Can I use any official tool to compare Australian universities and my course?
Yes. Use 2 official Australian tools first: ComparED, to compare institutions and study areas using real student experiences, and the CRICOS register, to confirm that your university and exact course are registered for international students before you apply or pay any fee.
You can compare Australian universities using official government data instead of marketing pages. ComparED lets you compare institutions and study areas based on real student experiences, and CRICOS tells you whether a course is registered for international students. Together they cover quality and eligibility.
Official tools for comparing Australian universities
| Tool | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ComparED | Compare institutions and study areas based on student experiences |
| CRICOS course search | Whether the institution and course are approved for overseas students |
| University course pages | Fees, entry requirements, intakes and scholarships |
| Study Australia | Government overview of study options and costs |
A practical way to shortlist Australian universities
- Pick your study area in ComparED and note the institutions that do well on student experience.
- Look up each shortlisted course on CRICOS to confirm it is registered for international students.
- Compare research-intensive universities with career-focused metropolitan and regional ones for your subject.
- Check how location affects living costs, and read the current post-study work rules on official Australian Government visa pages.
- Confirm entry requirements for your Indian qualification on the university page.
These tools are free, so you can repeat the comparison for several study areas and see how the same university performs in different subjects, which often changes your shortlist.
My Advice
Do not pick on brand alone. A mid-ranked university with strong student feedback in your field can beat a famous one on value. Verify post-study work rules for your course on official Australian Government visa pages, since they change.
This information is available on: compared.edu.au, cricos.education.gov.au, studyaustralia.gov.au
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