The share of Chinese mainland students using scores from China's national college entrance exam, known as the gaokao, for direct admission to undergraduate studies at Australian universities increased from 61.7 percent in 2023 to 73.7 percent in 2025. Seven of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight universities, excluding the University of Melbourne, now accept China's gaokao scores for direct admission.

A recent Australia study report, released by EIC Education, found it is now the mainstream pathway for undergraduate admission. Beyond the gaokao route, students can also enter through foundation programs or first-year diplomas, the report said.

Among undergraduate applicants, general business was the most popular major with 19.57 percent, followed by computer science at 8.91 percent. Many Australian degrees allow students to take one major and one to two minors, fostering cross-disciplinary skills, it said.

Tuition fees vary significantly by university ranking and discipline. For undergraduate studies at group of eight universities, annual fees range from 200,000 to 290,000 yuan ($29,000-$43,000), while other universities charge between 160,000 and 250,000 yuan. Business and engineering programs tend to cost more than humanities, the report noted.

More than 72 percent of Chinese mainland students applying to Australia consider switching majors, with better job prospects the top motivation at 85.7 percent, the report showed. Pursuing genuine interests (51.4 percent) and choosing easier majors (28.6 percent) follow. The report noted that many Australian master's programs in business, humanities, and some IT fields accept applicants without relevant backgrounds, making cross-disciplinary applications a mainstream trend.

Australia has set its 2026 international student enrollment quota at 295,000 — an increase of 25,000 places, or 9 percent, from 2025. Nearly 200,000 of these are for higher education.

Chinese mainland students remain the largest source of international students in Australia. Data from Australia's Department of Education shows that from January to December 2025, 195,535 Chinese mainland students were enrolled, accounting for 23.1 percent of the total and representing a year-on-year increase of 3.4 percent. Higher education programs dominate, making up 74 percent of Chinese enrollments, up 6.3 percent from 2024.

Postgraduate admissions have also become more accessible. The Australian National University has lowered its average score requirement for non-"211" (top-level Chinese university) graduates applying for most coursework master's programs from 85 to 80.

Among Australia-bound applicants, 62.5 percent also apply to the United Kingdom and 14.8 percent to New Zealand, thanks to similar education systems, academic structures, and language environments, the report states.

Prestigious Australian universities offer clear admission requirements, simple processes, stable policies, and ample admission opportunities — a level of certainty that appeals to students aiming for top-tier schools, it said.

Language testing flexibility has improved as well. IELTS One Skill Retake is now widely accepted, helping Chinese students retake only the section in which they fall short.

The report advises students to focus on fields with strong local labor demand — health, education, engineering, and social work — and to prepare visa applications that demonstrate genuine study intentions and clear career plans, as Australia now prioritizes well-prepared applicants under its visa policy.