Study in Australia from Sri Lanka · Australia Destination Guide · Free Counselling
A degree, a 4-year work visa, and a clear path to PR
Earn a Group of Eight degree, then stay on a 2–4 year Temporary Graduate visa and qualify for permanent residency through skilled migration. Sri Lankan students have a strong track record on this pathway.
Australia හි අධ්යාපනය, විශ්වවිද්යාල සහ පාඨමාලා තේරීම, වියදම් සහ Student Visa පිළිබඳ සියලු උපදෙස් සහ විශ්වාසනීය මඟපෙන්වීම අපගෙන්.
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Consultations are in person only, at any of our three offices · What to expect
Rather see branches first? See our three offices.
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Why Choose Australia?
Clear PR Pathway
Graduate on a Subclass 485 visa (2–4 years), gain skilled work experience, then apply for PR via Subclass 189/190. Engineering, IT, healthcare and accounting grads have the smoothest route.
Group of Eight Universities
Australia has 7 universities in the global top 100. Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, UNSW and Monash all rank ahead of most UK and US peers.
Sri Lankan Community Already There
Tropical north, Mediterranean south — no winter coats needed. Sinhala/Tamil grocers, temples, and welcome dinners on day one in Melbourne and Sydney.
What it costs to study in Australia
Australia requires upfront proof of funds for living costs, so transparent budgeting matters. Here is a realistic LKR estimate for a Sri Lankan student starting in 2026.
check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.
Note on Exchange Rates
Figures are based on current average LKR/AUD rates and the AUD 29,710/year Department of Home Affairs financial requirement. Our counsellors provide up-to-date estimates during personal consultations.
Average Annual Costs
The Subclass 500 Student Visa — what you'll actually need
The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Issued by your Australian university after you accept your offer and pay the initial tuition deposit.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)
A statement of purpose explaining why you intend to study in Australia and return home — critical for Sri Lankan applicants.
OSHC Health Cover
Overseas Student Health Cover for the entire duration of your visa, arranged before you apply.
Financial Evidence
Proof of funds for 12 months of tuition + AUD 29,710 living costs + return airfare.
What Sri Lankan students apply for in Australia
Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.
Master of Architecture
University of Melbourne
Master of Data Science
Monash University
MBA
Melbourne Business School (University of Melbourne)
Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants
Open right now. Eligibility varies — ask a counsellor at your office visit before assuming you don't qualify.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Melbourne International Scholarships (Graduate Research)
University of Melbourne
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
Australian Government
When to apply for 2026/27
Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for Australia.
Semester 1 (Primary)
The main intake — widest course choice, full scholarship rounds, and most arrival support events.
Semester 2
A strong secondary intake, especially for postgraduate coursework programs.
Summer / Trimester 3
A smaller intake at select universities for shorter courses and accelerated postgrads.
Common questions about studying in Australia
Don't see your question? Book a free office visit and ask a Australia counsellor face to face.
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What's the success rate for student visas from Sri Lanka? expand_more
Over 90% for properly-prepared GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) applications. We pre-screen every file and rewrite the GTE statement together with you — that’s the single biggest factor in approval. -
Can I work full-time during my studies? expand_more
48 hours per fortnight (≈24/week) during semester, unlimited during scheduled holidays. Most students earn AUD 22–30/hour in part-time work. -
Can my partner come with me? expand_more
Yes. Your partner gets an open work visa and can work full-time. School-age children attend Australian public schools — fees vary by state. -
Is the PR pathway realistic? expand_more
Yes if you study a course on the Skilled Occupation List — engineering, IT, nursing, accounting and select trades. The route is study → 485 work visa → 189/190 PR. Plan for 3–5 years total. -
Do I need IELTS? expand_more
6.5 overall is the standard minimum (7.0 for nursing/healthcare). Most universities also accept PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. -
How many Sri Lankan students are in Australia? expand_more
Australia is the #1 destination for Sri Lankan students, with approximately 19,000 Sri Lankan students enrolled as of 2024 — a 41% jump from pre-pandemic numbers. Melbourne and Sydney have some of the largest Sri Lankan communities outside Sri Lanka, with Sinhala/Tamil grocers, temples, and active student associations from day one. -
What is the PR pathway from Australia for Sri Lankans? expand_more
The clearest route: study a course on the Skilled Occupation List (engineering, IT, nursing, accounting) → Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (2–4 years work rights) → skilled work experience → Subclass 189 or 190 PR. Most Sri Lankan STEM graduates complete this in 4–6 years. Our counsellors help you choose a course that locks in the SOL pathway before you apply.
More reading on Australia
Guides from our counsellor team on applying to Australia from Sri Lanka.
- University Guides·9 min read
Actuarial science & statistics degrees abroad for Sri Lankan students
For A/L Maths-stream students: how actuarial and statistics degrees abroad work and which UK, Australia and Canada courses earn exam exemptions.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·9 min read
Biomedical & life sciences degrees abroad for Sri Lankan students
Missed local medicine? Biomedical science and biotech degrees abroad for Sri Lankans: where to study, careers and the UK IBMS/HCPC accreditation catch.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·8 min read
Social work degrees abroad & registration: a Sri Lankan guide
How Sri Lankans choose an accredited BSW or MSW and register as a social worker in the UK, Australia, Canada or NZ, plus the work and PR prospects.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·9 min read
USA or Australia for Sri Lankan Students: Which to Choose?
USA vs Australia for Sri Lankan students — tuition, proof of funds, F-1 vs Subclass 500, work rules, post-study work and PR reality, side by side in LKR.
Read the guide arrow_forward
Ready to plan your Australia study?
Book a visit to any of our three offices and sit down with a counsellor who will map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.
අපගේ කාර්යාල හතරෙන් එකකට පැමිණ ඔබේ විදේශ අධ්යාපන සිහිනයට පියවරක් තබන්න. සිසුන් සඳහා සේවාව සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම නොමිලේ.
Book your free office visit event_available- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Consultations are face to face — no phone or online sessions
- check_circle Rajagiriya, Jaffna or Matara — pick your branch
Book your office visit
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Every consultation happens face to face with a counsellor. We don't do phone or online consultations — pick a branch, day and time that suits you.
- location_on Rajagiriya (head office) 8th Floor, Jana Jaya City Mall, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
- location_on Jaffna 158 Hospital Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- location_on Matara No. 474 New Tangalle Road, Matara, Sri Lanka
schedule Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Choose a date & time event_available