The real cost of studying in Australia as an international student: tuition, living costs, OSHC, the visa, and student tax and TFN basics explained.
The real cost of studying in Australia is made of four main parts: your tuition fees, your living costs, your overseas student health cover (OSHC), and the student visa itself. Tuition is the biggest single item and varies a lot by course and institution, so a vocational diploma and a postgraduate degree at a major university sit at very different price points. On top of tuition you need enough to live on, which the government expects you to show as genuine savings when you apply, plus compulsory health insurance for the length of your visa and the visa application charge. Once you’re here and working part-time, you’ll also deal with tax, but as a student you generally pay tax the same way any resident worker does, and you only pay it on what you earn. Because fees and thresholds change every year, treat the numbers you find online as a guide and confirm current figures before you budget.
Here’s a full breakdown of each cost, plus the student tax and TFN basics you’ll need once you start working.
Tuition is the largest part of your budget and depends almost entirely on what and where you study:
You usually pay tuition per semester or per year rather than all at once, and most institutions ask for an initial deposit to issue the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) you need for your visa. BYD can supply indicative tuition ranges for the courses and institutions it commonly works with.
Beyond tuition, you need enough money to live on. When you apply for a student visa you must show you have genuine access to sufficient funds to cover living costs, travel and part of your tuition. The Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum living-cost figure for this financial-capacity requirement, and it’s reviewed regularly, so use the current amount rather than an older one.
Your actual living costs depend on your city and lifestyle. Rent is the biggest variable, and a share house in an outer suburb costs far less than a studio near a city campus. Other everyday costs include:
Brisbane and its surrounds, including Sunnybank, Mount Gravatt and Logan, often work out more affordable than the biggest capital cities, which is one reason South-East Queensland is popular with students.
OSHC is compulsory for almost all student visa holders, and you generally need it for the full length of your visa, paid up front when you apply. It helps cover doctor visits, some hospital treatment and ambulance cover. The premium depends on your provider and, importantly, on whether you’re covering just yourself or a family that’s joining you. Adding a partner or children raises the premium significantly. Our OSHC guide explains how it works and what it covers.
The student visa (subclass 500) has a government application charge, and there are additional charges if family members are included on your application. You may also pay for health examinations, police clearances, and certified translations of your documents. These are separate from tuition and OSHC. Because the charge changes, confirm the current amount before you apply. Our student visa cost article breaks this down.
Once you’re studying and working part-time, tax becomes relevant, and this is where a lot of students get confused. The basics:
This is general information, not personal tax advice. For your own situation, check the ATO or a registered tax agent. The key point for budgeting is that work income is taxed on what you earn, so it offsets your costs rather than adding to them.
We’re an education and migration practice in Brisbane, with a qualified education agent counsellor (QEAC O920) and a registered migration agent (MARN 1794201) under one roof. We help you choose a course and institution that fits your budget and your goals, set up your OSHC, and prepare a student visa application with the financial evidence done properly, which is where many applications fall down. Because we handle both the study and the visa side, your course plan and your visa plan actually line up. See our International Students page for how we support you from enrolment through to graduation.
The main costs are tuition, living expenses, OSHC and the student visa charge. Tuition is the largest and varies widely by course and institution. Because figures change each year, we give you current, itemised numbers for your chosen course at consultation.
It depends on the degree and the institution. Postgraduate and high-demand courses like medicine sit at the top end, while many business, arts and IT degrees are more moderate. Vocational diplomas and TAFE courses usually cost less than a university degree.
You must show genuine access to funds covering living costs, travel and part of your tuition. The government sets a minimum living-cost figure that’s reviewed regularly, so use the current amount. We confirm the exact figure and what evidence is accepted.
No, OSHC is a separate compulsory cost. You generally pay for cover for the full length of your visa up front. The premium rises if you include a partner or children.
Yes, on income you earn from working. Most students are treated as residents for tax purposes, so you’re taxed at resident rates and can use the tax-free threshold on part of your income. Studying itself isn’t taxed.
Yes, if you plan to work. A TFN is free from the ATO after you arrive. Without one, more tax is withheld from your pay, so apply early.
Often, yes. If too much tax was withheld during the year, lodging a tax return after 30 June can result in a refund. Your actual outcome depends on your income, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent.
Living costs, especially rent, are often lower in Brisbane and South-East Queensland than in the biggest capitals. Tuition depends on the institution rather than the city, but overall many students find Brisbane more affordable.
Part-time work helps with living costs, within the work conditions on your student visa, but you still need to show sufficient savings when you apply. Don’t rely on future earnings to meet the financial requirement.
Choose your course and institution carefully, look for scholarships, share accommodation, and consider more affordable cities. We help you compare options so your study plan fits your budget.
The true cost depends on your course, your city and your family, so a plan built for you beats any general figure. If you want an honest breakdown of tuition, living costs, OSHC and the visa, talk to BYD. See our International Students page, or call 0434 893 901 to book a consultation.
