How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa in 2026?

For the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500), you need to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your course fees plus living costs for yourself and any accompanying family members.

The current living cost requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs are approximately AUD $29,710 per year for the main applicant, AUD $10,400 per year for a partner, and AUD $4,449 per year for each child. These figures are updated periodically, so always verify the current amounts on the Home Affairs website before applying.

On top of living costs, you need to show funds to cover your full first-year tuition fees. So if your annual tuition is AUD $30,000 and you are applying alone, you would need to demonstrate roughly AUD $59,710 in available funds.

Acceptable evidence includes recent bank statements (usually the last 3 to 6 months), term deposits, scholarships, or a combination. The funds can be in your name or a parent/sponsor's name, but you will also need a signed support letter and evidence of the sponsor's financial capacity.

Working with a registered migration agent can help ensure your financial evidence is presented correctly, as insufficient or inconsistently documented funds is one of the most common reasons for student visa refusals.