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AustraliaVSUnited States

Studying in Australia vs United States

How the two compare on the things that matter most to international students — cost, student visas, work rights and the path to staying on after you graduate.

Australia
Australia
United States
United States
Tuition (per year)
A$20,000–45,000 / year
US$25,000–55,000 / year (public vs private)
Living costs
A$22,000–29,000 / year
US$12,000–20,000 / year
Student visa
Student visa (subclass 500)
F-1 student visa
Work while studying
Up to 48 hours per fortnight during term
On-campus up to 20 hours/week; off-campus limited (CPT/OPT)
Post-study work
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — 18 months to several years by qualification
OPT — 12 months; STEM fields up to 36 months total
Proof of funds
Tuition + A$29,710/yr living + airfare
First-year tuition + living per your I-20
Path to residency
Points-based skilled migration (189/190/491); regional study earns extra points
No national points system; usually employer-sponsored (H-1B then green card) — competitive and lengthy
Health cover
OSHC private cover mandatory (~A$500–700/yr)
No national scheme; private insurance required (~US$1,500–2,500/yr)
Main intakes
February and July (main), some November
Fall (main) and Spring

Australia — often chosen for

  • ✓Post-study work + PR pathways
  • ✓Large South Asian student community
  • ✓Regional study incentives
Study in Australia →Migration experts →

United States — often chosen for

  • ✓Widest range of top-ranked universities
  • ✓STEM OPT up to 3 years
  • ✓Research funding & assistantships
Study in United States →Migration experts →

Figures are typical estimates; visa fees and minimum-funds thresholds change regularly. Always confirm current requirements with the official immigration authority before deciding. Use the study cost calculator to estimate your own budget.

Australia vs United States — common questions

Is it cheaper to study in Australia or United States?+

Tuition in Australia is typically A$20,000–45,000 / year and living costs A$22,000–29,000 / year, while United States is around US$25,000–55,000 / year (public vs private) for tuition and US$12,000–20,000 / year for living. The cheaper option depends on your course, city and lifestyle — use the study cost calculator to compare your own situation, and remember each country sets a minimum you must prove for the visa.

Which is better for working after graduation, Australia or United States?+

Australia offers Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — 18 months to several years by qualification. United States offers OPT — 12 months; STEM fields up to 36 months total. If staying on to work is a priority, weigh the length of the post-study visa against how it leads into longer-term residency in each country.

Which has an easier path to permanent residency, Australia or United States?+

Australia: Points-based skilled migration (189/190/491); regional study earns extra points. United States: No national points system; usually employer-sponsored (H-1B then green card) — competitive and lengthy. Immigration rules change often, so confirm current pathways with a licensed migration adviser before choosing a country for PR reasons.

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