| KdTvCV - May 11, 2026
The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) costs AUD 2,000 (₹1,37,740). The total annual cost of living for Indian students ranges from ₹25–50 lakhs, including tuition (₹11–25 lakhs), living expenses (₹7–10 lakhs), and visa fees. Students must show proof of funds of at least AUD 29,710 (₹20,45,000) for living expenses plus first-year tuition.
Processing time is approximately 33 days for most applications, but Indian students face stricter scrutiny with 40% rejection rate in 2026. Students can work 48 hours per fortnight during studies and unlimited hours during breaks. Post-study work visa (Subclass 485) allows 2–7 years of work rights after graduation. This comprehensive guide covers visa fees, tuition, living costs by city, accommodation, health insurance, financial requirements, and application tips for Indian students planning to study in Australia.
Note: AUD 1 = INR 68.87 is the exchange rate used in the article as of 11 May, 2026.
Also check,
- Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500): Requirements and Fees
- Australia Work Visa: Check Eligibility and Types
Australia Student Visa Fee (Subclass 500)
The Australian student visa application fee is AUD 2,000 (₹1,37,740). This is a one-time, non-refundable fee.
Visa Fee Breakdown
| Fee Component | Amount (AUD) | Amount (INR) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | AUD 2,000 | ₹1,37,740 | Primary applicant visa fee (non-refundable) |
| Dependent Child (if applicable) | AUD 400 | ₹27,548 | Per dependent child under 18 years |
| Dependent Adult (if applicable) | AUD 2,000 | ₹1,37,740 | Per dependent adult (spouse/partner) |
| Health Examination (Medical) | AUD 300–500 | ₹20,661–34,435 | Mandatory health check (varies by clinic) |
| Biometrics (VFS) | AUD 85–100 | ₹5,854–6,887 | Fingerprints and photos at the VFS center |
| VFS Service Fee | AUD 50–100 | ₹3,444–6,887 | VFS processing and submission fee |
| Total Visa-Related Costs | AUD 2,435–2,700 | ₹1,67,682–1,85,889 | All visa fees combined |
Important Notes on Visa Fee
- Non-refundable: Visa fee cannot be refunded even if the application is rejected
- Payment method: Online payment through the ImmiAccount portal
- Fee increase: Fee increased from AUD 710 to AUD 2,000 in July 2024
- Processing fee: No separate processing fee; included in visa fee
Also check,
- Australia Rejects 51% of Indian Student Visas in March 2026
- Australia Rejects 40% of Indian Student Visa Applications
Tuition Fees by Course Type
Tuition fees in Australia vary significantly based on course type, university, and field of study.
Tuition Fees by Degree Level
| Degree Level | Annual Tuition (AUD) | Annual Tuition (INR) | 2-Year Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | AUD 20,000–45,000 | ₹13,77,400–30,99,150 | ₹27,54,800–61,98,300 |
| Master's Degree | AUD 25,000–50,000 | ₹17,21,750–34,43,500 | ₹34,43,500–68,87,000 |
| PhD/Research | AUD 15,000–30,000 | ₹10,33,050–20,66,100 | ₹20,66,100–41,32,200 |
| Diploma/Certificate | AUD 10,000–20,000 | ₹6,88,700–13,77,400 | ₹13,77,400–27,54,800 |
Tuition Fees by Field of Study
- Engineering & Technology: AUD 30,000–45,000 per year (₹20,66,100–30,99,150)
- Business & Commerce: AUD 25,000–40,000 per year (₹17,21,750–27,54,800)
- Health Sciences & Nursing: AUD 28,000–42,000 per year (₹19,27,360–28,92,540)
- Arts & Humanities: AUD 18,000–30,000 per year (₹12,39,660–20,66,100)
- Science: AUD 22,000–35,000 per year (₹15,15,140–24,10,450)
Also check,
- Study in Australia: Top Universities, Courses, and Cost
- Study in Australia: Find Courses, Universities, and Colleges
Cost of Living by City
Living costs vary significantly by city in Australia. Major cities are more expensive than regional areas.
