How to Apply for Australian Universities?
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows Indian nationals to pursue their desired course of study at the post-secondary level by helping them earn nationally accredited and internationally recognised degree programs.
The eligibility and other requirements for different courses and degree types might vary depending on the university. International applicants need to understand these requirements to better equip themselves for entering Australian universities easily.
- Applying for Australian Universities: An Overview
- Study Intakes in Australia for 2025-26
- How to Apply for Universities in Australia?
- Guidelines for Bachelor's Courses in Australia
- Guidelines for Master's Courses in Australia
- Step-by-Step Guidance on Australian Universities Admission Process
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
Applying for Australian Universities: An Overview
- In 2023, around 95,000 international students went to Australia to pursue higher education.
- This is due to academic excellence and the overall higher quality of education they impart to them.
- Similar to India, Australia also has a K-12 education system, making the transition of Indian applicants into a global education scenario easy.
- Hence, the Australian education system provides a welcoming environment to applicants.
Study Intakes in Australia for 2025-26
- The academic calendar for 2025-26 in Australian universities will commence in February 2025, also known as Semester 1 or Term 1.
- This is the primary intake in Australia. Additionally, there is a secondary intake, Semester 2 or Term 2, which begins in July 2025.
- Some institutions also offer a Semester 3 or Term 3 intake in November, limited to selected programs.
| Intakes | Application Duration | Commencement of Classes | Type of Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Feb intake) | September-December 2024 | February/Early March 2025 | All courses |
| Semester 2 (July intake) | February-May 2025 | July/Early August 2025 | Majority of Courses |
| Semester 3 (November intake) | June-September 2025 | November/December 2025 | Some selected courses |
How to Apply for Universities in Australia?
The eligibility criteria, document checklists, and application process might depend on the universities and courses as discussed below.
Guidelines for Bachelor's Courses in Australia
Where to Apply?
Applicants can visit the official university website to apply for an undergraduate degree course in Australia.
Academic Requirements
Indian applicants are required to have
- 10+2 level of education in any government-recognised school of CBSE/ISC or state boards.
- 2-3 subjects at 10+2 level relevant to their aspiring study program.
- Average marks of 65-80% in best 3-4 subjects at 10+2 level (except English Core and non-academic subjects).
- Applicants are required to complete a bridge or foundation course if they cannot fulfill the academic requirements or lack knowledge of relevant subjects.
University-Specific Standardised Exam
- Some Australian universities prefer admitting students to their UG courses based on the entrance test scores such as STAT (Special Tertiary Admission Test) and UCAT ANZ (University Aptitude Clinical Test).
English Language Proficiency Requirements
- The minimum scores in the English language proficiency tests are tabulated below.
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 79-90 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5-7.5 |
| PTE | 64-80 |
- Special Conditions for English Proficiency Test Waiver:
- 70-75% grade in an English Core subject at 10+2 level OR
- Enrollment in a university-specific English entry course before joining the main study course. OR
- Completed an ELICOS program before joining the study course. OR
- The primary mode of instruction in the previous educational setting was English.
Age-Related Requirements
- The minimum age of an international applicant should be at least 18 years.
- Applicants are required to submit a consent signed duly by their legal parents and guardian if they are unable to fulfill the above age criteria.
Other Requirements
- Applicants for certain courses, such as arts, design, and music, are required to submit a portfolio or appear in an interview.
Documents Checklist
The following are the documents required to submit while applying for an undergraduate program at an Australian university.
- Original previous academic documents
- 10th marksheet
- 10th passing Certificate
- 12th marksheet
- 12th passing certificate
- School leaving certificate
- Transfer certificate, signed by the school principal
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE etc.)
- University application form
- University application fee (AUD 50-100 or INR 2,700-5,500)
- 1 Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement (if required)
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- 1 CV/Resume
- Portfolio (if required)
- Passport
- Proof of funds to cover the tuition and living expenses (depending on the university)
- Health and medical fitness report
- Certificate for Extracurricular activities (if any)
Guidelines for Master's Courses in Australia
Where to Apply?
The application process for a master’s course in Australia can be completed through the university’s official website.
Academic Requirements
Indian applicants are required to have
- 3-4 years of an undergraduate degree in the subjects relevant to an aspiring master’s course from any government-recognised college or university.
- GPA or average marks (WAS) of 60-80%.
Standardised Exams
- For medical or law-related courses, applicants are required to appear in the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and LSAT (Law School Admission Test), respectively.
- For business and management courses, applicants are required to appear in the GMAT exam. However, this depends on the courses and universities.
