Excluding medicine, a year of undergraduate tuition at an Australian university costs an international student roughly $24,000–48,600 (A$34,125–69,200). The low end of our sample is Western Sydney University for 2027 entry; the high end is health sciences at the University of Sydney. On top of tuition, the Department of Home Affairs sets a living-cost minimum of A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) a year for each student visa applicant, and the Student visa charge has started from A$2,500 (≈ $1,760) since 1 July 2026. With rent in Sydney or Melbourne, a realistic first year rarely comes in under $60,000.
This guide sets out published university fees, the difference between the visa figure and a real budget, the payments due before you fly, and three worked first-year budgets. All figures come from university pages, Home Affairs, the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office. US dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (A$1 ≈ US$0.7024), rounded to the nearest ten. For a broader overview, see our page on studying in Australia.
What the total is made of
It helps to budget line by line, because each cost goes to a different payee at a different time.
| Cost | Paid to | When | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | the university | first instalment when you accept the offer, then each semester or term | $24,000–48,600 (A$34,125–69,200) a year for a bachelor's |
| Living costs | landlord, shops, transport | monthly | visa minimum A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) a year; usually more in Sydney and Melbourne |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | insurer, often via the university | before the visa application, for the whole stay | typically A$590–750 a year for a single student by RMIT's 2026 estimate; Medibank Comprehensive from 1 May 2026 costs A$821 (≈ $580) for 12 months |
| Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) | the university | each year | capped at A$373 (≈ $260) in 2026 and A$386 (≈ $270) in 2027 |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | Home Affairs | at lodgement | from A$2,500 (≈ $1,760) |
| One-off costs | university, biometrics centre, landlord | before departure and in the first month | application fee, biometrics, rental bond, flights |
Tuition fees: published university prices for 2026 and 2027
Each university sets its own international fee and reviews it every year. The table shows official figures with the year they apply to.
| University, city | Course or study area | Annual amount | Year and type of figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sydney | undergraduate arts and social sciences | $36,310–41,510 (A$51,700–59,100) | 2027 guide by study area |
| University of Sydney | undergraduate engineering and computer science | $44,670 (A$63,600) | 2027 |
| University of Sydney | undergraduate health sciences | $44,670–48,610 (A$63,600–69,200) | 2027 |
| UNSW Sydney | Bachelor of Commerce | $39,680 (A$56,500) first year; $126,780 (A$180,500) whole degree | 2026 indicative |
| UNSW Sydney | Bachelor of Computer Science | $42,850 (A$61,000) first year | 2026 indicative |
| Western Sydney University | business / IT / engineering | $26,450 / $28,200 / $30,180 (A$37,661 / 40,149 / 42,962) | 2027 |
| Monash University, Melbourne | Bachelor of Commerce | $41,540 (A$59,140) | 2027, per 48 credit points |
| RMIT University, Melbourne | Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Education | $31,690 / $25,620 (A$45,120 / 36,480) | 2026 indicative |
| Swinburne University, Melbourne | business / engineering bachelor's | $30,410–32,800 / $33,930 (A$43,300–46,700 / 48,300) | 2027 indicative |
Points to keep in mind:
- Fees are charged for a study load. Sydney's annual figures assume 48 credit points (one EFTSL, or full-time year). UNSW charges per unit of credit and gives only an indicative first-year and whole-degree figure. A lighter or heavier load changes the bill.
- The spread inside one university can exceed the gap between universities. At Sydney, undergraduate music for 2027 is A$51,700–52,800, while health sciences reach A$69,200.
- Fees rise annually. Sydney indexes fees at the start of each calendar year; comparing its 2026 and 2027 tables, most areas went up by about 5%.
- Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science are priced separately and usually sit outside the study-area tables: Sydney, for example, lists its Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine as exceptions. Check those fees on the individual course page.
To shortlist institutions first, start with our guide to universities in Australia, then compare universities in Sydney and universities in Melbourne.
