The Costs of Studying and Working in Australia: 2025 Complete Guide

Last Updated: August 2025

When deciding to study in Australia, one of the first questions that comes up is about the costs: how much does it cost to study, work and live in Australia? The answer depends on many variables, and with recent changes in 2025, it's more important than ever to have accurate, up-to-date information. In this comprehensive guide, we'll give you a realistic idea of the budget you need to start your new life in Australia.

Navigating the Costs: Your Guide to the Student Visa 📜
Crafting Your Future: The Price of Australian Studies 📖
Cost of English Courses 🗣️
VET Courses Cost 💼
TAFE Courses 📓
University Degrees 🎓
Securing Affordable Flights to Australia 🛫
Safeguarding Your Well-Being: OSHC Costs 👩⚕️
Finding Accommodation for Your First Few Weeks
Living Costs Once You Are in Australia
Working in Australia as a Student
Summary: Complete Cost Breakdown

Navigating the Costs: Your Guide to the Student Visa 📜

Are you dreaming of studying in Australia? The land of opportunities, breathtaking landscapes, and a world-class education system awaits you. But, like any adventure, it comes with a price tag. This section will guide you through the essential costs associated with obtaining a student visa in Australia and the costs of bringing family members along.

Understanding the Student Visa Costs (Updated July 2025)

Your journey starts with acquiring a student visa, which is your golden ticket to studying in Australia. Important update: As of July 1, 2025, student visa fees have increased significantly.

Current Visa Application Fees:

Primary applicant: $2,000 AUD (increased from $1,600 AUD)
Partner/spouse: $1,225 AUD (increased from $530 AUD)
Child under 18: $400 AUD

Special exemption: Students from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste are exempt from these increases and continue to pay concessional rates.

Additional Application Costs

Beyond the visa fee, factor in these essential costs:

Health Examinations

Medical examination: $350-500 AUD
Chest X-ray: $150-250 AUD
Additional tests (if required): $100-300 AUD

English Language Tests

If your course requires proof of English language proficiency:

IELTS: $395 AUD
PTE Academic: $395 AUD
TOEFL iBT: $405 AUD

Biometrics Collection

Biometrics fee: $85 AUD (if required)

Financial Capacity Requirements (Updated 2025)

Major update: As of May 10, 2024, the financial requirements have increased significantly:

Proof of Funds Required:

Primary student: $29,710 AUD per year (up from $21,041 AUD)
Partner/spouse: $10,394 AUD per year
First child: $4,449 AUD per year
Each additional child: $3,356 AUD per year

Alternative Income Requirement:

Instead of showing savings, you can provide evidence that your parents or partner earned a minimum annual income of $62,222 AUD in the 12 months before your application.

What These Funds Must Cover:

Living expenses for 12 months
Course tuition fees
Return travel to Australia
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Important: These are minimum requirements. Actual living costs in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne are typically higher.

Crafting Your Future: The Price of Australian Studies 📖

Embarking on your educational journey in Australia opens doors to countless opportunities. Here's what you can expect to pay for different types of courses in 2025:

Cost of English Courses 🗣️

Proficiency in English is vital for success in Australia. English courses have various pricing structures:

Average Costs:

Per week: $350-400 AUD
3-month course in Sydney: $3,800-4,200 AUD (premium schools)
3-month course in Sydney: $2,400-2,800 AUD (budget-friendly options)
3-month course in Melbourne: $3,200-3,600 AUD (premium schools)
3-month course in Brisbane: $2,800-3,200 AUD

What's Included:

Tuition fees
Study materials
Student support services
Some schools include excursions and activities

Tip: Longer courses often have lower per-week rates. A 6-month course might cost $320-350 per week versus $400 for shorter durations.

VET Courses Cost 💼 (Vocational Education and Training)

VET courses teach practical skills for a wide range of professions. Costs depend on the institution's reputation, location, and course duration:

2025 VET Course Prices:

3 months: $1,800-2,200 AUD
6 months: $3,500-4,200 AUD
9 months: $5,200-6,500 AUD
12 months: $7,500-9,000 AUD
18 months: $11,000-14,000 AUD
24 months: $14,000-18,000 AUD

Popular VET Courses and Typical Costs:

Business Administration: $8,000-12,000 AUD (1 year)
Information Technology: $9,000-15,000 AUD (1-1.5 years)
Hospitality Management: $7,500-11,000 AUD (1 year)
Digital Marketing: $8,500-13,000 AUD (1 year)
Project Management: $9,000-14,000 AUD (1-1.5 years)

