COST OF LIVINGSource: http://info.anu.edu.au/studyat/International_Office/getting_in/_costofliving.aspAs a student in Australia, a number of factors will affect your expenses:
* Living on or off-campus - if you decide to live off campus, you will face considerable costs when you first arrive. You will be required to pay rent in advance, along with a security bond (usually the amount of four weeks’ rent). If your house is unfurnished, as most rental properties in Canberra are, you will need to buy furniture and kitchen items
* Transport - owning a car or using public transport is obviously more expensive than riding a bicycle or walking
* Paying for school expenses (other than fees) - textbooks and other supplies can be quite expensive, particularly if you will be studying courses involving field trips or laboratory work. Some textbooks can be purchased second hand, but not all
* Having your family come to live with you in Australia
* Entertainment - restaurants, clubs, bars and films can be quite expensive
* Traveling in Australia during your holidays
Estimated costsWhile it is not possible to set an exact guide of what your expenses will be while living in Australia, there is a guide used by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Affairs (DIAC) in assessing Student Visa applications (excluding your student fees)
DIAC COST OF LIVING CALCULATORExcluding tuition fees, we estimate you will need per person as a minimum:
Accommodation $150 per week+
Food $100 per week*
Photocopying, books, stationery $21 per week*
Transport $12 per week**
Entertainment $28 per week
Phone, internet $30 per week
Health Cover $7.00 per week***
Total $18096 per year
This is an approximation only and does not include the cost of buying clothing, medicine and the like.
+ Based on weekly rent at Fenner Hall for a furnished single room with share bathroom and share kitchen facilities.
* Based on “Final Report of the Survey of International Students’ spending in Australia”, University of QLD Social Research Centre, July 2005.
** Based on cost of a weekly concession bus ticket in 2007.
*** Based on 2008 annual cost of compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover provided by Worldcare Assist.
Visa financial requirementsSource: http://www.visasforaustralia.co.uk/pages/visas/studentvisa_financial.phpYou will have to declare on your application that you are able to financially support yourself and family member for the duration of your stay. These expenses include travel cost, tuition fees and living expenses.
To show you are able to support you and your families living expenses each year you will have to have a minimum of $12,000 for yourself, $4,200 for your spouse, $2,400 for your first child and $1,800 for each other child.
If you have family member that are not accompanying you to Australia you will still need to show you have enough funds to support them.
Example of evidence that you may be requested include: bank statements, pay slips, bank loan documents, to show you have sufficient funds.
You can apply to work on this visa at an extra cost of $60 to help supplement your stay in Australia, family member can also apply for permission to work. This allows you to work on a casual basis for up to 20 hours a week.
If you are studying for less than 12months your family members are not eligible to travel to Australia with you on this visa however, you will still have to show you are able to support them financially in your absence.
Note: For guidance on proof of funds to meet visa financial requirements, please see http://www.svduhoc.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=16468
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