How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa in 2026?
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Student visa (subclass 500) official page, as of August 2026, there is no single fixed bank balance: you must show enough money to cover your travel, 12 months of course fees, and 12 months of living costs, with AUD 29,710 set as the 12-month living cost for the student, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child. If you would rather rely on income than savings, the same page accepts evidence that your parents or partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, rising to AUD 102,500 if family members come with you. This article is general reference only and is not personalised professional advice; for your own circumstances, rely on the official information or a professional opinion.
The living cost figures are a visa minimum, not a realistic budget: actual living costs vary across Australia and may be much higher, and the department states you should not rely on work to support yourself or your family while in Australia. The Australian Government’s Study Australia site has a cost of living calculator to help you research the area you intend to live in.
What are the minimum living costs I must show for 2026?
The 12-month living costs set by the department are:
| Who the amount covers | 12-month living cost |
|---|---|
| You (the student) | AUD 29,710 |
| A partner coming with you | AUD 10,394 |
| Each child coming with you | AUD 4,449 |
These amounts are the minimum you must declare for the visa. Actual living costs vary throughout Australia and may be much higher than the visa minimum, so the department recommends researching the area you intend to live in, including its cost of living. The Study Australia cost of living calculator is the government tool pointed to for estimating possible extra costs beyond the visa requirement.
What else must I add to the total besides living costs?
Three other items must be added where they apply: travel, course fees, and schooling for school-age children.
How much of my course fees count?
Use the first 12 months of your course fees, or the total cost if your course is 12 months or less. Deduct any amount you have already paid, but you must provide evidence of payment such as a receipt or Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). If you are in Australia and your course has already started, calculate the 12-month fee from the date you lodge your application. The department’s examples are:
- A 3-year course with total fees of AUD 50,000: the 12-month amount is AUD 50,000 ÷ 3 = AUD 16,666, less any amount already paid.
- A 10-month course costing AUD 15,000 with AUD 5,000 already paid: AUD 15,000 − AUD 5,000 = AUD 10,000.
- An 18-month course costing AUD 20,000: (AUD 20,000 ÷ 18) × 12 = AUD 13,333, less any amount already paid.
How much should I allow for travel?
| Where you apply from | Travel amount to include |
|---|---|
| East or Southern Africa | AUD 2,500 |
| West Africa | AUD 3,000 |
| Anywhere else outside Australia | AUD 2,000 |
| In Australia, not returning to Africa | AUD 1,000 |
| In Australia and returning to Africa | AUD 1,500 |
What about schooling costs for my children?
If you include school-age children, add at least AUD 13,502 per child for schooling costs per year. Costs vary between states, territories and schools, and you are responsible for finding out the actual cost. You do not have to give evidence of schooling costs if you are a PhD student, or have received an Australian Commonwealth Government scholarship (including Foreign Affairs and Defence sponsored students), and have enrolled your child in an Australian government school where the fees have been waived; you must still give evidence the child is enrolled.
Can I use my parents’ or partner’s income instead of savings?
Yes. As an alternative to showing accumulated funds, you can give evidence that your parents or your partner had a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply. If you bring family members, that income must be at least AUD 102,500 in the same 12-month period. If both your parents are working, their combined income can be considered.
The evidence must be official government documents, such as tax assessments less than 12 months old. Bank statements and direct evidence from an employer are not accepted for this income alternative.
How do I work out the amount for my own situation?
Add together: travel, 12 months of course fees (minus amounts already paid, with proof), 12 months of living costs for you and any family members coming with you, and schooling costs for any school-age children. If you are staying less than 12 months, calculate pro rata by dividing the annual cost by 365 and multiplying by the number of days you intend to stay.
Assume an applicant is single, has enrolled in a 3-year bachelor’s degree with total tuition of AUD 50,000, has paid nothing yet, and applies from outside Australia but not from Africa. Using the department’s own course-fee example, the 12-month tuition is AUD 16,666; adding AUD 29,710 living costs and AUD 2,000 travel gives AUD 48,376 to show. If part of the tuition had already been paid and evidenced, that paid amount would be deducted.
What evidence shows I genuinely have access to the money?
Money you can show includes deposits from a financial institution, a government loan or a loan from a financial institution, and scholarships or similar financial support. The detailed evidential requirements are set out in Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Instrument 2019. You must also prove you can actually access the funds: if someone else is providing them, give evidence of your relationship, their identity documents, and any financial support they have given you or another Student visa holder in the past; if support comes through a business, show the business is operating.
If you rely on deposits, explain their source — for example, recent bank transaction statements showing the history of funds or regular salary growth. A bank balance certificate covering a single day does not show how the funds were accumulated. For an education loan, the best evidence of genuine access is evidence of disbursement; for another kind of loan, provide evidence of the security used, the terms, and that you can cover ongoing costs.
Who can use a different form of proof, and what about family applying later?
Secondary exchange students can prove funds with a completed Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form. Students supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) can provide a DFAT letter of support, and Department of Defence students can provide a Defence letter of support; both must also prove the financial capacity of any family members travelling with them.
Family members who apply after your visa is granted (subsequent entrants) must attach financial capacity evidence with their own application. They must show enough to cover the costs and expenses of the Student visa holder they are joining (including up to 12 months of course fees minus any amount already paid), 12 months of living costs for all secondary applicants including school fees, and travel costs for all applicants. If they do not give this evidence, their application may be refused without further request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum bank balance for a single student with no family in 2026?
There is no single fixed balance. You must show travel plus 12 months of course fees plus 12 months of living costs, with AUD 29,710 as the student’s 12-month living cost and AUD 2,000 travel if you apply from outside Australia (outside Africa). In the department’s example of a 3-year course with AUD 50,000 total tuition, the amount to show is AUD 48,376 before any prepaid tuition is deducted.
Can my parents’ combined income be used if both are working?
Yes. If both your parents are working, their combined income can be considered for the income alternative. The combined amount must reach at least AUD 87,856, or AUD 102,500 if you are bringing family members, in the 12 months before you apply. It must be shown with official government documents such as tax assessments less than 12 months old.
Are bank statements accepted as proof of my parents’ or partner’s income?
No. For the income alternative, the department does not accept bank statements or direct evidence from an employer. You must provide official government documents, such as tax assessments issued less than 12 months before the application. This is separate from using deposits or savings, where bank statements showing the history of funds are relevant.
Do I still need to show travel costs if I apply while in Australia?
Yes, but at a lower guide amount. Include AUD 1,000 for travel costs if you are applying in Australia, and AUD 1,500 if you will be returning to Africa. The higher amounts of AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,000 apply only when you apply from outside Australia, depending on the region.
How much do I add for a school-age child?
Add at least AUD 13,502 per child per year for schooling, plus AUD 4,449 as the child’s 12-month living cost. Schooling evidence is not required if you are a PhD student or hold an Australian Commonwealth Government scholarship (including Foreign Affairs and Defence sponsored students) and the child is enrolled in an Australian government school with fees waived, provided you give evidence of enrolment.
What happens if financial capacity evidence is required but I do not attach it?
If your document checklist requires financial capacity evidence and you do not attach it, your application may be refused without the department asking you for more information. Even if the checklist does not require it at lodgement, the department can still ask for the evidence while processing your application.