Living costs in Australia

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Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. For your
reference, here are some of the costs associated with living and studying in Australia. (All costs are in
Australian dollars.)
Accommodation

Hostels and Guesthouses - $80 to $135 per week

Shared Rental - $70 to $250 per week

On campus - $80 to $250 per week

Homestay - $110 to $270 per week

Rental - $100 to $400 per week

Boarding schools - $10,000 to $20,000 a year

Other living expenses

Groceries and eating out - $80 to $200 per week

Gas, electricity - $60 to $100 per week

Phone and Internet - $20 to $50 per week

Public transport - $10 to $50 per week

Car (after purchase) - $150 to $250 per week

Entertainment - $50 to $100 per week

Minimum cost of living

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has financial requirements you must meet in order
to receive a student visa. Below is a guide on the requirements you must meet to study in Australia:

You - $18,610

Your partner - $6,515

Your first child - $3,720

Every other child - $2,790

All costs are per year in Australian dollars. To convert to your own currency, visit http://www.xe.com/
(opens in a new window)

The Australian Government provides information and guidance on managing your finances. You can read
more atwww.moneysmart.gov.au(opens in a new window)
If you experience financial trouble while in Australia, talk to your institutions international student
support staff for assistance.
Insurance
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As an international student in Australia, you are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
for the entire duration of your study in Australia. But there are also other types of insurance which you
may find useful.
Overseas Student Health Cover
International students undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their dependents (for example, spouses
and children under 18 years old), must obtain OSHC. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some
hospital treatment, ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines). OSHC insurers can provide
a range of different OSHC products. These may range from a basic product which covers only the
compulsory minimum services to comprehensive products which cover, in addition to the compulsory
minimum services, extra services as specified under the particular policy. You can find more information,
including a list of the providers and average costs, on theDepartment of Health(opens in a new
window) website.
Remember, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires overseas students to maintain OSHC
for the duration of time they are in Australia. For further information please visit the Department of
Immigration and Border Protection(opens in a new window) website.
Private health insurance
Along with your OSHC you might want to consider purchasing private health insurance to cover items
that your OSHC does not cover. You can take out private health insurance to cover just you or your family
as well. Benefits, membership costs and eligibility can vary greatly between funds and insurance policies,
so when buying health insurance take care to ensure the cover you select is suitable for your needs. You
can find more information at:www.privatehealth.gov.au(opens in a new window)
Travel insurance
Australia has a very reliable travel industry, but cancelled flights, lost luggage or other un-planned issues
can arise. If you are travelling with valuables or are on a travel schedule you have to meet, travel
insurance can help cover any mishaps or missed flights. You can arrange travel insurance through a range
of providers including travel insurance companies, airlines and travel booking companies.
Home and contents insurance
Home and contents insurance covers the building you live in and your belongings, such as furniture,
clothes and appliances. If you rent a property, building insurance is the responsibility of the owner and
you do not need to worry about it. But contents insurance is worth considering if you have valuable items
you couldn't afford to replace very easily if something happened to them.
Vehicle insurance
If you purchase a car, motorbike or other vehicle you will need to consider what type of insurance you
will need to purchase. Depending on what state or territory of Australia you live in there may be
compulsory insurance you need to purchase. For example, in NSW you must purchase Compulsory Third

Party insurance which covers you for personal injuries caused to someone else in an accident. You should
check with the relevant government agency in your state or territory to find out what, if any, compulsory
insurance you might need.
You can also choose to purchase vehicle insurance that covers your car for accidental damage, malicious
damage, theft, fire, flood or storm. There are a wide range of providers in Australia that offer vehicle
insurance so make sure you research your options and consider what your specific insurance needs are
before you purchase vehicle insurance.
What is OSHC?
OSHC is insurance to assist international students meet the costs of medical and hospital care that they
may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay limited benefits for pharmaceuticals and ambulance
services.
Who has to take out OSHC?
People who must take out OSHC are overseas students undertaking formal studies in Australia and their
dependents
(for
example,
spouses
and
children
under
18
years
old).
For the purposes of OSHC, overseas student means:

a person who is the holder of a student visa; or

a person who:
is
an
applicant
for
a
student
visa;
and
is
the
holder
of
a
bridging
visa;
and
- was immediately before being granted the bridging visa, the holder of a student visa.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires overseas students to maintain OSHC for the
duration of time they are in Australia. For further information please visit the Department of Immigration
&
Citizenship
website.
Who doesn't have to take out OSHC?
Belgian, Norwegian and some Swedish students are not required to purchase OSHC as part of their visa
requirements.
Belgian students
As a result of an agreement between the Australian and Belgian governments, all Belgian students are
considered to have met 'adequate insurance' requirements on the basis of the Reciprocal Health Care
Agreement between Australia and Belgium. If you are a Belgian student, you will not have to take out
OSHC to meet your visa requirements. For further information about your visa requirements please see
the Department
of
Immigration
&
Citizenship
website.

