PhD in Australia: A Complete Guide

These days, students throughout the world are enthusiastic about research. Many of them get a Ph.D. because they want to study and research a certain subject and make an impact in that sector. As a result, a PhD is a learning experience that aids in the discovery and development of one’s potential. Since the country’s foreign borders were opened, an increasing number of students have expressed an interest in pursuing higher education, such as a PhD in Australia. Australia’s education system is ranked top in the UN’s Education Index, as the country is renowned to provide the best research experience, well-known and highly ranked universities, highly-advanced laboratories, and amazing student life with lots of learning experiences.

Through this blog, we will take a look at the essential aspects of pursuing a Doctor in Philosophy in Australia, the specializations you can choose from as well as the career scope for the future.

Duration	3-5 years
Number of Research Universities	43
Average Fees	30,000 AUD – 42,000 AUD (INR 15,98,037 – INR 22,37,252)
Average Salary After PhD	80,000 AUD (INR 42,61,432)
Work-Study Opportunity	Up to 40 hours per week

Why Study PhD in Australia?

With the growing trend of pursuing higher education overseas, Australia has swiftly established itself as a popular destination, particularly for PhD studies. The country is a lively hub for research courses, with world-class research facilities and highly renowned universities. A PhD in Australia will allow you to expand your knowledge and abilities, which will improve your prospects of finding work in Australia and elsewhere.

Let’s go through some of the most compelling reasons for overseas students to pursue a doctorate from Australian universities:

Also Read: 5 Countries That Offer Free or Very Cheap PhD Programmes

Better Career Prospects

Pursuing a doctorate from Australia opens the door to a wide range of career choices. It is a helpful aspect that can raise your job possibilities, whether you want to work in academia or improve your skills to work in the industry. This will have a good effect on both the work environment and the research conducted. After completing your PhD studies, you are authorized to reside and work in the nation for at least four years.

Natural Attraction

The breathtaking natural wonders of Australia may be found all around the country. There are 19 World Heritage Sites and architectural sites in Australia. Because of its stunning beauty, Australia has been renowned as the ‘paradise on earth.’ Whether you choose to live in the heart of a bustling city or stroll through the vivid outdoors, the option is yours. In most cases, international students have a large list of lovely spots in Australia to visit. The Whitsundays in Australia might be your weekend tropical oasis amidst your working thesis. This is the ideal location to unwind with a mocktail in one hand and your study work in the other.

Great University & Student Life

Universities in Australia have a well-organized framework in place. The number of overseas students studying for a PhD in Australia has been steadily increasing year after year. When it comes to PhD studies, institutions take great efforts to ensure that the research is of the highest quality. There are several unique PhD possibilities in Australia, ranging from Environmental Studies in the Great Barrier Reef to Earth Sciences at Fraser Island. Students can pick a subject in which to research due to the different course alternatives accessible. In addition, universities provide free scholarship opportunities to help overseas students with their expenditures.

Better Process Flow

PhD is a research-based degree that takes 3-3.5 years to complete and submit your thesis. When you pick a doctorate program, it will be your sole course daily. Because you’ll just have one research topic to concentrate on, you’ll have more free time to do things you enjoy. The procedure for submitting a thesis is simple. After conducting extensive research and analysis, you will be required to submit a copy of your thesis to an examiner from your university as well as an international examiner. Unlike other PhDs in other countries, there will be no repeated checks, making it an easy procedure. If any modifications are proposed, they must be made before submitting the final thesis.

Know more about Student Life in Australia

Top Universities Offering PhD in Australia

According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, and University of Sydney are among the top 50 universities in the world, with a total of seven universities in the top 100.

