Frequently Asked Questions

2025 Annual Fees

There are two components to annual fees. As a rough guide, our most common full-time course fees are:

Australian University of Theology Units

• Undergraduate: $22,824 ($2,853/unit)
• Postgraduate: $25,296 ($3,162/unit)

SMBC Certificate in Bible and Mission (CBM) Units

• $4,425 per year

Total Full-time

• Undergraduate: $27,249
• Postgraduate: $29,721

(Note: Undergraduate students using FEE-HELP will incur an additional loading of 20%)

Government support is available for eligible students studying AUT degrees and diplomas.

The Australian government assists Australian citizens with loans, payments, and support to make education more affordable and easier to access for students from all backgrounds.

There are options for:

• FEE-HELP
• Centrelink Study Allowance
• Family Tax Benefit

Visit studyassist.gov.au for more details. Contact Centrelink to determine your personal eligibility.

SMBC provides the highest level of academic theological education, with accessible options for every background.

Each unit has a range of enrolment options, from AQF 6-10. These levels determine the intensity of assignments and exams from introductory to the highest levels of advanced research.

At SMBC you get to tailor your course from these options to find the right level of academic rigor that aligns to your educational background and future plans.

All SMBC courses offer both full-time and part-time options.

Full-time on-campus study offers a unique opportunity for focused, accelerated growth in your theological and spiritual formation. For those able to, we highly recommend this transformative intensive experience – both for the deep learning and the meaningful friendships that extend far beyond your time at SMBC.

Part-time study offers flexibility to fit around your needs. Whether you’re looking at studying alongside part-time ministry, studying outside of Sydney, or alongside a full-time job, we have options for you to study God’s word.

Completion time depends on the qualification and study mode. Full-time students typically complete a Diploma in 1 year or a Bachelor degree in 3 years. At SMBC, our courses take:

• Certificates 6 months – 4 years
• Diplomas 1 – 8 years
• Associate Degrees 2 – 6 years
• Bachelor or Master’s degrees 3 – 9 years

Full-time study is the most immersive and accelerates your theological and spiritual formation. Part-time options offer flexibility. SMBC’s courses are structured so shorter qualifications count toward longer degrees.

Sydney Bible & Missionary College (SMBC) theology graduates pursue diverse ministry careers including pastors, missionaries, church planters, Bible teachers, chaplains (in hospitals, schools, military, and prisons), youth ministers, evangelists, parachurch ministry leaders, missions coordinators, and Christian education directors. Many serve in churches across Australia or in cross-cultural missions globally. Some pursue postgraduate study for academic teaching.

The terms “Bible college” and “theological college” are used interchangeably in Australia. Both are academically rigorous and provide Christian theological education for ministry preparation.

Sydney Missionary & Bible College (SMBC) uses both terms. We are a theological college offering robust academic programs. SMBC intentionally chooses the term “Bible College” in their name to show a commitment to holistic formation – theological, spiritual and practical. SMBC build on a firm foundation of theological education, then connect this head knowledge to the heart with spiritual formation, and equip students for pastoral ministry, mission work, and Christian leadership.

SMBC offers university-accredited degrees through the Australian University of Theology, within a ministry-oriented community environment.

A Bible college provides theological education to prepare students for Christian ministry and mission work. At Sydney Missionary & Bible College (SMBC), students study Scripture, theology, pastoral ministry, preaching, and cross-cultural mission alongside spiritual formation and hands-on ministry experience. Graduates typically become pastors, missionaries, chaplains, church leaders, and parachurch workers. SMBC is affiliated with the Australian University of Theology, offering accredited courses from certificates through to doctoral programs.

At Sydney Bible & Missionary College, students study:

• Biblical studies (Old and New Testament)
• Biblical and Systematic Theology
• Expository preaching
• Pastoral ministry
• Evangelism
• Cross-cultural mission
• Church Planting
• Ministry leadership
• Church history
• Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew)
• Ethics

SMBC offers 19 courses from certificates through doctoral programs, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Australia has many good theological colleges. The Australian University of Theology (AUT) is the leading theological education provider with over 16 independent colleges. AUT colleges include:

• Sydney Missionary & Bible College: SMBC (NSW)
• Morling College (NSW)
• Christ College (NSW)
• Ridley College (VIC)
• Trinity Theological College (WA
• Queensland Theological College (QLD)
• Brisbane School of Theology (QLD)

The strength of the AUT is their university status, and ease to transfer between colleges with translatable credit and courses.

There are also other respected colleges such as Moore Theological College (NSW).

SMBC, located in Sydney’s inner west, is one of the largest, affiliated with the Australian University of Theology, offering certificates through doctoral programs with on-campus residential options and online study. SMBC’s distinctive interdenominational approach welcomes students from diverse backgrounds with specialised training in mission and ministry.

SMBC stands for Sydney Missionary & Bible College. SMBC is an interdenominational theological college in Sydney, Australia.

SMBC is among Australia’s leading evangelical theological colleges and ranks as one of the largest colleges within the Australian University of Theology, Australia’s largest theological education provider. SMBC is committed to academic excellence and faithful preparation for Christian ministry.

Established in 1916, SMBC creates learning communities where God prepares his people – theologically, spiritually and practically – to serve Jesus in diverse contexts and cultures.

“Not only are we a Bible College, but we are a Missionary College, sending forth the message of salvation to all the ends of the earth.”
– SMBC founder, Rev Benson Barnett

SMBC is in the inner west of Sydney. Both our Croydon and Roberts-Dale (Croydon Park) campuses are a short walk from Burwood or Croydon train stations. There are bus stops nearby as well.