Master's and PhD: when you pay and when the university pays
| Programme type | Fee example | Typical funding |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework master's | Monash Master of Information Technology: A$57,540 (≈ $40,420) a year for 2027; UNSW Master of Information Technology: A$63,000 (≈ $44,250) first year and A$130,500 (≈ $91,660) in total, 2026 indicative | self-funded; partial university awards of 10–30% |
| Coursework master's in business | RMIT MBA: A$50,880 (≈ $35,740) a year, 2026 indicative | self-funded |
| Research master's and PhD | University of Sydney: A$49,200–61,300 a year for 2027, depending on the area | often covered by a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship: fee offset plus a living stipend |
The Australian Government funds RTP scholarships through universities. The full-time base stipend is A$34,315 (≈ $24,100) in 2026 and A$35,550 (≈ $24,970) in 2027. You apply to the university, not to the Department of Education. See our guides to scholarships in Australia and master's degrees in Australia.
How much money you need to show for the student visa
Home Affairs can ask for evidence that you can cover 12 months. The Document Checklist Tool shows whether your passport and provider combination requires it at lodgement, but a case officer can request it later anyway.
| Item | 12-month amount |
|---|---|
| Student's living costs | A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) |
| Accompanying partner | A$10,394 (≈ $7,300) |
| Accompanying child | A$4,449 (≈ $3,120) |
| Schooling for each school-age child | at least A$13,502 (≈ $9,480) |
| Travel when applying from outside Australia (except Africa) | A$2,000 (≈ $1,400) |
| Tuition | the first 12 months of course fees, minus what you have already paid |
Worked example: for a Western Sydney course at A$37,661 a year, a single student would show about A$69,371 (≈ $48,730) for tuition, living costs and travel. Fees already paid are deducted if you have a receipt or your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) shows them.
Instead of savings, you can show that your parents or partner earned at least A$87,856 (≈ $61,710) in the previous 12 months, or A$102,500 (≈ $71,990) if family members come with you. This must be proved with official government documents such as tax assessments less than 12 months old; bank statements and employer letters are not accepted for this option.
A single-day balance certificate is not enough. Home Affairs wants to see how the money built up: transaction history, regular income, the source of large deposits. If a relative is funding you, include proof of the relationship and their identity documents. The full document list is in our Australian student visa guide.
Real living costs in Sydney and Melbourne
The visa minimum is national; prices are not. Home Affairs itself warns that actual costs may be much higher than the visa figure. Here is what universities publish.
Sydney, UNSW estimate (weekly, figures as of May 2025)
| Housing type | Rent | Total per week | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room in a share house | A$290 | A$590–780 | A$30,680–40,560 (≈ $21,550–28,490) |
| On-campus apartment | A$365–580 | A$555–960 | A$28,860–49,920 |
| Catered residential college, 44 weeks | A$435–630 | A$505–760 | A$22,220–34,440 |
| One-bedroom unit | A$470–830 | A$785–1,335 | A$40,820–69,420 (≈ $28,670–48,760) |
The University of Sydney gives monthly ranges: accommodation A$980–3,500, food A$1,000–2,500 and transport A$130–800. The same page still quotes the old visa figure of A$24,505; the current Home Affairs amount is A$29,710.
Melbourne, RMIT estimate for 2026
- Median rent across metropolitan Melbourne (Victorian Government data): A$500 a week for a one-bedroom flat, A$600 for two bedrooms, A$690 for three. Sharing is cheaper per person than renting alone.
- Food and eating out A$150–250 a week, public transport A$30–60, phone and internet A$15–30, gas and electricity A$10–20.
- Books and study materials A$500–1,000 a year.
- Overall, RMIT estimates Melbourne living costs at A$30,000–45,000 (≈ $21,070–31,610) a year.
Private rentals almost always require a refundable bond at the start, plus utility connections and furniture. The Study Australia cost-of-living calculator is a helpful cross-check, but the government presents it as a guide, not a benchmark.
