University of Notre Dame Australia: Fees, Campuses & Scholarships Guide for International Students

The University of Notre Dame Australia is a private Catholic university with campuses in Fremantle, near Perth, in Sydney, and in Broome in Western Australia's Kimberley region. It is separate from the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Notre Dame Australia is known for medicine, nursing, health sciences, law, education, and the liberal arts, with a core curriculum in philosophy and theology for undergraduates. This guide covers what international students should know: 2026 indicative fees, scholarships, English requirements, campus differences, and the Temporary Graduate visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: University of Notre Dame Australia, a private Catholic university
• Not to be confused with: the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA
• Campuses: Fremantle (Western Australia), Sydney (New South Wales), and Broome (Western Australia)
• 2026 indicative international tuition (third-party summary of university figures): about A$32,199 to A$45,523 a year for most programmes
• Medicine: about A$83,997 a year (postgraduate)
• English: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (reported)
• Scholarships: Notre Dame and merit scholarships worth up to about A$20,000 reported, open to Australian and international students
• Living costs: about A$22,000 to A$28,000 a year (third-party)

Rankings and reputation

Notre Dame Australia is a small private university and is not highly placed in global research rankings, but it scores well in Australian student-satisfaction surveys. Its medicine, nursing, and law programmes are well known in Australia. Judge it on your programme's accreditation and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

Programmes include medicine, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, health sciences, law, education, business, arts, and theology. Undergraduates take core courses in philosophy, ethics, and theology, reflecting the university's Catholic identity. Ask which campus teaches your programme and whether international places are available, since medicine and some health programmes have limited international seats.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission depends on academic results, English, and programme requirements, with interviews and admission tests for medicine. Health programmes require immunisations and checks before placements. After an offer, you receive a Confirmation of Enrolment and apply for a student visa.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (reported)
• Health, law, and education programmes may require higher scores
• TOEFL, PTE Academic, CAE, and CPE are also accepted
• Confirm the requirement for your programme

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, and passport details, plus admission tests and interviews for medicine. Ask about international places and deposits.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party summaries of Notre Dame's 2026 indicative international fees give about A$32,199 to A$45,523 a year for most undergraduate programmes and about A$83,997 a year for postgraduate Medicine. Arts, business, and education sit toward the lower end; nursing, health sciences, and law toward the higher end. Notre Dame's own fee PDF was not accessible to me, so check its international fees page.

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

Notre Dame and merit scholarships worth up to about A$20,000 are reported, open to Australian and international students. Sources say international students may need to be enrolled before applying for some awards. Ask for criteria and timing.

Campus life and student support

Fremantle's campus is spread through the historic port town's West End, near beaches and cafés. The Sydney campus is split between Broadway and Darlinghurst, near the city centre and hospitals. Broome is a small campus in a remote tropical town. Ask which campus suits your programme and lifestyle.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Graduates in medicine, nursing, and health work in hospitals and clinics, often after placements arranged through the university's hospital partnerships. Law and education graduates must meet professional admission rules. Ask for graduate outcomes and registration requirements for international graduates.

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.

The core curriculum

Notre Dame Australia requires most undergraduates to complete core courses in philosophy, ethics, and theology. These courses explore questions about knowledge, ethics, and the Catholic intellectual tradition, and are open to students of all faiths and none. Some students value them; others find them an extra requirement. Ask how many core units your degree includes.

Medicine for international students

Notre Dame's postgraduate Doctor of Medicine programmes in Fremantle and Sydney are competitive, and places for international students are limited. Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree, an admission test such as GAMSAT or MCAT, and an interview. After graduation, internships and registration in Australia have their own rules for international graduates.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes confuse Notre Dame Australia with the US university, assume every programme is at every campus, or plan on scholarships that require prior enrolment. Check campus, fees, and scholarship timing.

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

At about A$38,000 a year in tuition and A$25,000 in living costs, a three-year degree could cost about A$189,000. Medicine at about A$84,000 a year over four years would cost far more.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which campus teaches my programme?
• Are international places available in my programme?
• What is the 2026 fee for my programme?
• Which scholarships can I apply for, and when?
• What are the placement requirements?
• Does my programme lead to professional registration in Australia or my home country?

Who Notre Dame Australia suits best

Notre Dame Australia suits students who want a smaller, values-based university with strong health, law, and education programmes in Fremantle or Sydney. It may suit less well students who want a large research university or who prefer a secular curriculum.

Fremantle compared with Sydney

Fremantle offers a heritage port-town setting near Perth with lower living costs, while Sydney offers a major city and hospital network but higher rents. Compare the programme, cost, and lifestyle.

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.

Life in Fremantle and Sydney

Fremantle is a historic port town with beaches, markets, and a relaxed pace, about 30 minutes by train from Perth. The Sydney campus is close to the city centre and major hospitals, with higher rents. Broome is remote, hot, and small. Budget based on the campus you choose.

Nursing and health placements

Nursing and allied health programmes include clinical placements in hospitals and community settings, with immunisation, police checks, and English requirements. Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has its own English rules. Ask about placement locations and costs.

How Notre Dame compares on cost

Notre Dame's indicative fees of about A$32,000 to A$46,000 a year for most programmes are similar to many Australian universities. Fremantle's living costs are lower than Sydney's. Compare the net cost after scholarships and the campus you choose.

Frequently asked questions