Study in Australia from India: intakes, CoE and financial capacity
I want to study in Australia from India in 2027. Which intakes are there, how much money does the subclass 500 visa ask me to show, and what English score does the visa need?
Australian universities start in February or March (Semester 1) and in July (Semester 2). For the Student visa (subclass 500), Home Affairs lists 12-month living costs of AUD 29,710 for the student, plus travel and tuition, with more for a partner or child. The application charge starts from AUD 2,500. The visa English minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0, or lower with an English course packaged in. You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Overseas Student Health Cover. From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 30 November 2026. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
As of 30 October 2026: we read every figure on this page on the official page linked next to it that day. Governments revise these amounts, often once a year, so open the official page again before you pay or apply.
At a glance
- 12-month living costs
- Student AUD 29,710; partner AUD 10,394; each child AUD 4,449[1]
- Travel costs guide (applying from India)
- AUD 2,000[1]
- Visa application charge
- From AUD 2,500 for the main applicant[1]
- English minimum for the visa
- IELTS Academic 6.0; 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English (ELICOS) or a foundation course; 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS[1]
- Must hold
- A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless exempt[1]
- Where to apply
- From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia[1]
Money Home Affairs lists for 12 months, before tuition
Visa English minimum: an English course lowers the score
University of Melbourne teaching periods, 2027
| Intake | University of Melbourne teaching period |
|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2027 | 1 March to 30 May 2027 |
| Semester 2, 2027 | 26 July to 24 October 2027 |
University of Melbourne dates. UNSW runs three terms instead: Term 1 2027 teaching starts 15 February (UNSW calendar), and UNSW keeps applications from outside Australia for that term open until 15 November 2026, its last completed-application deadline (UNSW).[3]
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identity | Passport pages with photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates; proof of any name change |
| Confirmation of Enrolment | A CoE for every full-time CRICOS-registered course you plan to take |
| Genuine Student answers | Written answers in English, up to 150 words each, with supporting documents |
| Health cover | OSHC from an approved Australian provider, starting from the day you arrive |
| Financial capacity | Evidence for the living, travel and tuition amounts above |
Home Affairs asks applicants to use its Document Checklist Tool and re-check it just before submitting; the tool is updated on 31 March and 30 September.[1]
Since 23 March 2024 the Genuine Student (GS) requirement has replaced the old GTE statement. Every applicant answers the GS questions in the visa form, each answer up to 150 words, and attaches documents that back them up.[2]
Instead of savings, Home Affairs accepts evidence that a parent or partner earned a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or AUD 102,500 if family members come with you.[1]
Universities often ask for more than the visa minimum. The University of Melbourne's Level 1, the level many of its courses use, is IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band.[4]
Tips and tricks
- Your English test must be taken within 2 years before you lodge the visa, so do not take it too early.[1]
- Re-run the Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool the day you submit. It changes on 31 March and 30 September.[1]
- Write the GS answers yourself and keep them specific to your course and your plans; supporting documents should match every claim.
- Check whether your university runs semesters or terms. UNSW's Term 1 starts weeks before Melbourne's Semester 1.[6]
Questions people ask
How much money is needed for an Australian student visa in 2026?
Home Affairs lists 12-month living costs of AUD 29,710 for the student, plus AUD 2,000 for travel from India and the course fees. A partner adds AUD 10,394 and each child AUD 4,449.[1]
What IELTS score do I need for an Australian student visa?
IELTS Academic 6.0, or 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS or a foundation course, or 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. Universities may ask for more.[1]
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
It replaced the GTE for applications from 23 March 2024. Applicants answer questions in the form, up to 150 words each, and attach evidence.[2]
What is the Australian student visa fee?
The Home Affairs page shows the charge from AUD 2,500 for the main applicant.[1]
Connected pages
- Uses data from · Study abroadStudent visa funds by country: official figures with a rupee converterThe money each government asks students to show, from UK to France, with source and date, and a converter to rupees at RBI's published rate.
- Related · Study abroadIELTS in India: fee, format, results and One Skill RetakeIELTS from India in 2026: INR 19,000 fee, Academic or General Training, the new Writing on Paper option, result days, One Skill Retake and transfer costs.
- Related · Study abroadStudy abroad intake and deadline calendar: a month-by-month back-planPick a country and intake to get a printable month-by-month plan built back from official university and government dates, each with its source.
- Related · Study abroadStudy in New Zealand from India: semesters, funds and visa papersNew Zealand student visa living costs (NZD 20,000 a year), tuition rule, visa papers and Auckland 2027 closing dates, each with its official source.
- Related · Study abroadPTE Academic in India: fee, format, results and reschedulingPTE Academic from India in 2026: INR 18,900 fee, the 2-hour format, results in about 2 business days, the 10 to 90 score and the 14-day reschedule rule.
Official and partner links
Sources
- Student visa (subclass 500), Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Genuine Student requirement, Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Future key dates, The University of Melbourne. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- English language requirements, The University of Melbourne. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Admissions information for international students, UNSW Sydney. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Academic calendar, UNSW Sydney. Accessed 30 October 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 30 October 2026.