Compulsory and one-off payments before classes start
| Payment | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Online application fee | UNSW: A$150 (≈ $110), non-refundable | rules differ by university |
| First payment after the offer | University of Melbourne: at least A$17,000 (≈ $11,940); Macquarie: usually A$16,000–23,500 | credited to tuition; Sydney charges first-semester fees plus OSHC if you use its preferred insurer |
| OSHC for the visa period | Medibank Comprehensive: A$821 for 12 months, single (rate from 1 May 2026) | must start on your arrival date and run without gaps until you leave |
| Visa charge | from A$2,500 (≈ $1,760) for the main applicant | family members pay separately |
| Biometrics | service fee at the collection centre | Home Affairs tells you whether you must attend |
| Health examination | panel clinic price | normally not required for residents of low-TB-risk countries such as Russia; required for stays of 6 months or more from higher-risk countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan |
| English test | IELTS Academic or PTE Academic in Australia: about A$490 | prices abroad vary; fully online at-home tests are not accepted for the visa |
| Books and materials | UNSW suggests budgeting about A$1,000 (≈ $700) a year for books | some courses also charge for lab kits, equipment and field trips; your total is shown on the CoE |
Three first-year budgets
These show orders of magnitude, not a quote for a family. Fees are official 2026–2027 figures; living costs are the visa minimum or the universities' own estimates. Flights, rental bond and health checks are excluded.
| Scenario | Tuition | Living | Other | First-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa evidence: business at Western Sydney University, 2027 | A$37,661 | A$29,710 (minimum) | travel A$2,000 | A$69,371 (≈ $48,730) |
| Monash Bachelor of Commerce, 2027, Melbourne | A$59,140 | A$30,000–45,000 (RMIT estimate) | OSHC, 2027 SSAF and visa ≈ A$3,710 | A$92,850–107,850 (≈ $65,220–75,750) |
| UNSW Master of IT, first year, on-campus apartment | A$63,000 | A$28,860–49,920 (UNSW estimate) | insurance, SSAF and visa charge ≈ A$3,710 | A$95,570–116,630 (≈ $67,130–81,920) |
The first row is what Home Affairs checks, not what you will spend. For planning, use the university's estimate for your city and housing type.
How and when tuition is paid
The first payment usually falls due when you accept the offer. It confirms your acceptance of the offer, counts towards tuition and allows the university to issue the CoE you need for the visa. After that, invoices arrive before each semester or term with a fixed due date, and late payment can lead to penalties or enrolment sanctions.
Assume fees will rise over the course. First-year tuition multiplied by the number of years is almost always less than the final total, which is why UNSW publishes separate first-year and whole-degree figures.
Students paying from Russia need to check the sending bank, currency, beneficiary details and the proof of payment the university will accept before issuing a CoE. Use lawful routes only; see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Can part-time work cover the costs?
The student visa allows up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours in official breaks; research master's and PhD students have no limit. From 1 July 2026 the national minimum wage is A$26.44 (≈ $18.57) an hour, or A$33.05 for casual staff, whose rate includes a loading in place of paid leave. RMIT calculates that a full 48 hours per fortnight at the casual rate is about A$793 (≈ $560) a week before tax.
That income helps with rent and groceries, but it cannot count towards your visa evidence: Home Affairs says you should not rely on work in Australia. Work limits, tax and the 485 graduate visa are covered in our guide to working while studying and the 485 visa.
Lawful ways to reduce the cost
- Look for awards with automatic consideration. From 2027 the University of Melbourne automatically considers international bachelor's applicants for the Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship, a 20% fee remission awarded to those with the highest entry scores. Western Sydney offers international undergraduates partial awards of A$10,000 or A$5,000 for 2027.
- Check eligibility by citizenship. The Sydney International Student Award (20% for the whole degree) lists Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and many other countries, whereas UNSW's International Student Award did not include Russia or Kazakhstan when we checked.
- Compare whole-degree totals. A three-year bachelor's and a four-year honours degree at the same university differ by a full year's fee.
