Australia Student Visa 2026-27 for Nepali Students: Fee, Funds and OSHC

Student visa fee for 2026-27

Planning to study in Australia from 2026-27? The student visa (subclass 500) has a few money rules you must understand before you pay any deposit.

This guide covers the visa fee, the minimum funds you must show, health cover (OSHC), the Genuine Student requirement, and what we can and cannot say about Nepal's assessment level.

Every figure below comes from the official Study Australia website, which is run by the Australian Government. Where we could not confirm a number, we say so and send you to Home Affairs.

If you are still choosing a country, start with our study in Australia guide.

The student visa application charge went up on July 1, 2026. It moved from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500. Study Australia describes the fee as "from AUD 2,500" per application.

Some applicants are exempt from the increase. These include some passport holders from ASEAN countries and Pacific island countries, and students applying for independent ELICOS or Non-Award courses. Nepal is not on the list of exempt countries published by Study Australia.

The fee can change again, so check the Home Affairs fees page on the day you apply. Do not rely on an old agent price list or a screenshot.

Funds and OSHC: what you must show and cover

You must prove you can pay for your study and stay. Study Australia says international student visa applicants must show at least AUD 29,710.

The same page warns that real living costs depend on the city and may be much higher than this minimum. Sydney and Melbourne are usually more expensive than smaller cities, so research your own location.

The money is meant to cover costs linked to your course, such as travel, course fees and rent.

What we could not verify: the extra amounts for a spouse or children, the tuition and school-fee parts of the calculation, and the exact rules for using a parent's income instead of savings. For these, check the Home Affairs financial capacity page before you plan your funds.

Which documents count as proof is listed on the Home Affairs website under "Gather your documents". Use only accounts you can explain clearly.

OSHC is compulsory. You must hold adequate health insurance for your whole stay in Australia. For students this is Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC.

Study Australia states that without proof of OSHC, your visa application will be refused. OSHC covers:

• medical or hospital care
• most prescription medicines
• ambulance cover in an emergency

OSHC prices differ by provider and by length of stay, and we could not verify a current price from an official page. Get a quote from an approved provider for the exact months of your course.

After you arrive, order your OSHC card so you can use it at doctor appointments.

Genuine Student requirement

Your application is checked against the Genuine Student requirement. The Home Affairs search results confirm it applies to applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024.

The application form asks about your current circumstances. This includes your ties to family, community, employment and finances.

You must also explain:

• why you chose your course and why you chose Australia
• how the course will benefit you
• your study history in Australia, if you have one
• why you are applying for a student visa, if you hold another visa

Study Australia does not give a pass mark or scoring method. So write honest, specific answers about your own plans. Copied or generic answers do not show your real situation.

English test and Nepal's assessment level

You may need an English test certificate from an approved test. Only certain tests are accepted, and Study Australia links to the list of testing organizations. It does not give a minimum score on that page, so check your course and the Home Affairs checklist.

Some students ask about studying without IELTS. We explain the options in our guide to studying in Australia without IELTS.

Home Affairs uses your main course to decide which finance and English evidence you must provide when you apply. It may still ask for more evidence while processing your application.

We have not verified Nepal's current level from an official page, so we do not state one here. For our earlier explanation, see Australia assessment level 3 for Nepal. Use the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool to see exactly which documents your application needs.

Step by step: how the order of things works

Many students pay for things in the wrong order. Here is the order Study Australia describes.

• First, choose a course and accept your letter of offer. Read it carefully and keep a copy.
• Second, pay the deposit your provider asks for. They then issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Third, arrange OSHC for the full length of your course.
• Fourth, take an English test if your course and the Home Affairs checklist require one.
• Fifth, collect your finance documents and complete the online application, including the Genuine Student questions.

You may also need a health examination, and in some cases a police check for the character requirement. Do not leave these to the last week, because they can take time.

Study Australia notes that concurrent CoEs are no longer issued. This means you should be sure about your main course before you enroll.

Check before you apply

• Confirm the visa fee on the Home Affairs fees page. It was AUD 2,500 from July 1, 2026.
• Check the funds figure (AUD 29,710 on Study Australia) and the dependant amounts on Home Affairs.
• Get an OSHC quote that covers your full course.
• Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You must enroll first.
• Run the Document Checklist Tool for your passport and course.
• Write your Genuine Student answers yourself.
• Check the new student visa application rules that Home Affairs lists as starting October 2, 2026. They change who can apply while in Australia.

If you are comparing options, see our list of the top education consultancies in Nepal.

Sources

• Study Australia: Student visa (subclass 500)
• Study Australia: How to apply for your visa
• Study Australia: Student visa application charge increase
• Home Affairs: Genuine Student requirement
• Home Affairs: Fees and charges

Checked in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site when you apply. For help with your own application, talk to our counseling team.