From zero to living in Australia
Written for students from Nepal. What I’d check first, what it costs, how the visa usually works, and what life looks like after you land.
Start here
Should you go? What to weigh
$1.75 · $1.80
If you plan on driving, keep in mind the costs of fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Fuel prices in Darwin are comparable to the national average at $1.75 for unleaded and $1.80 for diesel, but it's always good to budget…
$150
It is important to note that Queensland law restricts smoking in a number of public areas.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about living in Hobart as a student, from student accommodation options and transport to part-time work opportunities and budget-friendly things to do.
These awards are based on a student’s academic, artistic, athletic or other abilities, and often factor in an applicant’s extracurricular activities and community service record.
Lifestyle & environment there
$16,992 · $2,124 · $13,241
2025 student contribution bands Amount per EFTSL Amount per 6 units of credit (0.125 EFTSL) Band 4: Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Society and Culture or Communications $16,992 $2,124 Band 3: Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science…
AUD 20,000 · NPR 17 to 23 · AUD 29,710
The living cost in Australia for students ranges between AUD 20,000 and 27,000 per year (NPR 17 to 23 lakhs). You need to show AUD 29,710 as proof of living during your visa processing.
NPR 4.65 · NPR 10 · NPR 30
English-medium bachelor’s tuition ranges from THB 70,000 to THB 400,000/year depending on the university. Living costs average THB 15,000 25,000/month.
AUD 1,500 · AUD 2,500 · AUD 200
Students pursuing a moderate to higher-end lifestyle on the Gold Coast typically budget between AUD 1,500 and AUD 2,500 per month in 2026, reflecting comfortable accommodation choices, regular dining out, and leisure activities aligned with the region's…
Prepare to apply
Exams & entry requirements
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| English test | IELTS 5.5 – PTE 42 | International Students English language requirements for Foundation Studies at ACU: For intended undergraduate degree IELTS 6.5 or below, minimum IELTS overall score 5.5 with individual score of 5.0 in all tests; PTE 42 with minimum 36 in all four… |
- For intended undergraduate degree IELTS 7 or above, minimum IELTS overall score 6.0 with individual score 6.0 in all tests; PTE 50 with minimum 50 in all four communicative skills;
- English language proficiency comparable to Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
- Entry requirements: Academic Entry Requirements Be at least 18 years of age and have completed the equivalent of Year 12.;
- Bachelor of Engineering — $14,000 – $19,500 — 4 years — High school diploma with Math and Science; IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 79+
- Master degree — Bachelor degree or relevant professional background — IELTS around 6.5 or equivalent
Study options & tuition
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | AUD 15,000 – AUD 40,000 | 3. Tuition Fees forInternational Students ◦ Undergraduate Programs: AUD 15,000 to AUD 40,000 per year ◦ Postgraduate Programs: AUD 20,000 to AUD 50,000 per year ◦ Fees vary by university, course, and location ◦ Highlight top universities with average tuition… |
| OSHC / health | USD 28,118 – USD 11,738 | To apply for an F-1 student visa to attend Orange Coast College, students must provide proof of funding amounting to USD 28,118. |
| Cost detail | AUD 38,000–48,000 – AUD 44,000–52,000 | At UQ, undergraduate programs cost AUD 38,000–48,000 per year for arts, business, and science; engineering and IT cost AUD 44,000–52,000; |
| English test | AUD 16,500 | English Language Proficiency: IELTS Test Score of 5.5 or equivalent Tuition Fees: The estimated tuition fee for international students is approximately AUD 16,500. |
- Go8 tuition fees for Malaysian international students typically range from AUD 38,000 to AUD 52,000 per year for undergraduate programs in 2026, with medicine and dentistry exceeding AUD 75,000 annually.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: AUD 30,000–AUD 38,000 per year. For example, the University of Queensland charges AUD 34,000 for a Bachelor of Arts.
