Master of Public Health in Australia spans a duration of 1-3 years and exposes graduates and practitioners to extensive and in-depth knowledge in the field and consolidates their expertise and specialization in this field. The annual cost of studying in the top universities for public health courses in Australia ranges from 32,000 to 55,000 AUD (17.58 lakhs to 30.22 lakhs INR) depending on the institution.

Check: Top Healthcare Universities in Australia 

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a minimum average of 60% is required for admission to the program. International students interested to study in Australia are accepted for this program in two intakes. Top specializations for Master of Public Health in Australia include biostatistics, epidemiology, public health practice, public health economics, and others. Graduates of Masters in Public Health in Australia earn around 78,000 AUD (42.62 lakhs INR) per annum.

Also read: Job Opportunities in Australia for International Students

Master of Public Health in Australia: Highlights

Program Duration Full Time: 1-3 years Part Time: 2-5 years
Fees Range 32,000 to 55,000 AUD (17.58 lakhs to 30.22 lakhs INR)
Program Resumption Date Start Year Entry: February | Mid-Year Entry: July
Top Specialization Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Epidemiology, Health Program Evaluation.
Top Recruiting Companies World Health Organization, International Research Agencies, National Hospitals
Job Positions Public Health Analyst, Public Health Consultant, Epidemiologist
Average Annual Salaries 82,000 AUD (45.06 lakhs INR)

Master of Public Health in Australia: Top Universities

Master of public health is available in some top-ranking universities in Australia. These universities are outlined below according to the world-course ranked by Academic ranking of world universities (ARWU) along with the program, duration of study and program fee.

University Program Offered Application Deadline Annual Fees (AUD)
University of Melbourne Master of Public Health  April 30, 2023 55,552
University of Queensland Master of Public Health  May 31, 2023 35,632
University of Sydney Master of Public Health  June 25, 2023 54,000
Monash University Master of Public Health  Applications Open 46,900
University of New South Wales Master of Public Health  July 31, 2023 47,455
University of Western Australia Master of Public Health  November 15, 2023 40,500
Queensland University of Technology Master of Public Health  June 26, 2023 32,400
Australian National University Master of Public Health  May 15, 2023 49,330
Curtin University Master of Public Health  July 14, 2023 39,270
Griffith University Master of Public Health  Trimester 2: June 3, 2023 | Trimester 3: September 30, 2023 33,500

* Applicants with a bachelor degree in a health-related area (such as Behavioural science, psychology, health information management, Medicine (Australian degrees only), Nursing, Nutrition, dietetics, Paramedic science, and Public health) may be eligible for 48 credit points of advanced standing on entry to the course. This will reduce the course duration to 18 months full-time or three years part-time.

Why Study Master of Public Health in Australia?

  • Top 10 Australian universities rank globally amongst the top 150 universities offering masters in public health abroad. 
  • The healthcare and medical industry were among the fastest-growing in Australia with job opportunities increasing by 11.1%. This growth indicates a demand of 2 million health professionals by 2025. 
  • According to a report from PwC Australia, the demand for the healthcare and social assistance workforce is expected to increase by 14.9% over the next four years.
  • The average annual salary for graduates entering the health industry is around 127,000 AUD (~70 Lakhs INR).​

Master of Public Health in Australia: What is it About?

Master of public health is mostly a coursework program that spans for about 1-3 years in full-time study and two to five years in a part-time program. However, the duration of study in an institution like Monash University, etc depends on the entry qualifications. Students entering with a postgraduate qualification spend lesser duration than students entering with a bachelor’s degree.

In most universities in Australia, masters in public health have three components:

  • The core course component which is about six to eight subjects depending on the program structure of the institution
  • The specialist/elective components where students focus on their specialization and develop the skills required to work in their chosen public health field.
  • The capstone subjects which offer the student the opportunity to apply what they have learned across the core subjects and specialization/elective subjects in real-world projects. The experience component may take the form of a research project with an expert in the field, a practice placement with a recognized organization or selective subjects.

Most international students specialize in one or more of the following key areas are Indigenous Health, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Nutrition, Aging, Primary Care, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Sexual Health, Gender and Women’s Health, Global Health, Health Program Evaluation, Health Economics & Economic Evaluation, Indigenous Health, as well as Health Social Sciences

Master of Public Health in Australia: Course Curriculum

The course has a robust curriculum built from the undergraduate course structure to consolidate and build expertise and specialization amongst students.

In the first year of study, core courses like Foundations of Public health, Prioritising and Planning in Public Health, Quantitative Research in Public Health, Biostatistics and Epidemiology are offered. 

Elective courses like the sub-courses of Ageing are also offered. The second-year is usually a progression of the first-year subject plus the introduction of advanced methodology in healthcare practices with research work and work experience.

Graduates of the master program in public health who wish to further their studies and have successfully completed the institution-allocated credit point may apply for entry to the Master of Applied Science (Research) or the Doctor of Philosophy as the case may be.

