus location
• Check professional accreditation if you plan to practise
• Factor in tuition and living costs for the full course

Entry requirements and English tests

Each course sets its own academic entry requirements, and most require evidence of English-language proficiency. Australian institutions commonly accept tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and others; the exact test and minimum score depend on the institution and course.

Exact entry scores, accepted tests and minimums change between intakes — verify the current requirement on the official university course page and the official test provider before you apply.

Cost, intakes and student visa basics

Tuition fees, living costs and scholarship options differ by institution, course and city, and they change each year, so do not rely on figures from unofficial lists — check the official university page and the official Study Australia and Australian Government sources.

International students studying on campus generally need a Student visa (subclass 500). Visa rules, financial-capacity requirements and conditions are set by the Australian Government and can change. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current requirements on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs source before you act.