Studying in Australia: high living costs, Macquarie’s Rs 28.5 lakh scholarship, and Skills in Demand visa
Australia remains a significant investment for Indian students pursuing STEM degrees, with costs concentrated in its largest cities. In Sydney and Melbourne, monthly living expenses typically range from AUD 1,700 to AUD 2,700, covering accommodation, food and transport.
On top of tuition, mandatory charges include an AUD 2,000 student visa and Overseas Student Health Cover. International students are required to show AUD 29,710 for first-year living costs, though part-time work and scholarships can help offset expenses. Against that backdrop, Macquarie University has announced a scholarship worth Rs 28.5 lakh for Indian students applying to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The award combines India’s Early Acceptance Scholarship and the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, with additional funding available in select fields. Macquarie said eligible applicants must be Indian citizens, accept the offer and remain enrolled for the duration of their course.
The scholarship spans engineering, business, data science, arts, media and health sciences, with applications open through the university’s official portal. In the broader migration setting, Australia’s Skills in Demand visa allows employers to sponsor overseas workers when suitable local candidates are unavailable.
Managed by the Department of Home Affairs, the temporary work visa operates across Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement and Subsequent Entrant streams. Employers must meet nomination requirements as well as skills, English language and income threshold criteria.
Visa stays range up to four years, with extended eligibility for Hong Kong passport holders. Regional competition for international students is intensifying. Indian student enrolments in New Zealand have risen nearly 50% since 2023, a trend attributed to streamlined visa processes, extended work rights and education aligned with skill shortages.
Competitive tuition fees and government scholarships are also drawing students, with growth across all education subsectors and Private Training Establishments leading. Education New Zealand has highlighted this steady recovery as a sign of the country’s appeal as a study destination that supports student wellbeing and career pathways.
For prospective students weighing options, Australia’s high living costs remain a key consideration, even as scholarships and part-time work opportunities provide relief. Universities continue to open application windows, while visa and sponsorship pathways outline potential routes from study to skilled employment.