Cost of Studying in Australia for Indian Students in 2026

In 2024, Australia crossed a major milestone as it welcomed over 100,000 Indian students, making India the second-largest contributor to international student enrollments in the country.

That’s lakhs of students packing their bags, printing SOPs, calling their banks, and googling one question over and over: “How much will it cost me to study in Australia?”

In this blog, we break down everything that adds up, from the obvious to the hidden costs, so you know what to expect before you even book that one-way ticket. 

Whether you’re planning a bachelor’s, a master’s or even just exploring, this is your full cost guide to studying in Australia in 2026.

When Indian students plan to study in Australia, they often focus on just the university fees. But the reality is, your total cost begins way before your first class and continues well after you land.

From entrance exams and visa applications to living expenses and health cover, each part of your journey adds up. 

In fact, according to the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, students are now required to show a minimum financial capacity of AUD 24,505 (around ₹13 lakhs) per year to cover living costs alone.

Here’s what makes up the full cost of studying in Australia:

• Tuition fees: Vary based on the university, course, and level of study.

• Living expenses: Accommodation, food, local transport, utilities, and personal spend

• Pre-arrival costs: Application fees, exam registrations, visa, and flights

• Post-arrival costs: Health insurance, setup costs, and other one-time essentials

• Proof of funds: Minimum bank balance requirements for visa approval

The cost of studying in Australia ranges from AUD 40,000 to AUD 80,000 annually (₹22 to ₹44 lakhs). This includes tuition fees, living expenses, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), pre-arrival costs, and visa fees.

Tuition fees is one of the most important factors when considering the cost of studying in Australia. The tuition fees will vary based on the university and course chosen. Most of the tuition fees in Australia are required to be paid on a per yearly basis.\

Here is an overview of the cost of studying in Australia:

Living expenses is another factor that contributes to the cost of studying in Australia.

On a yearly basis, international students will require to spend AUD 15,000 - 30,000 or ₹9 lakhs to ₹16 lakhs.

On a monthly basis, international students will require to spend AUD 1,330 - 2,950 or ₹74,683 - ₹1.6 lakh.

Your living costs will vary based on various choices, types of areas of residence, accommodation rent, groceries, food, restaurant dining, nightlife expenses, miscellaneous, etc. Here is an overview of the same:

Suggested: know the full cost of living in Australia

Apart from the above, there is a range of other essential costs required to study in Australia. Here are the essential ones:

1. Student Visa

You need to have an Australian student visa to study at any university in this country. The total expenses for Australia student visa is AUD 630 or ₹34,478. 

2. Health Insurance

International students are required to have health insurance in Australia. The coverage should be from overseas student health. This cost ranges from AUD 609 - 3,438 or ₹3,329 - ₹1.8 lakh.

3. Sufficient Fund Proof

Students should provide proof of funds in order to prove they have sufficient costs to study in the country. The minimum requirement is AUD 20,290 or ₹11 lakh per year. 

4. Application Fee Payment

To cover admission processes, most universities in Australia enquire for an application fee. The cost of application fees is AUD 133 or ₹7,285.

Suggested: Australian universities without application fees

1. Entrance Exams

Most Australian universities enquire for an entrance exam. A good score in these exams can enhance your admission application. Here are the popular exams undertaken:

Suggested: Australia entrance exams

2. Flight Tickets

The flight tickets to travel to Australia vary based on multiple factors, type of airline, arrival and destination location, etc. To give you better clarity, here is an overview:

Note: This is a range based on the multiple city options of Australia. 

1. Tuition Fees

The cost of studying in Australia differs on multiple factors such as study level, etc. The cost ranges from AUD 18,000 - 50,000 or ₹9 lakhs - ₹25 lakhs per year. 

2. Cost of Living

The cost of living in Australia is AUD 20,000 or ₹10 lakhs per year. Most of these expenses are accommodation, food, transport, etc.

Australia has been in the recent news for its educational development. The country has provided many options regarding universities, courses, teaching methods and fees for the convenience of every international student. Now that you have the data related to what is the cost of studying in Australia, it’s time to focus on the academic choices.

Choosing the right academics in Australia matters which is why seeking an expert opinion to make a confident choice is better. To help you well, our Ashiraj counsellors are available right now. If you wish to explore yourself, sign in at Ashiraj.