Estimate the financial capacity amount you may need for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500) using the current 2026–27 planning figures.
Enter the tuition applicable to the first 12 months of study.
Eligible amounts already paid can be deducted from the tuition component.
Current annual living-cost benchmark: $10,394.
Current annual living-cost benchmark: $4,449 per child.
Add $13,502 per school-aged child for annual schooling costs. Actual school costs can be higher.
Use your realistic travel estimate for the applicant and accompanying family members. Common planning benchmarks are $2,000 when applying outside Australia, with different amounts for some African regions, and $1,000 when applying in Australia ($1,500 if returning to Africa).
If relying on the income method rather than demonstrating funds, the current benchmark is $87,856 where no family member accompanies the applicant, or $102,500 where a family member accompanies the applicant.
Student living costs$29,710
Partner living costs$0
Dependent children living costs$0
Schooling costs$0
Unpaid tuition component$0
Travel costs$2,000
Estimated funds to demonstrate$31,710
Important: This calculator is an estimate for planning purposes only. The Department of Home Affairs may require evidence covering travel, 12 months of living costs, tuition fees and schooling costs for school-aged dependants. Your personalised Document Checklist Tool and the rules in force when you lodge determine the evidence required. Requirements can change.
Figures used: primary student $29,710; accompanying partner $10,394; each dependent child $4,449; schooling $13,502 per school-aged child; annual-income benchmark $87,856 without accompanying family or $102,500 with accompanying family. Current figures verified against publicly available 2026 information on 21 September 2026. Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs and current financial-capacity guidance. Check the Department's Document Checklist Tool.
How the calculation works
The estimate adds the applicable 12-month living-cost benchmarks, accompanying-family costs, school costs where applicable, unpaid first-year tuition and estimated travel costs. It is a financial-capacity planning tool, not a visa-cost calculator.
Financial capacity is separate from the Student visa application charge. Visa charges change from time to time, so check the Department’s current pricing information before lodging.
Meeting the financial-capacity amount does not by itself mean a Student visa will be granted. Applicants must also meet the other applicable visa criteria, including the Genuine Student requirement and any evidence requirements identified in the Department’s checklist.
