Frequently Asked Questions

• How much bank balance is required for an Australian Student visa in 2026?

  For an Australian Student visa, allow AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus course fees and travel. This is not the total bank balance you need. Add any relevant family costs, and use a pro rata living-cost amount if your stay is under 12 months.

  Every applicant must be able to support themselves financially, but not everyone needs to attach bank statements or other financial evidence upfront. Your document checklist depends on your passport and education provider, and Home Affairs can ask for evidence even if it is not initially listed. Check the current Home Affairs financial capacity requirements before you apply.

  Depending on your country of passport and the course you are applying for, you may need to provide the evidence upfront. If you are not sure, feel free to contact us and we will confirm with our registered migration agent whether that will be your case.

  So-called 'show money' for a Student visa in Australia depends on how long your course is. It’s capped at 1 year - so you don’t need to show more even if you are applying for a 2-, 3- or 4-year course.

  How much bank balance is required for an Australian Student visa in 2026?

  This is how it’s calculated: Living costs + Course Fees + Travel Costs

  At the moment:

  The one-year living costs are $29,710 AUD (since 10 May 2024). If you are applying for a Student visa with your partner, add another $10,394 AUD. Applying with a child will further increase the required financial capacity ($4,449 AUD per child, plus $13,502 AUD per year in school costs for each school-age child). Please note that from 2 October 2026, most applicants can no longer include family members in their Student visa application (see the exemptions here).

  Course fees depend on the school you choose, the duration of your course and how much you have pre-paid already. Use the first 12 months of your course fees. If your course is 12 months or less, use the total cost. Deduct any costs you have already paid.

  Travel costs depend on your home country and whether you are applying in Australia or overseas: If applying outside Australia, include $2,000 AUD for most countries. If applying in Australia, include $1,000 AUD for most countries.

  Who can show funds for a Student visa in Australia and how?

  If you are required to provide the evidence upfront (we recommend doing this even if you are not required to), providing a scan or a PDF of your bank statement may be sufficient, and certified copies are ideal. If the money is in a bank account of your relative(s), provide their bank account statement(s) and a letter confirming that you will have access to these funds. All our applicants get a free template of the financial capacity letter.

  Aside from a bank balance, you can also provide financial capacity via an ongoing income if your parents or spouse earn at least $87,856 AUD per year ($102,500 AUD if family members are included in your application).

  As with all questions related to a Student visa, we recommend you check the website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs for more information. This checklist is really helpful.

  Health cover: You need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay before you apply for your visa. Prices updated 12 November 2026: basic OSHC for a single student started from $660.28 for 12 months (AHM OSHC, including a limited-time discount for policies bought via OSHC Australia until 28 February 2027). Compare the cheapest OSHC prices for 2026–27.

  TIP: Did you know that you can study in Australia for just $5,600 AUD per year? See our most affordable courses here.

  Last updated: 9 November 2026

• How to get the cheapest Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

• How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?

• What exactly do I need to pay if I want to apply for a Student visa in Australia?

• How to enrol in a course eligible for a Student visa in Australia?

• How many hours can international students work in Australia?

• How long does it take until my Student visa is granted?

• Do you only offer courses in Sydney? How do I find a course in other cities?

• What is the cheapest course you offer?

• I’m in Australia already. Can I apply for a Student visa?

• What’s the longest Student visa I can apply for?

• What is OSHC and why do I need it?

• As an international student, how much do I have to study? Can I study online?

• Is there an age limit to apply for a Student visa in Australia?

• What’s the holiday schedule?

• How long is each term?

• How much does the onshore Student visa extension fee cost?

• What is the Genuine Student requirement for a Student visa in Australia?

• OSHC meaning: What is OSHC and why is it important for international students in Australia?

• What is a Student visa and how do I apply for one in Australia?