Study in Australia 2026: A comprehensive A-Z guide for Vietnamese students

1. How to Choose the Right Course for Studying in Australia

Choosing the right course and institution is a crucial step that can significantly impact both your academic journey and future career opportunities. International students should carefully consider factors such as personal interests, academic abilities, career goals, and long-term plans, including opportunities for migration in Australia. Rightway recommends considering the following five key factors when planning your study journey in Australia:

• A field of study you are passionate about
• A course that matches your academic strengths and abilities
• Choosing a course and institution that align with your family’s financial capacity
• A field with strong future employment demand
• A course listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) if your goal is permanent residency (PR)

Some of the most popular fields of study among international students include Information Technology (IT), Engineering, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Graphic Design, and Building Drafting.

Read more: Top In-Demand Courses with Strong Job Prospects in Australia 2026  

2. Study Fields with Strong Permanent Residency (PR) Opportunities in Australia

If your goal is to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia after graduation, choosing a course that aligns with occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) is highly important. Below are some high-demand fields currently experiencing workforce shortages and offering strong migration opportunities across many Australian states and territories:

• Nursing - High demand in both metropolitan and regional areas, consistently ranked among the top pathways for migration.
• Early Childhood Education - Ongoing shortage of qualified educators across major cities and regional communities.
• Social Work - Strong demand for professionals supporting community services and mental health care.
• Engineering - Particularly in civil, construction, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
• Information Technology (IT) - Including software engineering, data analytics, programming, and cybersecurity roles.
• Medical Imaging - A high-demand healthcare field listed on the skilled occupation list, with strong demand in public hospitals and medical centres.

The above fields are currently included in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), providing favourable pathways for skilled migration visas such as Subclass 189, 190, 491, as well as employer-sponsored visas like 482 and 186.

3. Choosing the Right Institution and City for Studying in Australia

Australia offers a diverse education system with a wide range of study options for international students:

• Group of Eight (Go8): Australia’s leading universities, including The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, and Monash University, are globally recognised for academic excellence, research, and international reputation.
• Other Public Universities: Institutions such as Deakin University, La Trobe University, Western Sydney University, Griffith University, and the University of South Australia (UniSA) provide high-quality education with more affordable tuition fees compared to Go8 universities, while still maintaining strong global recognition.
• TAFE: Australia’s public vocational education system offers practical, hands-on learning, shorter study durations, and strong employment outcomes.
• Reputable Private Colleges: Often provide flexible study schedules, multiple intakes throughout the year, emerging course options, and personalised student support.

When choosing a study destination, it is important to consider factors such as quality of life, tuition and living costs, employment opportunities, and migration pathways:

• Sydney & Melbourne: Vibrant cities with many top-ranked institutions and strong job opportunities, but generally higher living costs.
  Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide: Offer a good balance between lifestyle, affordability, and career opportunities, with favourable pathways for visas such as Subclass 491 and 190.
  Tasmania & Darwin: Lower competition, more affordable living costs, and strategic choices for students seeking long-term migration opportunities in Australia.

Rightway's advice: Choose an institution that aligns with your academic ability, family budget, and long-term career goals, especially if your preferred occupation is on Australia’s skilled migration list. Rather than focusing solely on prestige, prioritise the option that best supports your future success.

4. What Are the Costs of Studying in Australia?

The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on the institution, course, and city you choose. However, international students should generally prepare for the following key expenses:

• Tuition Fees: On average, tuition fees range from AUD 15,000 to AUD 55,000 per year, depending on your level of study and field of education.
• Living Expenses: This includes accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. Based on current requirements, students should budget approximately AUD 29,710 per year for living costs.
• OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover): OSHC is mandatory for all international students and generally costs around AUD 600 - 750 per year, depending on the provider and coverage period.
• Additional Costs: These may include visa application fees, airfares, study materials, learning equipment, uniforms (if applicable), and personal setup expenses.

The total cost of studying in Australia will depend on your chosen city, lifestyle, and personal spending habits.

5. Scholarships for Studying in Australia

Australia offers a wide range of attractive scholarships for international students, helping to significantly reduce the cost of studying abroad if you prepare your application early.

• Common Types of Scholarships: These include government-funded scholarships such as the Australia Awards, university-specific scholarships, and merit-based scholarships for international students with strong academic performance.
• How to Increase Your Chances of Receiving a Scholarship: To maximise your scholarship opportunities, you should maintain strong academic results, achieve the required IELTS or PTE English language scores, participate in extracurricular activities, and stay updated with scholarship announcements from your chosen institution or through Rightway’s education consultants.
• Rightway’s Support: Rightway’s experienced team will help you identify the most suitable scholarship opportunities, prepare a professional scholarship application, and improve your chances of success. Even if you do not receive a full scholarship, you may still be eligible for tuition fee reductions ranging from 10% to 50% at many Australian institutions. To date, Rightway has successfully helped thousands of students secure scholarships for their study journey in Australia.

6. Working Part-Time While Studying

International students in Australia are allowed to work part-time while studying, helping them cover living expenses and gain valuable work experience.

• Current Regulations: Since 2023, international students have been permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, with unlimited working hours during official semester breaks. The current national minimum wage is AUD 26,44 per hour, although this rate may increase on 1 July each year following the annual wage review.
• Popular Part-Time Jobs: Many students choose flexible roles such as café staff, retail assistants, receptionists, tutor assistants, supermarket employees, childcare workers, or on-campus positions. Some students are also able to secure jobs related to their field of study as early as their second or third year.