- At postgraduate level, consider research degrees: with an RTP scholarship the university can cover both tuition and part of living costs.
- Save on housing rather than insurance. UNSW estimates a share-house room in Sydney at A$290 a week against A$470–830 for a one-bedroom unit.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Counting tuition only. SSAF, insurance, course costs, books and a rental bond add several thousand dollars a year.
- Treating the visa minimum as a budget. Universities in Sydney and Melbourne publish estimates above A$29,710.
- Relying on outdated numbers. Figures such as A$24,505 for living costs and a A$710 visa charge still circulate online; neither applies now.
- Depositing a lump sum just before applying. Without a savings history, such funds weaken the application.
- Ignoring fee increases. Fees change every January, and your offer shows only the current year's rate.
- Buying OSHC for too short a period. Your visa end date takes the insurance dates into account and cannot be changed after the grant.
FAQ
For a bachelor's degree, roughly A$34,000 to A$69,000 depending on the university and field, or about $24,000–48,600. Humanities and universities outside the Group of Eight tend to sit lower; engineering, health sciences and medicine sit higher.
The first 12 months of tuition, A$29,710 for your living costs, A$2,000 for travel and separate amounts for each family member. Alternatively, official tax documents showing parental or partner income of at least A$87,856.
There is no free tuition for international students. The closest option is a research master's or PhD with an RTP scholarship, where the university offsets tuition and pays a living stipend; selection happens inside each university.
Usually not. OSHC is paid separately for the whole visa period, often together with the first instalment if you choose the university's partner insurer. RMIT estimates single cover at A$590–750 a year; Medibank Comprehensive from 1 May 2026 costs A$821 for 12 months.
Universities' own estimates are close: RMIT gives A$30,000–45,000 a year for Melbourne, while UNSW puts a Sydney share-house lifestyle at A$30,680–40,560. The course and your housing choice matter more than the city.
Universities revise fees every year and many sites still show old figures or mix domestic and international rates. Check the international fee page of your university for your year of entry and see whether SSAF and insurance are included.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500 — charge, requirements, financial capacity, OSHC, English — checked 28.09.2026
- Home Affairs: health examinations you need — checked 28.09.2026
- University of Sydney: international tuition fees for 2026 and 2027 and living costs — checked 28.09.2026
- UNSW: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Computer Science, Master of Information Technology, cost of studying, fees — checked 28.09.2026
- Western Sydney University: 2027 international undergraduate fees (PDF) — checked 28.09.2026
- Monash University: Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Information Technology — checked 28.09.2026
- RMIT: cost of studying in Australia in 2026 — checked 28.09.2026
- Swinburne: indicative international fees for 2026 and 2027 — checked 28.09.2026
- Medibank Comprehensive OSHC premiums from 1 May 2026 (partner PDF) and UNSW: SSAF for 2026 and 2027 — checked 28.09.2026
- University of Melbourne: fees and payments for international undergraduates and Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship — checked 28.09.2026
- Macquarie University: international fees — checked 28.09.2026
- Department of Education: Research Training Program — checked 28.09.2026
- Fair Work Ombudsman: minimum wages — checked 28.09.2026
- Sydney International Student Award, UNSW International Student Award, Western Sydney University scholarships — checked 28.09.2026
- US dollar conversions use the ECB reference rate of 28.09.2026: EUR/USD 1.1378 and EUR/AUD 1.6199, so A$1 ≈ US$0.7024.
Course-specific budgets, requirement checks and help assembling financial evidence for the visa are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission decisions are made by the university and visa decisions by Home Affairs.
Next steps
- Master's Degrees in Australia: Program Types, Degree Requirements, 2027 Costs and the 485 Visa
- Working While Studying in Australia and the 485 Graduate Visa in 2026: Hours, Pay, Tax and Post-Study Stay
- Scholarships in Australia for International Students in 2026–2027: What Is Actually Available
- Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) in 2026: Requirements, Funds, Genuine Student Questions and How to Apply
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in Australia for international applicants
