There are 233 Doctoral Degree courses offered by 10 CRICOS-registered providers across Victoria. Victoria is home to world-class universities offering AQF Level 10 research degrees, including PhDs and professional doctorates. Whether you want to advance in academia, industry, or research, you'll find programs spanning 11 fields of education, from Natural and Physical Sciences to Creative Arts. Tuition fees range from A$1 to A$341,886, with durations from 26 weeks to 5 years. All listed providers are CRICOS-registered, ensuring quality and ESOS Act protections. HeadStart Academy is your free, independent resource to explore doctoral programs in Melbourne, Geelong, and regional Victoria.
Counted from the official register for VIC: 248 non-expired CRICOS courses across 16 providers.
Most common course levels
Planning baseline from the CRICOS register [CRICOS register, Apr 2026]. Confirm fees, intakes and visa settings with the provider and government sources before applying.
Ranked by active CRICOS course coverage for Doctoral Degree in Victoria on the April 2026 register snapshot. Recalculated this build (2026-10-06). Use this as a shortlist, then confirm current fees and intakes with each provider.
Commercial disclosure: Payment does not affect this ranking or inclusion. Ordering is coverage-based from the CRICOS register — not an endorsement or quality score. How we rank · Is this legit?
Monash University (Monash) is a government CRICOS provider with 540 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$1 to A$572,729. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree (Coursework), Masters Degree (Research).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00008C, Government, 540 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is a government CRICOS provider with 486 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$186.5 to A$281,821. Common levels include Bachelor Honours Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00122A, Government, 486 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
The University of Melbourne (UniMelb)
The University of Melbourne (UniMelb) is a government CRICOS provider with 434 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$16,688 to A$570,882. Common levels include Masters Degree (Research), Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00116K, Government, 434 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is a government CRICOS provider with 409 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$260 to A$307,580. Common levels include Masters Degree (Coursework), Masters Degree (Research), Bachelor Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00111D, Government, 409 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Victoria University is a government CRICOS provider with 277 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$4,000 to A$268,915. Common levels include Masters Degree (Research), Associate Degree, Graduate Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00124K, Government, 277 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Deakin University (Deakin) is a government CRICOS provider with 244 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$2,800 to A$377,568. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Honours Degree, Masters Degree (Research).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00113B, Government, 244 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
La Trobe University (La Trobe)
La Trobe University (La Trobe) is a government CRICOS provider with 240 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$2 to A$418,000. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree (Research), Doctoral Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00115M, Government, 240 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Federation University Australia
Federation University Australia is a government CRICOS provider with 188 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$1 to A$174,885. Common levels include Masters Degree (Research), Masters Degree (Coursework), Bachelor Honours Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00103D, Government, 188 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Australian Catholic University Limited
Australian Catholic University Limited is a government CRICOS provider with 164 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$10,640 to A$210,176. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Doctoral Degree, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00004G, Government, 164 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd
Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 139 active courses matched to Doctoral Degree in Victoria. Indicative course totals on register from A$14,540 to A$130,860. Common levels include Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03392K, Private, 139 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Similar to a register-first directory: every claim you can act on should be checkable against an official source. Full ranking rules: methodology.
Maintained by HeadStart Academy editorial · Snapshot recalculated this build (2026-10-06).
A Doctoral Degree is the highest level of academic qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF Level 10). It involves original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Typical entry requires a Master's degree or an Honours degree with research components. Doctoral graduates often pursue careers in academia, research institutions, or senior industry roles. In Victoria, you can choose between a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or a professional doctorate (e.g., EdD, DBA). Programs are research-intensive and supervised by leading academics. Duration is usually 3 to 4 years full-time, but can extend up to 5 years. Some courses offer shorter pathways for candidates with relevant research experience.
Tuition fees for doctoral degrees vary widely by field and institution. The CRICOS register shows a range from A$1 (typically scholarships or fee exemptions) to A$341,886 for full-fee programs. Most international students pay between A$30,000 and A$50,000 per year. Duration ranges from 26 weeks (some professional doctorates) to 5 years (part-time or extended PhDs). Below is an indicative breakdown by field of education. Note: These are total course fees for the full duration; actual costs depend on the provider and research area. Additional costs include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living expenses, and research materials.
Victoria has 10 CRICOS-registered providers offering doctoral degrees. Here are the top ones by course count:
Doctoral programs in Victoria cover 11 fields of education, allowing you to research almost any discipline:
English proficiency is essential for doctoral study. Most Victorian universities require an IELTS overall score of 6.5 to 7.0, with no band below 6.0 to 6.5. Some programs, particularly in health and law, may require higher. Equivalent tests like TOEFL iBT (79-94) or PTE Academic (58-65) are often accepted. Always check the specific entry requirements of your chosen university, as they vary by course and field.
International students need a Student visa (Subclass 500) to study a doctoral degree in Victoria. Key requirements:
For detailed guidance, see our [Student Visa (Subclass 500) guide](/visa/student-visa-subclass-500).
Follow these three steps to secure your place:
Step 1: Research CRICOS-registered providers – Filter by course level (Doctoral Degree), field of interest, and location (Victoria). Use our provider pages to compare course offerings.
Step 2: Apply directly to your chosen institution – Prepare your research proposal, academic transcripts, English test scores, and references. Submit your application via the university’s online portal. Deadlines vary; many have rolling admissions.
Step 3: Receive your CoE and apply for your Student visa – Once accepted, you’ll get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Apply for a Student visa (Subclass 500) via the Department of Home Affairs. Remember to maintain OSHC and show sufficient funds.
Ready to find your Doctoral Degree in Victoria? Explore CRICOS-registered providers and start your application today.
Showing 80 doctoral degree courses from 2 CRICOS providers in Victoria.