Biotechnology is an exciting and rapidly evolving multidisciplinary technology. Biotechnology courses cover fundamental life science concepts, current industry trends and issues, and key focus areas such as synthetic biology, bio-processing, medical applications, and commercialization.
The course is available as a degree or certificate at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A bachelor's degree is a four-year program in Australia, while a master's degree is a one-to-two-year program. Some universities in Australia also offer research degrees in biotechnology, such as MRes, MPhil, and PhD.
A degree in biotechnology from Australia's prestigious universities allows you to work as a scientist or researcher in medical, biological, or pharmaceutical research organizations. It also allows students to pursue careers in marketing, biotech investment and finance, sales, and business development.
Biotechnology graduates are highly sought after by government and industry employers in chemical, plant, agricultural, and medical biotechnology. The salary of a degree holder in biotechnology ranges from 60,000 AUD to 146,000 AUD per year in Australia, depending upon an individual's educational qualification and work experience.
Australia prides itself on enrolling a record number of international students in biotechnology, which opens up a bright future and an excellent pay scale, making biotechnology colleges in Australia worthwhile to attend.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in Australia for Biotechnology courses
Several reputed universities in Australia provide biotechnology courses. Here is a list of top biotechnology universities in the USA based on the “Best Global Universities for Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology in Australia” by USnews.
World Ranking |
Universities/Colleges |
Location |
41 |
The University of Melbourne |
Parkville, Australia |
=53 |
The University of Queensland |
Brisbane City, Australia |
59 |
The Australian National University |
Canberra, Australia |
=69 |
Monash University |
Melbourne, Australia |
=90 |
The University of New South Wales |
Sydney, Australia |
110 |
The University of Western Australia |
Perth, Australia |
151-200 |
The University of Adelaide |
Adelaide, Australia |
251-300 |
La Trobe University |
Melbourne, Australia |
301-350 |
Griffith University |
Nathan, Australia |
301-350 |
Macquarie University |
Sydney, Australia |
301-350 |
The University of Newcastle, Australia (UON) |
Callaghan, Australia |
351-400 |
RMIT University |
Melbourne, Australia |
|
Programs for Bachelors in Biotechnology with tuition fees in Australia
Depending on the specialization student chooses to study, Australian undergraduate courses in biotechnology last between three and four years.
Tuition for Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology ranges from AUD 37,000 to AUD 46,000 annually for international students.
A biotechnology degree makes it possible to work as a scientist or researcher for biological, medical, or pharmaceutical research institutions. Students can also pursue careers in marketing, biotech investment and finance, sales, and business development.
A biotechnologist's annual pay can range from 15,000 to 146,000 Australian dollars, based on their level of schooling and prior employment.
The table below lists universities that provide bachelor's degrees in biotechnology in Australia.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
Duration/Credit hours |
The University of Melbourne |
Bachelor of Biomedicine with a major in biotechnology |
$44,760-$47,056 |
3 years |
Bachelor of Science with a major in biotechnology |
$43,660-$47,528 |
||
The University of Queensland |
Bachelor of Biotechnology |
$44,464 |
3 years |
The Australian National University |
Bachelor of Biotechnology |
$47,940 |
3 years |
The University of New South Wales |
Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) |
$48,915* |
4 years |
The University of Adelaide |
Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) |
$41,500 |
3 years |
The University of Newcastle, Australia (UON) |
Bachelor of Biotechnology |
$41,105 |
3 years |
RMIT University |
Bachelor of Biotechnology |
$36,480 |
3 years |
Academic Requirements:
- Applicants need to complete Australian 12 years of education or equivalent.
- Preliminary courses include biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
English Language Requirement
The following are the minimum requirements for English language proficiency:
- IELTS: 6.0, with no branch less than 5.5.
- TOEFL IBT: 70 (minimum 13 in reading and listening, 18 in speaking and writing).
- PTE: 50, with a minimum of 50.
Programs for Masters in Biotechnology with tuition fees in Australia
In Australia, a master's in biotechnology is a 1-2 year program for which one can only apply after earning a bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
In Australia, a biotechnology master's degree focuses primarily on teaching microbiological processes, biosystems, and living organisms to develop items that can be used to improve human lives.
Since a post-graduate degree in biotechnology touches many academic fields, numerous job prospects exist in a wide range of industries, including patent law, manufacturing, science, policy, and business development. However, the health and biomedical industries account for 70% of biotechnology.
Tuition for a Master’s degree in Biotechnology ranges from AUD 40,000 to AUD 85,000 annually for international students.
