SAO Fees

The SAO fee structure is based on the Swinburne University multi-level fee "band structure" which is different for Australians and international students. Follow the links for details about course fees for:


SAO Fees for Australian Students

    The fee for Australian applicants enrolling in Semester 1 2009 is
    AUD $1150.00 per unit

This applies to students enrolling in the following programs:

    - Master of Science,
    - Graduate Diploma of Science,
    - Graduate Certificate of Science,
    - and individual unit enrolments.
Note that:
  • The full degree of Master of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of twelve units; Graduate Diploma of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of eight units; and Graduate Certificate of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of fours units.
  • Payment for the degree of Master of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Graduate Certificate of Science is on a per unit basis.
  • The unit fee is subject to review on a yearly basis.
  • One or more textbooks are necessary for most units, and must be purchased separately. Click here for details.

Swinburne University Postgraduate Full-Fee Paying Policy:

  1. Students must withdraw from a unit of study prior to the census date* to be eligible for a full refund.
  2. No refund is payable to students who withdraw from a course or unit after the census date*.
* The 2009 census dates are: 31 March for Semester 1 and 4 September for Semester 2

For full details of the University's refund of tuition policy, click here and follow the link to "refund" of Domestic Student Fees - Higher Education Sector (and then select the "Procedure" tab).


SAO Fees for International Students

    The fee for international applicants enrolling in Semester 1 2009 is
    AUD $1150.00 per unit (~ US $780 *)

This applies to students enrolling in the following programs:

    - Master of Science,
    - Graduate Diploma of Science,
    - Graduate Certificate of Science,
    - and individual unit enrolments.
Note that:
  • The full degree of Master of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of twelve units; Graduate Diploma of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of eight units; and Graduate Certificate of Science in Astronomy requires satisfactory completion of fours units.
  • Payment for the degree of Master of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Graduate Certificate of Science is on a per unit basis.
  • The unit fee is subject to review on a yearly basis.
  • One or more textbooks are necessary for most units, and must be purchased separately. Click here for details.

* As of 6 Nov. 2008, the Australian dollar fetched approx. 68 US cents
(Follow this link to access a commercial currency conversion website.)

Swinburne University Postgraduate Full-Fee Paying Policy:

  1. Students must withdraw from a unit of study prior to the census date* to be eligible for a full refund.
  2. No refund is payable to students who withdraw from a course or unit after the census date*.
* The 2009 census dates are: 31 March for Semester 1 and 4 September for Semester 2

For full details of the University's refund of tuition policy, click here and follow the link to "refund" of International Student Enrolment and Tuition Fee Policy (then select the "Procedure" tab).