Study costs
Australia offers excellent value for money. The living expenses and tuition costs in Australia are considerably less expensive than in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Australians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. The average international student in Australia spends about $335 per week. This covers things such as accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment and transport. School students in Australia typically spend a little less - about $275 a week - on things such as accommodation,food, entertainment, and transport. These figures are an accurate guide but it may be different depending on the person or the situation.
To be granted a student visa in Australia you must show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of the course. You can apply to work part-time after you have commenced your studies in Australia, but the money you earn should not be used as your only source of income.
International students studying in Australia are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their student visa in Australia. Students in Australia are also responsible for their own accident and property insurance. It is a good idea to take out travel insurance before leaving your country to cover lost baggage, cancellation of plane tickets and repatriation.
Working while you study in Australia
International students studying in Australia on a student visa are able to work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during course time and full-time during vacation periods.
The money you earn from working in Australia should only supplement your income and not be used as your only source of income. Before you come to Australia, you must show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of your study.
Most students take part-time or casual jobs at some time during their studies. Some jobs are related to their courses (such as formal cadetships and informal arrangements such as part-time work by law students in solicitors' offices). Some students tutor school children or get jobs on campus in the canteen, the bookshop, in the institution's offices and as laboratory assistants. Some jobs are entirely outside the education community such as bartending, babysitting, gardening, hospitality, sales, information technology, restaurants, checkout work or fruit picking.
Some institutions offer a job placement service. If work is available you will need to obtain a tax file number (TFN) from the Australian Tax Office.
A TFN is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems. It’s one of your most important forms of identification in Australia.
While it is not compulsory to quote a TFN, without one you may:
- - pay more tax than necessary, or
- - not be able to get government benefits you are entitled to receive.
TFN will also help you:
- - lodge a tax return
- - ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
- - start or change jobs
- - limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.
Applying for a TFN
If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia, you can apply for a TFN online after you arrive in Australia if you have a:
- - visa that allows work rights
- - visa that allows permanent migration
- - valid overseas student visa, or
- - valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
To apply complete the Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration. When applying online, you do not have to physically provide proof of your identity.
Applying for a TFN using false or other peoples’ identity details, or misusing your TFN, can mean heavy fines or jail.
If you need more information about TFNs, you can:
- - visit the Tax Office website at http://www.ato.gov.au/ or
- - phone +61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 6.00pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Student visa information on this website is an outline only and subject to change. For more detailed, accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.