After university: master’s degrees and other options

After a university qualification, you can consider a master’s degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or research program. The appropriate level depends on your previous qualification, subject background and study goals.

The university assesses equivalence and course-specific requirements. A Russian specialist diploma is not automatically an honours degree, and a shorter postgraduate course does not guarantee progression to a master’s. For research study, check the requirements for a proposal, supervision and research experience separately. Victoria University — requirements.

The core application includes your qualification, transcript, passport, translation and required English-language evidence. Supply a resume, portfolio, references, research proposal or employment evidence where the course requires them. There is no single IELTS score for every master’s degree.

The visa application has separate requirements. GS responses should explain the course choice and be supported by documents. Each response has a 150-word limit and must be in English; some applicants receive an additional question. Home Affairs — GS.

Calculate master’s tuition using the chosen course and commencement year. A bachelor degree’s price is not an estimate for a master’s. Your budget should include all remaining tuition, living costs, insurance and travel.

Home Affairs’ financial-capacity calculation lists 12-month living costs of A$29,710 for the student, A$10,394 for an accompanying partner and A$4,449 for a child. The living-cost addition for a partner and one child is A$14,843. For a school-age child, schooling costs of A$13,502 a year are considered separately unless an exemption applies. Actual expenditure may differ.

The standard base visa charge is A$2,500 from 1 July 2026. Check family charges and concessions in the estimator for your circumstances. A master’s enrolment does not itself qualify you for ISTP, although general temporary transport discounts can also apply to postgraduate students.

Sources: Home Affairs — financial requirements, Study Australia — charge, fee estimator, ISTP, general transport discount.

Check prerequisite subjects and additional conditions: meeting a minimum threshold does not guarantee an offer. Verify the validity of English results separately for admission and the visa, as the relevant reference dates may differ.

For occupations requiring registration or licensing, examine the relevant authority’s requirements. Course accreditation, professional membership and permission to work are not interchangeable. Do not treat a visa grant as certain: Home Affairs states that the application charge is not refunded after refusal. Home Affairs — Student visa.