Study in Australia
Study in Australia from Vietnam
Vietnam is a large and growing source of international students in Australia. You can study at any university. A first year costs roughly AUD 40,000 to 75,000 all in, and the visa is the subclass 500. Vietnam sits at student-visa Evidence Level 2, which is more favourable than the Evidence Level 3 markets.
There is not much that is unusual for Vietnamese applicants. The main points are credential recognition of a four-year Vietnamese bachelor's, English evidence, and choosing between applying directly or through an 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 Vietnam
Apply through the university's international portal or an authorised agent. Direct application is available at most universities for Vietnamese citizens, and agents are widely used for the offer, deposit, and visa steps.
Have certified copies of your transcripts and completion certificates ready, with certified English translations. Some universities want documents verified 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
A four-year Vietnamese bachelor's degree is accepted for direct entry to Australian master's programs. For undergraduate entry, universities take the Vietnamese upper secondary school leaving certificate, often with a foundation year, or accept a completed first year of a Vietnamese bachelor's for direct entry.
Universities publish Vietnam-specific entry tables. Confirm the GPA on the 10-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 visa has a 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.
Vietnam is at student-visa Evidence Level 2, so the upfront financial and English evidence requirements are lighter than for Evidence Level 3 countries, particularly at lower-risk providers. You should still be ready to show funds for tuition, travel, and 12 months of living costs, and to satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
Where Vietnamese applications run into trouble it is usually over source of funds, a gap between the study plan and the applicant's background, or thin Genuine Student statements. A documented savings history and a study plan that follows on from previous study address 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 Vietnamese students
- ·Business, accounting, and finance
- ·Information technology
- ·Engineering
- ·Hospitality and tourism
- ·Media and communications
Browse programs by subject to see entry requirements, the cheapest options, and the skilled-migration angle for each field.
Studying in Australia from Vietnam: common questions
Is a 4-year Vietnamese bachelor's degree accepted in Australia?
Yes, for direct entry to most Australian master's programs. Universities publish Vietnam-specific entry tables mapping your 10-point GPA to their requirement. Competitive courses want a higher GPA.
What is Vietnam's assessment level for the Australian student visa?
Vietnam is at Evidence Level 2, which is medium risk. The upfront documentation is lighter than for the Evidence Level 3 countries, though you still need to show funds and meet the Genuine Student requirement. Levels are reviewed, so check when you apply.
How much does it cost to study in Australia from Vietnam?
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 get PR in Australia after studying from Vietnam?
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.
Do Vietnamese students need to apply through an agent?
No, most universities accept direct applications from Vietnamese citizens. Agents are common because they manage the offer, deposit, and visa lodgement, but they are not required everywhere. Check the university's how-to-apply page.
Keep reading
This is general information for Vietnamese 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.