What courses in WA universities cost over $250,000 for international students?

16 courses across UWA, Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, and UNDA exceed $250K, led by Curtin's Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at $444,756.

Why have university fees skyrocketed in WA?

Inflation, rising operational costs, government funding shortfalls, and international student caps force unis to charge full 'true costs' to fewer students.

How do international fees compare to domestic in WA?

Internationals pay up to 7x more; e.g., Curtin MBBS: $444K intl vs. $63K domestic via HECS-HELP.

Which university has the most expensive course in WA?

Curtin University's 5-year MBBS at $444,756 tops the list; dentistry and vet programs follow.

Are there scholarships for high-fee courses?

Yes: WA Premier's $50K, UWA $20K award, Curtin $15K. See scholarships .

What impacts do high fees have on students?

Debt burdens, family strain, but strong ROI with $100K+ starting salaries and PR pathways.

How do WA fees compare nationally?

WA max ~$450K vs. Sydney $850K+; 583 national courses over $250K, mostly Go8.

What government policies affect fees?

2026 intl cap at 295K limits numbers, pushing per-student hikes amid visa changes.

Do high fees justify the quality?

Unis say yes for facilities/training; grads report high employability. Check Rate My Professor .

What advice for affording WA uni?

Use fee calculators, apply scholarships early, budget Perth living (~$30K/year). Explore career advice .

Future trends for intl fees in WA?

Likely 5-10% rises unless reforms; focus on quality amid fewer students.

Skyrocketing WA Uni Fees: Over $250K Courses for Int'l

A student walks past a sign for school of engineering. — Photo by Sean Lee on Unsplash

The Surge in University Fees for International Students in Western Australia

Western Australia's universities are witnessing an unprecedented rise in tuition fees for international students, with numerous courses now exceeding a staggering $250,000 in total cost. This trend, highlighted in recent Commonwealth government data, affects 16 programs across the state's five main universities: the University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University (ECU), and the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA). As global demand for high-quality education persists amid policy shifts, these skyrocketing university fees in WA are reshaping access to elite degrees, particularly in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, law, and engineering.

International students, who pay full fees without government subsidies available to domestic counterparts, face costs up to seven times higher. For context, domestic students in medicine might pay around $63,000 over five years through the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS-HELP, a government loan program repaid via future income tax), while internationals shoulder the full 'true cost' of delivery. This disparity funds research, facilities, and operations but raises questions about affordability and equity in Australia's higher education sector.

Breaking Down the Most Expensive Courses

The crown jewel of expense is Curtin University's Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), a five-year undergraduate entry program totaling $444,756 for international students. This makes it the priciest degree in WA and the only direct-entry medical undergraduate course in the state. Dentistry and veterinary programs follow closely, with annual fees often surpassing $80,000, pushing multi-year totals beyond $300,000.

Edith Cowan University's combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Philosophy exceeds $300,000, blending rigorous legal training with philosophical inquiry. At UNDA, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) commands around $83,997 per year for its four-year postgraduate pathway, nearing $336,000 total. UWA's high-band courses in health sciences, like Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Medicine, hover in similar territories when calculated over duration, often $40,000-$55,000 annually. Murdoch University's veterinary science degrees also feature prominently among the 16 ultra-expensive programs.

These figures represent full course costs based on standard full-time enrollment and include projected annual adjustments for inflation. Medicine and dental degrees dominate due to intensive clinical training, specialized labs, and faculty expertise required.

Why Are Fees Skyrocketing? Unpacking the Drivers

Several factors converge to drive these increases. Global inflation has eroded purchasing power, while operational costs for state-of-the-art labs, simulators, and clinical placements have surged. Universities cite the need to sustain cutting-edge research and facilities amid stagnant government funding per domestic student.

The federal government's international student caps, initially proposed at 270,000 for 2025 but raised to 295,000 for 2026, limit enrollment volumes. Fewer spots mean universities recover costs from paying full-fee internationals, with fees rising faster than inflation—sometimes 5-13% annually. Group of Eight (Go8) CEO Vicki Thomson notes, “Funding constraints and policy changes limiting international student numbers has meant universities must recover cost through fewer students while maintaining quality.”

Immigration expert Dr. Abul Rizvi points to policy 'noise' creating scarcity perceptions, emboldening hikes despite caps not fully materializing.Sydney Morning Herald analysis underscores this dynamic.

International students attending university lecture in Western Australia

Domestic vs. International: A Stark Contrast

Domestic students benefit from subsidized places, paying a fraction via HECS-HELP. For Curtin's MBBS, locals pay ~$12,600 annually deferred, totaling ~$63,000. Internationals pay ~$89,000 yearly upfront. This cross-subsidy model relies on international revenue, which constitutes up to 30-40% of some WA unis' budgets.

Medicine: Intl $444k vs. Domestic $63k (Curtin)
Dentistry: Intl $300k+ vs. Domestic $150k+ (multi-year)
Law/Engineering combos: Intl $300k+ vs. Domestic $50k-$100k

The International Students Representative Council warns this dependency treats fees as a 'quasi-tax base,' distorting priorities.

Real-World Impacts on Students and Families

Prospective students from India, China, and Southeast Asia, traditional sources for WA unis, grapple with these barriers. Living costs in Perth add $25,000-$35,000 yearly (accommodation, food, transport), per government estimates, ballooning totals to $500,000+. Visa requirements demand proof of funds, exacerbating debt or family strain.

Case in point: A hypothetical Indian MBBS aspirant at Curtin faces $444k tuition plus living expenses, potentially funded via education loans at 10-12% interest. Yet, graduates earn $100,000+ starting salaries in Australia or home countries, with pathways to permanent residency via skilled migration.UWA Fee Calculator helps model these.

Declines in international enrollments (down 7-13% globally amid caps) hit unis' revenues, prompting further hikes—a vicious cycle.

University Perspectives: Quality Over Quantity

WA unis defend fees as reflecting true delivery costs. Curtin invests in simulation centers for MBBS; UWA in research hubs. “It's worth it,” say some graduates, citing superior employability. Explore career advice for higher ed roles to see post-grad opportunities.

UNDA emphasizes smaller cohorts for personalized medicine training. Amid caps, selectivity rises, potentially enhancing prestige.

Government Policies and International Student Caps

Australia's 2026 cap expansion to 295,000 aims to balance growth with housing pressures. WA, less impacted than Sydney/Melbourne, still feels effects—intl numbers dipped slightly in 2025. Failed 2025 legislation led to visa delays, indirectly boosting fee power.

Premier's scholarships offer relief: $50,000 awards covering chunks of fees.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

Relief exists via merit-based awards:

UWA International Student Award: Up to $20,000 over four years
Curtin International Scholarships: $15,000 one-off
WA Premier's University Scholarship: $50,000 full coverage potential
ECU/Murdoch regional bursaries: $5,000-$10,000

Check AcademicJobs scholarships page for more. Home-country funding (e.g., Indian ICCR) supplements.

Student applying for university scholarship in Australia

Career Outcomes: Do High Fees Pay Off?

Yes, often. WA medicine grads average $120,000 starting pay; dentists $150,000+. Global recognition aids migration. Law/eng combos lead to high-demand roles. Use professor salaries insights or rate my professor for course quality.

For academia aspirants, see faculty jobs.

Future Outlook: More Hikes or Reforms?

Expect 5-10% annual rises unless funding boosts. Go8 pushes for balanced policy. Students: Compare via Australia uni jobs. Balanced views suggest reforms for sustainability.