Cost of Studying in Australia: A Full Breakdown

Tuition fees by level

Tuition is set individually by each education provider, not by government. The Australian Government's own Study Australia site is explicit on this: fees "vary across cities and programs" depending on your education provider, level of study and study location, and it publishes no national benchmark figure — so Migratio doesn't invent one either.

English language courses (ELICOS), vocational certificates and diplomas, and university degrees at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level each carry their own separate fee schedule, and specialised fields such as medicine or an MBA typically sit well above general fields. There may also be extra course costs — learning materials, uniforms, or safety equipment such as work boots or a lab coat.

Before you budget against any figure you see quoted on a comparison or education-agent site, check the actual tuition fee on your offer letter or your provider's own fee schedule, or search current course fees directly through Study Australia's course finder.

The AUD 29,710 living-cost benchmark

The Government sets the living-cost benchmark at around AUD 29,710 per year for a single international student. It covers essentials: rent, food, transport, phone and internet, utilities, and personal items — but the Government itself does not publish a rent or living-cost figure by city, and warns that actual living costs "vary throughout Australia and may be much higher than what is needed for the visa."

The benchmark is reviewed periodically. Use the Australian Government's own Cost of Living Calculator (on the Study Australia website) for a location-specific estimate rather than relying on a single national figure — Sydney and Melbourne generally cost more to live in than regional cities, but the size of that gap depends on your own spending. The AUD 29,710 figure is a conservative assumption used for visa assessment, not a typical or maximum spend.

If you bring a partner, add roughly AUD 10,394 per year, and each dependent child adds roughly AUD 4,449 per year.

Overseas Student Health Cover

OSHC is mandatory for the full length of your visa. None of the five approved providers — Allianz Care, ahm, Bupa, Medibank and nib — publishes a fixed annual price; the premium depends on the provider, your cover tier and your course length, so get a current quote before budgeting.

OSHC covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescribed medicines, but generally does not cover dental, optical, or allied health such as physiotherapy. Many universities offer subsidised counselling and basic medical services on campus, while dental is usually out of pocket.

You pay OSHC upfront when you enrol, often through your provider, so budget for it — it's non-negotiable and checked at enrolment.

Visa charge and other upfront costs

The student visa (subclass 500) application charge is around AUD 2,500 for a higher-education course, and around AUD 2,050 for an ELICOS or non-award course (it rose from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 on 1 July 2024, to AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2025, and to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026). It's a one-time fee paid when you lodge online. This charge has moved every year recently, so check the current Home Affairs fee schedule before you budget.

Other upfront costs include an airport transfer, initial accommodation for your first few weeks (often arranged through the university), and possibly a health examination if your circumstances require one. Some providers charge an enrolment or orientation fee.

Travel to Australia is a significant one-time cost that varies by origin and season — generally lower from Asia and higher from Europe and the Americas.

Working out your own total

There's no single first-year total that applies to everyone — it depends entirely on your course, provider and city, and no government body publishes one. What you can pin down with certainty are the amounts this guide has already sourced: the AUD 29,710 living-cost benchmark, the student visa charge (around AUD 2,500 for a higher-education course), and — once you get a quote — your OSHC premium.

Add those to the actual tuition figure on your offer letter, plus a flight and initial accommodation setup, and you have a real total for your own situation. The Australian Government's Cost of Living Calculator, on the Study Australia website, is built for exactly this: it estimates location-specific living costs so you can combine them with your own course's tuition rather than a generic industry estimate.

A short ELICOS course will obviously total far less than a multi-year bachelor's or master's degree, since it involves only a few weeks of tuition and living costs rather than a full year or more — but the ratio between the two depends on your specific course fee, not a fixed formula.

Ways to manage costs

Scholarships and bursaries reduce tuition, with merit scholarships covering anywhere from a portion of tuition to, rarely, the full amount, and some including a living allowance. Competition is high, so apply well in advance.

Studying in a regional area is often cheaper — some providers charge lower tuition there, living costs are typically lower than in Sydney or Melbourne, and some regional-specific scholarships exist — but check the actual figures for your own location rather than assuming a fixed discount.

Part-time work is permitted for subclass 500 holders — up to 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods and unlimited during breaks — which can meaningfully offset living costs, though you shouldn't rely on it to meet the financial-capacity requirement at application time.

Sharing accommodation, using student transport concessions where available, and cooking at home rather than eating out are practical ways to keep your real living costs below the benchmark.

Is the AUD 29,710 benchmark the same in every city?

The benchmark figure is national, but actual costs vary. Sydney and Melbourne run well above it; regional areas below. The Department uses the single figure for visa assessment, but your real spending depends on your location and lifestyle.

Does the visa fee include a health examination?

No. The visa charge (around AUD 2,500 as at 1 July 2026) is for the application only. A health examination, if required, is separate. Many applicants don't need one unless their country or circumstances trigger it.

Can part-time work cover my living costs?

It helps but shouldn't be your whole plan. Subclass 500 holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods and unlimited during breaks. You still need to demonstrate sufficient funds at application time rather than relying on future earnings.

Is OSHC the same price for everyone?

No. Premiums vary by age and policy tier. Younger students generally pay less, and comprehensive policies cost more than basic ones. Compare providers and tiers to find suitable cover.

Do scholarships cover living costs too?

Most cover tuition fully or partly; some include a living allowance, and full-cost scholarships are rare. Always read your offer letter — a tuition-only scholarship still requires you to show separate living-cost funds for your visa.