TAFE Courses 📓 (Technical and Further Education)

TAFE institutions are government-supported and offer high-quality VET courses. TAFE courses generally cost more than private VET providers but offer excellent facilities and industry connections:

2025 TAFE Course Fees:

Certificate III: $5,000-12,000 AUD
Certificate IV: $6,000-15,000 AUD
Diploma: $8,000-22,000 AUD
Advanced Diploma: $12,000-28,000 AUD

Popular TAFE Programs:

Automotive Technology: $15,000-20,000 AUD
Building and Construction: $12,000-18,000 AUD
Childcare and Education: $10,000-16,000 AUD
Health and Community Services: $11,000-19,000 AUD

University Degrees 🎓

University education in Australia represents a significant investment in your future, but costs vary considerably:

Undergraduate Degrees (Bachelor's):

Arts, Humanities: $16,000-25,000 AUD per year
Business, Commerce: $18,000-32,000 AUD per year
Engineering, IT: $20,000-35,000 AUD per year
Science: $18,000-33,000 AUD per year
Medicine: $35,000-65,000 AUD per year
Law: $22,000-38,000 AUD per year

Postgraduate Degrees (Master's):

MBA: $35,000-65,000 AUD per year
Engineering: $22,000-40,000 AUD per year
IT/Computer Science: $20,000-38,000 AUD per year
Health Sciences: $25,000-45,000 AUD per year
Research-based Masters: $18,000-35,000 AUD per year

Doctoral Programs (PhD):

Research PhDs: $4,500-37,000 AUD per year
Professional Doctorates: $20,000-45,000 AUD per year

Note: Many PhD students receive scholarships or research positions that cover tuition and provide living stipends.

Securing Affordable Flights to Australia 🛫

Getting to Australia is a significant expense, but with smart planning, you can reduce costs:

Average Flight Costs to Australia (2025):

From Asia: $800-2,500 AUD
From Europe: $1,500-3,500 AUD
From North America: $1,800-4,000 AUD
From South America: $2,000-4,500 AUD
From Africa: $1,500-3,000 AUD

Money-Saving Flight Tips:

Book 3-6 months in advance
Be flexible with dates - use fare comparison tools
Consider stopovers instead of direct flights
Student discounts - some airlines offer student rates
One-way tickets might be cheaper than return (check visa requirements)

Safeguarding Your Well-Being: OSHC Costs 👩⚕️

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all student visa holders:

2025 OSHC Costs:

Single student: $500-700 AUD per year
Couple: $1,200-1,600 AUD per year
Family (2 adults + children): $1,800-2,400 AUD per year

Major OSHC Providers:

Medibank Private: Competitive rates, good coverage
Bupa: Comprehensive plans, excellent network
Allianz Care: Budget-friendly options
NIB: Good value for families
Covna: Competitive pricing for singles

What OSHC Covers:

Doctor visits
Hospital treatment
Emergency ambulance
Prescription medications (partial coverage)
Mental health services (limited)

Important: OSHC has limitations. Many students purchase additional private health insurance for better coverage.

Finding Accommodation for Your First Few Weeks

Initial accommodation costs while you settle in:

Temporary Accommodation Options:

Hostels: $30-80 AUD per night
Budget hotels: $80-150 AUD per night
Airbnb: $60-200 AUD per night
Serviced apartments: $100-300 AUD per night
Homestay: $200-350 AUD per week

Booking Tips:

Book 2-4 weeks initially while you find permanent housing
Consider location - closer to your school but within budget
Read reviews carefully
Understand cancellation policies

Living Costs Once You Are in Australia

Here's what you can realistically expect to spend monthly in different Australian cities:

Sydney (Most Expensive)

Shared accommodation: $200-350 AUD per week
Private room: $300-500 AUD per week
Studio apartment: $400-700 AUD per week
Food and groceries: $400-600 AUD per month
Transport: $150-200 AUD per month
Entertainment: $200-400 AUD per month
Total monthly budget: $2,800-4,200 AUD

Melbourne

Shared accommodation: $180-320 AUD per week
Private room: $250-450 AUD per week
Studio apartment: $350-600 AUD per week
Food and groceries: $350-550 AUD per month
Transport: $120-180 AUD per month
Entertainment: $180-350 AUD per month
Total monthly budget: $2,400-3,800 AUD

