Updated on: 04 Sep 2023
In 2022, the number of international students studying in Australia saw a 7% increase, reaching a total of 613,327. Notably, a significant portion of this population, with over 99,000 students, consisted of Indian students who showed a strong inclination towards pursuing Master's programs. Australia is home to 38 universities that have been recognized and listed in the QS World University Rankings.
This reinforces the appeal of studying in Australia. The country provides a diverse range of specializations and promising opportunities for post-study work, making it an attractive choice to pursue higher education. However, it is crucial to consider the financial aspects involved. Many students rely on education loans to fund their studies, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly exploring available loan options to make an informed decision about your educational journey.
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Cost of studying in Australia
Before delving into the various lending options available, let's first understand why international students may need to take out an education loan. Studying in Australia can be expensive. While some may argue that it is not as costly as studying in the USA or the UK, the tuition fees and cost of living for a period of 2 to 4 years can still amount to a substantial sum. Therefore, obtaining an education loan for studies is often considered a wise decision. The average cost of tuition fees for various programs offered in Australia is as follows:
Degree Level
|
Average Cost Per Annum
|
Vocational education and training
(Certificates I to IV, diploma and advanced diploma)
|
AUD 20,000 - AUD 22,000
|
Bachelors degree
|
AUD 35,000 - AUD 45,000
|
Masters degree
|
AUD 40,000 - AUD 50,000
|
Doctoral degree
|
AUD 25,000 - AUD 40,000
|
Apart from the tuition fees cost of living is yet another aspect that needs to be considered when deciding on an education loan. The general cost of living is -
Expense
|
Cost per month
|
Accommodation
|
AUD 800 - AUD 1600
|
Travel
|
AUD 100 - AUD 150
|
Food
|
AUD 30 - AUD 80
|
Health Insurance
|
AUD 200 - AUD 600
|
Utilities
|
AUD 150 - AUD 200
|
Types of education loans for studying in Australia
Broadly there are 2 types of education loans that one can take to study in Australia. They are -
- An education loan with collateral, also called a secured education loan, requires the borrower to provide security or collateral as part of their loan application. The collateral can include assets such as residential property or other valuable possessions.
- An education loan without collateral is a loan category where the collateral is not required from the borrower as security. These loans generally carry higher interest rates due to the increased risk involved. Moreover, they usually necessitate a co-applicant or co-signer, and the loan amount is determined based on the co-applicant's income and credit score as assessed by organizations like CIBIL.
Lenders offering secured education loans for Australia
The different lenders that can provide secured education loans mainly consist of
- SBI
- UBI
Let’s now have a look at the loan amount and other important details about their loan services.
Lender Name
|
Maximum Loan Amount (in INR)
|
Rate of Interest
|
Margin Money
|
SBI
|
Up to 1.5 Cr
|
10.65% (for girls)
11.50% (for boys)
|
10%
|
UBI
|
Up to 1.5 Cr
|
10.5% - 10.85%
|
10% (listed university)
15% (non-listed university)
|
Lenders offering unsecured education loans for Australia
When it comes to unsecured education there are majorly three categories of lenders that can provide you with an education loan for Australia are -
- Private banks - Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDFC FIRST Bank
-
NBFCs - HDFC Credila, Avanse, Incred, and Auxilo
-
International lenders - MPOWER Financing and Prodigy Finance
Now, let's examine the loan amounts and other essential details regarding their loan services.
Lender Name
|
Maximum Loan Amount
|
Rate of Interest
|
Margin Money
|
Axis Bank
|
Up to 50 Lakhs INR
|
11% - 13.50%
|
5%
|
ICICI Bank
|
Up to 50 Lakhs INR
|
10.85% - 12.50%
|
0 - 15%
|
IDFC FIRST Bank
|
Up to 35 Lakhs INR
|
11.75% - 13.25%
|
Nil
|
HDFC Credila
|
Up to 25 Lakhs INR
|
12% - 13%
|
Nil
|
Auxilo
|
Up to 20 Lakhs INR
|
12.50% - 14%
|
Nil
|
Incred
|
Up to 20 Lakhs INR
|
12.25% - 13%
|
Nil
|
Avanse
|
Up to 40 Lakhs INR
|
12.50% - 12.75%
|
Nil
|
Prodigy Finance
|
Up to 100,000 USD
|
12% - 14%
|
Nil
|
How to choose the best lender to study in Australia?
