Cost of studying in Australia from Nepal for (February or July 2027), most Nepali students should plan for AUD 55,000–85,000 for the first year (roughly NPR 59–91 lakh), depending on the course and city. That covers one year of tuition, the AUD 29,710 living-cost amount the Australian Government uses for visa purposes, the AUD 2,500 student visa charge and health cover.
The four costs that matter most:
- Tuition: set by each university. At RMIT, for example, 2026 bachelor’s fees run from about AUD 36,000 to 50,000 a year and master’s fees from about AUD 35,000 to 60,000.
- Living costs for the visa: AUD 29,710 for 12 months (about NPR 31.6 lakh).
- Student visa (subclass 500): AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026 (about NPR 2.66 lakh), up from AUD 2,000.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): required for your whole stay; RMIT estimates AUD 590–750 a year for single cover in 2026.
What changed for 2026–27 budgets
Three updates affect anyone planning a 2027 intake:
- The visa charge went up. The standard Student visa application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026. The charge is set by the date you lodge, so a February 2027 applicant pays AUD 2,500.
- The minimum wage went up. Australia’s national minimum wage rose to AUD 26.44 an hour on 1 July 2026. This matters for part-time earnings, but you cannot count future wages in your visa funds.
- The 2027 planning level is unchanged. The government kept the National Planning Level for new international students at 295,000 for 2027. It is a processing-priority tool, not a hard cap: once a university reaches 80% of its allocation, its students’ visas are processed more slowly. Applying early protects your timeline.
The living-cost figure of AUD 29,710 has applied since 10 May 2024, and no change has been announced for 2027 at the time of writing.
Tuition fees in Australia for Nepali students (2026 examples)
Australian fees vary widely by university, course and city, and the government’s Study Australia site does not publish a single range. The table shows real 2026 fees from one large Melbourne university so you can see the scale. Always check your own course page.
| Course (RMIT, 2026) | Fee (AUD) | Approx. NPR |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical, Honours), per year | 47,040 | 50.1 lakh |
| Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary), per year | 36,480 | 38.9 lakh |
| Master of Finance, per year | 48,960 | 52.2 lakh |
| MBA, per year | 50,880 | 54.2 lakh |
| Graduate Certificate in Project Management, total | 24,960 | 26.6 lakh |
| Diploma of Information Technology, total course | 25,250 | 26.9 lakh |
Two things to remember. Fees usually rise each year, so a two-year master’s will cost more in year two. And vocational diplomas and graduate certificates can be a lower-cost entry point, though they bring different post-study work options.
Living costs in Australia
The visa amount: AUD 29,710
For the Student visa, the Australian Government uses AUD 29,710 as the 12-month living cost for a student. If family members come with you, add AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child, plus AUD 13,502 a year for each school-age child.
What students actually spend
Real costs depend heavily on your city and how you live. RMIT estimates AUD 30,000–45,000 a year for Melbourne in 2026, which is above the visa figure. Its weekly estimates per person:
| Weekly cost (Melbourne, RMIT 2026 estimate) | AUD |
|---|---|
| Food and eating out | 150–250 |
| Public transport | 30–60 |
| Phone and internet | 15–30 |
| Gas and electricity | 10–20 |
| Entertainment | 30–150 |
Rent is the biggest variable. The median weekly rent for a one-bedroom flat in metropolitan Melbourne was AUD 500 (September 2025 data, cited by RMIT). Sharing a house, or choosing a smaller city such as Adelaide or Hobart, usually brings this down.
Visa and health cover costs
| Cost | AUD | Approx. NPR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa (subclass 500), main applicant | 2,500 | 2.66 lakh | From 1 July 2026; family members pay extra |
| OSHC, single (per year, RMIT estimate) | 590–750 | 63,000–80,000 | Must cover your whole visa period, so you usually pay for the full course upfront |
| Health check, biometrics, English test | Varies | Varies | Check current Nepal fees with the provider |
Basic OSHC covers GP visits, hospital treatment, ambulance and some medicines. It does not cover dental or optical care unless you buy extras.