The table below lists universities that provide master’s degrees in biotechnology in Australia.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
Duration/Credit hours |
The University of Melbourne |
Master of Biotechnology |
$46,272 |
2 years |
The University of Queensland |
Master of Biotechnology |
$41,936 |
1-2 years |
The Australian National University |
Master of Biotechnology |
$47,940 |
2 years |
Monash University |
Master of Biotechnology |
$44,000 |
1 or 2 years |
The University of Western Australia |
Master of Biotechnology |
$86,400 (Total course fee) |
1.5-2 years |
The University of Adelaide |
Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) |
$44,500 |
2 years |
La Trobe University |
Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics |
$39 000 (Total course fee) |
2 years |
Griffith University |
Master of Biotechnology |
$35,500 |
2 years |
Macquarie University |
Master of Biotechnology |
$40,800 |
2 years |
RMIT University |
Master of Biotechnology |
$37,440 |
2 years |
Academic requirements:
- An Australian bachelor degree or international equivalent in biological sciences, food science/technology, biotechnology, medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, agricultural science or chemical engineering.
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
English Language Requirement
The following are the minimum requirements for English language proficiency:
- IELTS: 6.5, with no branch less than 6.0
- TOEFL IBT: 79 (minimum 13 in reading and listening, 18 in speaking and 21 in writing).
- PTE: 58, with a minimum of 50.
Programs for PhD in Biotechnology with tuition fees in Australia
In Australia, only a few universities offer doctoral degrees in biotechnology. The PhD programs in biotechnology focus on an individual research topic that spans the broader research interests of one of the school's research groups.
A written thesis must be finished with three to four years of full-time study to earn a doctor of philosophy degree from an Australian University.
Doctor of Philosophy holders from Australian universities will have acquired the abilities needed to carry out independent research. They will have added to the information base in their field of specialization by conducting an original, significant, and rigorous research project.
The table below lists the top universities in Australia that offer doctorate programs in biotechnology.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Duration/Credit hours |
Tuition fees per annum |
The University of Queensland |
Doctor of Biotechnology |
3 years |
$41,632 |
The University of New South Wales |
Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology |
3 - 4 years |
$46,560 $970*48 |
Academic requirements:
- A bachelor's degree in biotechnology with upper second-class honours, OR
- A Master's by Research in the related field with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis.
English Language Requirement
The following are the minimum requirements for English language proficiency:
- IELTS: 6.5, with no branch less than 6.0
- TOEFL IBT: 79 (minimum 13 in reading and listening, 18 in speaking and 21 in writing.)
- PTE: 58, with a minimum of 50
Top Biotechnology University in Australia: Scholarships
Several scholarships, grants, and bursaries are awarded yearly to recognize academic achievement and assist students from various backgrounds.
They are offered by the government of Australia, educational institutions, and several other public and private organizations.
Here is a list of some general and specific scholarships available to biotechnology students in Australia.
Universities/Colleges |
Scholarships |
Amount |
The University of Melbourne |
Science Graduate Scholarship (International) |
Up to $10,000 |
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council: David Phillips Fellowships |
Up to $2,300,000 |
|
The University of Queensland |
Science International Scholarships |
$8,000 |
Monash University |
Science International Merit Grant |
Up to $3000 |
The University of New South Wales |
UNSW Science Achiever Award |
$6,000 |
University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA) |
$28,854 |
|
The University of Western Australia |
Vivian Hill Nevile Scholarship in International Relations |
$10,000 |
The University of Adelaide |
The University of Adelaide College International Scholarship |
10% tuition fee reduction |
La Trobe University |
La Trobe Scholarship |
25% tuition fee reduction |
Statement of purpose (SOP) sample for Biotechnology
|
Top Biotechnology University in Australia: Scope
As a graduate of this course, you will be qualified to apply for advanced positions in the biotechnology industry.
You will know gene and protein technologies, bioinformatics, and various microbiology and food science disciplines. These abilities are in high demand in the diverse biotechnology industry in Australia.
Australia is the fifth most innovative country in the world for biotechnology, according to thinkbiotech.com. Over the past ten years, the biotechnology sector has experienced remarkable expansion.
In Australia, there are many opportunities in biotechnology, particularly for people finishing their master's degrees in the field. The nation's biotech enterprises and other research organizations generate enough job opportunities each year for international graduates.
Entry-level biotechnologists with less than a year of experience can make AUD 52,000. Those with five strong years of experience could make up to AUD 60,000 or more.
Here is a list of possible careers for biotechnology graduates in Australia.
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Quality Assurance Manager |
AU$58k - AU$115k |
AU$81,185 |
Quality Assurance Coordinator |
AU$56k - AU$89k |
AU$70,759 |
Research Scientist, Biotechnology |
AU$46k - AU$86k |
AU$64,088 |
Account Manager |
AU$50k - AU$77k |
AU$61,802 |
R&D Lab Technician |
AU$43k - AU$60k |
AU$50,966 |
Quality Assurance Specialist |
AU$65k - AU$108k |
AU$83,771 |
Product Development Manager |
AU$77k - AU$123k |
AU$96,233 |
Food Technologist |
AU$46k - AU$82k |
AU$61,042 |
Microbiologist |
AU$53k - AU$77k |
AU$64,270 |