- Applicants for science, engineering, and technical courses are required to take the GRE. However, this requirement depends on the courses and universities.
Foundation Course
If the applicants have not completed a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study, they are required to complete the foundation course, which lasts 1-1.5 years.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
- The minimum scores in the English language proficiency tests are tabulated below.
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80-100 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5-7.5 |
| PTE | 64-80 |
- The minimum scores in the English language proficiency tests are tabulated below.On a case-to-case basis, universities also offer a waiver on English language proficiency tests provided that the medium of instruction of the previous undergraduate degree program is English.
Other Requirements
- Applicants for courses in arts, design, and business management are required to submit a portfolio or appear in an interview.
Documents Checklist
The following are the documents required to submit when applying for a master’s program at an Australian university.
- Original previous academic documents
- Undergraduate marksheets of all years
- UG degree certificate
- College/university passing certificate
- Transfer certificate
- Migration certificate
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) or MOI certificate.
- University application form
- University application fee (AUD 50-100 or INR 2,700-5,500)
- GRE/GMAT scorecard (if required)
- 1-2 Statements of Purpose or Personal Statement (if required)
- 1-2 Letters of Recommendation
- 1 CV/Resume
- Portfolio (if required)
- Passport
- Proof of funds to cover the tuition and living expenses (depending on the university)
- Health and medical fitness report
- Work experience letter (if required)
- Certificate for Extracurricular activities (if any)
Step-by-Step Guidance on Australian Universities Admission Process
Below, we have provided step-by-step guidance on the Australian universities admission process, which will help applicants understand how to streamline their application for their desired course of study and institutes.
Pre-Application Process
- Start researching the details about the desired course of study, such as its benefits, academic and professional advantages, and relevance to your career prospects.
- Enlist the top and popular universities in Australia that provide the course of your choice. You can take help from the table we have included above to get insight into rankings, tuition fees, and popular courses.
- Enlist at least 8-10 Australian universities and visit their official websites.
- Check the tuition fees, career pathway, curriculum, and other relevant details, such as entry requirements and eligibility criteria.
- Decide the intake for which you are interested to apply.
- Shortlist at least 7-8 universities that provide the desired course based on budget, location, academic reputation, etc.
- Stay updated with the application dates and deadlines on the universities’ official websites.
- Arrange and gather the required documents 8-12 months before the commencement of the desired intake because completing the application might take time.
Application Process
- Visit the official websites of the universities and check the date of commencement of the application window.
- Start applying for the desired course by creating an account and signing in.
- Fill in the relevant details in the university application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Depending on the university, course level, and program, you may required to submit the English language proficiency test and GMAT/GRE scorecards later on if you have not appeared in those tests or cannot arrange them by that time.
- Pay the application fee (if required).
- Submit the form and take out the printout of the confirmation receipt.
- Australian universities typically announce the results in 5-7 weeks.
- Depending on the course and university, selected candidates will be called for an interview.
- After completing the above processes, you will receive an unconditional offer letter from the university.
- You will be required to submit the pending documents, such as language proficiency and GMAT/GRE scorecards (if applicable), and pay the initial installments of your tuition fees.
- After fulfilling the above requirements, you will get a confirmed offer letter or certificate of enrollment.
- Now, you can proceed with your student visa application.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
Studying in Australia offers several benefits to international students, such as high academic excellence and quality of education, employment opportunities, and exposure to different cultures.
The application process to study at Australian universities is simple and can be completed successfully under expert guidance, which we provide here at AdmitX.
FAQs
How do I get admitted to an Australian university?
To get admission into an Australian university, you must fulfill specific eligibility criteria depending on your course level and academic program. For bachelor’s programs, you should have completed senior secondary education; for master’s programs, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Is it easy to get admission in Australia?
To plan to study in Australia, you should have sufficient knowledge about eligibility criteria, documents, and the application process, which will help you streamline the process and make it less complex.
Which intake is better for Australia?
Almost all of the major study programs in Australia are available in Semester 1 or February intake, so you can go for it, especially if you are considering taking admission into bachelor’s or master’s programs because universities in Australia provide a wide variety of regular programs in this intake.
How long does it take to receive an offer letter to study in Australia?
The time taken by Australian universities to issue an offer letter varies based on the university, the specific course or program, and their application processing times.
Is IELTS required to study at Australian universities?
Besides IELTS, other English language proficiency tests, such as TOEFL and PTE, are also accepted by Australian universities. In some cases, applicants may qualify for a language test waiver, depending on the university, course, and academic or professional background.