Sample first-year budgets in NPR
These worked examples use RMIT 2026 fees, the AUD 29,710 visa living-cost figure and the top of RMIT’s OSHC estimate. They exclude flights and one-off setup costs such as a rental bond.
| Item | Bachelor of Engineering (AUD) | Master of Finance (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, first year | 47,040 | 48,960 |
| Living costs (visa figure) | 29,710 | 29,710 |
| OSHC (one year) | 750 | 750 |
| Student visa | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Total (AUD) | 80,000 | 81,920 |
| Total (approx. NPR) | 85.2 lakh | 87.3 lakh |
A lower-fee university or a regional campus can bring the total down a lot. Budget extra if you plan to live in Sydney or inner Melbourne.
How much bank balance do you need for an Australian student visa?
When you are asked to show financial capacity, you generally need enough for:
- Your first 12 months of tuition (less any amount already paid);
- AUD 29,710 in living costs;
- Travel costs; and
- The extra amounts for any family members coming with you.
For the Master of Finance example, that is AUD 78,670 before travel (about NPR 83.8 lakh). Some applicants can instead show the annual income of a parent or partner; secondary sources put this at AUD 87,856 a year for a single student, but confirm the current figure in the official Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool.
Whether you must upload financial evidence when you apply depends on your country and education provider. Use the Document Checklist Tool on the Home Affairs website, and remember that funds must be genuinely available to you. Education Global counsellors can review your sponsor documents before you lodge.
Can part-time work cover your costs?
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. At the 2026 minimum wage of AUD 26.44 an hour, 48 hours is about AUD 1,269 a fortnight before tax (about NPR 1.35 lakh).
That can help with rent and food, but it will not pay tuition, and it cannot be counted as visa funds. Plan to arrive with your first year fully funded.
When to start saving: 2027 intake timeline
| Step | February 2027 intake | July 2027 intake |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlist courses, take IELTS/PTE | Now (October 2026) | Now to January 2027 |
| Apply and get your offer | October–November 2026 | January–March 2027 |
| Pay deposit and OSHC, get your CoE | November–December 2026 | March–April 2027 |
| Lodge Student visa (AUD 2,500) | As soon as you have your CoE | As soon as you have your CoE |
| Move funds and book flights | After visa grant | After visa grant |
University deadlines vary, and late-semester applications can take longer to process because of the planning-level system. Earlier is safer.
Cost checklist for Nepali students
- Confirm the exact tuition on your course page, including year-two fees.
- Add AUD 29,710 for living costs, plus amounts for any family members.
- Add AUD 2,500 for the visa and OSHC for the full course.
- Add flights, a rental bond and setup costs.
- Convert at the day’s NRB rate and keep a buffer for currency movement.
- Prepare sponsor documents: bank statements, income evidence and relationship proof.
- Ask about scholarships and early-payment discounts before you accept an offer.
FAQs
How much does it cost to study in Australia from Nepal per year?
Most students need AUD 55,000–85,000 for the first year (about NPR 59–91 lakh), including tuition, the AUD 29,710 living-cost figure, the visa and OSHC. Your exact cost depends on course, university and city.
What is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?
The standard Student visa (subclass 500) charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. Family members included in the application pay additional charges.
How much living cost do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
AUD 29,710 for 12 months for the student, plus AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per child. This amount has applied since 10 May 2024.
Can I pay my fees by working part-time in Australia?
Not fully. You can work 48 hours a fortnight during study periods, but earnings mainly help with living costs. You must show you can pay your first year before the visa is granted.
Is OSHC compulsory?
Yes. Most Student visa holders must keep adequate health cover for their entire stay in Australia.
Is it cheaper to study in a regional city?
Often, yes. Rent is usually lower outside Sydney and Melbourne, and some regional campuses charge lower fees. Compare total costs, not just tuition.
Does the 295,000 planning level mean Nepali students may be refused?
No. It is not a cap. Genuine students who meet the requirements can still get visas; applications may simply be processed more slowly once a provider reaches 80% of its allocation.
How Education Global can help
Education Global helps Nepali students plan Australian study from start to finish: free counselling, course and university selection, Genuine Student statement guidance, visa documentation support, scholarship assistance and pre-departure support. Our counsellors can build a realistic budget for your chosen course and check your financial documents before you apply.
Ready to plan your 2027 intake? Speak to an Education Global counsellor today.