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Australia vs Japan: which should you study in?
Both are strong destinations, and the honest answer depends on your budget, your grades and whether you want to stay on after graduating. Here is the side-by-side.
Australia vs Japan, line by line
| Metric | Australia | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $20,500 | ≈ $10,000 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,500 | ≈ $3,200 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $29,000 | ≈ $5,400 |
| Total per year | ≈ $49,500 | ≈ $15,400 |
| Post-study work | 2 years | 1 years |
| Work while studying | 24 h/week | 28 h/week |
| PR pathway | strong | moderate |
| Institutions | 31 | 13 |
| Courses listed | 120 | 46 |
| World rank | #19 | #32 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 79% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 6.6 |
Which one fits you?
Choose Australia if…
- ✓you want longer post-study work rights (2 years)
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (31 here)
- ✓settling permanently matters to you
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose Japan if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $10,500 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $3,200 a year)
The short version
Japan is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while Australia gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Australia has the stronger pathway.
Australia
Subclass 500 student visa. Financial capacity requirement is AUD 29,710/yr of living costs. The Temporary Graduate visa (485) gives 2 years for bachelor's/coursework master's and 3 for research degrees and PhDs; skilled occupations feed a points-based PR system.
Japan
Student visa. Graduates can switch to a job-hunting stay and then a work visa; MEXT scholarships cover tuition plus stipend.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in Australia or Japan?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — Japan works out cheaper. Tuition in Australia starts around $21,500 a year against $3,200 in Japan, and living costs run $$20,500 versus $$10,000 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, Australia or Japan?
Australia allows 2 year(s) of post-study work and Japan allows 1. During term, students can work up to 24 hours a week in Australia and 28 hours in Japan.
Which is easier to get into, Australia or Japan?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in Australia and 79% in Japan, with English requirements of IELTS 6.5 and 6.6 respectively. Entry difficulty varies far more by institution than by country.
Other comparisons
Estimated figures. Tuition, living costs and entry benchmarks on this page are estimates for guidance and comparison. Always confirm exact figures with the institution before you apply.
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