Can I get a full scholarship to study in Australia or the UK in 2026?

Full scholarships are rare but exist. Australia offers the Australia Awards Scholarship (government-funded, full tuition, living stipend, airfare) for Indonesian students, targeting specific fields. The UK’s Chevening Scholarship covers full tuition and living costs for postgraduate study. Both countries also have university-specific international scholarships that can cover 15%–50% of tuition. Competition is high, so apply early and have strong academic records.

How much can I earn from part-time work while studying?

In Australia, the 2026 minimum wage is projected at around AUD 24/hour (~IDR 259,200). International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters and unlimited hours during breaks, netting up to AUD 28,800/year (approx. IDR 311 million) if working full-time in breaks. In the UK, the minimum wage for over-21s is forecast at £12/hour (~IDR 240,000) and students can work 20 hours/week during term, with no limit during holidays, yielding around £12,480/year (~IDR 249 million). Both can substantially offset living costs, but Australia allows higher earning potential.

Are there any hidden costs that make one country more expensive than expected?

Yes. In Australia, international student health cover (OSHC) is mandatory and costs around AUD 600–800/year. In the UK, the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776/year (2026 projected). Both countries require upfront visa application fees (AUD 715 vs £490). Accommodation in major cities (Sydney, London) can be significantly higher than the official living cost guidelines. Budget 20–30% more if you plan to live in capital cities. Exchange rate fluctuations also affect real IDR costs.

Biaya Kuliah Australia vs Inggris 2026: Which is More Affordable for Indonesian Students? | UNILINK Education · MARA Registered

TL;DR: The 2026 Numbers that Matter for Indonesian Students

If you’re an Indonesian student weighing up a degree in Australia versus the UK in 2026, the direct tuition and living costs paint a clear picture. Using median international undergraduate fees and official visa-required living expenses:

Australia: Tuition median AUD 35,000/year (~IDR 378 million) + living costs AUD 21,041/year = total AUD 56,041/year (~IDR 605 million).
UK (outside London): Tuition median £22,000/year (~IDR 440 million) + living costs £12,000/year = total £34,000/year (~IDR 680 million).

Australia’s annual total is about IDR 75 million (11%) lower. But beyond these averages, scholarships, part-time earnings, and post-study work rights tip the value equation further toward Australia. This article breaks down every cost layer with 2026 data so you can make a confident budget decision.

Quick Comparison: Key Cost Metrics 2026

Cost Item	Australia (2026)	UK (2026, outside London)	Notes
Tuition (median)	AUD 35,000	£22,000	Group of Eight/Russell Group programs cost 15–30% more.
Living expenses (official)	AUD 21,041/year	£12,000/year	UK increases to £14,000 in London.
Student visa fee	AUD 715	£490	One-time application cost.
Health cover / surcharge	AUD 600–800/year (OSHC)	£776/year (Immigration Health Surcharge)	Mandatory for visa.
Total annual cost (IDR)	~IDR 605,000,000	~IDR 680,000,000	Exchange: 1 AUD = 10,800 IDR, 1 GBP = 20,000 IDR (2026 forecast).
Work hours during semester	48 hrs/fortnight (no limit breaks)	20 hrs/week (no limit holidays)	Australia’s flexibility can generate more income.
Post-study work visa	2–4 years (subclass 485)	2 years (Graduate Route)	Australia offers longer stay, especially in regional areas.

1. Tuition Fees: Australia vs UK in 2026

Australian universities set international tuition based on the field of study. According to the Australian Government’s Study Australia portal (January 2026), undergraduate programs typically range AUD 30,000 to AUD 50,000 per year. Business, economics, and law degrees usually sit at AUD 38,000–45,000, while engineering and lab-based sciences are AUD 42,000–48,000. The prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities almost all exceed AUD 40,000, with the University of Melbourne and UNSW Sydney often quoted at AUD 45,000–50,000 for popular courses.

In the UK, international undergraduate fees in 2026 are similarly stratified but start lower for classroom-based subjects. UCAS and UKCISA data show a range between £16,000 and £38,000 per year. Arts and humanities can be as low as £16,000–20,000, while laboratory and clinical programs at Russell Group institutions reach £30,000–38,000. The median we used (£22,000) reflects the typical social science or management degree outside London’s premium market.

Cost Reflection for Indonesian Students: An identical Bachelor of Commerce delivered in Perth, Western Australia (median AUD 35,000) vs. Birmingham, England (median £22,000) translates to IDR 378 million vs. IDR 440 million in direct tuition. The UK is 16% more expensive in IDR terms for this scenario. However, some UK universities outside top-tier Russell Group may offer fees as low as £14,000–16,000, pulling total costs below the Australian median. Always check specific course pages.

2. Living Costs: Beyond the Tuition Bill

Living costs are often the hidden budget-buster. Both countries mandate proof of funds for visa, which provides a minimum estimate.

Australia immigration (Subclass 500) requires evidence of AUD 21,041 per year for the primary student in 2026—unchanged from 2024 as the amount is indexed. This works out to about AUD 1,753 per month. In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, actual expenses often exceed this, with monthly rents for a shared room near campus reaching AUD 1,200–1,500. Groceries and transport add another AUD 600–800. Realistic budget: AUD 25,000–30,000/year if you live in a major city.

UK Student visa guidance sets living costs at £12,006 per year outside London and £14,000 inside London (2026 figures). Monthly, that’s £1,000 outside the capital. In university towns like Manchester or Leeds, a room in a shared house can be £500–700/month, with utilities and food around £300–400. London pushes rents beyond £1,000/month for a room. So the official figure is feasible outside London, but you’ll want a buffer of at least 15–20% for unexpected expenses.

