Australia · Visa Costs & Budget
Australia student visa cost 2026–27: fee, funds and your total budget
The AUD 2,500 visa fee, OSHC health cover, proof of funds and real living costs — added up in plain English, with a worked budget example for Indian students.
Quick answer
The Australia student visa cost 2026 has four main parts:
- Visa application charge: AUD 2,500 for most applicants from 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 2,000)
- OSHC health cover: roughly AUD 500–800 a year for a single student, depending on the provider
- Proof of funds: AUD 29,710 for living costs, plus tuition and travel (at the last published review)
- Real living cost: often AUD 25,000–30,000 a year, depending on your city and lifestyle
For a two-year master's with AUD 32,000 yearly tuition, you may need about AUD 67,500 (around ₹39 lakh) ready at the start.
You have your offer letter. Now comes the money question: how much will the Australia student visa cost 2026 really add up to? The visa fee is only the first line. Health cover, proof of funds and living costs matter just as much.
This guide breaks the Australia student visa cost 2026 into simple parts. You will see each number, a worked example, and the mistakes that leave students short at the last moment.
What this guide covers
- The short answer
- What changed in 2026
- Cost breakdown table
- Step 1 — The visa application charge
- Step 2 — OSHC health cover
- Step 3 — Tuition for the first year
- Step 4 — Proof of funds
- Step 5 — Real living costs and a buffer
- Worked budget example
- Common money mistakes
- Ways to lower your costs
- Checklist
- Frequently asked questions
Australia student visa cost 2026: the short answer
The visa application charge is AUD 2,500 for most applicants, but your total first-year cost is much higher. You also need health cover, tuition, living funds and travel money.
To understand the Australia student visa cost 2026, think of it in two layers. First, the government fees you pay directly. Second, the funds you must show to prove you can support your study. Official details are on the Department of Home Affairs Student visa page, and general study information is on the Study Australia website.
What changed in the Australia student visa cost 2026 this year?
- Higher fee: From 1 July 2026, the Student visa application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 for most applicants.
- Family rules: From 2 October 2026, most new applicants cannot include a partner or children. Read our guide on how to bring family on an Australian student visa.
- Genuine Student check: Your funds must match your story. See our guide to the genuine student requirement for Australia.
- Planning level: The 2027 national planning level stays at 295,000, so apply early for popular providers.
Australia student visa cost 2026: full breakdown table
This table shows the main costs. Amounts are in Australian dollars (AUD). Figures are planning estimates based on published government and sector information, so always confirm them on the official website before you pay.
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application charge | 2,500 | Most applicants, from 1 July 2026 |
| OSHC (single student) | About 500–800 per year | Varies by provider and cover length |
| Living costs for visa evidence | 29,710 per year | Single applicant, at the last published review |
| Tuition (first 12 months) | As shown on your CoE | Often AUD 25,000–45,000 for postgraduate courses |
| Travel (flights) | About 2,000 | Estimate, varies by route and season |
| Partner (if allowed) | +10,394 per year | Most new applicants cannot include a partner |
| Child (if allowed) | +4,449 per year | School costs may apply on top |
Living-cost and family amounts are the published figures at the last review and are updated periodically. Check the current numbers on the Home Affairs website.
How to calculate your Australia student visa cost 2026 in 5 steps
Follow these steps in order. They turn scattered numbers into one clear budget.
Start with the visa application charge
The charge is AUD 2,500 for most applicants. It is paid to the Australian Government when you lodge your application online. It is not refunded if your application is refused.
Add Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is compulsory for Student visa holders and must cover your whole stay. For a single student, yearly cost is often around AUD 500–800, but it changes by provider and cover type. A two-year course needs cover for the full period.
Check tuition for your first year
Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) shows the tuition amount. Fees differ by university, course and level. Check the official fee pages of universities such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University and UNSW Sydney. Confirm your course on the government's CRICOS register.
Prepare your proof of funds
The basic idea is simple. You show you can pay for your first year of tuition, 12 months of living costs and travel. At the last published review, the living-cost figure for a single applicant was AUD 29,710 a year.
Simple formula: remaining tuition for 12 months + AUD 29,710 living costs + travel costs = funds to show.
Compare with your real living cost and add a buffer
The visa figure is a minimum benchmark, not a perfect budget. A student in Sydney or Melbourne can spend more than a student in a smaller city. Add at least 10% as a buffer for rent changes, exchange-rate moves and surprise costs.
Want your Australia student visa cost 2026 checked?
Call us or WhatsApp your course and intake. We will calculate your fee, OSHC and funds — free, with no obligation.
Worked example: two-year master's budget for the Australia student visa cost 2026
This example is illustrative. Your own numbers will differ. It shows how the pieces fit together for a student with AUD 32,000 yearly tuition.
| Item | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Student visa application charge | 2,500 |
| OSHC for two years (estimate) | 1,400 |
| Tuition, first 12 months | 32,000 |
| Living costs for visa evidence (single) | 29,710 |
| Travel (estimate) | 2,000 |
| Total cash needed at the start | 67,610 |
| Approx. in INR (1 AUD ≈ ₹58, sample rate) | About ₹39 lakh |
Sample exchange rate only. Check the live rate and the current Home Affairs figures before you plan. The second-year tuition and living costs are extra. For other countries, see our study abroad cost calculator guide.
