Master's in Australia for Indian Students: Two-Year Courses, Entry From a Three-Year Degree, Fees and a Three-Year 485
Master's by coursework is what most Indian students in Australia study: in 2026, coursework master's made up 43% of all international higher-education enrolments. A two-year master's meets the 485 study rule on its own and, under the trade agreement with India, leads to three years of post-study work.
By Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked
₹18 lakh (A$27,338)lowest master's a year
2 yearsthe usual length for Indian graduates
3 years485 for Indian master's graduates
43%of international HE students are coursework master's
Most universities treat a three-year Indian bachelor's as the equivalent of an Australian bachelor's for coursework master's; Deakin and Flinders say so on their entry pages. What changes from one university to another is the average: a credit (65%) at Sydney and UNSW, GPA 5.0 of 7 at ANU, GPA 4.5 of 7 for computer science at Adelaide. Subject prerequisites matter in engineering, accounting and health, where professional bodies accredit the degree.
Length decides the visa
Master's are registered at one year, eighteen months or two years. Only the two-year master's meets the 485's 92-week rule by itself; the shorter ones suit graduates who already studied in Australia or who do not plan to stay. Check the course length on the CRICOS register before accepting an offer.
Questions from Indian students: Master's in Australia
Is a two-year master's better than a one-year master's in Australia?
For an Indian student who wants the 485, usually yes: the visa needs 92 weeks of study over at least 16 months in Australia, which a two-year master's meets and a one-year master's does not.
Can I do a master's in a different field from my bachelor's?
Often. UTS, RMIT and Monash open their Master of Information Technology to graduates of any discipline, with a 75% pass rate (UTS), a GPA of 2.0 of 4 (RMIT) or a 60% average (Monash). Engineering master's usually need an engineering degree.
What percentage do I need in my bachelor's?
It depends on the university: a credit average (65%) at Sydney and UNSW, a GPA of 5.0 of 7 at ANU, 65% at James Cook for its scholarship. Regional universities are more flexible.
Which master's are most popular with Indian students?
Information technology, data science, engineering, business analytics, accounting, the MBA and public health.
How much does a master's cost in Australia?
From about A$27,000 a year at Tasmania to A$66,976 at Melbourne (public health). Most IT master's cost A$36,000–64,000 a year.