College options
Flinders University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Intakes / key dates |
|
| Costing |
|
| Notes |
|
Alphacrucis University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Reviews / reputation |
|
| Notes |
|
Adelaide University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Intakes / key dates |
|
| Notes |
|
ACAP University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Costing |
|
| Notes |
|
Charles Darwin University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Notes |
|
Australian Catholic University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Notes |
|
Charles Sturt University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Notes |
|
Deakin University
| Courses / programs |
|
|---|---|
| Notes |
|
Scholarships
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | JPY 1000000 – JPY 1500000 | Otsuka Toshimi Foundation Scholarship: Monthly stipend for graduate students 1,000,000 JPY/year, 1,500,000 JPY/year, or 2,000,000 JPY/year, maximum length two years, no renewal, application periods… |
| Cost detail | AUD 15,000 | Additionally, the Australian Government’s Destination Australia Program provides up to AUD 15,000 per year for students studying at regional campuses, including UTAS’s Sandy Bay and Launceston campuses. |
| Cost detail | AUD 15,000 | The Destination Australia Program provides AUD 15,000 per year for regional study, though Brisbane is classified as a major city and does not qualify. |
- The total scholarship package for a regional campus student can reach AUD 20,000 per year (tuition reduction plus Destination Australia), significantly reducing the overall cost of a three-year bachelor’s degree from approximately AUD 105,000 to AUD 85,000.
Money & visa
Cost of going (fees, flights, first year)
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | AUD 710 – , USD | Airfares and visa fees: Visa application charges in 2026 are AUD 710 (Australia), £363 (UK), USD 510 (US F‑1), and CAD 150 (Canada). |
| First-year total | ₹75,000 – ₹40 lakh | Year 1 from home costs about ₹75,000 instead of the ₹40–50 lakh a direct first year abroad would cost in tuition and living |
| Housing / rent | $100 | For bookings of 4 weeks or more, an initial payment equal to 4 weeks' rent plus a 4-week bond is required. For bookings of less than 4 weeks, full payment is required upfront. |
| Living costs | AUD 20,000–25,000 | The total cost of living for a single international student in Adelaide is estimated at AUD 20,000–25,000 per year, based on the 2025 International Student Experience Survey. |
- EMGS + Immigration Fee for first year is approximately RM 3,000 to RM 4,800; annual renewal fee is RM 880 to RM 910
- 1. If you’re enrolling in a Bachelor of Nursing (BSc), the total cost ranges between AUD 68,900 to AUD 76,400.
Visa, funds & must-knows
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| English test | TOEFL iBT 67 overall – Reading 12 | English Language Requirements: TOEFL iBT overall score of 67 with minimum scores of 12 in Reading, 14 in Writing, 12 in Listening, and 17 in Speaking |
| Proof of funds | rs 2026 – AUD 27,040 | The Department of Home Affairs 2026 financial capacity guidelines require evidence of funds covering 12 months of living costs, which for Brisbane translates to AUD 27,040 (based on AUD 520 per week). |
| Tuition | AUD 500 – AUD 10000 | Deposit component of tuition fees (non-refundable) for international students is AUD 500. Total amount paid up front and prior to issue of Confirmation of Enrolment is AUD 10,000 for international students and AUD 7,500 for domestic students. |
| Living costs | AUD 21,041 for students or guardians – AUD 7,362 for partners | The Department of Home Affairs financial requirements for student visa living costs for 12 months |
- English Language Requirements: PTE Academic overall score of 47, with no score lower than 42 in Reading, 41 in Writing, 40 in Listening, and 39 in Speaking
- The Department of Home Affairs 2026 financial capacity requirement does not itemise food separately, but the AUD 520 weekly figure includes AUD 78 for food, consistent with the ABS data.
Step-by-step process
- 01
AUD 710 – , USD
Official visa info (Home Affairs)
Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee is required but exact fee amount is not specified here.
- 02
To apply for a Canadian Student Visa, students must start the process 4 to 6 months before classes begin and after they have received an Admission…
- 03
IELTS 5.5 – PTE 42
3. **Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and apply for your Student visa** – Once accepted, Crown Institute will issue your CoE.
- 04
Student visa application is submitted after receiving your COE letter.
- 05
The university applies for your MVV visa and residence permit.
