The Australia student visa fee for the subclass 500 visa is AUD 2,500 for most main applicants lodging from 1 July 2026, which is about ₹1.67 lakh at current exchange rates. It is now one of the most expensive student visa charges in the world, and it is only one part of what you pay before you fly.
This guide is for Kerala students and parents budgeting for the February or July 2027 intakes. It sets out the current charge, how it has changed, its value in rupees, the other costs that come with the visa, the funds you must show, and how to avoid losing the fee through a refusal.
1.How much is the Australia student visa fee?
The charge you pay depends on the date you lodge, not the date your course starts. If you lodged before 1 July 2026, you paid the previous fee. Australia usually reviews visa charges on 1 July each year, so check the Department of Home Affairs pricing page before lodging, especially if you will apply close to July 2027.
Some reduced rates exist for specific passport holders and course types, such as stand-alone English language courses. Indian students enrolling in a degree should budget for the full AUD 2,500.
2.How the subclass 500 fee has changed
The charge has risen sharply in two years, which is why older blogs and agency brochures often show the wrong figure:
- Until 30 June 2024: AUD 710.
- From 1 July 2024: AUD 1,600.
- From 1 July 2025: AUD 2,000.
- From 1 July 2026: AUD 2,500.
If a consultant quotes a visa fee much lower than AUD 2,500, ask where the figure comes from. Our guide on how to choose a study abroad consultant explains why up-to-date fee knowledge is a good test.
3.The fee in Indian rupees and how you pay
You lodge and pay online through ImmiAccount, usually by debit or credit card. The charge is in Australian dollars, so your bank converts it at its own rate and may add a foreign transaction fee. Home Affairs also adds a card payment surcharge. Budget a few thousand rupees above the converted figure.
Exchange rates move. Recalculate the rupee amount on the day you pay rather than relying on any figure in this guide.
4.Other visa costs: OSHC, medicals and tests
The visa charge is the biggest single government fee, but several other costs come with the application:
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): mandatory for the whole visa period. For a single student it typically costs roughly AUD 600 to AUD 1,000 a year, depending on the provider — about ₹40,000 to ₹67,000 a year.
- Health examination: if requested, done at an approved panel physician; fees are set by the clinic.
- English test: the IELTS exam fee in India is ₹19,000; PTE is also widely used for Australia. The common visa minimum is IELTS 6.0, though universities often ask for more.
- Documents: translations, notarisation and courier costs add up — budget for them.
Want these costs worked out for your course? Contact us or WhatsApp +91 62385 94143 for a free costed plan.
5.Proof of funds: the AUD 29,710 rule
Higher amounts apply if a partner or children come with you. The money must be genuinely available to you — savings, an education loan sanction, or funds from parents with documented income. Sudden large deposits without an explanation are a common reason for questions.
Most Kerala families combine savings with an education loan. Our guide to education loans without collateral and the Credila vs Avanse vs ICICI comparison explain how sanction letters are used as proof.
6.A first-year budget for a Kerala student
A simple way to plan the first year, using 1 November 2026 rates:
- Visa charge: AUD 2,500 — about ₹1.67 lakh.
- OSHC: roughly AUD 600 to AUD 1,000 for the first year — about ₹40,000 to ₹67,000.
- English test: ₹19,000 for IELTS (or the PTE fee).
- Living costs to show: AUD 29,710 — about ₹19.9 lakh.
- Tuition: as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), less any amount already paid.
- Travel: a one-way or return flight from Kochi or Trivandrum, depending on what you show.
The visa charge, OSHC and tests are costs you actually pay. The living-cost amount is money you must show; you spend it over the year in Australia. Our part-time jobs guide explains how much students typically earn alongside study.
7.How to avoid losing your visa fee
- Write a strong Genuine Student statement: explain your course choice, career plan and ties to India clearly and specifically.
- Show funds properly: documented sources and a consistent history, not last-minute deposits.
- Match every document: names, dates and marks must agree across passport, CoE and certificates.