The best institutions in Australia for higher education, according to their QS rankings for 2024, are shown below:

Universities	QS World University Rankings 2024
Australian National University	34
University of Sydney	19
University of Melbourne	14
University of New South Wales	19
University of Queensland	43
Monash University	42
University of Western Australia (UWA)	72
University of Adelaide	89
University of Technology Sydney	90
University of Wollongong	162

Also Read: Ph.D. in the UK

PhD in Australia Application Process

Here is a step-by-step guide for aspirants to pursue their PhD in Australia in 2022: 

Step 1: Check your Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Check and research the PhD programs and courses that are being offered by different Australian universities. Visit each official website of these universities to see if you fulfil the academic criteria for the PhD program you want to pursue in Australia. Subsequently, you can also make use of our AI Course Finder tool to shortlist the best-fit universities in Australia. All students, local and foreign, must also get the needed minimum exam scores to study in Australia.

Step 2: Draft a Research Proposal & Find a Supervisor 

The preliminary research proposal that you submit with your application serves as a tool for laying out your desired study or clarifying your thoughts. Once you’ve enrolled in your program, you can make more broad and flexible changes. Search possible supervisor profiles on the Researcher’s website, which include their research skills, published publications, and contact information.

Step 3: Complete the College Pre-Application Requirements

Before applying to Australian universities, most colleges would need candidates to identify and acquire the support of a possible supervisor. Some colleges, however, require candidates to give a brief description of their prospective study field.

Step 4: Joint or Dual/Cotutelle PhD Proposal

You may need to create a proposal to begin the Joint or Dual Award PhD application process, which you will send to possible supervisors as part of the pre-application process.

Step 5: Apply to Australian Universities 

After gathering and acquiring all the necessary documents and your research proposal, it’s finally time to apply to all the universities that you have shortlisted for your PhD in Australia. You can check deadlines for Australian institutions and apply if you have the endorsement of a possible supervisor. To support your application, you will need to identify 3 referees. To ease your application process, get in touch with our Leverage Edu counsellors on 1800572000 today and book a free e-meeting to proceed further! 

Step 6: Receive an Offer Letter 

Applications are typically assessed in 6-8 weeks, or longer if seeking a scholarship. All correspondence, including application results, is delivered to your email address.

Eligibility Criteria 

In Australia, a PhD can begin at any time throughout the academic year. This implies that there isn’t usually a fixed application deadline. As a general guideline, you should apply at least four months before the commencement of your PhD in Australia:

• A 4-year master’s degree in a relevant discipline with a considerable research component (equal to at least 25% of 1 year of full-time study) and a weighted average mark of at least 75% in final year courses or equivalent is required.
• If the candidate does not have a 4-year masters degree, he or she must have a qualification and professional experience that are regarded as equal.
• In addition to the above-mentioned points, the candidate must obtain referee reviews and a prospective supervisor’s recommendation.
• Furthermore, Indian students must also be having English Proficiency Test scores like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE. 

Tests	Minimum Score Required
IELTS	6.5
TOEFL (iBT)	82
PTE	60

Documents Required 

To apply for a Ph.D. in Australia, you must submit the following documents to the respective universities when asked: 

• Research proposal for your PhD 
• Sample of written/published work
• Submission essays 
• GMAT/GRE scores (if asked)
• Academic Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Portfolio (for specific courses)
• A CV (if applicable)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) for PhD in Australia 
• Copy of a valid passport
• Australia student visa 

Cost of Studying PhD in Australia

When considering studying abroad, it is critical to organize your expenditures ahead of time and then apply to the university of your choice. The cost of doing a PhD in Australia varies depending on the university’s tuition and numerous TA (teaching assistantship) or RA (research assistantship) opportunities (Research assistantship). According to the Australian government, the average cost of a PhD is less than A$42,000 (INR 22,36,863) per year. PhD students in Australia have a variety of financing choices. They are supported by university scholarships as well as the Australian government. Here are the average estimated fees at the top universities in Australia for PhD programs: 

