What it costs to study in Australia
Tuition is the number most people look at. But it is not the number that decides your visa. This page adds up every cost. It uses real fees from the CRICOS register, not estimates.
The four costs
A student visa often depends on money. There are four separate amounts. They are not the same thing.
- Course fees. What the school charges. Every course page on this site shows this amount.
- The visa application charge. You pay this once when you apply. You do not get it back, even if your visa is refused.
- Health insurance (OSHC). You need it for your whole stay. You usually pay for it before you get your visa.
- Money you must show. Many people misunderstand this one. You do not spend this money through this website. You must prove you can access these savings. This is in addition to your tuition and your flights.
Calculate your total
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Money you must show
You must prove you can access this total for your first 12 months. It covers course fees, living costs, flights, and your family if they come with you.
| Course fee, first year | — |
|---|---|
| Living costs, you | — |
| Living costs, partner | — |
| Living costs, children | — |
| School costs, children | — |
| Flights | — |
| Total to show | — |
Money you will pay before you arrive
| Visa application charge | — |
|---|---|
| Visa charge, family | — |
| Health insurance, year one | — |
| Tuition deposit, usually one semester | — |
| Flights | — |
| Total to pay | — |
Deposits are different at every school. Some ask for one semester. Some ask for a full year. Check your offer letter. English tests, document translation, police checks and medical checks cost extra. They are not included here.
Effective 10 May 2024 for living costs, 1 July 2026 for visa charges. Checked 2026-09-15. Figures change without much notice — verify on the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on them.
Course costs by level
These numbers come from CRICOS courses that have a published fee. The range is wide. The register covers short vocational certificates and research doctorates, and everything in between.
| Level | Courses | Usual cost per year | Cheapest full course | Most expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational (VET) | 10,253 | A$13,700 | A$750 | A$180,000 |
| School | 777 | A$30,843 | A$6,976 | A$458,014 |
| Undergraduate | 5,558 | A$41,990 | A$9,000 | A$590,400 |
| Postgraduate | 7,426 | A$42,850 | A$1,600 | A$846,500 |
"Usual cost per year" is the middle fee at that level, divided by course length. Half of courses cost less. Half cost more. Vocational courses (VET) are the cheapest way to get an Australian qualification.
Does the city change the price?
Not by much. This table ranks states by the average tuition per year for all courses taught there.
| Capital city | Courses with a published fee | Average per year | Cheapest course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | 7,624 | A$25,405 | A$750 |
| Darwin | 434 | A$26,042 | A$950 |
| Sydney | 15,470 | A$26,068 | A$780 |
| Melbourne | 12,707 | A$26,504 | A$950 |
| Perth | 3,738 | A$27,511 | A$840 |
| Hobart | 964 | A$27,892 | A$1,500 |
| Adelaide | 4,039 | A$28,025 | A$750 |
| Canberra | 1,332 | A$32,712 | A$1,500 |
Tuition changes less between cities than rent does. Your city affects your living costs much more than your course fee. But the visa money requirement is the same number everywhere in Australia.
Where rent fits in
The A$29,710 living cost figure covers everything for 12 months. That means rent, food, transport, phone and all other costs. It works out at about A$571 per week for everything.
Remember that number when you look at rent. In the most expensive states, the middle rent is close to that whole weekly amount. This is why most students share a house. In the cheapest states, the same money goes much further. Over a three-year degree, the difference between states is bigger than most differences in tuition.
The money requirement is one national figure. Home Affairs does not ask for more if you choose an expensive city. But your real costs will be higher, and you need to plan for that yourself.
Money you can earn
You cannot use work income to meet the money requirement. The Department expects you to support yourself without it. But you can work. The limit is 48 hours every two weeks, counting all your jobs together, while your course is running. There is no limit during official course breaks. Masters by Research and PhD students have no limit at any time.
If you work, you have the same rights as any other worker in Australia. That includes minimum wage, superannuation and safe conditions. Your visa does not change these rights. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help you.
Check before you rely on this
Course fees here come from the monthly CRICOS export. They can be up to a month old. They may also be different from what the school charges today. Government figures change, sometimes with little warning. The amounts that apply are the ones in force on the day you apply. Check fees with the school and charges with Home Affairs.
This page is general information. It is not migration advice. If your situation is complicated — a past refusal, family members coming with you, or an unusual study plan — talk to a registered migration agent. You can check anyone's registration on that list for free.