If you are planning to study in Australia in 2026, one of the most important parts of preparing your Australian student visa application is understanding the financial requirements.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to demonstrate that you have access to enough money to cover your living expenses, tuition fees, travel costs and the costs of any family members coming to Australia with you.
So, how much money do you actually need for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) in 2026?
Here’s what international students need to know.
Australian Student Visa Financial Requirements in 2026
The Australian Government sets minimum amounts that may be used when assessing whether a student has sufficient financial capacity.
For 2026, the current 12-month living-cost amounts are:
| Applicant | Minimum 12-Month Living Costs |
|---|---|
| Student | AUD $29,710 |
| Partner or spouse | AUD $10,394 |
| Each dependent child | AUD $4,449 |
If you are bringing a school-aged child to Australia, you may also need to allow at least AUD $13,502 per year for schooling costs for each child.
Importantly, these figures only represent the amounts used for the student visa financial-capacity requirement. Your actual cost of living in Australia may be higher depending on where you live, your accommodation and your lifestyle.
Is $29,710 All You Need for a Student Visa?
No.
A common misunderstanding is that an international student simply needs to show AUD $29,710 in their bank account.
The financial requirement can include much more than your living expenses.
At a minimum, you may need to demonstrate sufficient funds for:
- 12 months of living expenses
- Your first 12 months of tuition fees
- Travel expenses
- Living expenses for accompanying family members
- Schooling costs for school-aged children, where applicable
If your course is shorter than 12 months, the required course fees and living expenses can generally be calculated proportionally.
How Are Tuition Fees Calculated?
For your student visa financial capacity, you generally need to consider your tuition fees for the first 12 months of study.
If your course is less than 12 months long, you use the total course cost.
The good news is that tuition fees you have already paid can generally be deducted from the amount you need to demonstrate, provided you can provide evidence of the payment.
Example Tuition Fee Calculation
Imagine your tuition fees for the first 12 months are AUD $18,000, and you have already paid AUD $5,000 to your education provider.
The remaining tuition amount to include in your calculation would be:
$18,000 – $5,000 = $13,000
You would then need to consider this amount together with your living costs and applicable travel expenses
Example: How Much Could a Single Student Need?
Let’s look at a simple example.
A student is applying from outside Australia and has:
12-month living costs: $29,710
Remaining first-year tuition fees: $15,000
Travel costs: $2,000
The total financial amount would be approximately:
AUD $46,710
This is why there is no single financial figure that applies to every student visa applicant.
Your required amount depends on your course fees, how much tuition you have already paid, where you are applying from and whether family members are included in your application.
What If You Bring Your Partner to Australia?
If your husband, wife or partner is included in your student visa application, you need to consider their living and travel expenses as well.
The current additional 12-month living-cost amount for a partner is:
AUD $10,394
For example, if a student and their partner are applying together, their combined minimum 12-month living-cost component would be:
$29,710 + $10,394 = $40,104
This is before adding tuition fees and applicable travel costs.
You may also be able to demonstrate your financial capacity through the ongoing income of an eligible family member, rather than relying solely on savings held in a bank account.
How We Help with Your Student Visa
- Course enrolment guidance
- Genuine Student (GS) support
- Student visa application assistance
