Vietnamese Students: How to Study in Australia and Build Your Future

TL;DR

Vietnam is a priority source country for Australian international education, but tighter entry requirements — higher English scores, bigger financial proof, and the genuine student test — have made applications more demanding. Choose your course and institution carefully. The right combination sets you up for post-study work rights and a pathway toward permanent residence.

Introduction

Australia has long been one of the most popular study destinations for Vietnamese students. As of early 2026, approximately 24,800 Vietnamese students are enrolled across Australian institutions, with the majority in higher education.

But the landscape has shifted. New Vietnamese enrolments dropped over 40% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Higher visa fees, raised English requirements, increased financial proof thresholds, and reduced post-study work rights have all played a role. At the same time, Australia has explicitly named Southeast Asia — including Vietnam — as a priority region for international education.

This creates an unusual dynamic: Australia wants Vietnamese students, but the bar to get in is higher than before. Students who prepare well and choose strategically still have excellent prospects. This guide walks through the entire journey — from applying for your student visa to planning life after graduation. For the broader picture, see the Vietnam to Australia overview.

Student visa (subclass 500): what you need

The student visa (subclass 500) is your starting point. Here is what the application requires.

### Genuine student requirement

This is the most important part of your application. The genuine student (GS) requirement replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in March 2024. Under the new system, you answer targeted questions in your online ImmiAccount application, each capped at 150 words:

- Why this course? Show a logical connection between your previous education, this course, and your career goals.
- Why this institution? Demonstrate you chose this provider for educational quality, not just cost or location.
- Why Australia? Explain why Australia is the right choice for your circumstances compared to studying in Vietnam or elsewhere.
- Your current circumstances. Family ties, financial situation, and other factors that show you have thought this decision through.

Key difference from the old GTE: The new system explicitly recognises that genuine students may later apply for permanent residence. Having migration intentions does not count against you — as long as your primary purpose is genuine study. This is a significant shift that benefits Vietnamese applicants who are planning long-term.

Common mistakes Vietnamese applicants make:

- Choosing a course that does not follow logically from previous study — for example, jumping from a business degree to a hospitality diploma without clear reasoning.
- Enrolling at a low-cost private provider purely because it is cheap.
- Making large financial deposits shortly before the application, which raises red flags about genuine financial capacity.
- Providing generic answers that could apply to any country or any course.

### Confirmation of Enrolment

You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered institution before applying. The institution must be registered to deliver courses to international students.

### Financial requirements

You must prove you can cover:

- Living costs: AUD 29,710 per year (this increased significantly from the previous threshold of approximately AUD 24,500)
- Tuition fees: For the first year of your course
- Return airfare: To Vietnam

This is a higher bar than previous years. Home Affairs looks at the source and history of your funds — a sudden lump sum deposited shortly before the application can weaken your case. Steady savings or documented family income is stronger.

### English language requirements

The visa minimum was raised from IELTS 5.5 to IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) or PTE Academic equivalent.

University admission requirements are higher still:

- Standard bachelor's or master's: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or PTE 58+
- Group of Eight universities: IELTS 7.0 (no band below 6.5) or PTE 65+
- Health and nursing courses: IELTS 7.0 in all bands

If your English is not yet at these levels, you can enrol in an ELICOS (English language) course first. The visa minimum for ELICOS is IELTS 5.0 (up from 4.5 previously).

From August 2025, a wider range of tests are accepted, including CELPIP General and LanguageCert Academic. Only in-person tests at approved centres count — online or at-home versions are not valid.

### Health cover and other requirements

- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Mandatory for the full duration of your visa. Costs approximately AUD 500 to 800 per year depending on the provider.
- Health examination and police clearance from Vietnam
- Visa fee: AUD 2,500 (from 1 July 2026)

Processing uses a two-tier system based on how close your institution is to its cap. Priority 1 institutions (below 80% of their cap) are processed faster.

Course selection and skilled occupation alignment

Your course choice affects more than your education. It shapes your post-study work options and any future migration pathway.