Important Note: Working within your visa conditions not only provides additional income but also helps you develop valuable soft skills, build professional networks, and enhance your career prospects after graduation.

7. Accommodation, Transportation, and Buying a Used Car

When studying in Australia, finding accommodation and transportation is an important part of helping you adapt to your new life.

• Common Accommodation Options: International students can choose to stay in a homestay (living with a local family), on-campus student accommodation, or rent a property and share the costs with friends. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your budget and lifestyle. Read more in our article: Tips for Renting Accommodation in Australia.
• Trusted Rental Apps: Some apps and websites commonly used by international students include Flatmates, Domain, and Realestate.com.au, making it easy and safe to find a room, apartment, or rental house.
• Transportation and Buying a Used Car: You can use Myki, Opal, or Metrocard, depending on the state or territory, to travel by train, bus, or tram. If you want more flexibility, many students from their second year onwards choose to buy a used car to save time and reduce transportation costs. Don’t forget to check the required CTP  insurance, vehicle registration (rego), and ensure you have a valid international driver’s licence or obtain an Australian driver’s licence.

Rightway can advise you on how to rent accommodation legally, buy a used car safely, arrange insurance, and obtain a driver’s licence in accordance with the regulations in each state or territory.

8. Health Insurance and Healthcare - A Requirement for Studying in Australia

• What is OSHC?

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory health insurance for all international students studying in Australia. It helps cover part of the costs of medical treatment, hospital care, prescription medicines, and emergency services during your stay in Australia. Students are required to maintain OSHC for the entire duration of their Subclass 500 student visa.

• Hospitals and Clinics for International Students

International students can receive medical care at GP clinics, public hospitals, or health centres on campus. Some OSHC providers have direct billing arrangements with healthcare facilities, allowing you to access many basic medical services without paying upfront (bulk billing). In an emergency, you can call 000 for immediate medical assistance.

Note: You should read your insurance policy carefully to understand what benefits are covered and the claims process if reimbursement is required.

9. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Subclass 485 visa provides international students with the opportunity to remain in Australia after graduation, gain work experience, and potentially expand their pathway to permanent residency.

Basic Requirements:

• Have completed a registered course of at least 92 weeks in Australia
• Meet the required English language proficiency (IELTS, PTE, etc.)
• Have Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) and lodge the application within 6 months after graduation
• Have completed the course over a minimum period of 16 month.

Visa duration:

For Vietnamese citizens, depending on the completed qualification, graduates may be granted a visa valid for between 18 months and 5 years (including extensions), with current policies providing longer durations for those who studied in regional areas.

Application Preparation Steps

• Obtain the completion letter and official academic transcript
• Complete a Skills Assessment if applying under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream
• Prepare an Australian police check and purchase OVHC
• Lodge the application online through ImmiAccount with all required documents
• Complete the health examination after submitting the visa application

The Subclass 485 visa is an important stepping stone that allows you to work legally while improving your chances of obtaining permanent residency in Australia.

10. Skilled Migration Opportunities

Many international students choose to stay in Australia after graduation through the Skilled Migration pathway or Employer Sponsored Visa, which are among the most common migration pathways.

Study - Work - Migration Pathway

After graduating in Australia, you may apply for a Subclass 485 visa to remain and work, gain experience in your field of study, and then apply for permanent residency through skilled migration visa pathways. Choosing the right course from the beginning can help you save time and increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Skilled Occupation List (SOL/MLTSSL)

The Australian Government publishes a list of high-demand occupations through the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Occupations on this list are often prioritised for migration and may be eligible for Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas.

Common Permanent Residency Visas or Pathways to Permanent Residency

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): Does not require state or regional sponsorship. It is highly competitive and generally requires a minimum of 65 points.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Requires nomination by a state or territory government. Applicants are usually expected to commit to living and working in the nominating state for two years.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): A five-year provisional visa that requires applicants to live and work in a regional area and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
• Subclass 482/186/494: These visas are for applicants who are sponsored by eligible employers in Australia.

11. Rightway’s Study Abroad Services

Rightway supports you throughout your entire study journey in Australia - from the very first step of planning to settling into life in Australia.

Guidance on choosing the right course to expand migration opportunities

We do not just help you choose a school; we also help you build a study pathway that aligns with employment demand and migration policies in Australia.

End-to-end study abroad application services

From applying for an Offer Letter, providing guidance on writing explanations, preparing financial evidence, assisting with the GS Statement, to lodging your Subclass 500 student visa application, our experienced consultants will support and guide you through every step.

School transfer, visa extension, and parent visa applications

Rightway assists you with transferring schools if your current course is no longer suitable. We also help with visa extensions if your course duration is extended for various reasons. In addition, Rightway supports eligible families in applying for visas for accompanying parents (Guardian Visa - Subclass 590).

Ongoing support in both Vietnam and Australia

With offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne, and Adelaide, we are ready to support you at any time, no matter which time zone you are in.

By choosing Rightway, you are not only gaining assistance with paperwork but also a reliable partner throughout your study and migration journey in Australia. We are committed to this promise: if any Rightway client encounters difficulties in Australia, our team will always do our best to help, even if the issue is unrelated to studying.