Complete free guide for Sri Lanka students — visa requirements, top accounting and IT courses, scholarships, and your pathway to Australian permanent residency.
Australia is the third most popular study destination in the world for Sri Lanka students, offering world-class education, work rights during study, and clear pathways to permanent residency.
Australia has 8 universities in the global top 100, including University of Melbourne (#33 world) and UNSW (#19 world in engineering).
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks.
After graduation, stay in Australia on a Subclass 485 visa for 2–4 years to gain work experience and build your PR pathway.
Over over 20,000 students from Sri Lanka study in Australia. Major cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Perth have large, welcoming Sri Lankai communities.
Australia's minimum wage is AUD $23.23/hour — one of the highest in the world. Part-time work can cover a significant portion of living costs.
Accountants and IT graduates from Sri Lanka have strong PR pathways. CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants ANZ recognise Sri Lanka qualifications with bridging. Many Sri Lankans gain PR through State Nomination (190) in Victoria or South Australia.
These courses offer strong employment outcomes, clear PR pathways, and are in high demand in the Australian job market.
Here is the exact process from deciding to study to arriving in Australia.
Use our Course Finder or AI Advisor to find a course that matches your qualifications and career goals.
Sri Lanka students may be eligible for English exemptions at the visa stage, but universities still typically require PTE 58+ or IELTS 6.0+. Take our free PTE practice test to check your score.
Apply directly to the university. Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) after accepting the offer.
Lodge your Subclass 500 visa online. Show financial capacity, health insurance (OSHC), and meet the GTE requirement.
Arrive, settle in, start your course. You can begin working within your 48 hours/fortnight limit.
Apply for the 485 post-study work visa, gain experience, and apply for permanent residency through the points-tested system.
The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) is the visa you need to study in Australia. Here are the key requirements for Sri Lankai applicants.
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) | From your Australian institution | ✓ Required |
| English Proficiency | PTE 50+ or IELTS 5.5+ (may be exempt — check with institution) | ✓ Usually Required |
| Financial Capacity | Tuition + AUD $21,041 living expenses per year | ✓ Required |
| OSHC Health Insurance | Mandatory for entire study period | ✓ Required |
| GTE Statement | Genuine Temporary Entrant — explain study intentions and ties to Sri Lanka | ✓ Required |
| Police Clearance | Sri Lanka Police clearance (if lived there 12+ months over age 16) | Usually required |
| Health Examination | By DIBP-approved physician in Sri Lanka | Usually required |
These universities are popular among students from Sri Lanka for their academic reputation, student support services, and strong employment outcomes.
Significant funding is available to help students from Sri Lanka study in Australia. Here are the main options.
Answers to the questions we get asked most by students from Sri Lanka.
Our education advisors are from Sri Lanka and understand your journey. Book a free consultation — we'll guide you from application to arrival.
