Student Visa Financial Requirements

For a Student visa application, your financial capacity may need to account for:

1. 12 months of living costs
2. Tuition fees
3. Travel costs
4. Schooling costs for school-aged dependants
5. Applicable costs for accompanying family members

The total amount depends on your individual circumstances, course and family situation.

Current Living Cost Figures

For planning purposes, the current annual living-cost figures used for Student visa financial capacity include:

These figures are a starting point for your calculation. Your overall financial capacity can be higher once tuition, travel and other applicable costs are included.

Student Visa Funds Calculator

Step 1 – Primary Student

Living costs: AUD $29,710

Step 2 – Partner

If your spouse or partner will accompany you:

Partner living costs: AUD $10,394

Step 3 – Children

For each accompanying dependent child:

Child living costs: AUD $4,449

Step 4 – Schooling

If a school-aged child will accompany you:

Schooling costs: AUD $13,502 per child

Step 5 – Tuition Fees

Add the applicable tuition fees for the relevant 12-month period, taking into account eligible amounts already paid.

Step 6 – Travel Costs

Add the applicable travel costs for you and any accompanying family members.

Estimated Financial Capacity

Estimated required funds =

Living costs + family living costs + schooling + tuition + travel

This is an estimate for planning purposes. Your personalised Department of Home Affairs document checklist determines what financial evidence you need to provide.

Example 1 – Single Student

If you're applying alone:

Example 2 – Student + Partner

For a student travelling with a partner:

Example 3 – Student + Partner + One Child

The schooling amount is relevant where an accompanying child is school-aged and the applicable financial-capacity requirements require it.

Tuition Fees

Tuition is an important part of your overall financial calculation.

You should consider the tuition fees for the relevant 12-month period, taking into account eligible amounts that have already been paid.

If you're studying through a package of courses, consider the course structure and the evidence requested by the Department.

Your education provider's Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and fee information can help establish the applicable tuition amount.

Travel Costs

Travel costs are also part of the financial-capacity calculation.

The applicable amount can depend on where you're applying from and where you intend to travel.

Because of this, the calculator shouldn't use one universal travel figure for every applicant.

Always check the current Department guidance that applies to your circumstances before lodging your application.

Alternative Financial Capacity Evidence

In some circumstances, you may be able to provide evidence that your spouse or parents meet the applicable minimum annual income requirement instead of demonstrating the full amount of funds.

The applicable income threshold and documentary requirements can change, so you should verify the current figure and evidence requirements before relying on this option.

The Department's document checklist can indicate whether financial-capacity evidence is required for your particular application.

What Evidence Can Be Used?

Where financial evidence is required, you'll need appropriate documentation showing access to the required funds.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Bank statements
• Financial institution documents
• Evidence of loans
• Evidence of financial support
• Scholarship documentation
• Evidence of prepaid tuition where relevant
• Evidence supporting an eligible parent or spouse income arrangement

The Department may request additional evidence.

If financial-capacity evidence appears on your personalised document checklist, it should be attached before submitting your application.

Genuine Student Requirement

Financial capacity is only one part of a Student visa application.

You must also satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

The GS assessment can consider:

• Your current circumstances
• Family and community ties
• Economic circumstances
• Previous study
• Proposed course
• Education provider
• Reasons for studying in Australia
• Your understanding of studying and living in Australia
• The future value of the course
• Immigration and travel history

Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024 are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement.

Having sufficient funds by itself doesn't guarantee a Student visa.

Student Visa Funds Calculator – What You Should Enter

For an applicant-friendly calculator, use these fields:

Applicant Details

Number of students:
1

Accompanying partner:
Yes / No

Number of dependent children:
0 / 1 / 2 / 3+

Number of school-aged children:
0 / 1 / 2 / 3+

Financial Details

Annual tuition fees:
AUD $ ______

Tuition already paid:
AUD $ ______

Travel costs:
AUD $ ______

Scholarship/financial assistance:
AUD $ ______

Calculator Result

Display:

Student living costs: AUD $29,710

Partner costs: AUD $10,394 × number of partners

Child costs: AUD $4,449 × number of children

Schooling costs: AUD $13,502 × number of school-aged children

Tuition: Based on applicable first-year tuition

Travel: Based on applicable circumstances

Estimated total financial capacity:

AUD $ ______

Add a clear notice:

This calculator provides an estimate for planning purposes only. Financial-capacity requirements and evidence requirements can change. Check the Department of Home Affairs requirements and your personalised document checklist before lodging your Student visa application.

Important: Financial Capacity Is Not the Same as Visa Cost

Your financial-capacity requirement shouldn't be confused with the Student visa application charge.

Financial capacity refers to evidence that you have access to sufficient funds for the applicable costs.

The visa application charge is a separate government fee payable when you lodge your application.

Visa fees can change, so applicants should use the Department of Home Affairs' current Visa Pricing Estimator instead of relying on an older fee displayed on a website.

Other Student Visa Requirements

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to satisfy requirements relating to:

• Confirmation of Enrolment
• Genuine Student requirement
• English language evidence
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Identity documents
• Academic history
• Financial capacity
• Welfare arrangements for applicants under 18

The Department's document checklist identifies the evidence applicable to your application.

How The Student Visa Funds Calculator Helps

Our calculator is designed to make your initial financial planning easier.

Estimate

Get an indication of the financial capacity you may need.

Plan

Understand your potential funding requirements before preparing your application.

Include Family

Add the applicable costs for your partner and dependent children.

Consider Tuition

Include the relevant tuition component in your overall calculation.

Prepare Documents

Get a clearer idea of the financial evidence you may need to prepare.

Student Visa Financial Planning Checklist

Before lodging your Student visa application, consider whether you have:

☐ Sufficient living-cost funds

☐ Tuition funds

☐ Applicable travel funds

☐ Additional funds for your partner

☐ Additional funds for dependent children

☐ Schooling funds where applicable

☐ Appropriate financial evidence

☐ Valid CoE

☐ OSHC

☐ English evidence if required

☐ Genuine Student information

☐ Identity documents

☐ Health and character documents where required

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need for an Australian Student visa?

The amount depends on your circumstances. Current annual living-cost figures include AUD $29,710 for the primary student, AUD $10,394 for a partner and AUD $4,449 for each dependent child, in addition to applicable tuition, travel and schooling costs.

Is AUD $29,710 enough for a Student visa?

Not necessarily. AUD $29,710 represents the annual living-cost component for the primary student. You may also need to account for tuition, travel and applicable family or schooling costs.

How much does a partner add to the calculation?

The current annual living-cost figure for an accompanying partner is AUD $10,394.

How much does a child add?

The current annual living-cost figure for an accompanying dependent child is AUD $4,449. Applicable schooling costs may also need to be included.

Do I need to show tuition fees?

Financial capacity can include tuition fees for the applicable period. Check the Department's requirements and your personalised document checklist for your application.

Can my parents financially support me?

In applicable circumstances, evidence of parent or spouse income may be accepted as an alternative financial-capacity method. Check the current income threshold and evidence requirements before relying on this option.

Does having enough money guarantee a Student visa?

No. Financial capacity is only one part of the application. You must satisfy all applicable Student visa requirements, including the Genuine Student requirement.

Can the required amount change?

Yes. Financial-capacity figures and visa requirements can change. Always check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements before lodging your application.

Plan Your Student Visa Finances With Confidence

Use our Student Visa Funds Calculator Australia to estimate your financial capacity before preparing your Subclass 500 application.

If you need help beyond the calculator, The Visa can assist with understanding your Student visa requirements, financial evidence, Genuine Student considerations and supporting documentation.