Australia asks student visa applicants to show they can pay for tuition, living costs and travel for the first year. The amount is set by the Department of Home Affairs, and it has changed over the years. We could not open the Home Affairs page directly, so the figures below come from migration guides that quote it. Please check the official financial capacity page on the day you apply.
- Guides quoting Home Affairs give the 12-month living cost for a main student applicant as 29,710 Australian dollars, 10,394 dollars for a partner and 4,449 dollars for a child, plus 13,502 dollars a year in school costs for a school-age child
- The student visa application fee is 2,000 dollars
- The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test in 2024.
How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Student Visa?
You must show enough money for your travel, your first 12 months of course fees, and 12 months of living costs for yourself and any family travelling with you. Guides quoting Home Affairs give the living-cost amount for a main student as 29,710 Australian dollars. Check the Home Affairs page for the current figure.
| Australia student visa funds 2026 | Amount (AUD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Main student, 12 months living costs | 29,710 | Guides quoting Home Affairs |
| Partner, 12 months | 10,394 | If travelling with you |
| Child, 12 months | 4,449 | If travelling with you |
| School costs, school-age child | 13,502 a year | If accompanying you |
| Visa application fee | 2,000 | Raised in July 2025 |
These are minimums and Home Affairs warns that real living costs can be higher, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Add your first year's tuition and your travel costs to the living-cost figure to see your total. We could not confirm an official travel amount, so check the page for the current figure.
Australia Genuine Student Requirement 2026: How to AnswerRead →What Else Must the Funds Cover Besides Living Costs?
The funds must also cover your travel, up to 12 months of course fees, and Overseas Student Health Cover. If family members come with you, their living costs and any school costs are added. You have to show the total, not just the living-cost amount. Check Home Affairs for how each part is assessed.
OSHC is a compulsory health insurance policy that students need for the length of their visa. It is bought through an insurer, and your university can often arrange it. Work out the premium for your course length and include it in your plan.
Does the Money Need to Be in Your Account?
Home Affairs says the money must be genuinely accessible to you, not just sitting in an account for a short time. If you are asked to provide evidence of financial capacity, you must also be able to show that you have access to the money. Check the guidance for what documents are accepted.
Large deposits just before applying can raise questions, so keep a clear record of where the money came from. If a parent pays, keep their bank statements, income proof and a letter confirming that they will fund you. Documents should be consistent with your Genuine Student statement.
Australia for Indian Students 2026: Post-Study Work RulesRead →How Do Tuition Fees and Living Costs Affect Your Total?
Your total is the first year's course fees plus living costs, travel and OSHC, for every person on your application. A course of 25,000 dollars and a living cost of 29,710 dollars would already need 54,710 dollars before travel and insurance. That is an example of arithmetic, not a fee quote. Check your offer.
Fees differ by university and course, and your offer letter shows the amount for your first year. Subtract any prepaid tuition and any scholarship that is confirmed in writing. Keep the offer, the fee receipt and the scholarship letter with your visa file.
How Should You Document Funds From a Parent or Sponsor?
Keep your parent's or sponsor's bank statements, proof of income and a signed letter saying they will fund your studies, plus documents showing your relationship. Home Affairs checks that funds are available and where they came from. Large last-minute deposits can raise questions, so keep a clear record of the source.
Make sure the amounts match your offer and your Genuine Student statement. If more than one person funds you, list each person and the amount they will contribute. A clear, consistent file is easier for the case officer to assess than a pile of unrelated statements.
Cost of Studying and Living in Australia for Indian StudentsRead →If you plan to work while you study, remember that part-time earnings do not count towards the funds you must show at the time of application. Show the full amount from savings or a sponsor, and treat any work income as a bonus for later.
What You Must Know About Working in AustraliaRead →What Is the Student Visa Fee in 2026?
Guides quoting Home Affairs give the student visa application fee as 2,000 Australian dollars, after it rose from 1,600 dollars in July 2025. The fee is separate from your tuition and living funds. Check the Home Affairs page for the amount on the date you apply, because visa fees can change.
Plan for biometrics and a health examination if you are asked for them, and add the cost to your budget. Fees are paid online and are not refunded if the application is refused, so check your documents before you submit.
What Should You Prepare Before You Apply?
Prepare your offer and enrolment confirmation, passport, English test result, OSHC, evidence of funds, and your Genuine Student statement. Keep the money in an accessible account and keep clear records of its source. Check the Home Affairs checklist for your country, because requirements can differ by applicant.
Start early. Gathering bank letters and sponsor documents can take weeks, and an incomplete file slows the decision. If you are unsure about a document, ask your university's international team or a registered migration agent.