Now that we have mentioned several lending options that can provide you with an education loan for Australia, you must have a question in mind - “which of these lenders is best for me?” Do not worry all you have to do is compare some aspects of the loan and you will have the best lender as per your requirements, These aspects are -
- Interest Rate
- Processing fee and time
- Margin Money
- Moratorium Period
- Tax Benefit
- Loan Duration
- Covered Expenses
- Prepayment terms and conditions
Expenses covered in education loan for Australia
The different expenses which are covered under the education loan for Australia are -
- Tuition fees
- Travel expenses
- Caution deposit money
- Accommodation expenditures
- Purchase of books, laptop, and stationery
- Study tours and project work during the academic year
- Other reasonable expenses that would be required to successfully complete the course
Read more in detail: Expenses Covered Under Education Loan
Education loan eligibility for Australia
To ensure seamless completion of your loan process, it is important to meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include -
- Confirmation of acceptance from a recognized Australian institution for a full-time program.
- Minimum age requirement of 18 years.
- Good academic record.
- Strong career prospects for unsecured loans, and collateral for secured loans.
Education loan-related documents for Australia
The documents requirements for getting an education loan to study in Australia are shown in the table below:
- Letter of admission from the University
- Loan application form filled out in full
- Documents on the cost of studies
- Identification proof
- Residence proof
- PAN details of the candidate
- Guarantor/ co-borrower/ student's bank statements
- Guarantor/ co-borrower/ student's statement of assets
- Guarantor/ co-borrower/ student's proof of income
How to apply education loan for Australia?
The application process for getting an education loan in Australia is simple. All you need to do is follow these steps -
-
Determine your eligibility and explore loan options: Utilize GyanDhan's platform to assess your eligibility for an education loan for Australia. Explore various loan options available to you.
-
Connect with a loan expert: Get in touch with a dedicated loan expert who will provide personalized guidance throughout the loan application process. They will assist you in finding suitable lenders based on your requirements.
-
Receive a customized document checklist: GyanDhan will provide you with a tailored document checklist to help you organize all the necessary paperwork required for the loan application. This will ensure that you submit the required documents in a structured manner.
-
Submit documents as per the lender's guidelines: Follow the lender's guidelines and submit the necessary documents either in physical or digital format. Ensure that you provide all the required information accurately.
-
Verification process: Wait for the lender to verify your documents. This verification process usually takes around 7 to 15 days. During this time, the lender will review your application and assess your eligibility for the loan.
-
Sign the agreement letter and track progress: Once your loan application is approved, sign the agreement letter provided by the lender. You can track the progress of your loan application using GyanDhan's user dashboard, which will provide updates on the status of your loan.
-
Disbursement of funds: Follow the lender's procedures to initiate the loan disbursement. The funds will either be directly deposited into your account or disbursed to the university, depending on the arrangements made with international lenders.
Read Also:
Repayment of education loan for Australia
When obtaining an education loan for studying in Australia, it is vital to take into account the terms of repayment. The duration of repayment and options for a moratorium period are important factors to consider when choosing a lender. Different repayment choices are accessible, such as partial simple interest (PSI), simple interest (SI), and equated monthly installments (EMI). To assist you in making a well-informed choice, we have developed a comparative guide that emphasizes repayment as a crucial element of securing a loan for studying in Australia.
Lender Name
|
Repayment Tenure
|
Repayment option during moratorium
|
SBI
|
Up to 15 years
|
No payment or only SI
|
UBI
|
Up to 15 years
|
No payment or SI
|
Axis Bank
|
Up to 15 Years
|
SI or EMI
|
ICICI Bank
|
Up to 10 Years
|
SI or EMI
|
IDFC FIRST Bank
|
Up to 12 years
|
PSI or SI or EMI
|
HDFC Credila
|
Up to 15 Years
|
PSI
|
Auxilo
|
Up to 15 Years
|
SI
|
Incred
|
Up to 15 Years
|
PSI or SI
|
Avanse
|
Up to 15 Years
|
PSI or SI
|
MPOWER Finance
|
Up to 10 Years
|
SI
|
Prodigy Finance
|
Up to 15 Years
|
SI
|
Prior to initiating your application for an education loan to pursue a degree in Australia, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and evaluate the offerings provided by different lenders. GyanDhan can simplify this process by offering comprehensive assistance. Our platform collaborates with a variety of lenders, including government banks, private banks, and NBFCs, to provide you with a wide range of choices. Check your eligibility for an education loan to study abroad with GyanDhan and address any concerns you may have regarding the loan application procedure.
First published date: 13 Jul 2021