Norwegian students
As a result of an agreement between the Australian and Norwegian governments, all Norwegian students
are provided with adequate health insurance by the Norwegian government and the compulsory OSHC
visa requirement is waived for Norwegian students. For further information about your visa requirements
please
see
the Department
of
Immigration
&
Citizenship
website.
Swedish students (Restrictions may apply)
Swedish students may be waived the compulsory OSHC visa requirement. Swedish students whose
insurance is provided by CSN International (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) or
Kammarkollegiet (the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administration Agency) will not need to take out
OSHC. If you are a Swedish student who is not covered by CSN or Kammarkollegiet, you will need to
take out OSHC. For further information about your visa requirements please see the Department of
Immigration
&
Citizenship
website.
Belgian, Norwegian and Swedish students who are not required to purchase OSHC, will be covered for
treatment that is medically necessary under their countrys Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)
with
Australia.
Medically necessary treatment means any ill-health or injury which occurs while you are in Australia and
requires
treatment
before
you
return
home.
You would be entitled to:

free treatment as a public in-patient or out-patient at a public hospital; and

access to subsidised medicine under the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS)

However you would NOT be entitled to:

medicine not subsidised under the PBS;

treatment arranged before your visit to Australia;

accommodation and medical treatment in a private hospital; and

accommodation and medical treatment as a private patient in a public hospital.

Belgian, Norwegian and Swedish students who are not required to purchase OSHC can choose whether to
have Medicare cover only or a combination of Medicare and OSHC or some other type of private health
insurance.
The benefits you receive from Medicare are based on a Schedule of fees set by the Australian
Government. Doctors may choose to charge more than the Schedule fee. Please see the Medicare
Australia
website for
further
information
about
what
is
covered
by
Medicare.
Private health insurance can provide hospital cover as well as additional cover for some services not
covered by Medicare, such as ancillary services (for example, dental, optical, physiotherapy), allied
health
services
and
ambulance
cover.
Which insurers offer OSHC?

Australian Health Management

BUPA Australia

Medibank Private

Allianz Global Assistance (subcontracted by Lysaght Peoplecare)

nib OSHC
How do I purchase OSHC?
You can arrange to pay for your OSHC through your educational institution or you can purchase OSHC
online by visiting the OSHC insurers websites. You retain the right to choose your own OSHC provider
even when your educational institution makes a specific recommendation because they have negotiated a
preferred
provider
arrangement
with
a
particular
insurer.
Top
of
page
What does OSHC cover?
OSHC provides a safety net for international students. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some
hospital
treatment,
ambulance
cover
and
limited
pharmaceuticals
(medicines).
OSHC insurers can provide a range of different OSHC products. These may range from a basic product
which covers only the compulsory minimum services to comprehensive products which cover, in addition
to the compulsory minimum services, extra services as specified under the particular policy.
At a minimum, each OSHC product must include cover for:

the benefit amount listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for out-of-hospital
medical services (for example, a general practitioner)
100 per cent of the MBS fee for in-patient medical services (for example, surgery)
public hospital shared ward accommodation
private hospital shared ward accommodation (only for hospitals that have contractual
arrangements with the overseas students health insurer)
day surgery accommodation
some prosthetic devices
pharmaceutical benefits up to $50 per pharmaceutical item to a maximum of $300 a year for a
single membership ($600 for a family membership). Overseas students may face significant out of pocket
costs if they do not have appropriate coverage for treatment with pharmaceuticals, particularly oncology
(cancer) treatment.
ambulance services.
You may choose to compare policies from different OSHC insurers before selecting your insurer.
Before then purchasing the policy, make sure you check with the OSHC insurer about the level of cover
you
have
chosen
to
ensure
that
it
meets
your
needs.
OSHC may cover, depending on the type of OSHC product purchased, general treatment (ancillary or
extras
cover,
for
example
dental,
optical
or
physiotherapy).
If you require general treatment cover, you should contact the OSHC insurer for further information.

Waiting periods
Under OSHC policies, OSHC insurers may impose waiting periods for the following:

treatment during the first 12 months of membership for pre-existing medical conditions,
disabilities and pregnancy-related services; and
treatment during the first 2 months of membership for pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
Waiting

periods

start

from

the

day

of

arrival

in

Australia

on

student

visa.

