Logo

Student Visa Financial Calculator

Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) — Estimate your financial requirements

Course Details
years
AUD

For visa purposes: Maximum 12 months of fees required

Annual Living Costs (Primarily single student)
$29,710

*Official rate as per Migration Instrument 2019 (May 2024)

Dependants

Partner/Spouse Accompanying You

$10,394 per year

$4,449 per child per year

$13,502 per child per year

School fees may be waived for certain government schools in specific circumstances

Additional Costs

Only select if you want to add extra accommodation costs

Number of Persons to Travel

Total Financial Requirement

$31,710

Tap for detailed breakdown

Important Notes
  • Living costs: 12 months maximum (or pro-rata if course is shorter)
  • Tuition fees: Up to 12 months or remainder of course
  • OSHC: Mandatory but NOT in financial capacity calculation
  • Buffer: Consider adding 10–20% for unexpected expenses
  • Travel: Return airfare for all applicants and dependents
  • School fees: School fees may be waived for some government schools

Alternative: Income Evidence

Instead of showing funds, you can provide evidence that your parent/spouse/de facto partner earned sufficient income in the 12 months before application:

Without Dependants

$87,856

With Dependants

$102,500

Budget for Australia Student Visa: living costs, OSHC, and financial capacity (Subclass 500)

Last updated: 12 December 2025

Key Takeaways

  • The calculator estimates financial capacity student visa costs using the main expense buckets (tuition, travel, living costs, OSHC, dependants).

  • Living cost Australia international students pay is driven mostly by rent (shared vs private).

  • Cost of living in Australia can feel very different by city and lifestyle, even with the same visa 'minimum'.

  • OSHC is not 'optional' budgeting — it's a core part of your student plan.

What counts in "financial capacity" for a Student visa?

Financial capacity student visa checks usually cover:

  • Tuition (often calculated for up to 12 months in many budgeting examples)
  • Living expenses in Australia for international students (rent, food, bills, transport)
  • Travel (to Australia)
  • OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
  • Dependants (partner/children + schooling if needed)

Living Expenses in Australia for International Students

Think in "monthly buckets" so it's easy to control your spend:

Housing

Rent + utilities + internet + bond + basic setup (kitchen, bedding)

Food

Groceries + occasional takeaway

Transport

Public transport card or fuel + bike costs

Study costs

Course materials, printing, textbooks, software

Phone

SIM + monthly plan

Personal

Toiletries, clothing, gym/sport, outings

The official AUD 29,710 is a minimum used for visa purposes. Your real cost of living in Australia depends heavily on city + accommodation type.

City-wise Living Costs Ranges (published by universities)

Sydney (UNSW)

Monthly Range

AUD 2,645 – 4,166

Yearly Range

AUD 31,740 – 49,992

Weekly totals can run roughly AUD 590–780 (share house) or AUD 785–1,335 (1-bed unit)

Brisbane (QUT)

Monthly Range

AUD 1,660 – 3,545

Yearly Range

AUD 19,920 – 42,540

Total monthly estimates range widely by accommodation type

PickMyUni take: the visa minimum can be "enough on paper", yet your real yearly living expenses in Australia for international students can land well above it in high-rent areas, especially if you choose private rentals.

OSHC Australia cost for international students (what to budget)

You must hold OSHC for the duration of your stay, and Study Australia warns visa refusal is possible if you don't provide proof.

Costs vary by provider and cover type. University-published price lists are a solid reference point. For example, ANU (Allianz Care Australia rates effective 1 April 2025) lists 12 months as:

Single

AUD 806

per 12 months

Dual family

AUD 4,597

per 12 months

Multi family

AUD 8,917

per 12 months

PickMyUni tip: don't budget OSHC as "one payment and done." If you extend your course or add dependants later, your OSHC costs can jump.

Evidence you can use to prove funds (what decision-makers accept)

If you're asked to provide evidence of financial capacity, the legislative instrument lists evidence types such as:

  • Money deposit with a financial institution
  • Loan with a financial institution
  • Government loans
  • Scholarship or financial support

PickMyUni tip: match your evidence style to how your money is actually held (savings vs education loan vs scholarship) and keep documents consistent across tuition receipts, OSHC, and bank/loan records.

PickMyUni Next Steps

  • 1

    Run the calculator twice: once for "visa minimum total", and once with your real rent + food + transport expectations (use the "additional accommodation" toggle if it fits your plan).

  • 2

    If your real budget looks tight, compare lower-cost cities and providers before you lock your CoE. PickMyUni can help with course or university transfer assistance when the budget doesn't match the plan.

FAQs on cost of studying in Australia for International Students

Still have questions?

Don't hesitate to reach out. Our experts are ready to provide you with the detailed answers and guidance you need for your journey.