Master of Public Health In Australia: Admissions

Applicants opting to pursue a Master of Public Health in Australia must be aware of the following mentioned details. Applicants should visit the university's application webpage or the program page on the official website of the institution they wish to apply to. In addition to the official school portal, admission to University of Queens (UQ) and University of Western Australia (UWA) can be processed through Approved UQ Agent and Approved UWA Agent respectively in the applicant's country.

Master of Public Health In Australia: Eligibility Criteria

Along with your applications you are required to submit the following documents:

  • Transcripts: Transcripts showing full details of subjects and grades offered in the previous institution(s) are required
  • Photocopies: Photocopies of all official certificates
  • Certified copies of evidence of course completion if not included on the transcript
  • One-three LOR(s)
  • Evidence of English Language proficiency (if applicable)
  • Course-specific required documents
  • Resume/ CV
  • A copy of the passport or photo page of the passport.
  • Financial Statements (not necessary)
  • Statement of purpose

Master of Public Health in Australia: Admission Requirements

The minimum eligibility requirements for studying at some of the top-ranking universities for public health courses in Australia are as follows:

University UG Degree Requirements TOEFL IELTS
University of Melbourne 60% 58-64 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
University of Queensland UG in relevant field 87 with no section less than 19. 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
University of Sydney UG degree in relevant field 85 with no section less than 19. 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
Monash University 60% 79, with minimum scores: Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18 and Writing 21 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
University of New South Wales Relevant degree, 2 years of work experience 90 (min. 23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking) 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
University of Western Australia 60% in relevant degree 82 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5)
Queensland University of Technology 65% 90 (min. 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 16 in reading, and listening) 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0
Australian National University 63% 100 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 24 in Reading and Listening, and 23 in Speaking 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5)
Curtin University Relevant degree 79 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, 13 in Reading and Listening, and 18 in Speaking 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
Griffith University Relevant degree 79 (no sub-score less than 19) 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)

The application fee is required (the amount varies) by some courses and universities but not all universities in Australia charge a fee for the application. Some universities require advance payment before the commencement of school.

Admission Decisions

The applications for all the universities listed above are always carefully reviewed and decisions are mostly released two to twelve weeks on average. Where relevant, admission is usually awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements. 

Masters in Public Health in Australia: Tuition Fees

International master’s applicants interested in pursuing Master of Public Health in Australia must have sufficient funding which is distributed into three categories- the pre-arrival cost, the cost of study and the cost of living. It costs anywhere between 9,000 to 50,000 AUD (4.92 to 27.34 lakhs INR) to study Master of Public Health in Australia. Given below are the tuition fees for some of the top universities for Master of Public Health in Australia:

Master of Public Health in Australia Tuition Fee

University Annual Fees (AUD) Fee for Indian Students (INR)
University of Melbourne 55,552 30.52 lakhs
University of Queensland 35,632 19.58 lakhs
University of Sydney 54,000 29.67 lakhs
Monash University 46,900 25.77 lakhs
University of New South Wales 47,455 26.07 lakhs
University of Western Australia 40,500 22.25 lakhs
Queensland University of Technology 32,400 17.80 lakhs
Australian National University 49,330 27.10 lakhs
Curtin University 39,270 21.58 lakhs
Griffith University 33,500 18.40 lakhs

Cost of Living in Australia

The table below highlights the cost of living in Australia. This includes the average of minimum expenses of food, clothing, entertainment, cost of accommodation and transportation required for pursuing a Master of Public Health in Australia.

Type of Expenses Amount (AUD) per Annum Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Hostel and Guesthouse 4,360 – 46,500 2.38 to 25.4 lakhs
Share Rentals 4,900 – 36,500 2.67 to 19.95 lakhs
On-Campus 5,720 – 37,500 3.12 to 20.49 lakhs
Homestay 12,220 – 36,500 6.67 to 19.95 lakhs
Groceries and Eating Out 5,230 – 15,600 2.85 to 8.52 lakhs
Public Transport 520 – 8,320 0.28 to 4.54 lakhs 
Entertainment 840 – 7,800 45,904 to 4.26 lakhs

Cost of Living in Australia

Master of Public Health in Australia with Scholarships

The table below shows some available scholarships for international students pursuing Master of Public Health:

Scholarships Awarding Institution Eligibility Awards
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions University of Melbourne Enrolled in the university 20,000 to 16,000,000 AUD
Science Global Ambassador Scholarships - India University of Queensland Enrolled in the university | Strong academic performance 10,000 AUD
Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence Monash University Enrolled in the university 10,000 AUD per annum
International Scientia Coursework Scholarship University of New South Wales Enrolled in the university | Academic Merit | Leadership Skills | Extracurricular activities Full tuition fee waiver or 20,000 AUD per annum towards tuition fee
Western Australia Premier’s University Scholarship University of Western Australia Enrolled in postgraduate programs 50,000 AUD
International Merit Scholarship Queensland University of Technology Enrolled in the university | Academic Merit 25% tuition fee coverage
2023 Global Curtin Scholarships – Merit Scholarship Curtin University Enrolled in the university | Academic Merit 25% off first year tuition fee

