The cost of studying in Australia from Nepal

A first year of study in Australia costs a Nepali student roughly AUD 40,000 to AUD 70,000 all in. At a mid-market rate of about NPR 109 to the dollar in September 2026, that is somewhere between NPR 44 lakh and NPR 76 lakh. Exchange rates move and your bank will add a margin, so treat every rupee figure here as a guide, not a quote.

This page breaks the number down, explains the money the student visa asks you to prove, and covers the two things that are specific to Nepal: the No Objection Certificate, and the higher visa scrutiny that came in at the start of 2026.

What the first year costs

Item	Typical range (AUD)	Notes
Tuition, first year	28,000 to 45,000	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	700 to 1,400	Varies by season and route
No Objection Certificate	small government fee	Paid to Nepal's Ministry of Education

Add an English test and document costs on top. The tuition and living-cost lines are what move the total, so the city and university you choose matter more than anything else on the list.

The money the visa wants you to show

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

• 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

On top of that, the calculation counts your first 12 months of tuition and about AUD 2,000 for travel. As an alternative to showing 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, Nepal sits at the highest student-visa evidence level, so a case officer will look closely at where the money came from. A one-day bank balance certificate is not enough on its own. You need statements that show the funds building up over time, or a loan that has actually been disbursed under its agreement. The proving your funds and moving money to Australia guides go into this in detail.

The No Objection Certificate

Before a Nepali bank will remit your tuition abroad, and as part of the visa application, you need a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. You apply for it yourself online at noc.moest.gov.np once you have your offer letter. It carries a small government fee and is usually issued within about a week. No agent needs to charge extra to process or speed it up. The Nepal country guide covers the wider application process, including which universities require you to apply through an authorised agent.

How Nepali families usually fund it

Most families use a mix: savings, an education loan from a Nepali bank secured against property, the sale of land, and support from relatives already working abroad. Loan rates and collateral rules vary between banks and change often, so confirm the current terms directly rather than relying on an agent's summary. Whatever the source, keep the paper trail, because at evidence level 3 the visa turns on being able to explain it.

The city changes the number

Adelaide, Perth, and the regional campuses sit at the lower end of both 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 before you fix on a place.

After you graduate

The costs above buy the first year. If your plan is to work and stay, 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 leads to a skilled visa.

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

Budget AUD 40,000 to AUD 70,000 for the first year, which is roughly NPR 44 lakh to NPR 76 lakh at September 2026 rates. Tuition is AUD 28,000 to AUD 45,000, living costs are AUD 24,000 to AUD 33,000, and the visa, health cover, and flights add a few thousand more. Regional cities and newer universities sit at the lower end.

How much bank balance do I need for an Australian student visa from Nepal?

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 Nepal is at evidence level 3, you must also show how the money was accumulated, not just a single balance certificate.

Do I need a No Objection Certificate to study in Australia?

Yes. Nepal's Ministry of Education issues it online, and you need it before a Nepali bank will send your tuition abroad and as part of the visa application. Apply for it yourself after you receive your university offer.

Can I get an education loan in Nepal for study in Australia?

Yes. Nepali banks lend for overseas study, usually secured against property. Rates, limits, and collateral requirements vary between banks and change often, so confirm the current terms with the bank directly. Any loan used for the visa needs to be disbursed according to its agreement.

Is it cheaper to study in a regional Australian city?

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