Courses that align with the Skilled Occupation List give you the strongest long-term position:

- Nursing — Consistently Australia's most in-demand occupation. Strong graduate employment rates (82 to 92%) and a clear pathway to registration and permanent residence.
- IT and computer science — Software engineering, data science, and cyber security are on the MLTSSL. Starting salaries of AUD 95,000 to AUD 150,000+.
- Engineering — Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering are all on the MLTSSL. Assessed by Engineers Australia.
- Accounting and finance — Auditors, management accountants, and financial analysts remain on the occupation lists. A Professional Year program adds 5 points.
- Education — Early childhood and secondary teachers are in shortage across all states. Particularly strong pathway if you study education with a teaching specialisation.

Management and Commerce is the most popular field among Vietnamese students, followed by Information Technology. When choosing within these broad fields, pick programs that lead to a specific occupation on the skilled list rather than a general business degree.

Professional Year programs are available for IT, accounting, and engineering graduates. These add 5 points toward skilled migration and include an internship component.

Post-study work visa (subclass 485)

After completing your studies, the subclass 485 gives you the right to work full-time in Australia.

Duration by qualification:

Requirements:
- Complete at least two academic years of study at a CRICOS-registered institution
- Apply before age 35 (exceptions for Masters by Research and PhD holders, who can be up to 50)
- Meet the English language requirement — note that test results must now be less than one year old at the time of application
- Hold OSHC

What changed: The previous two-year extension of post-study work rights for graduates in areas of verified skill shortage was discontinued in mid-2024. This means the maximum duration is now shorter than it was in 2023-24.

Regional bonus: If you study at a designated regional institution and live in a regional area for at least two years, you can apply for a second post-study work period:

- Category 2 areas (Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart): +1 year
- Category 3 areas (smaller regional centres): +2 years

This makes regional study a powerful strategy — a bachelor's graduate in a Category 3 area can access up to 4 years of post-study work rights instead of 2.

Working rights

Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. A proposal to raise this to 60 hours per fortnight has been discussed, but it is not yet legislated. The 48-hour rule remains in force.

The Department of Home Affairs recorded 12,400 visa cancellations for work-related breaches in 2024 alone. Monitoring is increasingly automated. Your primary focus must be your studies — poor academic performance can also affect your visa.

International students are entitled to the same minimum wage and workplace protections as Australian workers. If an employer pays you below minimum wage or in cash to avoid records, that is illegal regardless of your visa status. The Fair Work Ombudsman handles complaints confidentially, even from visa holders.

Cost of living

Tuition fees (annual, international students):
- VET / Vocational courses: AUD 5,700 to AUD 15,000
- Undergraduate: AUD 20,000 to AUD 50,000 (median approximately AUD 38,500)
- Postgraduate (coursework): AUD 22,000 to AUD 55,000 (median approximately AUD 44,000)

Living costs: Budget AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500 per month depending on the city and your lifestyle, covering rent, food, transport, phone, and essentials. Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive. Adelaide, Perth, and regional cities are significantly cheaper.

Total annual cost (tuition plus living): AUD 45,000 to AUD 85,000 depending on your university, course, city, and spending habits.

OSHC runs approximately AUD 500 to AUD 800 per year. The cheapest approved providers include ahm and nib. For more on costs, see the Vietnam to Australia overview.

Vietnamese community in Sydney and Melbourne

Australia is home to approximately 335,000 people of Vietnamese ancestry, making it one of the largest Vietnamese diaspora communities in the world. You will not be starting from scratch.

Sydney:
- Cabramatta — Around 40% Vietnamese population. The largest Vietnamese community in Australia, with restaurants, grocery stores, and cultural centres.
- Canley Vale and Canley Heights — Approximately 25% Vietnamese. Adjacent to Cabramatta.
- Fairfield — Around 20% Vietnamese. Strong community infrastructure.
- Bankstown — Approximately 15% Vietnamese.
- Marrickville — Inner West's "Little Vietnam" precinct, popular with younger Vietnamese Australians.

