Student Visa Fees Australia

Student Visa Subclass 500 Fee

The Student visa (subclass 500) has a base application charge payable by the main applicant.

The current charge should be confirmed using the Department of Home Affairs pricing system because visa fees can change.

The Department states that the cost of a visa depends on the date the application is received. If the visa price changes before the application is received, the applicable new charge may apply.

What the Student Visa Fee Covers

The visa application charge is the fee payable to the Australian Government for processing the visa application.

It does not normally cover other costs associated with preparing for study in Australia, such as:

• Tuition fees
• OSHC
• Medical examinations
• Police certificates
• Biometrics, where required
• English testing
• Skills or qualification assessments, where applicable
• Translation and certification
• Airfares
• Accommodation
• Living expenses

Additional Applicant Charges

If family members are included in a combined Student visa application, an additional applicant charge may apply.

The amount depends on factors including:

• Visa type
• Age of the additional applicant
• Whether the applicant is in or outside Australia
• The circumstances of the application

The additional applicant charge is generally calculated separately from the main applicant's base application charge.

Example

A Student visa application may include:

• Primary student
• Partner
• Dependent child

The primary applicant pays the base application charge, while eligible additional applicants may have their own additional applicant charges.

The exact amount should be calculated using the current Home Affairs pricing information rather than an old fee table.

Subsequent Temporary Application Charge

Some applicants applying for a temporary visa while in Australia may also need to pay a Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC).

Student visa subclass 500 is one of the temporary visa subclasses covered by the STAC rules.

Whether this additional charge applies depends on the applicant's previous Australian visa history and circumstances. It is not automatically payable by every Student visa applicant.

For example, Home Affairs considers factors such as:

• Whether the applicant is in Australia
• The type of visa previously held
• Whether the previous visa was applied for in Australia
• Whether the applicant has previously made certain temporary visa applications in Australia
• Specific exemptions under the STAC rules

Therefore, two applicants applying for the same Student visa may have different total government charges.

Visa Pricing Estimator

The Department of Home Affairs provides an official Visa Pricing Estimator to help applicants calculate the estimated visa application charge.

The estimator asks for information such as:

• Visa subclass
• Visa stream
• Passport country
• Proposed lodgement date
• Online or paper application
• Whether the applicant is in Australia
• Previous Australian visa history
• Number of additional applicants aged 18 or over
• Number of additional applicants under 18

The result is an estimate based on the information entered.

The Department also warns that the estimator may not provide a complete or accurate calculation in certain circumstances, including where a subsequent temporary application charge may apply. Applicants should check the Visa Pricing Table for the most accurate indication of the applicable charges.

Student Visa Fee vs Total Study Cost

The Student visa fee should not be confused with the total amount required to study in Australia.

Your overall budget may include:

1. Visa Application Charge

The government fee for lodging the Student visa application.

2. Tuition Fees

The amount charged by your Australian education provider for your course.

Tuition varies significantly depending on:

• Course
• Qualification level
• Education provider
• Location
• Course duration
• Field of study

3. Overseas Student Health Cover

Most international students need appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for their stay in Australia.

The cost depends on factors such as:

• Provider
• Policy duration
• Individual or family cover
• Course and visa circumstances

4. Living Expenses

You should budget for:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport
• Utilities
• Internet
• Study materials
• Personal expenses

Where financial capacity evidence is required, the amount that must be demonstrated is determined under the applicable Student visa requirements and can change over time.

5. Health Examination

Some applicants may need to complete health examinations.

The cost is generally paid directly to the approved medical provider and is separate from the visa application charge.

6. Police Certificates

Applicants may need police certificates or other character documents depending on their circumstances.

These costs are separate from the Student visa application charge.

7. English Test

Where English evidence is required, applicants may need to pay for an approved English language test.

The test fee is separate from the Australian visa application charge.

Payment Surcharges

A payment surcharge may apply depending on the payment method used.

Home Affairs currently lists payment surcharges for methods including:

• American Express
• JCB
• MasterCard
• PayPal
• UnionPay
• Visa

The surcharge rates can change, so applicants should check the current Home Affairs payment information before paying.

When Do You Pay the Student Visa Fee?

The visa application charge is generally payable when the visa application is lodged.

The Department explains that the first instalment of the visa application charge is payable when the application is made.

For visas that have a second instalment, that amount is generally payable before the visa is granted.

For the Student visa, applicants should follow the payment instructions shown in ImmiAccount when lodging the application.

What Happens If You Pay the Wrong Amount?

Your visa application may not be valid until the Department receives the correct amount of the first instalment.

If an incorrect amount is paid, processing may not commence until the outstanding amount is received.

Home Affairs also warns that the applicable fee may increase while the payment issue remains unresolved.

It is therefore important to check the amount carefully before making payment.

Are Student Visa Fees Refundable?

Visa application charges are generally not refundable simply because an applicant withdraws an application or the visa is refused.

Home Affairs states that the visa application charge is generally not refunded even if an application is refused or withdrawn.

The rules concerning any second instalment are different because it is generally not payable if the application is refused or withdrawn before that instalment becomes due.

Student Visa Fee for Family Members

If eligible family members apply with the primary student, additional applicant charges may apply.

The amount can depend on whether the family member is:

• 18 years or older
• Under 18
• In Australia
• Outside Australia

Not every person listed as part of the family unit necessarily has to pay an additional applicant charge. The rules depend on whether the person is actually applying for the visa.

Other Costs You Should Budget For

Before applying for a Student visa, it is useful to prepare a complete financial plan.

Your budget may include:

Student Visa Fees Can Change

Australian visa charges are not permanently fixed.

The Department states that visa costs can change and applicants should check the current pricing information before lodging an application.

This is particularly important when preparing a website page about Student visa fees because an old fee can quickly become inaccurate.

Always confirm the applicable amount on the official Home Affairs pricing system immediately before payment.

Student Visa Application Planning

Paying the correct visa fee is only one part of preparing a successful Student visa application.

You should also consider:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement
• Financial capacity
• English requirements where applicable
• OSHC
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Identity documents
• Previous immigration history
• Course selection
• Education provider
• Supporting documents

A complete and consistent application can help avoid avoidable delays.

How The Visa Can Help

The Visa provides professional guidance for students planning to study in Australia.

Our Student visa services can assist with:

• Student visa assessment
• Student visa 500 applications
• Genuine Student assessment
• Course and education pathway planning
• Financial evidence guidance
• Document preparation
• OSHC guidance
• Visa application review
• Previous visa history assessment
• Graduate visa and future migration pathway planning

Planning to Study in Australia?

Understanding the Student visa fee is only the beginning. You should also prepare for tuition, living expenses, OSHC and other costs associated with studying in Australia.

Get your Student Visa Assessment and understand the costs and requirements before you apply.