Evidence of financial capacity
The Department of Home Affairs asks every student visa applicant to show money for the first 12 months in Australia. Here is what that means, how much, and the documents that count.
Work out my amountWhat does evidence of financial capacity mean?
- Enough moneyFor your first 12 months: course fees, living costs and travel.
- Genuine accessThe money is really there for you to use, and its history shows where it came from.
- The right documentsIn a form the Department accepts, such as bank statements or a loan letter.
- Evidence of financial capacityA visa requirement for every student
Every Student visa (subclass 500) applicant must show enough money for the first 12 months in Australia: course fees, living costs and travel. The money must be genuinely available to the student, and the documents must show where it came from. The Department of Home Affairs can ask for this evidence at any time, even when its Document Checklist tool ↗ does not list it, and may refuse the application without it.
The cost breakdown
The Department adds three costs for your first 12 months.
- Living costsAUD 29,710for you, for 12 months
- A partner coming with youAUD 10,394
- Each child coming with youAUD 4,449
- School, each child aged 5 to 17AUD 13,502
- The Department says real living costs vary across Australia and may be much higher.
- The Department says not to rely on work to support yourself or your family.
- Rent, food and transport by city: the Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator ↗
- Travel costsAUD 2,000from outside Australia, as a guide
- From East or Southern AfricaAUD 2,500
- From West AfricaAUD 3,000
- Family members applying with you add their own travel costs.
- Course fees12 monthsthe first 12 months of fees
- AUD 50,000 over 3 yearsAUD 16,666
- AUD 20,000 over 18 monthsAUD 13,333
- A course of 12 months or less: the whole fee.
- The college's offer letter has the fee.
Living costs + travel costs + course fees = the amount the Department requires. Work out yours ↓
Work out your amount
The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence of
AUD 31,710 + course fees
for your first 12 months
Evidence that your parents or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply.
Tax assessments under 12 months old. The Department does not accept bank statements or an employer's letter for this.
Staying less than 12 months? The Department counts living costs per day: the yearly amount ÷ 365 × your days.
Types of evidence you can submit
Open each type to see what the Department asks for.
Savings in a bank
- Recent bank statements that show the history of the money, such as regular salary payments
- Where the money came from, for example salary or a business
- A balance on a single day does not show the Department how the money grew
Someone else pays
- Proof of your relationship to them
- Their identity documents
- Proof of money they gave you or another student before
- If a business pays: proof the business is operating
A bank or government loan
- The loan terms and the full amount
- Proof the money is paid out (disbursement): the Department calls it the best evidence
- For other loans: the security used, and proof of how the ongoing costs are covered
- Some education loans tie you to one course and one college
A scholarship
- The Department counts a scholarship or similar financial support
- A student supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence gives their letter of support
Family income
- A parent or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply (AUD 102,500 when family comes with you)
- Both parents working: the Department can count their combined income
- Official government documents, such as tax assessments under 12 months old
- Not bank statements or a letter from an employer
Something else
- The Department lists four forms: money with a bank or other financial institution, a loan from one, a government loan, and a scholarship or financial support
- Property, cash at home, gold or shares are not on that list
- Studyaway can talk you through the options
Do you have this evidence?
Ready for the next step?
- Step 1Choose a courseFind the course that fits your plan.
- Step 2Check your eligibilityCompare your situation with the published visa criteria.
- Step 3Apply nowSend Studyaway your application form.
Sources, read 20 October 2026: Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500), Eligibility and Gather your documents (page last updated 12 October 2026); LIN 19/198 ss 6 and 10 (Compilation No. 2); Migration Regulations 1994 cl 500.214 and Sch 1 item 1222(3)(da) and (5A) (Compilation No. 289). General information, not migration advice.