What insurers can not cover under the OSHC Deed?

treatment arranged before coming to Australia

treatment needed while travelling to or from Australia

transportation of an overseas student or dependent into or out of Australia for any reason

treatment covered by provisions for compensation and damages.

How much does OSHC cost?
The cost of OSHC varies depending on the type of cover required. The average cost of minimum cover is
$437 for 12 months singles cover, $1222 for 12 months couples cover, $1744 for 12 months singleparents
cover
and
$2022
family
cover
(Australian
dollars).
What if I need treatment?

You can make an appointment to see a General Practitioner (GP).

In the case you need emergency hospital treatment you should go immediately to the emergency
department of the nearest hospital. If appropriate, you can call 000 and ask for an ambulance to take
you to hospital.
If you need to go to a public hospital in a non-emergency situation or for an elective procedure,
then you should call your OSHC insurer and check that your policy will cover you for that admission.
You should also ask your OSHC insurer where their nearest agreement hospital is located. You should call
that hospital to confirm that you will be accepted as a patient with OSHC.
It is also important that you contact your OSHC insurer before you are admitted to a private
hospital because not all services will be covered if you go to a private hospital and you may have to pay
extra if the private hospital does not have contractual arrangements with your OSHC insurer.
How do I pay for treatment?
When you receive a bill for medical treatment, there are generally two choices. You can pay the bill and
then get a refund from your OSHC insurer, or the unpaid account can be given directly to your OSHC
insurer. For pharmaceutical claims, you need to pay the chemist first and then claim back from your
health
insurer.
Hospital bills are normally sent directly to the OSHC insurer for payment. However, arrangements for
payment of treatment expenses will vary between OSHC insurers. You should contact your OSHC insurer

for
Top

further
of

information.
page

How long do I have to have cover?

It is a visa requirement that from 1 July 2010, students must obtain OSHC for the proposed duration of
their student visa. If you extend the length of your student visa, you must renew your OSHC policy.
OSHC providers are obliged to provide cover for up to 5 years in respect of the proposed duration of the
visa,
however
they
may
also
choose
to
provide
longer
cover.
Further information regarding visa requirements is available at the Department of Immigration &
Citizenship
website.
How do I renew my OSHC?
Renewing your OSHC is easy. You can renew your cover by either contacting the provider of your OSHC
or
the
institution
at
which
you
study.
Can I transfer to a different OSHC provider?
Your educational institution may have an agreement with a specific OSHC insurer. You can choose to take
out OSHC with your institutions provider, or with the Australian OSHC provider of your choice.
You may transfer to another OSHC insurer at any time, but you may incur a refund processing fee if you
transfer midway through a period of cover. If you have paid in advance, you can get a refund. To obtain a
refund you must provide proof to your previous OSHC insurer that you have a valid OSHC policy with a
new OSHC insurer that overlaps the period covered by your previous OSHC insurer.
When transferring between health insurers, any periods of membership served with one OSHC insurer
will count toward waiting periods with your new OSHC insurer, providing there is no lapse in
membership.
Can I take out insurance with an overseas insurer?
No. Only Australian registered private health insurers can offer OSHC. This is because the Australian
Government wants to be able to monitor and regulate insurers covering people living temporarily in
Australia. The Government is not able to protect the interests of people insured by overseas insurance
companies
in
the
same
way.
What if I have a problem with my OSHC insurer, my policy or my bill for treatment?
If you have a problem with your OSHC insurer, you can contact the Private Health Insurance
Ombudsman (PHIO). The PHIO provides a free independent service to help consumers with health
insurance
problems
and
enquiries.

The PHIO can deal with complaints from health fund members, health funds, private hospitals or medical
practitioners. Complaints must be about a health insurance arrangement.

Work while you study

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Working while you study in Australia can help complement your study and living experience. There are a
number of reasons you might want to undertake part time work while studying in Australia, including
assisting with living expenses and gaining work experience in your study area.
Most student visas allow you to work for up to 40 hours every two weeks while your course is in session,
and unrestricted hours during any scheduled course break, but before you undertake any paid work you
need to make sure your visa allows you to work. Find out more at the Department of Immigration and
Border Protection(opens in a new window) website.
Paid work
Australia has a wide range of industries and many have part time employment opportunities, including:

Retail - supermarkets, department and clothing stores.

Hospitality - cafes, bars and restaurants.

Tourism - hotels and motels.

Agricultural - farming and fruit-picking.

Sales and telemarketing.

Administration or Clerical roles.

