Subclass 500 · Updated September 2026
Australia student visa funds calculator
Find out exactly how much money you need to show Home Affairs for your Subclass 500 student visa — and see it instantly in Indian Rupees, UAE Dirham, Qatari Riyal, Kuwaiti Dinar, Saudi Riyal, Bahraini Dinar and Omani Rial.
Quick answer
For an Australian Subclass 500 student visa you must show 12 months of tuition, AUD 29,710 for living costs and return airfare — we plan with AUD 2,500. For a typical AUD 30,000 course that is roughly AUD 62,210 — about ₹42,55,164 or AED 162,368.
The AUD 2,500 visa application fee and OSHC health cover are paid on top and are not part of the funds you show.
Calculate your required funds
Enter your tuition from your offer letter. Everything updates instantly.
| First-year tuition | AUD 30,000 |
| Living costs | AUD 29,710 |
| Return airfare | AUD 2,000 |
| Total to show | AUD 62,210 |
Paid separately — not part of the funds you show
| Visa application fee — student | AUD 2,500 |
| OSHC health cover (your estimate) | AUD 1,400 |
| Upfront costs | AUD 3,900 |
Your total in India and GCC currencies
Rates are pre-filled with mid-market rates as at 21 September 2026. Change any rate to match your bank.
| Equivalent in | 1 AUD = | Funds to show | Total budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 IndiaIndian Rupee | INR |
₹42,55,164 | ₹45,21,924 |
| 🇦🇪 UAEUAE Dirham | AED |
AED 162,368 | AED 172,547 |
| 🇶🇦 QatarQatari Riyal | QAR |
QAR 161,124 | QAR 171,225 |
| 🇰🇼 KuwaitKuwaiti Dinar | KWD |
KWD 13,624 | KWD 14,478 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi ArabiaSaudi Riyal | SAR |
SAR 166,101 | SAR 176,514 |
| 🇧🇭 BahrainBahraini Dinar | BHD |
BHD 16,672 | BHD 17,717 |
| 🇴🇲 OmanOmani Rial | OMR |
OMR 17,046 | OMR 18,114 |
Mid-market rates are a guide only. Your bank or exchange house will apply its own rate and fees, usually 1–3% less favourable. AED, QAR, SAR, BHD and OMR are pegged to the US dollar, so they move together with AUD/USD. Always confirm with your bank before transferring money.
✅ Counted in the funds you show
- First 12 months of tuition
- AUD 29,710 living costs for the student
- Return airfare
⚠️ Paid separately — not counted
- Visa application fee — AUD 2,500
- OSHC health insurance
- Health examination and biometrics
- English test and document costs
What Home Affairs asks for
How much money do you need for an Australian student visa?
The Department of Home Affairs asks every Subclass 500 applicant to show they can genuinely pay for their first year in Australia. The figure has three parts, set out in the Migration (LIN 19/198) Legislative Instrument:
- Tuition — your first 12 months of course fees, or the full fee if your course is shorter
- Living costs — AUD 29,710 for the student
- Travel — return airfare. The Home Affairs minimum from India and the GCC is AUD 2,000; we plan with AUD 2,500 to cover peak-season fares
These are minimums. Rent in Sydney and Melbourne alone can push real living costs well above AUD 29,710, so plan your actual budget above the legal figure.
Example — a student from Kerala or the UAE
| Item | AUD | INR @ 68.40 | AED @ 2.61 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year tuition (example) | 30,000 | ₹20,52,000 | 78,300 |
| Living costs | 29,710 | ₹20,32,164 | 77,543 |
| Return airfare | 2,500 | ₹1,71,000 | 6,525 |
| Funds to show | 62,210 | ₹42,55,164 | 162,368 |
Family
Extra funds if your partner or children come with you
| Family member | Living costs | Visa fee |
|---|---|---|
| Partner or spouse | AUD 10,394 / year | AUD 2,500 |
| Each child | AUD 4,449 / year | AUD 625 |
| Each school-age child — schooling | at least AUD 13,502 / year | — |
| Airfare | Return airfare for each family member | |
This calculator covers a single student. If your partner or children are coming, send us your details on WhatsApp for a full family calculation.
PhD students whose children attend a government school with fees waived, and some Australian Government scholarship holders, may not need to show school fees. Proof of enrolment is still required.
Evidence
What financial evidence does Home Affairs accept?
