Here’s what it reports:
💸 1. Tuition Fees Are Extremely High
More than 583 university courses in Australia now charge **international students over AU$250,000 for the total cost (4–6 years or more) of the degree.
Many Group of Eight (Australia’s leading research universities) courses are among these, with some degrees exceeding AU$850,000 in total tuition.
These fees are far higher (up to 8×) than what domestic students pay.
👩🎓 2. Student Experiences and Financial Pressure
Students like Ariye Sunilkumar Monee, an engineering master’s student at the University of Sydney, are paying around AU$180,000 for their programs — and they often must rely on loans or family support.
International students are limited in how much they can work while studying — typically 48 hours per fortnight during term time — which makes it hard to cover costs through part-time work.
🏠 3. Beyond Tuition – Living Costs Are Steep
The article (and related reporting that quotes SMH’s reporting) also notes that international students face significant living costs, such as rent, food and utilities — adding financial strain on top of tuition fees.
📈 4. Universities and Policy Context
Universities often justify high fees by pointing to operational costs, global competition, and funding structures.
At the same time, government policy — including caps on student commencements and visa changes — complicates the financial planning for both institutions and students.
