Australia is the most popular study abroad destination for Indonesian students — a status it has held for decades. Proximity (Bali to Darwin is a 2-hour flight), a large and well-established Indonesian community, world-ranked universities, and generous post-study work rights all contribute. This guide covers what Indonesian students need to know before applying.
Why Indonesia-to-Australia Is the Dominant Corridor
- Geography: Australia is the closest Western country to Indonesia — Darwin is closer to Bali than it is to Sydney
- Community: Australia has one of the largest Indonesian diaspora communities outside Southeast Asia; Indonesian students find established networks at virtually every major Australian university
- English medium: All instruction in English — the language investment has global utility
- Post-study work: Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows 2–4 years of post-study work in Australia
- Recognised degrees: Australian degrees are among the most internationally recognised — particularly valued in Indonesian professional and academic circles
- Scholarships: Both Australia Awards (Australian government) and LPDP (Indonesian government) can be used for Australian universities
Top Australian Universities for Indonesian Students
Group of Eight (Research Intensive)
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | Business, education, medicine, public policy, law |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Canberra | Asia-Pacific studies, political science, public administration |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | Business, medicine, engineering, law |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | Brisbane | Engineering, mining, agriculture, public health |
| Monash University | Melbourne | Business, pharmacy, education, IT |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | Sydney | Engineering, business, technology, medicine |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | Perth | Mining, agriculture, medicine, business |
| University of Adelaide | Adelaide | Engineering, agriculture, health sciences |
Other Universities Popular with Indonesian Students
| University | City | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RMIT University | Melbourne | Engineering, design, business, technology |
| Curtin University | Perth | Mining, engineering, business |
| Charles Darwin University | Darwin | Strong regional ties to eastern Indonesia; social work, education, health |
| Deakin University | Melbourne/Geelong | Business, health sciences, education |
| Macquarie University | Sydney | Finance, accounting, business, linguistics |
| Flinders University | Adelaide | Health sciences, social sciences, public policy |
IELTS vs PTE: Which Test for Australia?
Both IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are accepted at virtually all Australian universities and for the Subclass 500 student visa. This is different from the UK, where the test options are more restricted.
| Feature | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Results time | ~13 days (paper); 3–5 days (computer) | ~48–72 hours |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Format | Paper or computer | Computer only |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with human examiner | Recorded — no human examiner |
| Accepted for student visa | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Accepted for Australia Awards | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (check current policy) |
| Accepted for LPDP | ✅ Yes | Check LPDP's current accepted test list |
Practical advice for Indonesian students:
- IELTS is more universally accepted (including UK and other destinations) — if you might also apply to the UK or use the score for Chevening, IELTS gives you one score that covers more options
- PTE Academic's faster results (48–72 hours) are useful if you are close to application deadlines
Typical Australian university IELTS minimums:
| Level | IELTS Overall | Per-Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0–6.5 | No band below 5.5–6.0 |
| Postgraduate (master's) | 6.5–7.0 | No band below 6.0 |
| Postgraduate (MBA, medicine) | 7.0–7.5 | No band below 6.5–7.0 |
| PhD | 6.5–7.0 | No band below 6.0 |
Costs of Studying in Australia
Tuition Fees
| Programme | Annual Tuition (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (arts, business) | AUD 20,000–35,000 |
| Bachelor's (engineering, science) | AUD 25,000–40,000 |
| Bachelor's (medicine, dentistry) | AUD 45,000–65,000 |
| Master's (coursework) | AUD 22,000–40,000 |
| MBA | AUD 40,000–60,000 |
| PhD | Domestic rate (much lower) for international students who qualify |
Note on PhD fees: International PhD students at Australian universities are often offered domestic-rate tuition (AUD 1,600–2,600/semester — significantly lower than coursework international fees) if admitted with scholarship support or as a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship holder.
Living Costs
| City | Monthly Estimate (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Sydney | AUD 2,000–3,000 |
| Melbourne | AUD 1,800–2,800 |
| Brisbane | AUD 1,600–2,400 |
| Perth | AUD 1,500–2,200 |
| Adelaide | AUD 1,400–2,000 |
| Darwin | AUD 1,400–2,000 |
Accommodation is the largest cost driver — on-campus accommodation (AUD 250–500/week) vs shared private rentals (AUD 150–350/week per person) makes a significant difference.
Student Visa: Subclass 500
The Australian student visa is Subclass 500. Indonesian nationals apply online via the Australian Department of Home Affairs portal (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
Key Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) | Issued by your Australian university after you accept an offer and pay the deposit |
| IELTS/PTE score | Meeting the university minimum (and visa minimum of IELTS 5.5 overall in most cases) |
| GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) | A statement demonstrating you intend to genuinely study and return to Indonesia — the most subjective part |
| Financial evidence | Proof you can cover tuition + AUD 21,041/year living costs (official 2026 figure — check current) |
| OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) | Must be purchased for the duration of your study — university usually arranges it |
| Health and character requirements | Health examination may be required; no criminal record |
GTE Statement
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is unique to Australia's student visa. You must demonstrate that study in Australia is consistent with a temporary stay — meaning you have strong ties to Indonesia and intend to return. Key factors:
- Economic situation in Indonesia (family, property, employment history)
- Value of the Australian course for your career in Indonesia
- Your immigration history (previous visa compliance)
- Whether your family members will remain in Indonesia
The GTE assessment replaced a simpler age-based assessment. Indonesian applicants with strong employment history in Indonesia, property ties, and a clear career plan for return are generally assessed favourably.
See our Australia Student Visa for Indonesian Students guide.
Working Rights
| Period | Working Rights |
|---|---|
| During semester | 48 hours per fortnight |
| Semester breaks and holidays | Unlimited hours |
| PhD students | No restriction during enrolment (as of 2023) |
The 48 hours/fortnight limit is enforced — exceeding it is a visa condition breach. Casual work in retail, hospitality, and food service is common for Indonesian students in major Australian cities.
Post-Study Work: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
After completing an Australian bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, Indonesian graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa:
| Pathway | Duration |
|---|---|
| Graduate Work stream (trade/professional occupation) | 18 months |
| Post-Study Work stream (bachelor's/master's) | 2–4 years depending on study location (regional study = longer) |
| Post-Study Work stream (PhD) | 4 years |
The Subclass 485 allows full working rights in Australia — any job, any employer, any hours. This is a significant pathway for Indonesian graduates to gain Australian work experience before returning home.
Scholarships for Indonesians Going to Australia
| Scholarship | Who Can Apply | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | Indonesian citizens, development sector focus | Full tuition + living + airfare |
| LPDP | Indonesian citizens, approved Australian universities | Full tuition + living + airfare + research |
| University scholarships (partial) | Merit-based, per institution | Partial tuition waiver (AUD 5,000–20,000) |
| Research Training Program (RTP) | PhD applicants | Tuition waiver + living stipend (~AUD 28,000/year) |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — for Indonesian students heading to Australia, IELTS Academic (or PTE Academic) is the required test. AI-powered speaking and writing practice with instant band scores helps you reach the 6.5–7.0 needed for most Australian postgraduate programmes and competitive scholarship applications.