Best Master’s programs for international students in Australia

“Is a Master’s degree the quickest pathway to skilled migration?”

“Will completing a Master’s improve my career prospects - in Australia or back home?”

“Should I pursue a Master’s or enter the workforce directly?

If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, you’re not alone. 

Many international students are looking for smart ways to upgrade their skills, improve their job options, and increase their chances of getting a permanent residency in Australia.  

In this guide, we’ll show you some of the best Master’s programs for international students in Australia and explain why, regardless of your goals, a Master’s degree can be worth your investment. 

Pathway to skilled migration

• Many Master’s programs align with occupations on the Skilled Occupation List, which can strengthen your eligibility for permanent residency (PR).

• Completing a Master’s degree can also earn you additional points for skilled migration - typically 15 points.

Better career opportunities

• A Master’s degree helps you stand out to employers in Australia and back home.

• Earning a Master’s degree demonstrates that you have advanced skills and international experience.

• In most countries, having a Master’s is expected for higher-level jobs.

The fastest way to get local credentials

• If your previous degree isn’t fully recognised in Australia, doing a 2-year Master’s is often the quickest way to get local credentials.

• It’s a faster and smarter choice than repeating 3–4 years of undergraduate study.

Global and local recognition

• Australian universities are known for their high-quality education.

• Your degree will be respected both in Australia and internationally.

• It can give you a strong edge if you return to your home country later.

More work options for you and your partner

• If you're studying a Master's in Australia on a student visa, your partner can come with you as a dependent. The best part? While you study, your partner can work full-time. This helps cover living costs and lets both of you build your future in Australia together.

Summary

Why a Master’s in Australia is worth it:

• Master’s in Nursing programs lead to jobs in the Skilled Occupation List.

• Get 15 points toward PR.

• Qualifies you for higher-level jobs in Australia and abroad.

• The quickest way to get recognised in Australia (vs. 3–4 years of undergrad).

• While you study, your partner can join you and work full-time.

Most Australian universities ask for an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0 for entry into a master’s degree.

Some courses, like teaching, nursing or law, may set a higher requirement—often IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum scores in each skill.

Below you'll find the IELTS score requirements for different programs.

If you're choosing a Master’s degree in Australia, it's best to consider your interests and goals. 

Is it to advance your studies? Widen your job opportunities in Australia, or back home? Is it to improve your chances of getting a permanent residency in Australia? 

Based on your goals, you should consider the roles you can apply for after your course. What are those that have great job demand and skilled migration opportunities?

That said, here are the best master's courses for international students in Australia based on:

• Australia’s in-demand industries and labour market trends

• Degrees that lead to jobs listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which are often linked to visa and permanent residency (PR) opportunities

1. Master of Education

This course may be great for you if you're already a teacher or have experience in education and want to step into leadership or curriculum design roles. It’s also a common path for those interested in international education or policy work.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0

• Course outcomes: School leadership, curriculum development, education consulting, international education policy

• Average fees: AUD $30,000–$45,000 per year

• Duration: 1 to 2 years

• Roles in the Skilled Occupation List (SOL): Primary School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher

2. Master's in Public Health

If you're passionate about health, science, or social impact, this course could help you work in areas like disease prevention, health promotion, or global health programs. It’s popular with those who want to work for governments, non-government organisations, or in research.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0

• Course outcomes: Health promotion officer, epidemiologist, health policy analyst, global health consultant

• Typical fees: AUD $32,000–$60,000 per year

• Duration:  1.5 to 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: Environmental Health Officer, Health Promotion Practitioner, Public Health Manager

3. Master of Information Technology (IT)

This may be the right course for you if you're aiming to work in tech, especially in fast-growing areas like cybersecurity, data science, or cloud computing. It’s a strong choice for students who want a 3-year post-study work visa and career growth globally.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0

• Course outcomes: Software engineer, cybersecurity analyst, data scientist, cloud solutions architect

• Typical fees: AUD $32,000–$45,000 per year

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: ICT Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Data Scientist