Master of Public Health in Australia: Scope

The Master program in Public Health produces industry trained graduates who go onto a varied range of career pathways. International students can decide to work anywhere he/she finds a suitable work, depending on their area of focus.  In a recent survey conducted by the alumni network of Melbourne University, it was discovered that the most common type of organization to be employed in post-graduation are:

  • Non-Government Organizations. Examples are international health agencies (either based in Australia or overseas) and large and small local disease-specific agencies, research institutes, etc.
  • Government affiliated organizations, such as hospitals, primary health care organization, large international health organizations;
  • Government (Local, State, and Federal);
  • Universities and Research Institutions;
  • Private companies, usually based in Australia. These can be the larger consulting firms, smaller health-focused consulting firms, health communication companies or the pharmaceutical industry.

The job role obtained by Master’s in Public Health degree holders varies due to the versatile nature of the program. Some job titles in this field are listed in the table below together with the average annual salary.

Master of Public Health in Australia Jobs and Salaries

Jobs Average Salary (AUD) Average Salary (INR)
Health Promotion Officer 61,100 33.57 lakhs
Environmental Health Officer 68,400 37.58 lakhs
Healthcare Consultant 66,500 36.54 lakhs
Policy Officer 81,200 44.62 lakhs
Health Safety Advisor 98,600 54.18 lakhs
Project Coordinator 66,800 36.70 lakhs
Program Coordinator, NPO 72,900 40.06 lakhs

Master of Public Health in Australia v/s Master of Public Health in Canada

Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in Australia and Canada are both highly regarded for their academic excellence and professional training in public health. However, there are some notable differences in their program structures, admission requirements, and career opportunities.

Parameters Master of Public Health in Canada Master of Public Health in Australia
Degree Types MS | Master of Public Health (MPH) Master of Public Health (MPH)
Course Duration 2 years Full Time: 1-3 years | Part Time: 2-5 years
Admission requirements Bachelor’s degree in basic sciences, health sciences or related field | Overall aggregate of 83-86% UG degree in relevant field | Overall aggregate of 60-65% 
Language Proficiency IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 93 IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 82
Monthly Cost of Living 1,987 CAD (1.19 lakhs INR) 2,326 AUD (1.28 lakhs INR)
Tuition Fee 15,000-57,000 CAD (9 lakhs-35 lakhs INR) 32,000 to 55,000 AUD (17.58 lakhs to 30.22 lakhs INR)
Average Salary 68,000 CAD (42 lakhs INR) 82,000 AUD (45.06 lakhs INR)

Some examples of organizations that employ health workers and undertake public health work are Hospitals, Community Health Services, World Health Organisation, Universities, Health Research Institute, Consulting firms (PwC Australia; Deloitte Access Economics), Center for Disease Control, Family Planning and Sexual Health Centre, The Cancer Council, Department of Health (State government), Department of Health (Commonwealth government), Local Government, etc.

This program will benefit health professionals interested in moving into the public health area; mid-career health professionals seeking advancement in their area of work and clinicians wishing to broaden their range of expertise and/or move into management.

FAQs

Ques.What is the cost of studying Master of Public Health in Australia?

Ans.As an international student, you can expect expenses of around 30,500-100,500 AUD (17-55 lakhs INR) to study Master of Public Health in Australia

Ques.How long is the duration of the Master of Public Health in Australia program?

Ans.It takes from 1-3 years to complete the Master of Public Health program in Australia. The full tie program generally spans around 1 year.

Ques.What are the specializations offered by the Australian universities for Master of Public Health program?

Ans.International students can pursue specializations in disciplines like Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health Practice, Public Health Economics, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Health Program Evaluation and others.

Ques.Can international students avail scholarships to study Master of Public Health in Australia?

Ans.Yes. There are plenty of scholarships available for the international students studying Master of Public Health in Australia. Some of these scholarships include full-tuition and fees. These scholarship amount ranges between 5,000-160,000 AUD.

Ques.What are the job opportunities after studying Master of Public Health in Australia?

Ans.The career opportunities after completing the Master of Public Health course in Australia are vast. You can get employed in health sectors as a Public Health Specialist, Epidemiologist, Medical and Health Services Manager, Health Coordinator, and equivalent designations.

Ques.How much salary is offered to the graduates after completing Master of Public Health in Australia?

Ans.With a Master of Public Health degree from Australia, you can earn salaries around 68,000-147,000 AUD (37.16 to 80.32 lakhs INR) per annum. According to Payscale, the average salary of Master of Public Health graduates in Australia is around 78,000 AUD (42.62 lakhs INR).