Top 10 Most Lucrative Fully-Funded Degrees to Study in Australia for International Students

1. Cyber Security

Cyber security is a popular subject right now, and if you have the technical aptitude, you can get started quickly. A degree is not required to work in the field. Many employers will accept certifications and short courses that include a lot of hands-on experience. Even though virtual labs make it possible to study online, face-to-face time with instructors can still be beneficial. Blended programmes allow students to mix home study with infrequent lab days, enabling them to work or travel around Australia while still getting valuable networking time with other students.

Course Duration: 1–2 years for master’s degree, 1-year diplomas (blended study available)

Prerequisites: Professional entry routes available for those with work experience

Institutions: Deakin University, University of Technology Sydney 

Expected Salary: $76,986

2. Financial Planning

Financial planning could be a profitable profession, particularly given the current degree of economic unpredictability. There are job opportunities in both large corporations and as independent financial planners. Many people enter financial planning after studying accounting, finance, or a related field. Undergraduates have the option of entering the field directly.

Course Duration: 1-year graduate diploma, 2-year distance learning masters, 3-year undergraduate degree

Prerequisite: Admissions depend on course level, Year 12 Australian Qualification or equivalent for undergraduate courses

Institutions: Charles Sturt University, University of South Australia 

Expected Salary: $83,764

3. Interior Design

Interior design courses are popular in Australia, with many institutions offering diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate degrees. RMIT University is a prestigious interior design school. Students have the opportunity to work on their own design projects and gain industrial experience. Networking opportunities assist graduates in quickly finding work in their field after graduating from college.

Course Duration: 2–4 years, depending on the level of qualification

Prerequisites: English proficiency, Year 12 Australian Qualification or equivalent

Institutions: RMIT University, University of Technology Sydney 

Expected Salary: $82,750

Cyber security is a hot topic at the moment, and it’s something people can get into quite quickly if they have the technical aptitude. There’s no need for a degree to work in the field. Certifications and short courses that include a lot of practical work can suffice for many employers. It’s possible to study online, thanks to the availability of virtual labs, but face-to-face time with lecturers can still be valuable. Blended programs offer students the opportunity to mix home study with occasional lab days, giving them the freedom to work or explore Australia and study remotely, while still getting valuable networking time with other students.

4. Project Management

Project management is a broad field that people can enter with a variety of prior experiences. Studying project management is an effective option for moving up the career ladder for anyone, from construction workers looking to move into management to programmers who want to focus on the big picture. Monash University offers project management courses online. Meanwhile, for those interested in a more specialised course, the ANU offers a 2-year master’s programme with a variety of capstone choices.

Course Duration: 1–2 years (online study options available)

Prerequisites: GMAT entry test option for master’s degrees (no bachelor’s degree required)

Institutions: Australian National University, Monash University 

Expected Salary: $108,400

5. Psychology

Psychology is a broad field that includes everything from clinical psychology to business and marketing psychology. The Open Universities of Australia provides flexible online study for undergraduate students, making a bachelor’s degree a more accessible option. Deakin University provides on-campus options for master’s degrees in clinical psychology, though admission to this programme can be competitive.

Course Duration: Self-paced online bachelor’s, 1–2 year postgraduate qualifications

Prerequisites: Flexible entry for undergraduates, minimum 7.0 entry score for postgrads.

Institutions: Open Universities of Australia, Deakin University 

Expected Salary: $86,042

6. MBA

MBA programmes provide graduates with the opportunity to advance their careers in any industry. Many ambitious graduates pursue an MBA because of the networking opportunities it provides. Mature students can benefit from returning to school for a part-time MBA or taking a career break before reentering the workforce with a refreshed and more appealing CV. The University of Queensland is ranked in the top 50 and offers a full-time MBA, while Melbourne Business School is ranked in the top 30.

Course Duration: 1–2 years full-time. Up to 7 years part-time

Prerequisites: Four years of work experience, graduate diploma or GMAT score of 6.5

Institutions: Melbourne University, University of Queensland 

Expected Salary: $79,546

7. Nursing

Nursing is a precious and rewarding profession that necessitates specialised training. Individuals interested in the field typically earn a bachelor’s degree, then work as a nurse while studying part-time for a master’s or postgraduate qualification. Nurses are in high demand, so scholarships are plentiful for both Australian and international students. Charles Sturt University offers an online, accelerated Master of Nursing programme with specialisation options such as midwifery, which could be a viable fast-track option for students looking to advance their nursing careers.

Course Duration: 2–4 Years for master’s, 6-month accelerated options for some specialisations

Prerequisites: bachelor’s in nursing or a related field required for postgrad study

Institutions: University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, Charles Sturt University

Expected Salary: $65,875

8. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a diverse field with numerous opportunities for design professionals. There are loads of options for those interested in studying digital marketing, ranging from short intro courses that cover the basics to 6-month intensive post grad diplomas with online study choices. The subject is offered as a full-time, on-campus bachelor’s degree at James Cook University. Creative professionals may benefit from connectivity and developing a portfolio while taking courses in order to find work after graduating from college.

Course Length: Postgraduate courses from 6 months, degrees from 3 Years

Prerequisites: No degree required for postgraduate courses (prior work experience will be considered)

Institutions: Curtin University, Edith Cowan University (intro courses), James Cook University 

Expected Salary: $83,120

9. Public Health Management and Administration

Graduates of public health programmes have a wide range of opportunities, from health outreach and education to more public policy-focused work. Public health professionals can come from a variety of backgrounds. When nurses are ready to leave the hospital floor and take on a less patient-facing role, they may consider entering the field. Those with a business background may be interested in working in public health as a way to give back to their community. In this field, the Australian Catholic University offers 3- and 4-year undergraduate courses, as well as 1-year post-graduate options. There are options for online learning.

Course Length: 3-year undergraduate courses, 6-month to 1-year graduate certificates, 2-year master’s degrees

Prerequisites: Flexible entry requirements (work experience considered)

Institutions: Australian Catholic University, La Trobe University 

Potential Salary: $57,391

10. Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood and Primary School)

Teachers with advanced degrees are in high demand. Numerous Australian universities provide bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education – learning, making preparations for graduates to work in childcare, nursery school, or early education environments. Some modules require hands-on experience this is why most teaching and learning courses are either on-campus or blended. A bachelor’s degree typically takes three years of full-time study, while a master’s degree takes two years. Part-time study choices for master’s degrees are available.

Course Length: 3 years undergraduate, 2 years full-time postgraduate

Prerequisites: Master’s degrees require a bachelor’s in a field other than education with a minimum 4.0GPA

Institutions: Victoria University, University of Southern Queensland 

Expected Salary: $71,725