4. Master of Science 

This is a flexible degree that suits students who want to focus on research or technical careers in fields like biotechnology, physics, chemistry, or environmental science. It's also a great stepping stone for a PhD.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0

• Course outcomes: Lab researcher, environmental scientist, biotech consultant, academic researcher

• Typical fees: AUD $34,000–$58,000 per year

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: Biotechnologist, Environmental Consultant, Physicist, Materials Engineer

5. Master of Social Work

If you want to support people and communities, this course can lead to meaningful work in mental health, child protection, or family support. It's also a recognised pathway to becoming a registered social worker in Australia.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 7.0, no band less than 6.5

• Course outcomes: Registered social worker, mental health caseworker, family support practitione

• Typical fees: AUD $27,200–$56,160 per year

• Duration: 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: Social Worker, Welfare Worker, Community Worker

6. Master of Nursing

This is a strong option if you’re already in the nursing field and want to step into leadership or specialised roles. It may also help you meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s requirements for registration as a nurse in Australia.

• IELTS requirement: Overall 7.0, no band less than 7.0 (required for registration)

• Course outcomes: Nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, aged care manager

• Typical fees: AUD $32,000–$42,000 per year

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: Registered Nurse (Aged Care), Clinical Nurse, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager

7. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

If you dream of becoming a business leader or launching your own company, the MBA gives you strong skills in strategy, leadership, and operations. Some universities also offer Executive MBAs for those with more experience. 

• IELTS requirement: Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0 Course outcomes: Business consultant, marketing manager, operations manager, strategy lead, startup founder

• Typical fees: AUD $19,400–$60,000 per year

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 years

• Roles in the SOL: Management Consultant, Corporate General Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager

To get into a Master’s program in Australia, international students usually need to meet a few key requirements:

• A recognised undergraduate degree – Most universities require a bachelor’s degree in a related field. For example, to apply for a Master’s in Engineering, you’ll usually need an engineering or science degree.

• Minimum GPA or academic results – Entry is competitive, and some universities ask for a certain GPA or grade average.

• English language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to show that you can read, write, speak, and understand academic English. One way you can do this is by taking an English test like IELTS.

• Work experience (for some programs) – Some degrees, like an MBA or education programs, prefer or require relevant work experience.

• Supporting documents – These often include your transcript, CV or resume, personal statement, references, and sometimes a portfolio or interview.

Always check the specific requirements for your target course and university, as they may vary. 

Check your eligibility

Studying a Master’s degree in Australia doesn’t guarantee permanent residency (PR), but it can put you in a strong position if you plan your steps wisely.

Here’s the good news: many international graduates are eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream. This lets you stay and work in Australia for up to 2-4 years. 

But that’s just the beginning.

To boost your PR chances, you’ll want to:

1. Align your degree with a role on the Skilled Occupation List

2. Gain relevant local experience

3. Prepare for a skills assessment

Need help making the right study choice that supports your PR goals?

Talk to our migration and education experts at IDP. We’ll help you choose a program that keeps your career and migration options open.

Globally recognised qualifications IELTS is accepted by over 12,500 universities, employers, and government organisations worldwide, including all major Australian universities offering Master’s programs.

Reliable and consistent The IELTS format hasn’t changed, so you can prepare with confidence knowing your test experience will match what universities expect.

No surprises on test day With IELTS, you’ll know exactly what to expect, how your responses will be assessed, and even have the option to retake a single skill if needed—helping you focus on meeting the language requirements for your Master’s program.

Need to prepare for IELTS? Access our FREE IELTS practice materials here.

Ready to book your test? Find your test centre here. 

Sources:

• RMIT University, IDP Australia - Master's Programs in Australia

• Master of Education: USQ, UQ

• Master's in public health: UniMelb

• Master of IT: UNSW, UWA

• Master of Science: UQ, WSU

• Master of Social Work: UniMelb, Deakin

• Master of Nursing: SCU, Monash

• MBA: UniMelb, VU