Tutoring.
If you have existing qualifications and/or professional work experience, you may be able to secure casual
or part time work in your field.
Internships
Paid or unpaid internships can be a great way to get exposure to the professional, financial and creative
industries. Learn more about getting an internship on the Internships page in the Education System
section of this website.
Volunteering
There are many charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Australia and they always need
volunteers to help out. It can be a great way to meet friends, get some hands on work experience and give
back to the community. To find out more about volunteering, start your search
at: http://www.govolunteer.com.au/(opens in a new window)
Your rights

Everyone working in Australia, including international students or those on working holiday visas, have
basic rights at work. These rights protect entitlement to:

A minimum wage.

Challenge of unfair dismissal from the job

Breaks and rest periods.

A healthy and safe work environment.

Most employers in Australia are covered by an award, which sets minimum wages and conditions for a
given field of work or industry. To find out more about your work rights visit the Australian
Government's Fair Work(opens in a new window) website.
You will also need to get a tax file number to work in Australia. Visit the Australian Taxation
Office(opens in a new window) website to find out more information on getting a tax file number, as well
as information about paying taxes in Australia.
Finding Work
There are plenty of ways to find work that suits you, including:

Newspapers and online job sites.

Some institutions provide job notice-boards on campus and online. Contact your institutions
international student support staff to find out what options your institution offers.

Register your details at a recruitment firm; many of them help place people in casual or shortterm work.

Travel, tuition and living expenses

The table below is a guide to expenses in Australian dollars (AUD). They do not necessarily represent the
cost of living in Australia.
Expenses

Per Person

Amount required in AUD

Travel

Yourself

Return air fare to Australia

Family members

One return air fare to Australia per person

Yourself

Course fees

Children aged 5-18

AUD8000 per year

Tuition

Living

Yourself

AUD18 610 per year

Partner

AUD6515 per year

First child

AUD3720 per year

Each other child

AUD2790 per year

The department must be satisfied that, when in Australia, you will have genuine access to the funds that
are sufficient to meet travel costs, course fees, living costs and school costs for any dependent children in
Australia for the duration of your stay in Australia. You must also have access to funds to support your
partner and dependent children, even if they do not travel with you to Australia.

Postgraduate Research visa (subclass 574)

Features
This visa allows you to stay in Australia to do postgraduate research.
Requirements
Streamlined visa processing for this visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia at a
participating university or non-university higher education provider. You may be eligible for streamlined visa
processing if your main course of study is a Masters degree by research or a Doctoral degree.

Student
You must uphold your visa conditions while studying
and living in Australia or your visa may be cancelled and
you may have to leave Australia.
Course enrolment, attendance and progress
You must remain enrolled in a course registered on the

Spouse

Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for

Overseas Students (CRICOS).

You must maintain satisfactory attendance in your

course as required by your education provider.
You must make satisfactory course progress for
each study period.
Your education provider will advise the department
if your attendance or course progress is not
satisfactory. The definition of 'satisfactory' is
determined by your education provider.
Financial capacity
You must have genuine access to funds to meet travel
costs, tuition and living expenses for yourself, your
partner and your dependent children for the duration of
your stay in Austral

School age family members

Any family members of school age (between five and 18
years) living in Australia must attend school in Australia.

Health insurance
You must maintain health insurance for you and your
family members while in Australia. Health insurance can
be provided by obtaining Overseas Student Health
Cover (OSHC) which provides medical and hospital
insurance.

Your dependent family members must maintain their

visa conditions. A breach of these conditions may result
in your visa being cancelled and you may have to leave
Australia.

can work unlimited hours.

Length of stay
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course. It permits multiple entries to Australia.
Dependent family members who come with you to Australia are usually able to stay the same length of time as you,
but they cannot stay once you have left the country.
Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy must cover the full period of your visa. Your student visa can
be granted up to the maximum duration outlined in the table below.

Duration of course

Duration of visa

Longer than 10 months

and finishing at the end of
the Australian academic
year
(November

December)

Your visa will usually be granted until 15 September of

the following year. This is to allow an extra six months
from 15 March (which is the normal expiry date for
student visas granted under these circumstances) for the
purpose of interactive marking of a thesis

Longer than 10 months

(finishing
January
October)

Your visa will usually be granted for eight months longer

than the duration of your course. This is to allow an
extra six months (on top of the two months that is
normally granted for a student visa) for the purpose of
interactive marking of a thesis.

10 months or less

Your visa will usually be granted for seven months

longer than the duration of your course. This is to allow
an extra six months (on top of the one month that is
normally granted for a student visa) for the purpose of
interactive marking of a thesis.

