“Honestly… if this keeps going, my wallet won’t survive.”

When people talk about studying in Australia, what’s the most “reliable” thing?

Not the sunshine and beaches.

Not the café brunch culture.

It’s tuition fees — the kind of “reliability” that climbs year after year.

Every time the QS rankings are released and everyone’s still busy reposting, many students (and parents) are already seeing a familiar email land in their inbox:

“Fee adjustment notice.”

The number goes up.

And a lot of budgets suddenly feel a lot tighter.

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01 So how much have international student fees increased?

Here’s a set of widely cited figures (reported in media coverage, including statistics referenced by The Sydney Morning Herald):

• 583 courses across Australia reportedly now exceed AUD $250,000 in total tuition
• Some degrees have been reported at close to — or even above — AUD $850,000
• International tuition can be several times higher than domestic fees, with some courses showing a significant gap

At this level, it’s no longer “a bit pricey”.

It’s the point where many families start asking a serious question:

How do we plan this education investment properly — without overcommitting?

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02 Which courses are costing hundreds of thousands of dollars?

The highest total-cost programs are still concentrated in specific fields at certain universities, such as:

• Medicine and related health disciplines
• Dentistry
• Long-duration double degrees (e.g., some engineering/law combinations)

For example:

• Some UNSW medicine-related combined programs, due to their length, can add up to a very high total tuition figure.
• The University of Sydney programs in medicine/dentistry are also often positioned in the upper fee bracket.

Across the most expensive programs, medicine and dentistry frequently make up a large share.

And to be fair: these fields usually come with higher professional barriers to entry — and strong long-term value.

But the key point is this:

High cost only makes sense for the right student, with the right plan.

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03 It’s not just medicine — business, IT and engineering are also moving

If you think, “As long as it’s not medicine, it won’t be too stressful,” it’s worth checking the numbers early.

In recent years, many popular programs have also seen fee increases to varying degrees:

• Business: often adjusted annually, sometimes by several thousand dollars
• IT / Computer Science: fees are frequently updated across both undergraduate and postgraduate programs
• Engineering: typically remains in a higher fee range overall

A budget that felt realistic at enrolment can need revisiting mid-degree — because for many students, tuition isn’t a one-off fixed cost.

It’s closer to:

A cost that can shift year by year.

And if you extend your study, change programs, or add time,

the total can exceed your original plan faster than expected.

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04 If fees are rising, why is demand still so strong?

For many students and families, the reasons are practical.

1) The qualification is widely recognised — in Australia and overseas

For many Chinese international students, Australia isn’t just about “staying after graduation”.

In reality:

• Degrees from higher-ranked universities are often well regarded in recruitment and talent policies.
• For those returning to China, some cities and sectors may value overseas study backgrounds in competitive processes.
• For students planning further study, an Australian qualification can broaden pathways into more advanced programs locally and globally.

A strong Australian degree can mean more options — not only one destination.

2) Australia offers real-world support while you study

Compared with some destinations, Australia provides a relatively practical environment for balancing study and experience:

• Legal part-time work while studying
• A structured framework around work rights
• A minimum wage baseline that many students find meaningful in budgeting

In short:

Even with high fees, many students can offset some living costs through work, and there is often a clearer post-study window than in some other markets.

3) Smart planners focus on value — not just prestige

If you look closely, the biggest financial pressure is not always “tuition itself”.

It’s often when the pathway doesn’t match the student.

Among students entering Australian education:

• Some choose the longest and most expensive “top-tier” route
• Others use pathways, credit transfer, or bridging options to reach the same end goal more efficiently
• Some weigh reputation, budget, career fit, and personal strengths together — instead of chasing rankings alone

The result?

Costs can differ dramatically, but the career starting point may be surprisingly similar.

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05 The real question isn’t “Will fees keep rising?”

It’s:

• Is my current study plan sustainable over the long term?
• Is there a safer option that fits my goals and budget better?
• Does my post-study direction match what I’m investing today?
• If I return home later, will my study background be competitive enough?

Especially if you’re currently studying:

• Higher-fee programs in business, IT, or engineering
• Longer, high-load degrees
• Or you’re already feeling financial pressure

A timely review and re-plan can be one of the most sensible decisions you make.

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06 Being able to afford it doesn’t mean it’s the best route — the key is fit

Studying in Australia can still be a high-value choice — but only if the pathway is intentional and aligned with you.

Two people can aim for the same academic or career outcome:

• One achieves it through a high-cost route
• Another gets there through smarter structuring and more cost-effective planning

Often, the difference isn’t the university itself.

It’s whether you did the research and made informed decisions at the key turning points.

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If you’re weighing tuition, course choices, or future direction

It may be worth sitting down and mapping out:

• Is my current pathway realistic for my budget and circumstances?
• Are there alternative options that fit my background and goals better?
• If I optimise now, would that be better than pushing through and hoping it works out?

If you’d like an objective, structured view of your options, our team at Riverwood Migration can help you review your situation and identify sensible pathways — before cost and stress pile up unnecessarily.

📅 Book a lawyer consultation: https://calendly.com/getprfaster

📧 Email: enquiry@riverwoodmigration.com

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