- Meet the English requirement: take a test accepted for the visa and your course, at a test centre.
- Lodge on time: late applications risk a missed start date, and fees can rise on 1 July.
Our visa filing service checks each of these before you pay the charge.
8.Ways to keep your total cost down
The visa charge itself cannot be negotiated, but the rest of your first-year bill can be managed:
- Scholarships and tuition discounts: many Australian universities offer merit-based reductions for international students. Our Australia scholarships guide lists options for Indian students.
- Compare OSHC providers: cover is mandatory, but prices differ between approved insurers for the same visa period.
- Choose your city carefully: living costs in regional cities are generally lower than in Sydney or Melbourne, and regional study can also help later with post-study work and points.
- Plan part-time work realistically: student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. It helps with living costs, but it cannot be counted as proof of funds.
- Get the English score once: each retake costs another exam fee, so book the test only when your mock scores are consistently at your target.
If you are also weighing what comes after graduation, read our guide to Australia PR after a Masters.
9.Fees and timing for 2027 intakes
Australian universities mainly take students in February and July. For the February 2027 intake, you will lodge in late 2026 or early 2027 and pay AUD 2,500. For July 2027, if you lodge before 1 July 2027 you pay the charge in force at that time; any increase from 1 July 2027 would apply only to applications lodged from that date.
Apply as soon as you have your CoE. Processing times vary — our Australia student visa processing time guide explains what to expect and how to avoid delays.
10.Why Kerala students choose Cokonet Overseas
Cokonet Overseas files Australian student visas for Kerala students from our offices in Trivandrum and Kochi.
- Costed plans that include the visa charge, OSHC, tests and the funds you must show.
- Genuine Student statements, funds documents and CoE details checked before you pay the visa charge.
- In-house IELTS and PTE coaching for the English requirement.
- Education loan structuring and free counselling across 21 destinations.
Both offices are on Google: Cokonet Overseas Thiruvananthapuram and Cokonet Overseas Kochi, with directions and recent reviews.
The service this guide connects to
Universities, intakes and post-study work rules are on our Australia destination page; the application runs through the visa filing service. Both start with a free call.
11.Visit or contact Cokonet Overseas
Counselling is free, in person or online. Walk in, call, or message — whichever is easiest:
- Trivandrum (head office): Peedikayil Chambers, Ulloor Junction, Thiruvananthapuram 695011 · Google Business Profile
- Kochi (branch): VSRA-59, Vennala, Ernakulam 682028 · Google Business Profile
- Phone / WhatsApp: +91 62385 94143 · WhatsApp
- Online: cokonetoverseas.com/contact — Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
12.Frequently asked questions
What is the Australia student visa fee in 2026-27?
AUD 2,500 for most main applicants lodging the subclass 500 visa from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000.
How much is the Australian student visa fee in Indian rupees?
About ₹1,67,000 at the mid-market rate on 1 November 2026 (1 AUD ≈ ₹66.9); your card's rate and surcharge add a little more.
Is the Australian student visa fee refundable if refused?
Generally no. The visa charge is not refunded because your application was refused.
How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?
AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel; more if family members come with you.
Is OSHC compulsory for an Australian student visa?
Yes. You need Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole visa period, typically AUD 600 to AUD 1,000 a year for a single student.
Will the Australia student visa fee increase in 2027?
Charges are usually reviewed on 1 July each year; check the Home Affairs pricing page before you lodge.
What IELTS score do I need for an Australian student visa?
IELTS 6.0 overall is the common visa minimum, though most universities ask for more.
Do family members pay a separate visa fee?
Yes. Partners and children included in your application are charged separately.
When should I apply for the February 2027 intake?
As soon as you receive your CoE, ideally in late 2026, so processing does not delay your start.
Can Cokonet help with my Australia student visa from Kerala?
Yes. We plan costs, check your funds and Genuine Student statement, and file the visa. Free counselling on +91 62385 94143.