Common money mistakes with the Australia student visa cost 2026
- Thinking AUD 29,710 is the total. It covers living costs only. Tuition and travel come on top.
- Using an old figure. Living-cost amounts are updated from time to time. Always check the current number.
- Forgetting OSHC. It must cover your whole visa period, so a longer course costs more.
- Last-minute deposits. Sudden large deposits can look suspicious. Plan your funds early.
- Ignoring currency moves. A weaker rupee raises every rupee cost. Add a 5–10% cushion.
- Paying through the wrong channel. Pay the university, insurer and government directly, never an individual.
How to lower your Australia student visa cost 2026
You cannot reduce the government visa fee in the Australia student visa cost 2026. But you can lower your total budget in other ways:
- Look for scholarships. Many universities offer partial awards. See our scholarship guidance and the scholarship pages on Study Australia.
- Compare OSHC providers. Prices vary, so compare before you buy.
- Choose a smaller city. Rent can be much lower than in Sydney or Melbourne. Check University of Queensland or ANU locations.
- Share housing. Shared rent can cut your biggest monthly cost.
- Understand your work rights. Part-time work can help, but limits apply. Check the official visa conditions first.
Boost your English score. Limited voucher available.
A strong PTE or IELTS score supports your application and can help with scholarships. Join our classes and ask for your current voucher.
Budget checklist
Checklist for your Australia student visa cost 2026 budget
Work through this list of Australia student visa cost 2026 items before you lodge your application.
- Confirm the visa charge on the Home Affairs website
- Check the current living-cost figure
- Get your CoE and note first-year tuition
- Compare OSHC providers and cover length
- Estimate flight costs
- Work out remaining tuition after any deposit
- Prepare traceable funds and clear documents
- Add a 10% buffer for surprises
- Convert using today's live exchange rate
- Check scholarship deadlines
- Check your English score requirement
- Review your Genuine Student answers
Plan with experts
How Guide to Heights helps you plan your Australia student visa cost 2026
We help you see the full picture before you pay anything. That means checking your course fee, OSHC options, funds documents and living-cost plan, so there are no surprises at lodgement.
Guide to Heights is a QEAC-certified (#10439) and British Council-recognised (#49805) consultancy with offices in Kochi, the UAE and Melbourne, working with 500+ university partners.
- Explore our Study in Australia resources
- Compare countries with the study abroad cost calculator guide
- Read the genuine student requirement guide
- Compare health cover with our OSHC provider comparison
Call now for a free consultation
Tell us your course, intake and budget. We will explain your Australia student visa cost 2026 clearly, before you pay anyone anything. The first consultation is free with no obligation.
Final thoughts: your Australia student visa cost 2026 plan
The Australia student visa cost 2026 is more than one fee. Add the AUD 2,500 charge, OSHC, tuition, living funds and travel, then keep a buffer. Check every number on official websites, plan your funds early, and you will walk into your application with confidence.
Questions students ask us
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Australia student visa cost 2026 for Indian students?
The Student visa (subclass 500) application charge is AUD 2,500 for most applicants from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. This is only the government fee. You also need OSHC health cover, tuition, living funds and travel money, so your total first-year cost is much higher.
How much money do I need to show for the Australia student visa cost 2026?
You generally need to show funds for your first 12 months of tuition, 12 months of living costs and travel. At the last published review, living costs for a single applicant were AUD 29,710 a year. Confirm the current amount on the Home Affairs website before you apply.
Does the Australia student visa cost 2026 include health insurance?
No. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a separate cost. It is compulsory and must cover your whole stay. For a single student it is often around AUD 500–800 a year, depending on the provider and cover type.
Is AUD 29,710 enough for the Australia student visa cost 2026 and daily life?
It is the visa benchmark for living costs, not a guarantee of comfort. Many students spend about AUD 25,000–30,000 a year, depending on city, rent and lifestyle. Big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne can cost more, so add a buffer.
Is the student visa fee refundable if my application is refused?
In general, the visa application charge is not refunded if a visa is refused. Because of this, check your documents, funds and genuine student answers carefully before you lodge. Confirm the refund rules on the official Home Affairs website.
How can I reduce the Australia student visa cost 2026 budget?
You cannot reduce the visa fee, but you can lower your total by getting a scholarship, comparing OSHC providers, choosing a more affordable city and sharing housing. Plan early, because many scholarship deadlines close months before the intake starts.
Does Guide to Heights help with budgets and PTE or IELTS?
Yes. Guide to Heights is QEAC certified (#10439) and British Council recognised (#49805). We help you plan your costs and funds, and our PTE and IELTS classes prepare you for your English test. For case-specific visa advice, we recommend a registered migration agent. Call +91 89217 68892.
Official sources for the Australia student visa cost 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
- Department of Home Affairs — visas, fees and immigration
- Study Australia — official information for international students
- CRICOS — Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- Australian Department of Education
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)
- University of Melbourne · Monash University · UNSW Sydney · University of Queensland · Australian National University
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About the author
Abin Mathew Varghese
Founder & Director, Guide to Heights
Abin studied and worked in Melbourne, completing an MBA and a Master's in IT at Deakin University before returning to Kochi to build Guide to Heights. With over a decade of counselling experience, he works with students from Kerala and the GCC on Australia, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Malta and Germany pathways.
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