Money for an Australian student visa in 2027

For a student visa (subclass 500) in 2027, the Department of Home Affairs requires evidence of travel, the first 12 months of course fees, and AUD $29,710 in living costs.1 For a school leaver from Fiji with first-year course fees of AUD $18,000, the sum is AUD $49,710. For one from the Philippines with fees of AUD $24,000, it is AUD $55,710. The visa application charge is paid on top. This guide shows the formula, where each figure comes from, and what the Department accepts as evidence.

How does the Department work out the money for a student visa?

The Department of Home Affairs sets the evidence of money for a student visa in three parts.1

Travel costs. The Department of Home Affairs gives AUD $2,000 “as a guide” for an applicant anywhere outside Australia other than Africa. That figure covers Fiji, the Pacific and Asia.2
Course fees for the first 12 months, minus any amount already paid.1
Living costs of AUD $29,710 for a stay of 12 months or more.1

The formula in one line

The funds calculator does the sum for your course and your passport. Travel + the first 12 months of course fees + AUD $29,710 living costs = the funds to show for the first 12 months in Australia.1

What counts as the first year of course fees?

The college sets the course fee, and the offer letter states it. The Department of Home Affairs counts the fee this way:2

A course of 12 months or less: the whole fee.
A course longer than 12 months: the first 12 months only. The Department’s own example is AUD $50,000 over 3 years, counted as AUD $16,666.
Any amount already paid comes off, with evidence such as a receipt or the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Two worked examples: Fiji and the Philippines

The two course fees below are example figures only. They are not the price of any course. The college sets the fee for each course, and the funds calculator does the sum for your own course.

Example 1: a school leaver from Fiji, applying alone1 2

AUD $2,000Travel, the Department's guide figure from the Pacific
AUD $18,000First-year course fees, an example figure only
AUD $29,710Living costs for 12 months
AUD $49,710Evidence of funds for the first 12 months

Source: LIN 19/198, section 6(2), Compilation No. 2; Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500) page, last updated 22 October 2026. Read 2 November 2026. The course fee is an example figure, not a course price.

Example 2: a school leaver from the Philippines, applying alone1 2

AUD $2,000Travel, the Department's guide figure from Asia
AUD $24,000First-year course fees, an example figure only
AUD $29,710Living costs for 12 months
AUD $55,710Evidence of funds for the first 12 months

The visa application charge is paid on top of both sums.

What is the student visa application charge in 2027?

The Department of Home Affairs charges the main applicant one of three amounts, by passport and course:3

AUD $745 for a passport from one of the 13 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, including Fiji.
AUD $2,050 for a passport from one of the ten Southeast Asian countries on the Department’s list, including the Philippines, and for anyone enrolled only in an English course (ELICOS) or a non-award course.
AUD $2,500 for every other applicant.

The charge sits outside the funds sum. The Fijian school leaver in Example 1 shows AUD $49,710 and pays AUD $745 as well. The Filipino school leaver in Example 2 shows AUD $55,710 and pays AUD $2,050.

What evidence of money does the Department accept?

The Department of Home Affairs lists the forms of money it accepts:2

Deposits with a financial institution.
A loan from a government or from a financial institution.
A scholarship or similar support.

The evidence check on the Evidence of financial capacity page asks whether the money is in a form the Department accepts. The Department also requires genuine access to the money.1

The income route

The Department of Home Affairs also accepts evidence that the applicant’s parents or partner earned at least AUD $87,856 in the 12 months before the application, or AUD $102,500 if family members come too. The evidence is an official government document, such as a tax assessment under 12 months old. The Department does not accept bank statements or an employer’s letter for this route.2

Is AUD $29,710 enough to live on in Australia?

The Department of Home Affairs calls AUD $29,710 the minimum amount of money needed for the visa. In the Department’s own words, “Actual living costs vary across Australia. They may be much higher.”2 Plan the real budget around the city, the rent and the course timetable, then show the Department at least its figure.

What costs sit outside the funds sum?

Three costs are paid as well as the funds shown:

The visa application charge: AUD $745, AUD $2,050 or AUD $2,500, as above.3
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The Department requires evidence of adequate health insurance for the whole stay.3 The insurer sets the price. The health insurance page gets a quote.
The Studyaway service fee: AUD $2,000 for a new student visa application from outside Australia, the same for every passport.4 Every price is on the pricing page.

Can family members be included, and what do they add?

Since 2 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs does not let most student visa applicants include family members (a partner or children), and family cannot apply later as subsequent entrants.2 An applicant with a passport from one of the 13 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, such as Fiji, or from one of the ten Southeast Asian countries on the Department’s list, such as the Philippines, may include family. The family applies at the same time, from the same place, in one combined application.5

When family is included, the Department of Home Affairs adds to the funds for 12 months:5

AUD $10,394 in living costs for a partner.
AUD $4,449 in living costs for each child.
At least AUD $13,502 a year in school costs for each school-age child.
Travel for each family member.

The visa application charge rises for each extra applicant:5

On a Pacific Island passport such as Fiji: AUD $555 for each person 18 or over, and AUD $185 for each person under 18.
On a Southeast Asian passport such as the Philippines: AUD $1,255 for each person 18 or over, and AUD $410 for each person under 18.

The funds calculator shows the partner, child and school fields only for a passport that may include family.

Questions students ask about student visa funds

Does the Department count the whole course fee?

Only for a course of 12 months or less. For a longer course, the Department of Home Affairs counts the first 12 months, minus what is already paid.2

Can bank statements prove the income route?

No. Bank statements show deposits with a financial institution, which is the savings route. For the income route, the Department of Home Affairs takes official government documents, such as a tax assessment under 12 months old.2

What if the stay is shorter than 12 months?

The Department of Home Affairs counts living costs pro rata for a stay under 12 months.1 The course fee is then the whole fee, minus what is paid.2

This article is general information only, not migration advice. Figures and rules were read at source on 2 November 2026 (the sources are listed below). In Australia, immigration assistance may only be provided by a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner - Studyaway provides all students with access to a Registered Migration Agent.

Sources

Checked and updated 2 November 2026.

How much money do you need for an Australian student visa in 2027