International students typically pay between 30,000 and 45,000 Australian dollars per year for a Bachelor of Arts or Fine Arts. Costs vary by university, location, and studio intensity. Domestic students in Commonwealth supported places pay a student contribution set by the government and can use HECS-HELP.
Budget for additional expenses such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee, materials, field trips, Overseas Student Health Cover, and living costs. Studio-based visual arts often require supplies and printing, which add to the total. Scholarships are available at some universities.
Beyond tuition, students typically need to budget for living expenses. These aren’t charged by the uni but are real cost factors:
- Accommodation: ~ AUD 7,200 – 18,000 per year
- Food & groceries: ~ AUD 3,000 – 7,200 per year
- Transport & utilities: Several hundred to a few thousand per year
- Health insurance (OSHC): ~ AUD 450 – 700 per year
(estimates — can vary by city and lifestyle)Other Costs - Student Services & Amenities Fee: up to a few hundred AUD yearly (varies by uni
- Books & materials: AUD 500 – 1,000+ per year
- Visa application & health cover: visa ~ AUD 700+, OSHC ~ AUD 500-700/year for international students
So a realistic total annual cost of study + living for many international students is typically AUD 30,000 – 60,000+ per year, depending on city (Sydney/Melbourne is higher, smaller cities cheaper).
International students must also meet financial capacity requirements for the Student Visa Subclass 500. Compare program fees and structures at find tuition fees and course details in Australia and review adjacent creative programs like architecture degrees including design studio requirements.
