Living cost for international students in Australia
Australia has become one of the desired destinations for international students, including Indians. India is the second-largest country that sourced international student enrolments in Australia in the January-September 2023 period.
The cost of living for Indian students in Australia may differ and depend on various factors, such as the region, lifestyle, and spending habits.
The cost of living per month in Australia is AUD 3441. The cost of living in Australia for Indian students is INR 1,83,919. Following is the bifurcation of the living cost:
Accommodation costs:
Numerous universities offer a limited quantity of on-campus student dormitories for accommodation. Consequently, a significant number of international students opt to lease private residences or engage in homestays with local families.
Average prices for common accommodation options:
- Homestay: 450 – 1,200 AUD/month
- Student halls of residence: 440 – 1,100 AUD/month
- Rent an apartment: 750 – 1,700 AUD/month
- Share a rented apartment/house: 380 – 850 AUD/month
Apart from rent, your accommodation requires extra expenses, like:
- Utilities: around 200 AUD/month
- Internet: 70 – 120 AUD/month
University tuition fees in Australia:
Tuition fees depend upon the discipline and the university that a student has enrolled in.
Tuition fees for international students:
- Bachelor’s degrees: between 20,000 – 45,000 AUD/year
- Master’s and Ph.D. degrees: between 22,000 – 50,000 AUD/year
- Professional degrees such as medicine or veterinary science may have higher tuition fees.
The most affordable universities in Australia with the most affordable tuition fees are:
- Flinders University Tuition fees start at 10,350 AUD/year
- IPAG Business School Tuition fees start at 13,000 AUD/year
- University of Wollongong Tuition fees start at 18,800 AUD/year
- University of New England Tuition fees start at 19,100 AUD/year
- Victoria University Tuition fees start at 21,800 AUD/year
Student visa cost for Australia
Anyone who wishes to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) in Australia must enroll in a course with a duration of 12-52 weeks. Also, an applicant must hold an unconditional offer from a university and have deposited the required tuition fee.
To get the visa the student has to apply under subclass 500 and pay the following costs towards Visa charges, Health insurance ( OHSC) and Air ticket
Health insurance and check-up cost
Health checkup
All international students have to take a health checkup before applying for an Australian visa. This can be done in nominated health centers or paneled physicians in various Indian cities. Click here for the location
OSHC, i.e., Overseas Student Health Cover. The average cost is AUD 438 per person for 12 months. This cost has to be paid upfront before applying for the visa. OSHC can be purchased only from selected insurance companies. Contact the Scholarshikart team to arrange OSHC for you.
Visa charges
As an international student along with a student dependent, you must pay visa fees as per the below category you fall in:
| Visa subclass |
Base application charge |
Additional applicant charges if 18 years or above |
Additional applicant charges if less than 18 years |
The subsequent temporary application charge |
| Student visa (subclass 500) |
AUD $630 |
AUD $460 |
AUD $150 |
AUD $700 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) (subsequent entrant) |
AUD $620 |
AUD $460 |
AUD $150 |
AUD $700 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - Foreign Affairs or Defence sector |
nil |
nil |
nil |
nil |
| Student visa (subclass 500) - Postgraduate research sector |
AUD $620 |
nil |
nil |
nil |
To know more about cost and expenses for studying in Australia,
Book your free consultation with ScholarshipKart now!!