If you are applying for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), financial capacity can be a central part of the application. The Department of Home Affairs may require evidence that you can cover travel, tuition, living costs and, where relevant, family and school expenses.
Quick Answer: What Is the Financial Requirement?
As of September 2026, Home Affairs lists the 12-month living-cost amount for a primary student as AUD 29,710. This is a visa-calculation minimum, not a guarantee of your actual cost of living. You must also account for applicable tuition, travel and family costs.
| Item | Current Home Affairs amount or rule |
| Primary student living costs | AUD 29,710 for 12 months |
| Partner living costs | AUD 10,394 for 12 months |
| Child living costs | AUD 4,449 for 12 months |
| Schooling for each school-age child | At least AUD 13,502 per year |
| Travel from outside Australia, other than Africa guidance | AUD 2,000 as a guide |
| Annual-income alternative, no family | At least AUD 87,856 |
| Annual-income alternative, with family | At least AUD 102,500 |
What Costs Must You Be Able to Cover?
- Travel to and from Australia.
- Up to 12 months of course fees, less amounts already paid where applicable.
- Up to 12 months of living costs for the student and accompanying family.
- Schooling costs for school-age children, where applicable.
What Evidence Can Be Used?
Home Affairs lists evidence such as deposits with a financial institution, eligible loans and scholarships or similar financial support. If another person provides the funds, you may also need to show your relationship to that person and that the money is genuinely available to you.
- Bank or financial-institution evidence that meets the visa requirements.
- Government or financial-institution loan evidence.
- Scholarship or formal financial-support evidence.
- Official income evidence where relying on the annual-income option.
Common Financial-Capacity Mistakes
- Treating the AUD 29,710 figure as the total amount needed for the whole application.
- Ignoring unpaid tuition, travel or dependant costs.
- Using funds that cannot be shown to be genuinely accessible.
- Submitting financial evidence that does not match the document checklist or ImmiAccount request.
- Assuming actual living costs will equal the visa minimum.
How to Prepare
- Use the Home Affairs document checklist for your circumstances.
- Calculate tuition still payable for the relevant period.
- Add the required living-cost amounts for each included family member.
- Add schooling and travel where applicable.
- Keep clear evidence of the source and availability of funds.
- Recheck the amounts immediately before lodging because requirements can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AUD 29,710 the total amount needed for a Student visa?
No. It is the current 12-month living-cost amount for the primary student. Tuition, travel and family-related costs may also apply.
Can parents support a student financially?
Home Affairs can consider support from parents, but the application must meet the relevant evidence and genuine-access requirements.
Do all applicants have to upload financial evidence?
The document checklist and ImmiAccount determine what must be attached at lodgement, although Home Affairs may request evidence during processing.
Can actual living costs be higher than the visa minimum?
Yes. Home Affairs explicitly notes that real living costs vary across Australia and can be higher.
Next Step
Planning to study in Australia? Speak with eduaid for guidance on course planning, document preparation and the current Student visa process.
| Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and may change. Eligibility, visa conditions, costs and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and decisions by the relevant authorities. Check current official requirements before making an application or financial commitment. |