Converted to IDR, London living (£14,000 = IDR 280 million) closes the gap with Australian capital cities (AUD 25,000 = IDR 270 million). Suddenly, the cost advantage of the UK shrinks dramatically for London-based courses.

3. Scholarships and Financial Aid: Reducing Your Bill

Australia offers several avenues specifically for Indonesian students:

Australia Awards Scholarships: Fully funded (tuition, living allowance, airfares) for targeted master’s programs. Open to Indonesian nationals, priority fields include education, health, and public policy. Competition is stiff, but the reward is complete cost coverage.
Destination Australia Program: Grants up to AUD 15,000 per year for students studying in regional campuses—a great way to cut costs while enjoying a lower cost of living.
University international scholarships: Many Go8 universities offer 10–25% tuition remission for high-achieving international students. For example, Monash University’s International Merit Scholarship covers up to AUD 10,000 annually.

UK options:

Chevening Scholarships: Fully funded one-year master’s for outstanding leaders. Covers tuition, living costs, and flights. Indonesian students have historically been strong recipients.
Commonwealth Scholarships: For students from Commonwealth nations (Indonesia is not a member, so not applicable).
University-specific discounts: Some UK universities automatically award £2,000–5,000 for international students from specific countries. Check the “Indonesia” page on each university’s international scholarship portal.

Anecdotally, more Indonesian students report partial scholarships from Australian universities due to the country’s strategic focus on Southeast Asia. UK scholarships at the undergraduate level are generally fewer and less generous, making self-funded study in the UK potentially costlier after aid.

4. Earning While Learning: Work Rights and Hourly Wages

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Both countries permit international students to work, and the income can significantly offset living costs.

Australia: Under the 2026 rules, students can work 48 hours per fortnight during semester (an average 24 hours per week) and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. The national minimum wage is projected to be AUD 24 per hour (based on annual Fair Work reviews). Working the maximum allowable during semester and full-time during 3 months of summer break can yield:

(24 hours/week * 40 weeks) + (38 hours/week * 12 weeks) = 1,416 hours/year
1,416 * AUD 24 = AUD 33,984 (~IDR 367 million), potentially covering up to 60% of total costs.

UK: Student visa holders can work 20 hours per week during term and unlimited during holidays. The National Living Wage for those aged 21+ is forecast at £12 per hour in 2026. Assuming similar pattern:

(20 hours/week * 30 weeks) + (37.5 hours/week * 22 weeks) = 1,425 hours/year
1,425 * £12 = £17,100 (~IDR 342 million), also covering a large chunk of expenses.

While the gross earning potential is similar in IDR, Australia’s higher hourly wage and more liberal semester limits often translate into lighter financial stress, especially during exam periods.

5. After Graduation: Post-Study Work and Return on Investment

The ability to work and recoup your educational investment after graduation is a major consideration.

Australia offers the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) with a duration of 2 years for bachelor’s graduates, 3 years for master’s, and 4 years for doctoral graduates. Additionally, graduates from regional campuses receive an extra 1–2 years. That means an Indonesian student completing a master’s in Adelaide could stay for 4 years, earning an average starting salary of AUD 60,000–70,000/year, rapidly offsetting total education costs.
UK Graduate Route gives 2 years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, and 3 years for PhDs. There is no regional extension. Graduate starting salaries typically range £24,000–30,000. While London finance salaries can be high, competition is intense.

A longer post-study stay in Australia provides more time to save, gain international work experience, and even pursue permanent residency—something the UK’s Skilled Worker route requires securing employer sponsorship. For Indonesian students who need to pay off loans or send money home, Australia’s framework is more supportive.

6. Which Country Delivers Better Value in 2026?

Taking a standardized comparison—undergraduate business degree outside capital cities, no scholarship, part-time work, and post-study for 2 years—the numbers favor Australia by roughly IDR 100–150 million over a 3-year degree when factoring in work income and lower total baseline costs.

However, there are scenarios where the UK wins:

You secure a Chevening or full university scholarship (effectively zero cost).
You study in a low-cost UK city (e.g., Lancaster, Hull) with a scholarship and land a high-paying graduate job in London.
Your course in the UK is one year (master’s), thus total cost may be lower than a 1.5–2-year Australian master’s.

Bottom line for Indonesian families: If you are self-funded and budget-conscious, Australia’s lower expected total burn rate, stronger part-time earnings, and longer post-study work window make it the pragmatic choice for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are tuition fees fixed or do they increase each year?

Australian universities typically increase fees by 3–7% annually. UK universities often freeze international fees for the duration of your course at the entry-year rate, giving more predictability. Always confirm during your offer acceptance.

Q: Can I bring my family? How does that affect costs?

Yes. For Australia, you need to show additional funds: AUD 7,362/year for a partner and AUD 3,152/year for a child. UK: £845/month extra for each dependent in London, £680/month outside. This significantly inflates your budget—add 40–60% to the cost estimates if you bring dependents.

Q: Does the currency exchange rate significantly impact my budget?

Absolutely. The IDR has historically fluctuated against AUD and GBP. In our analysis we used 1 AUD = 10,800 IDR and 1 GBP = 20,000 IDR. If the Rupiah weakens by 10%, Australia’s total rises to ~IDR 665 million and UK to ~IDR 748 million. Build a 10–15% exchange reserve in your financial plan.

Q: Can I work on campus to make extra money?

Both countries allow on-campus or casual jobs that count toward your work hours. On-campus roles (library, administration, research assistant) are highly sought after and often pay slightly above minimum wage. Apply early—positions are filled months in advance.

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