Monthly Living Costs by City
| City | Monthly Cost (AUD) | Monthly Cost (INR) | Annual Cost (INR) | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | AUD 2,500–3,500 | ₹1,72,175–2,41,045 | ₹20,66,100–28,92,540 | Most Expensive |
| Melbourne | AUD 2,200–3,000 | ₹1,51,514–2,06,610 | ₹18,18,168–24,79,320 | Expensive |
| Brisbane | AUD 1,800–2,500 | ₹1,23,966–1,72,175 | ₹14,87,592–20,66,100 | Moderate |
| Perth | AUD 1,600–2,300 | ₹1,10,192–1,58,401 | ₹13,22,304–19,00,812 | Moderate |
| Adelaide | AUD 1,400–2,100 | ₹96,418–1,44,627 | ₹11,57,016–17,35,524 | Affordable |
| Gold Coast | AUD 1,500–2,200 | ₹1,03,305–1,51,514 | ₹12,39,660–18,18,168 | Affordable |
| Canberra | AUD 1,700–2,400 | ₹1,17,079–1,65,288 | ₹14,04,948–19,83,456 | Moderate |
Monthly Living Expense Breakdown
- Accommodation (rent): AUD 800–1,500 per month (₹55,096–1,03,305)
- Food & groceries: AUD 400–600 per month (₹27,548–41,322)
- Transport: AUD 100–150 per month (₹6,887–10,331)
- Utilities (electricity, water, internet): AUD 150–250 per month (₹10,331–17,218)
- Phone & internet: AUD 50–100 per month (₹3,444–6,887)
- Entertainment & personal: AUD 200–400 per month (₹13,774–27,548)
Also check, Cost of Living in Australia
Financial Requirements & Proof of Funds
Australian immigration requires proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses and tuition.
Minimum Financial Requirements
- Living expenses benchmark: AUD 29,710 per year (₹20,45,000)
- Plus first-year tuition: AUD 20,000–50,000 (₹13,77,400–34,43,500)
- Plus travel costs: AUD 2,500 (₹1,72,175)
- Total minimum funds: AUD 52,210–82,210 (₹35,95,000–56,60,000)
Acceptable Proof of Funds
- Bank statements: Showing funds held for at least 3 months
- Education loan: Official loan approval letter from the bank
- Sponsor letter: From parent/guardian with financial proof
- Fixed deposits: Proof of FD in the student's or parent's name
- Investment certificates: Shares, bonds, or other investments
- Property documents: Proof of real estate ownership
Important Notes
- Funds must be genuine: Show a legitimate source of funds
- 3-month holding period: Funds should be held for at least 3 months
- Sponsor declaration: If funds are from parents, they must sign the declaration
- Currency: Can be in INR or AUD; conversion at the official rate
Also check, Canada, UK & Australia Financial Proof 2026
Application Process & Timeline
Understanding the visa application process helps you plan your timeline effectively.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Step 1: Get Admission – Receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the university
- Step 2: Prepare Documents – Gather all required documents (passport, CoE, financial proof, etc.)
- Step 3: Create an ImmiAccount – Register on the Department of Home Affairs website
- Step 4: Complete Application – Fill out the online visa application form
- Step 5: Pay Visa Fee – Pay AUD 2,000 online (non-refundable)
- Step 6: Submit Application – Upload all documents and submit
- Step 7: Health Examination – Complete medical check at an approved clinic
- Step 8: Biometrics – Provide fingerprints and photos at the VFS center
- Step 9: Wait for Decision – Processing takes 33 days on average
- Step 10: Receive Visa – Visa granted electronically; no physical stamp
Processing Timeline
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Document Verification | 3–7 days |
| Health Examination | 5–10 days |
| Biometrics Collection | 2–5 days |
| Assessment & Decision | 15–30 days |
| Total Processing Time | 33 days (average) |
Application Timeline Recommendation
- Apply 3–4 months before course start: Ensures timely processing
- For July intake: Apply by March–April
- For February intake: Apply by October–November
- Early application: Increases approval chances
FAQs
Ques. What is the total cost of studying in Australia for Indian students?
Ans. Total annual cost ranges from ₹25–50 lakhs, depending on the city and course. For a 2-year master's degree in Sydney, the total cost is approximately ₹83–90 lakhs, including tuition (₹24–35 lakhs), accommodation (₹8–12 lakhs), living expenses (₹7–10 lakhs), health insurance (₹0.38 lakhs), and visa fee (₹1.38 lakhs). Regional cities like Adelaide are significantly cheaper at ₹28–35 lakhs per year.
Ques. How much proof of funds do I need to show for Australia student visa?
Ans. You must show a minimum AUD 29,710 (₹20,45,000) for living expenses plus first-year tuition fees. For a master's degree costing AUD 35,000, you need to show approximately AUD 67,000 (₹46,10,000) total. Funds must be held for at least 3 months and shown through bank statements, education loans, or sponsor declarations.
Ques. Can I work while studying in Australia to cover costs?
Ans. Yes. Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight (approximately 24 hours per week) during studies and unlimited hours during breaks. Australia's minimum wage is AUD 24.10 per hour (₹1,659). Working part-time can help cover living expenses, but it cannot be the primary source of funding for visa approval.
Ques. What is the Australian student visa fee for Indian students in 2026?
Ans. The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) fee is AUD
Ques. What is the Australian student visa fee for Indian students in 2026?
Ans. The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) fee is AUD 2,000 (₹1,37,740 as of May 2026). This is a one-time, non-refundable fee. Additional costs include health examination (AUD 300–500), biometrics (AUD 85–100), and VFS service fee (AUD 50–100). Total visa-related costs are approximately AUD 2,435–2,700 (₹1,67,682–1,85,889).
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