Brisbane

Shared accommodation: $150-280 AUD per week
Private room: $220-380 AUD per week
Studio apartment: $300-500 AUD per week
Food and groceries: $320-500 AUD per month
Transport: $100-150 AUD per month
Entertainment: $150-300 AUD per month
Total monthly budget: $2,000-3,200 AUD

Perth

Shared accommodation: $140-260 AUD per week
Private room: $200-350 AUD per week
Studio apartment: $280-480 AUD per week
Food and groceries: $300-480 AUD per month
Transport: $90-140 AUD per month
Entertainment: $140-280 AUD per month
Total monthly budget: $1,800-3,000 AUD

Adelaide

Shared accommodation: $120-220 AUD per week
Private room: $180-300 AUD per week
Studio apartment: $250-400 AUD per week
Food and groceries: $280-450 AUD per month
Transport: $80-130 AUD per month
Entertainment: $120-250 AUD per month
Total monthly budget: $1,600-2,600 AUD

Working in Australia as a Student

International students can work while studying, which helps offset living costs:

Work Rights on Student Visa:

During studies: Maximum 48 hours per fortnight (approximately 24 hours per week)
During holidays: Unlimited hours
Research students (Masters/PhD): No hour restrictions once course begins

Minimum Wage (2025):

National minimum wage: $24.95 AUD per hour (before tax)
Casual workers: Usually receive 25% loading = $31.19 AUD per hour
Weekend/holiday rates: Often 1.5x to 2x normal rates

Popular Student Jobs and Pay Rates:

Retail assistant: $25-30 AUD per hour
Hospitality (café/restaurant): $25-35 AUD per hour
Delivery driver: $25-40 AUD per hour (including tips)
Tutoring: $30-80 AUD per hour
Campus jobs: $25-35 AUD per hour
Data entry: $25-30 AUD per hour
Customer service: $26-32 AUD per hour

Monthly Earning Potential:

Part-time (48 hours/fortnight): $1,200-1,500 AUD per month
Holiday periods (unlimited hours): $2,500-4,000 AUD per month

Getting Started with Work:

Apply for Tax File Number (TFN) - free from ATO
Open Australian bank account
Create professional resume (Australian format)
Use job search websites: Seek, Indeed, Jora
Network through university and social connections

Summary: Complete Cost Breakdown

Here's your comprehensive budget for studying in Australia in 2025:

Initial Costs (Before Departure):

Student visa: $2,000 AUD
English test: $395 AUD
Health examinations: $500 AUD
OSHC (1 year): $600 AUD
Flights: $1,500-3,500 AUD
Initial accommodation: $800-1,200 AUD
Total initial costs: $5,795-8,195 AUD

Annual Study Costs:

English course: $14,000-18,000 AUD
VET course: $7,500-18,000 AUD
University degree: $16,000-65,000 AUD

Annual Living Costs (Varies by City):

Sydney: $33,600-50,400 AUD
Melbourne: $28,800-45,600 AUD
Brisbane: $24,000-38,400 AUD
Perth: $21,600-36,000 AUD
Adelaide: $19,200-31,200 AUD

Potential Annual Earnings:

Part-time work: $14,400-18,000 AUD
Holiday work: $5,000-8,000 AUD (during 3-4 months)
Total potential earnings: $19,400-26,000 AUD

Net Annual Cost (After Work Income):

Sydney: $14,200-24,400 AUD
Melbourne: $9,400-19,600 AUD
Brisbane: $4,600-12,400 AUD
Perth: $2,200-9,600 AUD
Adelaide: Free to $5,200 AUD

Important Financial Tips

Before You Leave:

Budget conservatively - costs can be higher than expected
Have emergency funds - at least $5,000 AUD extra
Research scholarships - many options available
Compare course costs between institutions
Consider smaller cities for lower living costs

Once in Australia:

Track your expenses with budgeting apps
Take advantage of student discounts
Share accommodation to reduce costs
Cook at home instead of eating out
Use public transport - student concessions available
Start working early to build income

Remember:

Prices vary significantly by location and lifestyle choices
Work income can substantially reduce your net costs
Australia offers excellent value for quality of education and life experience
Financial planning is crucial for a successful study experience

Ready to start your Australian education journey? Contact Study Destination today! We'll help you navigate the costs, find the right course, and ensure you're financially prepared for your adventure Down Under.

This guide reflects costs and requirements as of August 2025. Always check official government sources for the most current information, as fees and requirements can change.