Last updated on October 21, 2026

The Australia Student visa Subclass 500 application charge is currently AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. Pakistani students must also plan for tuition, living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), travel, medical examinations, biometrics and other pre-departure costs. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

The amount you need depends on your course, education provider, city, visa duration and whether family members accompany you. Understanding the Australia student visa cost early can help you set a realistic savings target. This guide explains the main Australia student visa cost, the financial-capacity requirement, acceptable evidence and ways to plan your budget more effectively.

2027 update note: The fees and financial figures in this guide reflect the latest official information available at the time of publication. Australian visa charges, financial-capacity amounts and immigration rules can change. Check the Department of Home Affairs before submitting your 2027 application. 

Australia Student Visa Cost at a Glance

Expense	Estimated amount
Student Visa application fee	From AUD 2,500
Living-cost benchmark	AUD 29,710 for 12 months
Tuition fees	Depends on course and institution
OSHC	Depends on provider and visa duration
Airfare	Varies
Medical examination	Varies
Biometrics	If requested
Initial settlement	Depends on accommodation and lifestyle

Your total first-year cost will therefore be significantly higher than the visa application fee alone. Include each major item when estimating the Australia student visa cost.

Australia Student Visa Cost and Application Fee

Pakistani students generally apply for the Student visa Subclass 500. This visa allows eligible international students to study full-time at an Australian education provider.

The current visa application charge is:

Applicant	Government visa charge
Main applicant	From AUD 2,500
Additional family applicant	Depends on the applicant’s age and circumstances
Other possible charges	Biometrics, medical examinations and payment surcharges may apply

The fee is paid through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application. Check the Australia student visa cost again before payment in case the official charge has changed. It is generally non-refundable if your application is refused or withdrawn. The final amount should be confirmed through the official Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before payment because Australian visa prices can change. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

The visa charge does not include:

• Tuition fees
• OSHC
• English-language test fees
• Medical examinations
• Biometrics
• Airfare
• Accommodation or rental bond
• Education consultant or document-service fees

What If Family Members Apply with Me?

You must include the relevant financial and visa costs for every accompanying family member. The Department may charge an additional applicant fee when more than one person is included in a combined application. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

When calculating the Australia student visa cost for your family, you should also budget for:

• Additional living expenses.
• Health insurance for each family member.
• Travel expenses.
• Schooling costs for school-age children.
• Larger accommodation and settlement costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Australia?

The visa application fee is only one part of your total budget. A complete Australia student visa cost estimate should account for both upfront and ongoing expenses. A realistic first-year estimate should include the following:

Expense	Typical calculation
Student visa application	From AUD 2,500
Living-cost benchmark	AUD 29,710 for 12 months
Tuition	First-year course fees, less any amount already paid
OSHC	Based on the insurer’s quote and visa duration
Travel	Cost required for your circumstances
English-language test	Varies by test centre
Medical examination	Varies by approved clinic
Biometrics	If requested
Initial settlement	Accommodation, bond, groceries, transport and SIM card

Actual tuition varies significantly by provider, course, study level and location. These differences can substantially change the Australia student visa cost for each applicant. Always use the university’s current fee schedule or offer letter for your budget. There is no single total that applies to every Pakistani student. For example, a student with AUD 30,000 in annual tuition will need a substantially larger budget than a student whose first-year tuition is AUD 18,000. 

Keep an additional emergency reserve for currency fluctuations, unexpected medical costs, and higher-than-expected rent. This reserve helps make your Australia student visa cost estimate more practical. Not sure how much you need for tuition, living expenses, and your Student visa? AEL Consultants can help you compare universities, estimate your total budget, and prepare your application. 

Tuition Fees in Australia for Pakistani Students

Tuition depends on the course, institution, study level and subject area. Review these fees carefully when calculating the Australia student visa cost. The following figures are broad planning estimates rather than official fixed prices:

Study type	Approximate annual tuition
Vocational or diploma courses	AUD 12,000–20,000
Undergraduate degrees	AUD 20,000–45,000
Master’s degrees	AUD 25,000–50,000 or more

Business, information technology, engineering, health, nursing and other professional courses may have different fee structures. Some programs also include laboratory, placement, material or student-service charges.

