Cost guide + calculator
Tuition is the number everyone quotes. Living costs, health cover, the visa fee and getting there add 40 to 60 percent on top. Use the calculator for a real total, and the figure you must prove for the visa.
Checked against Department of Home Affairs and Study Australia sources · Last reviewed 21 September 2026
Free tool
Adjust the figures to match your offer letter. Tuition defaults are 2026 mid-range estimates; overwrite them with the fee on your offer.
Estimates only. Living-cost baselines are ApplyOn 2026 estimates for a single student; the visa financial figure uses the Department of Home Affairs 2026 settings. Does not include the AUD 13,502 per child school-fee requirement.
| Course | Colleges / regional | Technology / comprehensive | Group of Eight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational diploma | 8,000–15,000 | 12,000–22,000 (TAFE) | — |
| Bachelor — business, IT, arts | 22,000–30,000 | 30,000–40,000 | 40,000–50,000 |
| Bachelor — engineering, science, nursing | 26,000–34,000 | 34,000–44,000 | 44,000–55,000 |
| Masters by coursework | 24,000–32,000 | 32,000–44,000 | 44,000–55,000 |
| Medicine, dentistry, veterinary | — | — | 70,000–95,000 |
Fees rise 3 to 6 percent a year at most institutions, and the increase applies to continuing students. Budget for it. See the universities guide for what separates the tiers.
Rent is the swing factor. A room in a shared house costs AUD 250 to 350 a week in Sydney and Melbourne, 200 to 280 in Brisbane and Perth, and 170 to 250 in Adelaide, Hobart and regional cities. Add groceries (80–120/wk), transport (30–60/wk), phone and utilities (30–50/wk) and personal spending. The full breakdown by city is in the cost of living guide.
| Item | 2026 cost (AUD) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | 2,000 | At lodgement, non-refundable |
| OSHC (single) | 600–800 per year | Before visa grant, full period |
| Health examination | 150–350 | After lodgement |
| English test | 250–400 | Before application |
| Return flights | 1,500–2,500 | After grant |
| Rental bond and first month | 2,000–4,000 | On arrival |
| Setup (phone, bedding, textbooks) | 800–1,500 | First month |
The Department does not ask for your real budget. It asks for a fixed calculation: 12 months of tuition (from your CoE) plus AUD 29,710 plus AUD 10,394 for a partner plus AUD 4,449 per child plus travel, which is generally taken as AUD 2,000 to 2,500 from India. For a AUD 32,000 course that is roughly AUD 64,000 for a single student. The funds must have been in the account for at least three months or come from a documented loan or scholarship. Full evidence rules in the requirements guide.
Common questions
Tuition of AUD 20,000 to 45,000 for a bachelor degree or 22,000 to 50,000 for a masters, plus living costs of AUD 21,000 to 30,000 depending on the city, plus around AUD 700 for health cover. Most students should budget AUD 45,000 to 75,000 for the first year including one-off costs.
12 months of tuition plus AUD 29,710 for living costs plus travel, with AUD 10,394 added for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child. For a AUD 32,000 course a single student shows roughly AUD 64,000.
A vocational diploma or a regional university degree, combined with an institutional scholarship and part-time work. Regional study also earns 5 extra PR points.
No. The AUD 2,000 subclass 500 fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
Around AUD 600 to 800 a year for a single student and AUD 1,800 to 2,500 for a family, depending on the insurer. It must cover the full visa period.
Study in Australia guide
Start with the complete Study in Australia guide, then go deeper:
Most students we meet can, once the city, course tier and scholarship are chosen together. A free session with an ApplyOn counsellor builds the funding plan and the visa evidence.
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