Melbourne:
- St Albans — Over 20% Vietnamese-born residents. The heart of Vietnamese Melbourne.
- Springvale — Around 21% Vietnamese-born. Strong food and retail scene.
- Footscray — A major Vietnamese cultural hub in the west.
- Richmond — Victoria Street is one of Melbourne's most recognised Vietnamese cultural strips.

These communities offer practical support for new students: affordable food, Vietnamese-speaking services, cultural events, and informal networks for accommodation and part-time work. For more, see the settling in Australia from Vietnam guide.

Regional study benefits

Studying outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane CBDs offers several concrete advantages:

Extra post-study work time. Regional graduates can extend their 485 visa by 1 to 2 years, as outlined above. This gives you more time to gain Australian work experience and build toward skilled migration.

Extra migration points. Living and studying in a designated regional area earns 5 extra points under the skilled migration points test. The regional 491 visa adds 15 points through nomination.

Lower living costs. Rent in Adelaide, Hobart, or Geelong is considerably cheaper than in Sydney or Melbourne. This reduces the financial burden during your studies.

Destination Australia Scholarship. Students at regional institutions can access scholarships of up to AUD 15,000 per year through the Destination Australia program.

Notable regional universities: University of Tasmania (Hobart), James Cook University (Townsville), Charles Sturt University (multiple regional campuses), University of New England (Armidale), University of the Sunshine Coast, Federation University (Ballarat and Gippsland), and Deakin University's Geelong campus.

Next steps

1. Choose your course strategically. Pick a course that aligns with your genuine interests and career goals, but also check whether the occupation it leads to appears on the skilled occupation list. This keeps your options open after graduation.
2. Prepare your English. Book IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. You need at least 6.0 overall for the visa, and most universities require 6.5 or higher. Start early — improving by half a band can take months.
3. Build your financial evidence. Start gathering proof of funds now. Steady savings history is stronger than a last-minute deposit. You need at least AUD 29,710 for living costs plus tuition and airfare.
4. Consider regional institutions. The extra post-study work time, lower costs, and migration points make regional study a strong option for students planning long-term.
5. Write strong genuine student responses. Your 150-word answers must be specific to you, your course, and your institution. Generic responses lead to refusals.
6. Speak with a MARA-registered agent. A migration professional can assess your study and migration pathway together. Search for agents who work with Vietnamese students through Migratio's directory.

Related resources

- Moving to Australia from Vietnam — 2026 overview
- Vietnam to Australia visa options
- Settling in Australia from Vietnam
- Nepali international student to Australia (comparison)
- Indonesian international student to Australia (comparison)

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How much does it cost to study in Australia as a Vietnamese student?

Total first-year costs are roughly AUD 42,000 to 70,000 depending on the course and city. This includes tuition (AUD 20,000 to 50,000), living costs (you must prove AUD 29,710 minimum), OSHC (AUD 500 to 800 per year), and the visa fee (AUD 2,500). Many Vietnamese students fund studies through family support, Vietnamese bank loans, and part-time work.

Can I work while studying in Australia?

Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Many Vietnamese students work in hospitality, retail, and food service. Exceeding the work limit can result in visa cancellation — the Department of Home Affairs actively monitors compliance.

What happens after I finish my course?

If you complete at least two academic years of study at CRICOS-registered institutions, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This gives you 18 months to 4 years of full work rights depending on your qualification level. Use this time to gain Australian work experience and build toward skilled migration or employer sponsorship.

Does studying in a regional area help my visa prospects?

Yes. Regional graduates can receive 1 to 2 extra years on their 485 post-study work visa. Regional study also earns 5 extra points under the skilled migration points test, and the 491 regional visa adds 15 points. Regional cities like Adelaide, Hobart, and Geelong have lower living costs and less housing competition.

Will wanting to stay permanently hurt my student visa application?

No. The genuine student requirement replaced the old GTE test in March 2024. The new system explicitly recognises that genuine students may develop skills Australia needs and later apply for permanent residence. Migration intentions no longer count against you — but you must still show your primary purpose is genuine study.