Life after you land
Cost of living
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost detail | AUD 39 – AUD 59 | For example, Optus provides a student plan with 200GB data (including 100GB bonus) for AUD 39 per month for the first 12 months, then AUD 59 per month, with unlimited national talk and text plus international calls to 35 destinations.[23] Vodafone offers… |
| OSHC / health | AUD 35,000–50,000 – AUD 600–900 | A3: Estimated annual costs for a single international student in Perth in 2026 are: tuition fees AUD 35,000–50,000 (varying by program; |
| Housing / rent | AUD 350 – AUD 700 | International students in Adelaide typically budget between AUD 350 and AUD 700 per week for overall living expenses, a range that includes accommodation, food, utilities, public transport, and other essential costs.[1] This estimate reflects variations in… |
- This includes rent (AUD 250–400 per week for on-campus housing or shared accommodation), groceries (AUD 80–120 per week), public transport (AUD 125 per month for a concession pass), utilities (AUD 40–60 per week), and health…
Housing
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / rent | AUD 220 – AUD 280 | Q4: What is the average rental cost for a room in a shared house in Adelaide in 2026? A4: The median rent for a room in a shared house in Adelaide’s inner suburbs (e.g., Goodwood, Norwood, Unley) is AUD 220–AUD 280 per week, according to Domain (2026). |
- Perth’s monthly living costs range from AUD 2,000-3,000 (₹1.3-1.9 lakhs) for international students, with accommodation consuming the largest portion of your budget.
- Student Accommodation — AUD 520-2,480 (₹33,020-₹1.6 lakhs)
Health cover
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC / health | AUD 600 – AUD 800 | Healthcare is mandatory: international students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa. The Department of Health (2025) requires a minimum of 12 months coverage, costing AUD 600–AUD 800 for single cover. |
- Additional costs not included in this estimate are: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – mandatory for student visa holders, typically A$500–A$700 per year;
- Department of State regulations require health insurance that meets specific minimum standards, including medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness, repatriation of remains in the…
- A standard GP visit costs AUD 50–90 without bulk billing, but OSHC typically covers 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee (AUD 42.85 for a standard consultation).
Work while studying
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work | AUD 24.10 – AUD 1,157 | At the national minimum wage of AUD 24.10 per hour (from 1 July 2024, set by the Fair Work Commission), working 48 hours per fortnight would earn approximately AUD 1,157 per fortnight or AUD 2,503 per month before tax. |
| Housing / rent | $26–$32 – $600–$770 | In Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, often yes — at the current 48 hours per fortnight cap and casual rates of $26–$32 per hour, a student can earn around $600–$770 per week. |
- The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour (2026), meaning a student working 24 hours per fortnight earns $578 per fortnight (approximately $15,000 per year).
- Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight at a minimum wage of AUD 24.10/hour, earning approximately AUD 2,503/month before tax (Source: fwc.gov.au;
First weeks & settling in
$62–$68 · $4.80 · $20–$27
Melbourne is the most expensive of the big three for a car: a taxi typically runs $62–$68 including the airport pickup surcharge, and rideshare is broadly similar, with a Melbourne Airport pickup fee of around $4.80.
AUD 260 · AUD 1,610
Student accommodation Melbourne prices range between AUD 260 and AUD 1,610 per week.
$175
Arriving in Sydney from overseas? Reserve a furnished room in Blacktown from $175/week before you fly, no local rental history, no bond, no furniture to source.
$180
Arriving in Sydney from overseas? Reserve a furnished room in Parramatta from $180/week before you fly, no local rental history, no bond, no furniture to source.
Extra notes
More useful notes
52 weeks · 36 weeks tuition · 16 weeks holidays
AUR40216 Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis course duration is 52 weeks with 36 weeks tuition and 16 weeks holidays, 20 hours per week, blended learning (face-to-face and online).
AUD 11680.00 · AUD 26350.00 · AUD 27610.00
Australian Technical and Management College tuition examples for listed courses: AUD 11680.00, AUD 26350.00, AUD 27610.00, AUD 28240.00, AUD 30660.00, AUD 31080.00, AUD 34200.00, AUD 36700.00.
AUD 1,400–2,300 · AUD 1,500–2,500 · AUD 2,200–3,500
Adelaide (AUD 1,400–2,300/month) and Perth (AUD 1,500–2,500/month) are the most affordable major student cities; Sydney (AUD 2,200–3,500+/month) is the most expensive.
Rules and fees change. Confirm the latest numbers on official sites before you apply.