What studying in Australia really costs

Families planning study in Australia need two different numbers: the money the visa asks you to show, and what life in Australia actually costs. This guide covers tuition, the Student visa's financial capacity rule, rental bonds and health cover from official sources. It also explains how the picture changes for Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) scholarship students.

Tuition: use the provider's figure

Study Australia says international tuition fees vary by provider, level of study and location. Some courses also have extra costs, such as materials or safety clothing.

No single official fee range applies to every course, so:

• take the fee from the provider's official course page or your offer letter;
• check the course is registered on CRICOS, the Australian Government register of courses for international students;
• if you hope to study on a scholarship, confirm that MoHE recognises the institution and the major before you accept an offer.

The visa's financial capacity requirement

The Department of Home Affairs' Student visa (subclass 500) page (last updated 2 October 2026) says your funds must at least cover:

• travel: the guide amount for applicants outside Australia, including Kuwait, is AUD 2,000 (higher amounts apply in Africa);
• the first 12 months of course fees;
• 12 months of living costs: AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner, AUD 4,449 for each child;
• schooling of at least AUD 13,502 a year for each school-age child.

Evidence can include deposits, loans or scholarships. Alternatively, you can show your parents or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the past 12 months (AUD 102,500 if family come with you).

Home Affairs is clear that these are visa minimums, not a living budget: real costs may be much higher, and you should not rely on work to support yourself. Use the Document Checklist Tool for your passport and provider, since it is updated on 31 March and 30 September each year.

Living costs

Study Australia's Cost of Living Calculator compares accommodation, transport and lifestyle choices. Its figures are approximate and were last updated in November 2023, so check current rents in your city too.

Rental bonds and rent in advance

Study Australia says private rentals usually need a bond of about four weeks' rent plus rent in advance, usually the first four weeks. A state government body holds the bond, not the landlord. Limits differ by state:

• New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading holds bonds; a bond cannot exceed 4 weeks' rent.
• Queensland: maximum 4 weeks' rent for general tenancies; the bond must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority within 10 days.
• Victoria: in most cases no more than one month's rent, unless weekly rent is above AUD 900 or VCAT sets a higher bond.

Ask for proof that your bond was lodged.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Home Affairs requires you and any family members to keep adequate health insurance, normally OSHC from an approved insurer, for your whole stay. If you apply from outside Australia:

• cover must start on the day you arrive, not when classes start;
• you must not enter Australia before your OSHC begins.

Study Australia says basic OSHC usually covers GP visits, some hospital treatment, ambulance and limited medicines, but not dental, optical or physiotherapy. Prices vary by insurer.

How costs differ for MoHE scholarship students

Ministerial Decision 197/2025, MoHE's scholarship regulation, sets out what the Ministry pays:

• Tuition: the Ministry pays all tuition fees for your enrolment (Art. 25, Second).
• Living costs: a monthly allowance from the date you arrive, at most two weeks before study starts (Art. 25, First, item 2). Bachelor's students also receive a one-off travel preparation allowance and a yearly books and equipment allowance that depends on passing the previous year (items 1 and 5).
• Health cover: the Ministry provides health insurance for you and accompanying family (Art. 29). The Kuwait Cultural Office's insurer is nib, which offers sponsored Kuwaiti students its OSHC Top cover. Activate it through the nib app on arrival.

The allowance amounts are not published on the official pages we checked, so confirm them with MoHE before budgeting for rent and a bond. Unexcused absence can also reduce the allowance (Art. 25, Eleventh).

Self-funded students, and students with other sponsors, should plan to pay tuition and OSHC themselves unless their sponsor confirms otherwise in writing.