Study in Australia
Study in Australia from Pakistan
Pakistani students can study at any Australian university. A first year costs roughly AUD 40,000 to 75,000 all in, and the visa is the subclass 500. Pakistan sits at the highest student-visa evidence level, so the financial and academic-document checks are thorough.
The parts specific to Pakistan are document attestation and how you apply. University degrees need Higher Education Commission (HEC) attestation and school certificates need Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) attestation, and several universities only accept applications from Pakistani citizens through an authorised agent.
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 Pakistan
Apply through the university's international portal or an authorised agent. Several universities, and most in Western Australia, only accept applications from Pakistani citizens through an approved agent. Check each university's how-to-apply page before you start.
Get your documents attested early. HEC attests university degrees and transcripts; IBCC attests Matric and Intermediate certificates, and HEC will not attest a degree until the underlying school boards are IBCC-attested. HEC moved to an online e-attestation system in 2026, which is faster than the old in-person process but still takes planning.
Deadlines can be earlier for Pakistani applicants at universities that apply higher-scrutiny country dates. Apply three to four months ahead. Most universities run February and July intakes and assess on a rolling basis.
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 use the HSSC (Intermediate) result or A-Levels. A four-year Pakistani bachelor's (BS or the older BA or BSc plus a master's) maps cleanly to Australian master's entry. A standalone two-year bachelor's is often treated as incomplete for direct master's entry, so you may need a bridging qualification or a graduate certificate first.
Universities publish Pakistan-specific entry tables. Confirm the percentage or CGPA your course requires and whether it counts your degree as three or four years of study.
Many Pakistani applicants study in English medium. Universities may accept that for admission, but the student visa has a separate English rule, so confirm both. IELTS and PTE are the usual tests.
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.
Pakistan is at student-visa Evidence Level 3, the highest tier. You need to provide, upfront, several months of genuine bank statements, a clear source-of-funds trail, and attested academic transcripts before a decision is made. Processing runs longer than for lower-risk countries.
Applications commonly fail on funds that appear just before lodging, loans approved in principle rather than disbursed, money held by a distant relative rather than a parent, and a course that does not build on previous study. A genuine savings history and a documented sponsor relationship are what case officers look for.
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 Pakistani students
- ·Information technology and computer science
- ·Engineering
- ·Business and accounting
- ·Public health
- ·Data science
Browse programs by subject to see entry requirements, the cheapest options, and the skilled-migration angle for each field.
Studying in Australia from Pakistan: common questions
Do Pakistani students need HEC attestation for Australian universities?
Most Australian universities and the credential assessment they rely on expect HEC-attested degrees and transcripts, with IBCC attestation for school certificates first. Start the attestation process as soon as you have your final results, since it takes time.
Is a 2-year bachelor's degree from Pakistan accepted in Australia?
Often not for direct master's entry. A two-year bachelor's is usually treated as equivalent to part of an Australian bachelor's. A four-year BS, or a two-year bachelor's plus a master's, is the reliable route. Some universities offer a graduate certificate as a bridge.
What is Pakistan's assessment level for the Australian student visa?
Pakistan is at Evidence Level 3, the highest. You must supply several months of bank statements, a documented source of funds, and attested academic records upfront, and processing is slower than for lower-risk countries.
How much does it cost to study in Australia from Pakistan?
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. Group of Eight universities and Sydney or Melbourne sit at the top of that range.
Can I get PR in Australia after studying from Pakistan?
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 whether it works.
Keep reading
This is general information for Pakistani 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.