Use your offer letter and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to identify the tuition details that affect your Australia student visa cost:

• Total course tuition.
• The first instalment payable.
• Any scholarship or fee waiver.
• The length of the course.
• Additional compulsory charges.

Do not rely only on a general internet estimate when calculating your financial documents.

Living Expenses in Australia for Pakistani Students

For financial-capacity purposes, the Department of Home Affairs lists AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs for the primary student applicant. This benchmark is an important part of planning the Australia student visa cost. This is a minimum visa benchmark, not a guarantee that the amount will cover every student’s actual expenses. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

Your real living expenses may be higher in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, particularly if you rent privately. Location is therefore a major factor in the Australia student visa cost. Shared accommodation and regional locations may reduce some costs, but students should compare transport, housing availability, employment access and course quality before choosing a city.

Additional Family Costs

If family members accompany you, your financial calculation must include their costs. School-age children may also require evidence of schooling expenses. The applicable amount can depend on the family member and the visa circumstances, so use the current Department of Home Affairs guidance and document checklist rather than copying a general estimate.

Proof of Funds for an Australian visa

The Department’s document checklist tool indicates whether financial-capacity evidence must be attached to your application. Check this early while preparing your Australia student visa cost and funding plan. If the checklist requests evidence of financial capacity, you must provide it before submitting the application; otherwise, the application may be refused.

You may need to show access to funds for:

• Your first 12 months of tuition, minus fees already paid
• Living costs for yourself
• Travel costs
• Living and travel costs for accompanying family members
• Schooling costs for school-age dependants, where applicable

The Department’s guidance indicates that evidence may include your own financial documents or documents from people supporting your stay. Examples can include bank statements, payslips showing regular income, education-loan documents and other appropriate financial records.

Documents That Support Your Financial Evidence

Depending on your circumstances and document checklist, you may use:

• Bank statements showing a consistent savings history.
• An approved education loan letter.
• Fixed-deposit or term-deposit evidence.
• Scholarship or financial-support documents.
• Sponsor income records.
• Tax documents.
• Payslips or business records.
• Evidence of your relationship with a financial supporter.

A sponsor letter by itself may not establish that sufficient money is genuinely available. Make sure the evidence supports the funds included in your Australia student visa cost plan. Financial documents should show where the funds came from and how you can access them.

Australia Student Visa Processing Time

There is no single guaranteed processing time for every Subclass 500 application. Include possible timing changes in your planning, alongside the Australia student visa cost. The timeline may depend on the application’s processing priority, education provider, document completeness, health and character checks, and the Department’s workload.

For offshore applications, current processing arrangements use priority categories. The Department aims to commence processing:

• Priority 1 applications within 1–4 weeks.
• Priority 2 applications within 5–8 weeks.
• Priority 3 applications within 9–12 weeks.

These are indicative processing-commencement periods, not guaranteed decision dates. Priority can also depend on the education provider’s position under the applicable ministerial direction.immi.homeaffairs.gov

To avoid unnecessary delays:

1. Obtain your CoE before lodging the visa application.
2. Upload every document shown on your checklist.
3. Provide a clear financial explanation.
4. Complete health examinations promptly if requested.
5. Check that translations and certifications meet the requirements.
6. Apply well before your course commencement date.

How to Apply for Australia Student Visa from Pakistan

The visa application process becomes smoother when you follow the correct steps. Reviewing the Australia student visa cost before you begin can help you prepare the required funds.  Applying for the visa involves a few key steps:

1. Choose Your Course and University

Australia offers a wide range of courses in management, engineering, healthcare, IT, and more (Australian higher education).

2.Receive Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)

Once accepted, the university issues a CoE, a mandatory document for visa application.

3. Prepare Your Documents

Ensure all financial, academic, and personal documents are accurate and up-to-date.

4. Apply Online

Submit your visa application online via the official Australian immigration website.

5.Biometrics and Health Checks

Complete required medical examinations and provide biometrics if requested.

6.Visa Decision

Processing times vary depending on the application and current Department of Home Affairs processing arrangements.

7.Travel to Australia

Upon approval, you can travel to Australia to start your studies.