Universities	Average Tuition Fees in INR (Per Annum)
Australian National University	25.05 lakhs
University of Sydney	27.25 lakhs
University of Melbourne	24.5 lakhs
University of New South Wales	25.3 lakhs
University of Queensland	22.6 lakhs
Monash University	19 lakhs
University of Western Australia	19.5 lakhs
University of Adelaide	25.03 lakhs
University of Technology Sydney	19 lakhs
University of Wollongong	31.5 lakhs

Note: According to the Australian government, one must demonstrate that they have AUD 14,600 (INR 7,77,576) in living expenses every year. If the individual has a spouse, an additional 5100 AUD (INR 2,71,619) is added, and if the individual has a kid, an additional 2200 AUD (INR 1,17,169) is added per child. According to the guidelines for studying in Australia, everyone should budget 60-317 AUD each week.

Cost of Living in Australia 

Simply said, Australia is a developed country that ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of education, GDP, and buying power parity. With high-income levels, it also has a high degree of health awareness, a good medical system, and a politically stable economy. Take a look at the breakdown of average living expenses weekly for international students pursuing a PhD in Australia: 

Expenses	Average Expense per Week (in AUD$)	Average Expense per Week (in INR)
Accommodation	100 – 300	5350 -16080
Food/Groceries	140 – 280	7500– 5000
Utilities	10– 20	536 – 1072
Transportation	30– 60	1600 – 3215
Recreation	80– 150	4287 – 8038
Course-related expenditure	15– 20	803 – 1072

Note: The aforementioned expenses and costs are only indicative and average estimates. These costs can vary as per the city, university as well as course and other related factors.

Get your personalized monthly expense/cost of living estimate with our Cost of Living Calculator tool!  

Scholarships to Study PhD in Australia

International students can apply for different scholarships offered by the Australian government and universities. Additionally, while researching, you can work for up to 40 hours every week. Here is a list of some of the most popular scholarships for PhD in Australia: 

Universities	Scholarships
Australian National University (ANU)	ANU Ph.D. Scholarships
University of Western Australia	The Dean’s Excellence in Arts, Business, Law and Education Ph.D. Scholarships
University of Adelaide	University of Adelaide Research Scholarships
University of Technology Sydney	International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
University of Melbourne	Graduate Research Scholarship
University of New South Wales	Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) plus a Research Stipend
University of Queensland	Graduate School Scholarship
Monash University	Maxwell King Ph.D. Scholarship

Work in Australia after PhD

If you can find a position that matches your abilities and knowledge, an Australian PhD can lead to longer-term employment and residency in Australia. Australia provides a Temporary Graduate Visa to assist you with this (subclass 485). Under specific situations, PhD graduates are allowed to stay in the nation for up to four years. Furthermore, pursuing a doctorate in Australia opens the door to a plethora of career alternatives. A PhD may be a positive component in boosting your job chances, whether you want to work in academia or improve your skills so you can work in the industry. In Australia, the average wage after completing a PhD is between 50,000 and 80,000 AUD per year. Some of the most common and high-paying job profiles for PhD students in Australia are listed below:

• Research Scientist
• Research Associate
• Lecturer/Professor 
• Senior Lecturer
• Research Fellow
• R&D Manager
• Research Officer
• Senior Research Scientist

Also Read: PhD Abroad with Scholarships for Indian Students

Types of Australia Work Visa & Permits

Below is the list of all the Australian work visas, work permits, and a few other temporary working visas: 

• Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa
• Skilled Independent Visa
• Skilled Nominated Visa 
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
• Temporary Work Visa Australia (Short Stay Specialist) 
• Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa
• Distinguished Talent Visa

Also Read: How to Get PhD Funding?

FAQs

Thus, going for a PhD in Australia can equip you with immense exposure to your field of interest and you can avail yourself of a wide range of research opportunities delving deeper into your chosen area of study. If you are planning to study in Australia and don’t know where to begin, the experts at Leverage Edu are here to guide you. Call us at 1800 57 2000 and book your free e-meeting with us today!!