Kaplan Business School Australia: Fees, Courses & Student Satisfaction Guide

Kaplan Business School, known as KBS, is a private higher education provider in Australia, part of Kaplan, with campuses in several cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. It teaches undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in business, accounting, business analytics, and information technology, including an MBA and master's degrees in professional accounting. KBS postgraduate students have rated their overall educational experience highly in Australia's national student survey. This guide covers fees, courses, scholarships, and what to check.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Kaplan Business School (KBS), a private higher education provider in Australia, part of Kaplan
• Campuses: several Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth (check current locations)
• Courses: undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in business, accounting, business analytics, and IT
• Postgraduate fees 2026 (third-party): about A$40,800 to A$58,920 for master's courses
• Graduate certificates and diplomas (third-party): about A$13,600 to A$39,280
• Student satisfaction: KBS reports postgraduate ratings above every public university in the QILT Student Experience Survey
• Scholarships: merit-based and need-based, reported up to full tuition in some cases

Rankings and reputation

KBS is a private provider, not a university, so it is not ranked globally. Its courses are TEQSA-accredited, and it performs strongly in national student-satisfaction surveys. Check professional accreditation, such as CPA Australia or CA ANZ for accounting.

Academics and signature programs

KBS offers bachelor's degrees in business and accounting, and postgraduate degrees such as the MBA, Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Business Analytics, and IT master's degrees. Classes are small and taught by industry practitioners. Ask about accreditation and whether trimesters allow faster completion.

Admissions and international eligibility

Entry depends on academic results and English, with postgraduate courses usually requiring a bachelor's degree. After an offer, you pay a deposit, receive a Confirmation of Enrolment, and apply for a student visa.

English language requirements

• Postgraduate courses commonly require IELTS 6.5; check KBS's requirement
• Kaplan runs English courses for students below the requirement
• Accounting courses may require specific band scores for professional pathways
• Confirm the requirement for your course

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, a CV, and passport details. Ask about scholarships and trimester start dates.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party sources put 2026 postgraduate fees at about A$40,800 to A$58,920 for master's courses and about A$13,600 to A$39,280 for graduate certificates and diplomas. These appear to be total course costs. Check KBS's international fees page for your course and campus.

Estimated living costs

• Australian student visa applicants must show they can afford tuition, travel, and living costs
• Overseas Student Health Cover is compulsory for the length of the visa
• Student visa holders can work a limited number of hours in term under current rules
• Public transport concession fares are available in most cities
• Rents have risen in most Australian cities, so book housing early

Scholarships

KBS offers merit-based and need-based scholarships to domestic and international students, reported up to full tuition in some cases. Ask for criteria, amounts, and deadlines.

Campus life and student support

KBS campuses are city-centre buildings with modern classrooms, study spaces, and student lounges. Ask which campus teaches your course and what support services are available.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

KBS emphasises employability, with industry-practitioner teaching and career services. Accounting and analytics graduates may be interested in skilled migration, so check skills-assessment requirements. Ask for graduate outcomes.

Australia's Temporary Graduate visa

Eligible international graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows them to live and work in Australia after their studies, generally for two years after a bachelor's or coursework master's degree and longer after research degrees, with an age limit and study-requirement conditions. Rules change often, so confirm eligibility and current conditions with the Department of Home Affairs before relying on the visa.

Student satisfaction results

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey asks students across Australia to rate their educational experience. KBS reports that its postgraduate students rated their overall experience higher than students at every public university. Satisfaction is one measure; also consider accreditation and employment outcomes.

Accounting and skilled migration

Accounting graduates who want to work in Australia often need a skills assessment from CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or the IPA, which has its own course and English requirements. Check whether your KBS course meets these before enrolling.

Trimesters

KBS runs a trimester calendar, which can let students start at different times of year and sometimes complete faster. Ask how the calendar affects your course length and visa duration.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes compare total course fees with annual university fees, or assume every course is at every campus. Check the fee basis and campus.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover, prepare evidence of funds, and be ready to show you are a genuine student when applying for the visa. Budget for the visa application charge, flights, and a housing deposit.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, enrolment, and learning how Australian assessment works, with tutorials, assignments, and exams. Students who use academic support and English workshops early adjust faster.

A realistic budget

If a two-year master's costs about A$50,000 in total plus A$27,000 a year in living costs, the total could be about A$104,000.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the total fee for my course?
• Is my accounting course accredited by CPA Australia or CA ANZ?
• Which campus offers my course?
• What scholarships are available?
• Does the course qualify for the Temporary Graduate visa?
• How does the trimester calendar work?

Who Kaplan Business School suits best

KBS suits students who want a practical, well-reviewed business, accounting, or analytics degree in an Australian city from a private provider. It may suit less well students who want a university brand or research degree.

KBS compared with Australian universities

Universities offer broader facilities and brand recognition, often at similar or higher fees, while KBS offers smaller classes and strong satisfaction scores. Compare accreditation, cost, and outcomes.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and check accreditation and fees.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay the deposit, and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment.
5. Apply for your student visa and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover.
6. Book housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, passport, and financial evidence several months before your intake. Keep written confirmation of fees, scholarships, and any pathway credit.

The MBA and business analytics

KBS's MBA is designed for students and professionals who want management skills with an applied focus, and specialisations may be available. Its Master of Business Analytics covers data, statistics, visualisation, and decision-making, which suits growing demand for analytics skills. Ask about course structure, specialisations, prior-learning credit, and whether projects are completed with industry partners.

Living costs across Australian cities

Sydney and Melbourne have the highest rents, while Adelaide and Brisbane are often cheaper, and Perth sits in between. Australia's student visa requires evidence of funds for living costs, set by the Department of Home Affairs and updated periodically. Budget for Overseas Student Health Cover, transport, and textbooks. Choosing a cheaper city can reduce total costs noticeably over a two-year course.

Work during study

Student visa holders in Australia can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks. KBS's city-centre campuses make part-time work easier to find, but earnings should not be relied on to pay tuition. Check current work conditions before arrival.

A step-by-step checklist before paying

Confirm the course's CRICOS code and TEQSA accreditation, check professional accreditation for accounting, compare the total course fee with university alternatives, and confirm the campus and start date. Ask about scholarships before accepting, and read the refund policy in your written agreement.

Questions for current students

If possible, speak with current KBS students or graduates about teaching quality, class sizes, workload across trimesters, and job outcomes. Ask how easy it was to find part-time work and internships in their city, and whether careers services helped them secure roles after graduation.

Frequently asked questions