AEL Consultants assists students through this process, ensuring that no detail is missed. If you are planning to study in Australia from Pakistan, start your Australia study journey today and get expert guidance for a smooth visa application. 

Hidden Costs That Increase the Australian Student Visa Cost

Many students focus only on tuition and visa charges. However, a realistic Australia student visa cost calculation should also include the smaller expenses listed below. However, there are additional expenses Pakistani applicants should consider. 

Before applying

• IELTS, PTE Academic or another accepted English test
• Academic document preparation
• Certified translations, if required
• Police clearance, where requested
• Medical examination at an approved clinic
• Biometrics, if requested
• Courier, printing and document-scanning charges
• Bank transfer or card-payment fees
• Education consultant fees, if applicable

After visa approval

• One-way airfare
• Temporary accommodation
• Rental bond and advance rent
• Initial groceries
• Public transport card
• Mobile SIM and internet setup
• Warm clothing or other items needed for your destination
• Emergency funds for the first few weeks

The Pakistani rupee-to-Australian-dollar exchange rate can change significantly. Recheck conversions when updating your Australia student visa cost estimate. Instead of publishing a fixed PKR conversion without a date, calculate the amount using the current rate and keep a 10–15% reserve for exchange-rate movement and unexpected expenses.

Ways to Reduce Your Total Budget

You cannot reduce the government visa charge through normal budgeting, but you can lower the overall financial pressure and manage the Australia student visa cost through careful planning.

Compare total tuition

Compare the complete course cost, not only the first instalment. This helps you understand the tuition portion of the Australia student visa cost. Check whether scholarships, compulsory fees, placements or materials change the final amount.

Research scholarships

University scholarships may reduce tuition, but many do not cover living expenses, travel or OSHC. Confirm the scholarship’s value, conditions and duration in writing.

Consider regional locations

Some regional cities may offer lower accommodation costs than Sydney or Melbourne. However, compare housing availability, transport, course quality and employment opportunities before deciding.

Share Accommodation

Sharing a house or apartment can reduce rent, utilities and internet costs. Review the rental agreement carefully and budget for the bond and advance rent.

Compare OSHC Providers

OSHC is mandatory for most international students and should be included when estimating the Australia student visa cost. Compare the policy length, inclusions, exclusions and family coverage rather than choosing only the cheapest quote.

Use Part-time Work Carefully

Eligible Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. The restriction may not apply during scheduled course breaks, subject to the visa conditions. However, you should not rely on future employment to meet the financial-capacity requirement.( immi.homeaffairs.gov)

Plan Your Australian Study Budget

The Australia Student visa cost is only one part of the amount Pakistani students need to prepare. Calculate the Australia student visa cost alongside tuition and living expenses rather than treating the visa fee as the full budget. Your complete plan should include the current visa charge, first-year tuition, the applicable living-cost benchmark, travel, OSHC, medicals, biometrics and initial settlement expenses.

Use your university offer letter, CoE and personalised Department of Home Affairs document checklist to calculate the correct amount. Requirements and fees can change, so verify the details before lodging your application.

AEL Consultants can help Pakistani students compare universities, estimate tuition and living costs, review financial documents and plan the application process. Book an initial consultation to create a budget based on your selected course, city and family circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Australian Student visa in 2027?

The Subclass 500 Student visa application charge is currently AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. Additional charges may apply for accompanying family members, and limited concessions may be available in specific circumstances. Confirm the current price before payment. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

How much money must I show for an Australian Student visa?

You may need to show funds for your first 12 months of tuition, living costs, travel and any accompanying family-member expenses. Add these amounts together to assess the Australia student visa cost you need to plan for. The current living-cost figure for the primary applicant is AUD 29,710 for 12 months. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)

Is AUD 29,710 enough to live in Australia?

It is a minimum financial-capacity benchmark, not a guaranteed annual budget. Actual expenses can be higher depending on your accommodation, city, transport and lifestyle, so include these factors in your Australia student visa cost estimate.

Can visa fees change after I submit my application?

The amount payable is determined when you lodge the application, but visa prices and requirements can change for future applications. Check the official pricing information before submitting and paying.

Can I work while studying in Australia?

Eligible Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. You should not depend on future employment to demonstrate financial capacity for the visa. (immi.homeaffairs.gov)