The cost of studying in Australia from India

A first year of study in Australia costs an Indian student roughly AUD 40,000 to AUD 75,000 all in. At a mid-market rate of about INR 68 to the dollar in September 2026, that is between INR 27 lakh and INR 51 lakh. Rates move and your bank adds a margin, so treat the rupee figures here as a guide.

This page breaks the number down, covers the funds the student visa asks you to prove, and explains how the education loan and the higher visa scrutiny work for Indian applicants.

What the first year costs

Item	Typical range (AUD)	Notes
Tuition, first year	28,000 to 48,000	Lower at regional and newer universities, higher at the Group of Eight
Living costs	24,000 to 33,000	The visa minimum is a fixed figure, see below; your real spend depends on the city
Overseas Student Health Cover	550 to 800	Single 12-month policy, more for a couple or family
Student visa charge	2,500	Paid once, not refunded if the visa is refused
One-way airfare	600 to 1,200	Varies by season and route

Add an English test and document costs on top. Tuition and living costs are what move the total, so the city and university decide most of it.

The money the visa wants you to show

For a student visa lodged from India you generally need to show funds, or a parent or partner income, covering your first year. The Department of Home Affairs sets the living-cost figure it accepts:

• AUD 29,710 for you, for 12 months
• AUD 10,394 for a partner who comes with you
• AUD 4,449 for each child who comes with you

The calculation also counts your first 12 months of tuition and about AUD 2,000 for travel. As an alternative to savings, you can show that a parent or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or AUD 102,500 if family members come with you.

Since January 2026, India sits at the highest student-visa evidence level. A case officer will look closely at the source of your funds. A single-day bank balance certificate is not enough. You need statements showing the money accumulating, a loan sanction letter with a disbursement schedule, and usually around six months of account history. The proving your funds guide covers what counts.

How the education loan works

Most Indian students fund the course with an education loan. Under the Indian Banks' Association model scheme, loans up to around INR 7.5 lakh can be unsecured, and larger loans, which most Australia budgets need, require collateral such as property or fixed deposits. Repayment usually begins 6 to 12 months after the course ends, and interest paid on an education loan is deductible under Section 80E for up to eight years. Public-sector banks and non-bank lenders both offer these loans on different terms. Limits, margins, and collateral rules change, so confirm the current position with the bank before you plan around a figure.

For the visa, the loan needs to be from a financial institution and disbursed according to its agreement. If any money is paid out before the visa decision, give Home Affairs the loan terms and the full amount you will receive.

Agent-only universities and earlier deadlines

Several universities, particularly in Western Australia, only accept applications from Indian citizens through an authorised agent, and some close their applications weeks earlier for higher-scrutiny countries. Check each university's how-to-apply page. The India country guide has the detail, and applying without an agent explains where direct application is still allowed.

The city changes the number

Adelaide, Perth, and regional campuses sit at the lower end of tuition and rent. Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive. Studying in a regional area also adds points toward a later skilled visa. Compare the most affordable universities and living costs by city.

After you graduate

The 485 graduate visa gives two to three years of work rights after you finish, and the study-to-permanent-residence pathway explains how that can lead to a skilled visa.

How much does it cost to study in Australia from India?

Budget AUD 40,000 to AUD 75,000 for the first year, roughly INR 27 lakh to INR 51 lakh at September 2026 rates. Tuition is AUD 28,000 to AUD 48,000, living costs are AUD 24,000 to AUD 33,000, and the visa, health cover, and flights add a few thousand more.

How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa from India?

Enough to cover 12 months of living costs at the Home Affairs figure of AUD 29,710, plus your first year of tuition and about AUD 2,000 for travel. You can instead show a parent or partner income of at least AUD 87,856 over the prior 12 months. Because India is at evidence level 3, you must also show how the funds were built up, with statement history or a disbursed loan, not a one-day certificate.

Can I use an education loan for the Australian student visa?

Yes. A loan from a financial institution counts as evidence of funds. It needs to be disbursed according to its agreement, and you should give Home Affairs the loan terms and the total amount payable. Loans above roughly INR 7.5 lakh usually need collateral.

Do Indian students have to apply through an agent?

Some universities require it, mainly in Western Australia, and a few set earlier deadlines for higher-scrutiny countries. Others accept direct applications. Check the university's how-to-apply page before you start.

Is it cheaper to study in a regional Australian city?

Usually. Tuition and rent are both lower in Adelaide, Perth, and regional campuses, and regional study also earns points toward a later skilled visa.