Arts degrees are expensive due to funding settings and delivery costs. For domestic students, the Job-ready Graduates model placed higher student contributions on many humanities disciplines. For international students, tuition reflects full fees, studio resources, and market demand, which vary by university and city.
Studio-based visual arts also require specialised equipment, workshops, and technical staff. These add to delivery costs compared with lecture-based subjects. Scholarships and fee waivers exist at some universities, and domestic students can use HECS-HELP loans.
International students pay full fees (no subsidy at all)
- For international students:
- There is no government subsidy
- Universities charge market-rate fees
Arts degrees are popular with international students because:
- Flexible subject choices
- Lower entry barriers than medicine or law
- Strong pathways to further study or migration-linked careers
High demand + no subsidy = high sticker price
International students should compare full-fee prices, facilities, and industry outcomes before choosing a program. Review creative study options at compare Australian courses and fees and check related creative fields like architecture courses with design studios.
