Country guide · Australia
Proving you can afford to study in Australia
By Roman Lama
The subclass 500 requires you to show you can cover course fees, travel, and living costs for the first year without relying on work in Australia.
The numbers
Home Affairs publishes a 12-month living-cost figure for the main applicant, with additional amounts for a partner and each child. It is reviewed periodically and has risen several times, so check the current figure rather than an old one. On top of that you show first-year tuition and about AUD 2,000 to 2,500 for travel.
Acceptable evidence
- Bank statements showing a genuine savings history, not just a recent balance
- Education loans from a recognised financial institution, already approved
- Evidence of a parent's or sponsor's income and their relationship to you
- Scholarship or sponsorship letters stating exactly what is covered
What raises flags
A large deposit that appears days before you apply, funds held by a distant relative with no explanation, and loan documents that are approved in principle rather than actually granted. Money needs a plausible origin story.
Show more than the minimum
Meeting the figure exactly, with no buffer, invites scrutiny. A margin above the requirement signals that the funds are real and that you have thought about the cost of living rather than treating the number as a hurdle to clear.