Study in Australia
Study in Australia from Indonesia
Indonesian students can study at any Australian university, and Indonesia is one of Australia's closest large source countries. A first year costs roughly AUD 40,000 to 75,000 all in, and the visa is the subclass 500. Indonesia moved to student-visa Evidence Level 2 in early 2026 after a spell at Level 1, so financial evidence and an English test result are now expected in most applications.
Not much is unusual for Indonesian applicants. The main points are how universities treat the SMA certificate and the S1 degree, English evidence, and whether your funding is personal savings or a scholarship such as LPDP.
At a glance
- First-year budget
- A$40,000 to A$80,000
- Tuition (per year)
- A$28,000 to A$55,000
- Living costs (visa minimum)
- A$29,710 / 12 months
- Student visa (500) fee
- A$2,500
- Work rights
- 48 hrs / fortnight in session
- Health cover (OSHC)
- Required, full visa period
Living costs and the visa fee are set by the Australian Government and are the same for every nationality. Tuition varies widely by university and course. Price your specific course in your own currency at the current rate, since it moves.
Applying from Indonesia
Apply through the university's international portal or an authorised agent. Direct application is available at most universities for Indonesian citizens, and agents are widely used for the offer, deposit, and visa steps.
Have legalised copies of your ijazah and transcript ready, with certified English translations. Universities may ask for verification through the awarding institution.
Most universities run February and July intakes and assess on a rolling basis. Apply two to three months ahead. Use the universities directory to shortlist and the deadline calendar for the recommended dates.
What it costs
Tuition runs from the low A$30,000s at regional and newer universities to the high A$40,000s and beyond at the Group of Eight. Living costs depend on the city: budget around A$30,000 a year, more in Sydney and Melbourne, less in Adelaide, Perth, and regional centres.
On top of that: the A$2,500 student visa, roughly A$500 to A$700 a year for single Overseas Student Health Cover, flights, and initial setup. See the cost-of-living breakdowns by city and the most affordable universities.
Your qualifications and English
For undergraduate entry, universities take the SMA or MA certificate, often with a foundation year or a completed first year of an Indonesian S1 degree for direct entry. The four-year S1 (sarjana) is accepted for direct entry to Australian master's programs.
Universities publish Indonesia-specific entry tables. Confirm the IPK on the 4-point scale that your course requires.
English is shown with IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Most universities want 6.5 overall for a master's, and the student visa has its own lower floor. Confirm both.
The student visa
International students hold the subclass 500 student visa. You apply after you receive and accept an offer and the university issues a Confirmation of Enrolment. You must meet the Genuine Student requirement, which replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test in March 2024, and show genuine access to funds.
Indonesia is at student-visa Evidence Level 2, having moved up from Level 1 in early 2026. Be ready to show, upfront, funds for tuition, travel, and 12 months of living costs, a valid English test result, and a Genuine Student statement that case officers will read closely. This is more than Level 1 asked for, but still lighter than for the Evidence Level 3 countries.
Where Indonesian applications run into trouble it is usually over source of funds, sponsorship letters without matching bank evidence, or a study plan that does not follow from previous study or work. A documented savings history, or a clear scholarship award letter, addresses most of it.
Full detail on the visa itself, conditions, and family members is on the subclass 500 page.
After you graduate
Most bachelor’s and master’s graduates qualify for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which gives two to three years of full work rights. That skilled work is the usual step toward permanent residence through the points-tested visas.
Check where you stand with the points calculator and track demand in the SkillSelect invitation rounds.
Popular fields for Indonesian students
- ·Business, management, and accounting
- ·Engineering
- ·Information technology
- ·Environmental science and sustainability
- ·Public policy and development
Browse programs by subject to see entry requirements, the cheapest options, and the skilled-migration angle for each field.
Studying in Australia from Indonesia: common questions
What is Indonesia's assessment level for the Australian student visa?
Indonesia is at Evidence Level 2, having moved up from Level 1 in early 2026. Financial evidence and an English test result are now expected in most applications, and Genuine Student statements are read closely. Levels are reviewed, so check the current position when you apply.
Is an Indonesian S1 degree accepted in Australia?
Yes, a four-year S1 (sarjana) is accepted for direct entry to most Australian master's programs. Universities publish Indonesia-specific entry tables mapping your IPK on the 4-point scale to their requirement. Competitive courses want a higher IPK.
How much does it cost to study in Australia from Indonesia?
Budget AUD 40,000 to 75,000 for the first year: roughly AUD 30,000 to 50,000 tuition, about AUD 30,000 living costs, the AUD 2,500 visa, health cover, and flights. Regional universities and smaller cities are cheaper.
Can I use an LPDP scholarship to study in Australia?
Yes. LPDP is one of the main funding routes for Indonesian postgraduate students in Australia. You still apply to the university and for the student visa yourself, and the award letter serves as your evidence of funds. Check that your course and university are on the LPDP list.
Can I get PR in Australia after studying from Indonesia?
It is a common pathway, not automatic. After graduating, most students move to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), gain skilled work experience, and then apply for a points-tested visa. Your occupation and points decide the outcome.
Applying from another country
The generic steps are the same everywhere. What changes by country is agent-versus-direct application, how your qualifications convert, and how closely the student visa evidence is checked.
Keep reading
This is general information for Indonesian applicants, not migration advice. Fees, visa rules, and university requirements change. Confirm every figure with the university and the Australian Government before you rely on it.