Studying in Australia can be expensive, especially when you add the living costs, health insurance, tuition and other fees. However, you can cover a lot of your costs by working part-time, and you can also apply for one of many scholarships or fellowships available for international students. You should also see it as a great investment because Australian qualifications open up a lot of doors. To help you calculate how much you need to invest, we’ve provided a cost breakdown.
Visa Costs
Student Visa Subclass 500 costs $620. This is the base application charge which you need to pay if you are travelling to Australia by yourself. You also need to pay $460 for an additional applicant who is over 18 years old and $150 for an applicant who is under 18 years of age. The subsequent temporary application charge is $700.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending on the course or program you choose. There are many different levels and fields of study in Australia for international students. You can expect to pay anything between $7,800 to $30,000 per year for secondary education or about $300 per week for a language course. The prices for Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) are similar and they range from $4,000 and $20,000 per year, while foundation courses cost between $15,000 and $39,000 per year. If you want to obtain a bachelor’s degree, you can expect to pay from $15,000 to $45,000, while MA and PhD programs cost between $14,000 and $50,000 per year. MBA courses can cost as little as $11,000 per year, but you can also find study programs that cost over $120,000 per year.
Health Insurance
All international students travelling to Australia need to have the Overseas Student Health Cover. The cost depends on the type of cover you select. The minimum, price per month is $500 per year for singles cover, $2,600 for couples and $4,200 for families.
Living Costs
Costs of international study in Australia get even higher when you add transport, accommodation, food and other living expenses. The Department of Home Affairs has calculated the minimum you need to have to support yourself and your family members. You should have at least $20,290 per year to support yourself and an additional $7,100 for your partner and $3,040 for each child. However, it would be best if you list all your needs and check the prices in the city you are travelling to. While the average monthly budget for Adelaide is $1,400, you need to have about $1,900 if you are planning to live in Sydney. The most affordable accommodation options include homestays and student halls of residence, while renting an apartment can be costly. On the other hand, sharing a rented apartment or a house could be a cost-effective solution as well. To get the idea of how much you need to pay for transport and food, it is best to check the current prices for your destination of choice. And don’t forget to put some money on the side for extra costs such as books, study materials and entertainment.