An MBA in Australia can be obtained using many different ways for international students. Australia is the third most popular country in the world for international students, with students from China and India being the most likely to study there.
More than 30 universities and private educational institutions offer MBA degrees, including a selection of online, executive, and specialist courses. There are currently over 100 options available to complete an MBA in Australia.
Australia is a global education center with some of the best facilities and educators in the world, offering both local and international students a wide range of quality study options.
Fast Facts You Need To Know About MBA in Australia
The Australian MBA industry is estimated to be worth $500 million annually. MBAs are offered by over 30 colleges. Currently, over 20,000 students are completing their degrees in Australia.
Australia offers over 100 MBA programs, some of which are not open to overseas students. The cost of an MBA in Australia is very competitive when compared to US and European universities, ranging from $16,000 to $126,000.
With many MBA programs, foreign students make up as much as 80% of the student body.
The top 5 countries from which international students come to Australia to study are Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, China, and India.
More than 22,000 different courses are offered to international students at 1,100 different institutions, including colleges and universities.
MBA Fees in Australia
In Australia, the average MBA cost more than $57,300 in 2024, a small rise from the previous year.
Over one hundred MBA scholarship programs are available across the country, with Melbourne University’s Senior Executive MBA (SEMBA) costing $126,000 (2020:$126,000) and the Victorian Institute of Technology’s MBA costing $16,000, among others, according to News.
The average regular MBA program in Australia now costs approximately $57,353, up from $57,306 last year, a little increase from 2021.
MBA in Australia Rankings
With top universities situated in some of the most prestigious and established business schools globally, Australia is dedicated to some of the best MBA schools in the world.
The importance of MBA rankings in Australia cannot be overstated, as business and management programs are evaluated based on employability, research quality, salary results, and the capacity to impart academic skills.
Since 2023, the Financial Review has released an annual ranking of the Best MBA program.
The University of Sydney Business School’s MBA program is recognized as the best of its kind in the country and earned the top ranking on the most current ranking in 2023.
It was followed by the University of Queensland Business School and Melbourne Business School.
Participating schools are entitled to a total of 100 points: 35 points come from data provided by the institutions, and 55 points come from a survey of recent graduates who have graduated within the last three years.
Based on Excellence in Research Australia reports that universities submit for books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journals, and conference papers, business school professors are assigned 10 points for their research output.
TOP Survey – 2023 MBA Rankings
Business School Ranking: #1The University of Sydney’s Business School and the University of Queensland’s Business School
- Melbourne Business School
- Griffith University, Griffith Business School
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Business School
- the Queensland University of Technology Graduate School of Business
- University of South Australia Business School
- Curtin Graduate School of Business
- Central Queensland University’s School of Business & Law
- Bond Business School,
- Deakin University, Deakin Business School
- La Trobe University, La Trobe Business School
- Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong
- University of Southern Queensland’s School of Management & Enterprise
- Victoria University’s Victoria Graduate School of Business
International Student Visas
As a foreign student with a student visa, you are required to enrol in courses and study at institutions listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Your CRICOS registration ensures that the course and the university you attend live up to the high standards that international students demand. This page on Study in Australia allows you to search for programs and universities.
For VET and higher education institutions, there are quality assurance and regulating bodies in addition to the ESOS Act and National Code.
The accreditation of courses and the registration or re-registration of institutions fall under the purview of these government agencies. These establishments are:
So no matter the type of course you want to study, how long you want to study for or where you want to study, you can be assured that in Australia you will have a high-quality and rewarding study experience.
Work Visa after completing MBA in Australia
After earning your MBA in Australia, you can qualify for a visa that enables you to stay, work, and study for further studies there. Students may apply once as an initial applicant for a Temporary Graduate Visa (SUBCLASS 485).
There are two pathways for this temporary graduate visa:
- Graduate Workflow: This visa is meant for overseas students who have just completed their studies and possess credentials and abilities that apply to specific employment opportunities in Australia. It permits temporary residence, study, and work in Australia.
- The Post-Study Workflow: International students who have just received their degree from an Australian university are eligible for this visa. It permits temporary residence, employment, and study in Australia.
The primary applicant for whom the application is intended must be present in Australia at the time of applying for a visa and also when his/her visa is decided.
For more information on these visas, you can visit Australia’s Office of Home Affairs.
Living in Australia
Being a resident of Australia will be unfamiliar to many overseas students, so you might need to adapt. The World Happiness Report of 2017 ranks Australia as one of the happiest nations on earth, which is the primary factor behind five of the top 30 global student cities.
Research and preparation are essential for ensuring a secure and fulfilling study experience, regardless of the kind of study you are pursuing in Australia and how long you expect to stay.
When your visa has been confirmed and you have been granted admission to study for an MBA in Australia, you must begin making travel arrangements. These are some of the key things to consider:
- Accommodation
- Working while you study
- Living costs
What to expect
Obtaining an MBA in Australia gives you the following benefits:
- A combination of academic and practical knowledge that gives you the fundamental abilities and resources you need to solve problems in the workplace.
- An extensive array of excellent theoretical perspectives in the fields of leadership, psychology, human behavior, measurement, economics, and governance.
- chances to interact with the Australian business community as a context for expanding your knowledge across a range of subject areas.
- Possibilities to study areas like statistics, competitive dynamics, and microeconomics that are not included in the core business curricula.
How to apply
Education is an important part of the Australian economy, and the country and its universities are very friendly to international students.
The process of applying to be an international student is quite simple, as long as you follow a few steps.
- Step 1 – Find a course
Not all courses are available for international students. A full list of courses is available here.
- Step 2 – Check the course is suitable
Before you apply ensure that you meet all of the requirements for entry.
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- Did you meet the application deadline for your course?
- Do you meet the entry requirements for your course?
- Have you met the English proficiency requirements?
- Have you verified the course fees, including living expenses?
- Have you considered the expense of International Student Health Coverage (OSHC)?
- Do you qualify for a loan? Some courses may allow you to receive financing for ahead of academic studies.
- Do you have all of your documents? Documents is extremely important in Australian universities. Ensure that you have the necessary documentation from your previous studies (award certificates, academic transcripts, etc.). In some situations, you may be required to submit a proof of English proficiency
- Step 3 – Confirm your English proficiency
Australian MBA courses are taught in English. Many courses require confirmation of a medium to high level of English proficiency before accepting an application.
- Step 4 – Submit your application
There are two options for submitting your application: one is to Apply directly to the university/course provider and the second one is to Apply through an agent
- Step 5 – Accept your offer
If your application is successful your university will notify you. As part of this process ensure you receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE).
This confirmation of enrolment is critical to your application for a student visa.
- Step 6 – Apply for a visa
International students require a student visa in order to study in Australia.
A detailed overview of the student visa requirements and process is available here. The process of applying for a student visa depends on which country you apply from and the type of study you’re applying for.
The student visa application process can be involved and for this reason, students in some countries apply for their student visa using the help of a registered Australian education agent.
- Step 7 – Prepare to move
Moving to a new country can be stressful, so give yourself up to two weeks to settle in before starting your MBA. Make sure you have visas, housing, transportation to your hotel, and proper apparel.
You must get to know your new city. The majority of state governments have created detailed websites to help students adapt to studying in Australia.
- Step 8 – Get studying
The quality of MBAs in Australia is outstanding. You will need to study diligently and devote many hours to studying and attending lectures. But don’t forget to enjoy everything Australia has to offer.