The three main pathways for students from Japan, South Korea, and Italy are:
| Visa Pathway | Best For | Work Rights | Study Limit |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | Long-term, full-time study ( > 3 months) | Yes (Part-time). 48 hours per fortnight. | No limit (must be full-time). |
| Working Holiday visa (417) | Working, traveling, and short-term study | Yes (Full-time). | Up to 4 months (17 weeks). |
| Visitor visa (600/601) | Short-term “taster” courses | No. | Up to 3 months. |
This is the main Australia student visa for full-time students. It requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your school and allows part-time work.
This visa is available for citizens of Japan, South Korea, and Italy (ages 18-35 for Italy, 18-30 for Japan/South Korea). It’s a popular student Visa in Australia alternative, allowing full-time work and up to 4 months of study.
This visa is for short-term study (up to 3 months) and strictly prohibits work.
For a full breakdown, read our Australia Student Visa Guide. Always check the official rules at the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Australia offers a high quality of life, but it is also one of the more expensive study destinations. The total cost of studying in Australia will vary based on your city and lifestyle, but you will need to budget for tuition, accommodation, food, and transport.
Australia has a wide range of tuition fees that vary significantly between public schools, private institutions, and universities. Below are estimated annual fees for international students. English language schools are typically billed weekly.
Fees are estimates and vary by institution, city, and program. University fees for specialized degrees like medicine can be significantly higher.
Type of School | Estimated Tuition Fee (AUD) | Estimated Tuition Fee (JPY) |
English Language Schools | $435 – $600 per week | |
Elementary Schools | $17,000 – $23,000 per year | |
High Schools | $18,000 – $28,000 per year | |
Universities | $20,000 – $50,000 per year | |
Vocational Schools | $6,000 – $28,000 per course/year |
Your total cost of studying in Australia will include accommodation, food, transport, and utilities. The Australian government requires you to have access to AUD $29,710 for your first year of living costs.
Below is an estimated monthly budget for a single international student in a major city like Sydney.
Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost (AUD) | Estimated Monthly Cost (JPY) |
Accommodation (Shared) | $1,200 – $1,800 | |
Food & Groceries | $400 – $600 | |
Transport (Public) | $150 – $200 | |
Utilities & Phone | $150 – $250 | |
Total Estimated Monthly | $1,900 – $2,850 |
Many international students in Australia can work. The rules for work while studying in Australia depend on your visa type. It is essential to know and follow the rules for your specific visa.
A Student visa is for full-time study with part-time work, while a Working Holiday visa is for full-time work with limited study.
Visa Type | Work Rules | Study Limit |
Student visa (subclass 500) | Yes (Part-time). 48 hours per fortnight (24 hours/week). | No limit (must be full-time student). |
Working Holiday visa (417) | Yes (Full-time). | Yes (Limited). Up to 4 months. |
Visitor visa (600/651) | No. Not permitted. | Yes (Limited). Up to 3 months. |
Before you start working, apply for a TFN (Tax File Number). If you don’t give this to your employer, you will be taxed at the highest rate (approx. 47%) instead of the lower student rate.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is for international students who complete a higher education degree (like a Bachelor’s or Master’s) or some eligible VET courses Australia offers. An English course is a pathway to help you qualify for those courses, but it is not the qualification itself.
Completing only an English language course does not make you eligible for a post-study work visa.
Read our full guide on Working in Australia on a Student Visa.
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