Questions students and parents ask

Short answers to the questions we hear most often. Your counsellor will go through the details for your own situation.

• How much does a year in Australia cost?

  Tuition depends on the course (see each profile). For living costs the student visa asks you to show at least AUD 29,710 for a year; in Sydney or Melbourne real costs are often higher. Add health cover, the AUD 2,500 visa charge and flights.

• Can I go straight into a bachelor’s after school?

  It depends on the university and your certificate. Many universities ask students from 11-year school systems to complete a foundation programme or a first year at university first; each profile says what it accepts.

• Is a graduate certificate the same as a master’s?

  No. A graduate certificate (about six months) and a graduate diploma (one year) are shorter postgraduate qualifications. They can give credit towards a master’s, but they are not master’s degrees.

• Do I need IELTS?

  Most courses ask for IELTS, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, and the student visa has its own minimum. If your score is lower, an English course packaged with your degree can replace the test for entry.

• Can my husband, wife or children come with me?

  Since 2 October 2026 a student visa can include family only in a few cases, such as PhD students or students with a foreign government scholarship that fully funds their studies. We check your case before you apply.

• Can I work while I study?

  Yes: up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours in breaks. Your visa’s financial evidence must not rely on these earnings.

• When should I apply?

  Nine to twelve months before your intake. The main intakes are February/March and July; some universities also start in May, October or November. Scholarships with early-acceptance deadlines reward early applicants.

• Can I work in Australia after graduating?

  Graduates who meet the conditions can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa: usually two years after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s, with two years of study in Australia. It is not automatic and not a path we can promise.

• Can MultiPath help me wherever I live?

  It depends on the institution. Each institution sets which applicants we can help: some look at the country you apply from, others at your citizenship or where you live. Tell us your citizenship and the country you live in, and we will check for the institutions you are interested in.

• Does MultiPath charge for its help?

  Our consultation and application support are free. We represent the institutions in this guide and are paid by the institution if you enrol. You can also apply to any institution directly yourself. Visa charges, tuition and health cover are paid to the government, the institution and the insurer.

• Can you guarantee a visa or a scholarship?

  No one can. Home Affairs decides visas and institutions decide offers and scholarships. We make sure your application is complete, honest and well prepared.