Note: If your student visa expires before your graduation, you can apply for a Visitor visa. You will need a letter
from
your
education
provider
which
states
the
date
of
your
graduation.
See: Visitors

Family Members
You must declare all family members on your application, even if they do not plan to travel with you to Australia. If
you do not, they will not be eligible to come as dependants after you have arrived in Australia.
You must also provide proof of your relationship to them, in the form of officially issued birth and marriage
certificates.

Your dependent family members must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this visa.
Genuine temporary entrant requirement
Your dependent family member's individual circumstances must demonstrate that your dependent family member
genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily.
The factors that are considered during assessment of the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement include:

your dependent family member's personal circumstances in your home country

your dependent family member's potential circumstances in Australia
your dependent family member's immigration history
any other matter that is relevant to your dependent family member's intention to remain in Australia
temporarily.

If you are a minor the intentions of your parent, legal guardian or spouse will also be considered.
The information provided in your application form and supporting documentation will be used to assess the GTE
requirement. You may be requested to provide additional information in relation to the factors set out above.
See: Genuine Temporary Entrant Frequently Asked Questions
Financial requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have enough money to support your family members while they are in
Australia.
See: Financial Requirements
Health requirements
Your dependent family members must meet certain health requirements and may need to undergo a health
examination. The requirements vary based on:

length of stay in Australia

other health risks in home country or countries visited for more than three months within the last five years.

Note: Health examinations can be completed before you lodge your visa application, but no more than six months
before your course starts.
Health insurance
Your family members must have health insurance while in Australia. You can include them in your Overseas Student
Health
Cover,
which
provides
medical
and
hospital
insurance.
See: Overseas Student Health Cover Frequently Asked Questions
Proof of insurance: When you lodge your application, you must provide a receipt or other proof of your health
insurance payment covering your family members.

Character requirements
Your family members must be of good character to enter Australia. The information provided on the Character
Declaration section of your application, will be used to assess the character of your family members.
See: Character and penal clearance requirements
Australian Values Statement
All visa applicants aged 18 years or over, must declare that they will respect Australian values and obey the laws of
Australia. For applicants of this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the
application form. By signing the form applicants will also be signing the values statement. Applicants for this visa
will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if they want.
Visa applicants are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before
applying for this visa.
ExpandedFinancial requirements
You must meet the following financial requirements.
Travel, tuition and living expenses
The table below outlines the amounts in Australian dollars (AUD) that you need access to. These amounts are the
minimum required for this visa. They do not necessarily represent the cost of living in Australia.
Expenses

Per Person

Amount required in AUD

Travel

Yourself

Return air fare to Australia

Family members

One return air fare to Australia per person

Yourself

Course fees

Children aged 5-18

AUD8000 per year

Yourself

AUD18 610 per year

Partner

AUD6515 per year

First child

AUD3720 per year

Tuition

Living

Each other child

AUD2790 per year

The department must be satisfied that an applicant, once in Australia, will have genuine access to the funds they
claim to possess to cover the travel, tuition and living costs for themselves and their family members.
You must have enough money to pay for travel, tuition and living expenses.
You must:

show proof that you can meet these financial requirements for the first 12 months of your stay in Australia
declare on your application that you can meet these financial requirements for the remainder of your stay
in Australia.
Acceptable sources of income
The money to support you and your family members must come from one or more acceptable sources.
Examples:

Money deposits held in a bank account by you or a person supporting you.

A loan from an approved financial institution.
A loan from your government.
Financial support from your education provider or another organisation.

Note: Non-cash assets such as property and shares are not acceptable evidence of income. However, non-cash assets
may be liquidated or used as collateral on a loan.
Fully Funded Students
If you are a fully funded student, you must show evidence that the sponsoring agency, government or organisation
will cover the cost of:

travel, tuition and living expenses for yourself and dependent family members accompanying you to
Australia

supporting your dependent family members remaining in your home country, taking into consideration the
local
standard
of
living.
Note: If family members later decide to join you in Australia, you must show evidence of extra funds from an
acceptable source to cover their travel, tuition and living expenses in Australia.
Prepaid boarding or homestay fees
If you are boarding or have entered into homestay arrangements with your education provider and have prepaid your
boarding or homestay fees, the amount you have prepaid can be deducted from the total amount of living costs you
must demonstrate to the department.
You will need to show evidence to the department of the boarding or homestay fees as separate from the tuition fees.
Example: A contract or an authorised receipt of payment from your education provider.
Note: Only formal boarding or homestay arrangements will be accepted by the department. Prepayment of private
boarding or homestay arrangements or rent will not be deducted from the living cost requirement.

http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/SkillSelect/SkillSelect.aspx