Having the money is only half of it. You also have to prove you have genuine access to it — and that it did not appear in your account last week.
Accepted
- Savings or fixed deposits with a transaction history, ideally six months or more
- Education loans from an approved bank, with the sanction letter and disbursement terms
- Government loans or scholarships, with the official letter
- Sponsor funds from a parent or close family member, with proof of relationship and the sponsor's income
The annual income option
Instead of showing savings, you can show that your parents or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply — or AUD 102,500 if family members are coming. This must be proven with official government documents such as income tax assessments. Salary slips or bank statements alone do not count.
Commonly rejected
- A one-day bank balance certificate with no transaction history
- A large recent deposit with no explanation of where it came from
- Loans from informal lenders or relatives without documentation
- We check the source-of-funds story before you lodge, not after a refusal
- We help structure sponsor documents, loan paperwork and tax assessments
- We compare OSHC providers so you are not overpaying through your university
OSHC
What is OSHC and how much does it cost?
Overseas Student Health Cover is compulsory health insurance for every international student in Australia. It must cover your whole visa period with no gaps, and it has to be in place before your visa is granted. It is not part of the funds you show — it is a separate cost you pay directly to the insurer.
For a single student, OSHC typically costs somewhere around AUD 600 to AUD 1,500 a year depending on the provider and policy. Couple and family cover costs considerably more. Prices change every year, so compare current quotes.
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Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
You must show your first 12 months of tuition, AUD 29,710 for living costs and return airfare, which we plan at AUD 2,500. For a typical course costing AUD 30,000 a year, that is about AUD 62,210. Family members add more. The AUD 2,500 visa fee and OSHC are paid separately.
What is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Subclass 500 student visa application fee is AUD 2,500 for most applicants, up from AUD 2,000. A partner aged 18 or over is also charged AUD 2,500, and each child under 18 is charged AUD 625. The fee is non-refundable and is not part of the funds you need to show.
How much is the Australian student visa funds requirement in Indian Rupees?
At an exchange rate of about 68.40 rupees per Australian dollar, a typical requirement of AUD 62,210 is roughly ₹42,55,164. The exact figure depends on your tuition fee and the rate your bank gives you on the day. Use the calculator on this page and enter your bank's rate for an accurate number.
How much do I need in UAE Dirham, Qatari Riyal or Saudi Riyal?
For a typical AUD 62,210 requirement, it is roughly AED 162,368, QAR 161,124 or SAR 166,101 at September 2026 rates. Gulf currencies are pegged to the US dollar, so they move together with the Australian dollar's rate against the US dollar. The calculator shows all six GCC currencies and lets you enter your own exchange rate.
Is OSHC included in the funds I need to show?
No. Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory, but it is a separate cost you pay directly to the insurer. It is not part of the financial capacity figure Home Affairs asks you to demonstrate. Single cover typically costs a few hundred to around AUD 1,500 a year depending on the provider.
Can my parents' income be used instead of bank savings?
Yes. If your parents or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or AUD 102,500 if family members are coming, that can satisfy the requirement. It must be proven with official government documents such as income tax assessments. Salary slips or bank statements on their own are not enough for this option.
How much extra do I need if my spouse comes with me?
An accompanying partner adds AUD 10,394 a year in living costs, their return airfare and an AUD 2,500 visa fee. Each child adds AUD 4,449 a year, and each school-age child adds at least AUD 13,502 a year for schooling. Message Guide to Heights on WhatsApp for a full family calculation.
Does Guide to Heights help with student visa financial documents?
Yes. Guide to Heights is QEAC certified (#10439) and British Council recognised (#49805), with offices in Kochi, Sharjah and Melbourne. We help students from India and the GCC prepare financial evidence, education loan documents and sponsor paperwork before lodging. The first consultation is free on WhatsApp at +91 89217 68892.
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
- Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing
- Migration (LIN 19/198) Legislative Instrument — financial capacity
- Study Australia — official information for international students
Reviewed by
Abin Mathew Varghese
Founder & Director, Guide to Heights
Abin completed an MBA and a Master's in IT at Deakin University in Melbourne before returning to Kochi to build Guide to Heights. With over a decade of counselling experience, he reviews Subclass 500 financial evidence for students across Kerala and the GCC before they lodge.
Free consultation
Get your funds checked before you lodge
A funds refusal costs you AUD 2,500 and a whole intake. Send us your numbers and documents on WhatsApp — we will tell you what is missing before Home Affairs does.