How Much Money Is Required for an Australian Student Visa in 2026?

For an Australian Student visa in 2026, Home Affairs currently says applicants should be prepared to show AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner coming with them, and AUD 4,449 for each dependent child. Applicants also need to account for the first 12 months of course fees, travel costs, and annual school costs of AUD 13,502 for each school-aged child if relevant. These financial capacity figures were updated from 10 May 2024 and remain reflected in the current Student visa guidance.  

These figures give applicants a strong starting point for understanding the financial side of the Student visa process. The full financial picture still depends on course fees, family composition, travel arrangements, and how the funds are being shown in the application.  

Why Financial Capacity Matters in a Student Visa Application 

Financial capacity sits near the centre of a Student visa application because Home Affairs expects applicants to show they can support themselves during study in Australia. The current Student visa page says applicants must have enough money for their stay, and the Department’s financial capacity update explains that applicants need to show minimum funds for living costs, plus course fees and travel.  

A clear financial plan helps the application present a steadier picture from the beginning. It shows that the student has thought through life in Australia beyond enrolment and understands the cost of studying, living, and maintaining the visa pathway. This is a practical inference from the Department’s financial capacity requirements and Student visa guidance.  

How the Australian Department of Home Affairs Assesses Financial Capacity 

Home Affairs’ Student visa guidance and financial capacity update show the main financial areas the Department wants applicants to cover. 

The Department’s published figures currently include: 

• AUD 29,710 for the student  

• AUD 10,394 for a spouse or de facto partner coming with the student  

• AUD 4,449 for each dependent child  

• AUD 13,502 in annual school costs for each school-aged child  

• the first 12 months of course fees  

• travel costs as part of the financial calculation.  

Home Affairs’ Student visa page also says travel costs should be included when calculating required funds, and its guidance uses travel-cost estimates depending on region.  

The Core Figures Students Usually Need to Know 

The Department’s current figures give a practical baseline for Student visa planning. 

Living cost amount for the student 

Home Affairs currently lists AUD 29,710 as the amount for the student. This is the main personal living-cost figure referred to on the current Student visa page.  

Amount for a partner 

Where a spouse or de facto partner is coming with the student, Home Affairs currently lists AUD 10,394.  

Amount for a dependent child 

Home Affairs currently lists AUD 4,449 for each dependent child accompanying the student.  

Annual school costs for school-aged children 

Home Affairs’ 10 May 2024 update also states AUD 13,502 as the annual school-cost amount for each school-aged child.  

These figures are often the first numbers students and families want to know. They are important, though they are only one part of the total financial picture the Department expects applicants to consider.  

Course Fees and Travel Costs Still Form Part of the Calculation 

Home Affairs says applicants should also include the first 12 months of course fees when calculating their financial capacity. The current Student visa page also says travel costs should be included and gives guide figures depending on where the student is travelling from or to.  

This is where many applicants realise that “show money” is more than one fixed amount. The living-cost figure is essential, though the final financial capacity picture also depends on: 

• course fees for the first 12 months  

• whether family members are included  

• school costs for children  

• travel costs linked to the journey.  

Why the Published Figure Still Does Not Tell the Whole Story 

The Department’s figures are very useful because they set a clear baseline. A Student visa application still needs to show the financial story in a way that fits the applicant’s real circumstances. 

That usually includes questions such as: 

• where the funds are coming from  

• how the financial evidence is presented  

• whether the course fee amount has been calculated properly  

• whether accompanying family members have been counted correctly  

• whether the application reads as financially organised from beginning to end  

Those details often shape how confidently a student can lodge. This is an inference based on the Department’s requirement to show sufficient funds and the way financial capacity is broken into multiple components on the official Student visa guidance.  

Why Students Benefit From Looking at This Early 

Students usually benefit from checking financial capacity requirements early in the planning stage. The current Home Affairs figures are already high enough that late preparation can create pressure around funding, family planning, or course decisions. The Department’s Student visa framework also places financial capacity alongside other core requirements such as English language ability and student genuineness.  

An early review gives students more room to: 

• understand the baseline figures properly  

• prepare documents calmly  

• factor in course fees and travel  

• decide whether their current plan is financially ready for lodgement  

That kind of early review usually leads to a steadier application strategy. 

Why Professional Migration Guidance Matters Here 

Financial capacity often looks simple from the headline figures and becomes more nuanced once a student applies the requirement to a real application. The Department gives the framework and the published amounts. A migration professional helps interpret how those figures sit with the student’s course, family arrangements, evidence, and timing. 

Practical Next Steps 

1. Start with the Department’s published living-cost figures for the student and any accompanying family members.  

2. Add the first 12 months of course fees into your financial planning.  

3. Include travel costs and school costs where relevant.  

4. Review how your financial evidence will support the application as a whole.  

5. Check current Home Affairs guidance before lodging, especially if your circumstances involve dependants or more than one funding source.  

How LMSD Supports Students Preparing Financial Capacity for a Student Visa 

At LMSD, we help students understand how the Department’s published financial capacity figures apply to their own visa planning. A consultation often helps clarify what counts toward the financial requirement, how the figures interact with course fees and family members, and how to present the financial side of the application with more confidence. 

Final Thoughts 

The current Home Affairs figures give students a clear starting point for Student visa financial planning: AUD 29,710 for the student, AUD 10,394 for a partner, AUD 4,449 for each dependent child, plus course fees, travel costs, and AUD 13,502 in annual school costs for each school-aged child where relevant.  

The information, updates, news, and advice provided are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalised guidance. For accurate advice regarding your specific migration case, we invite you to reach out to us directly by sending a message through this link: https://www.legacymigration.com.au/take-your-first-step-to-living-working-or-studying-in-australia

Migration Agents Registration Number: 1797357

QEAC Number: S041