How Much Does It Cost to Study in Australia from Nepal? (2026 Complete Guide)

Studying in Australia from Nepal costs between AUD 40,000 and AUD 70,000 per year in total. In Nepali Rupees, that is roughly NPR 40 lakhs to NPR 70 lakhs per year depending on your course, university, city, and lifestyle.

This is a big amount and it is important to understand exactly what you are paying for before you start planning. The cost is not just tuition. It includes living expenses, health insurance, visa fees, flights, and daily costs like food and transport.

The good news is that Australia allows international students to work part time during study. This can help cover a big part of your living costs. Scholarships can also reduce your tuition significantly if you qualify.

This guide breaks down every cost clearly so you know exactly what to expect and how to plan your budget before applying.

For more information on scholarships that can reduce these costs, you can read our guide on can I get a 100% scholarship in Australia.

What Is the Total Cost to Study in Australia from Nepal?

The total first year cost for a Nepali student studying in Australia is between AUD 50,000 and AUD 80,000. This includes tuition, living expenses, visa fees, health insurance, and flights.

From the second year onwards, costs come down slightly because you do not need to pay the visa fee again. Your second and third year costs will mainly be tuition plus living expenses, which comes to roughly AUD 40,000 to AUD 65,000 per year.

In Nepali Rupees, using the current exchange rate of approximately 1 AUD equal to 103 to 110 NPR, your first year total is roughly NPR 50 lakhs to NPR 80 lakhs. This is the number you need to plan for when preparing your bank statements and education loan.

Budget at least AUD 50,000 for your first year in Australia. This covers everything including tuition, living, visa, insurance, and flights.

How Much Are Tuition Fees in Australia for Nepali Students?

Tuition fees are the biggest cost when studying in Australia. How much you pay depends on what you study and which university you choose.

Vocational Education and Training programs, also called VET or diploma courses, are the most affordable option. These cost between AUD 10,000 and AUD 25,000 per year. Many Nepali students choose VET programs as a starting point before moving into a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s degree programs cost between AUD 20,000 and AUD 50,000 per year. Arts, humanities, and education programs are on the lower end. Engineering, IT, nursing, and business programs are on the higher end. Medicine and veterinary degrees are the most expensive and can cost AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000 per year or more at top universities.

Master’s degree programs cost between AUD 22,000 and AUD 55,000 per year. MBA and professional master’s programs at top universities can cost even more, sometimes AUD 60,000 to AUD 70,000 per year.

PhD programs cost between AUD 18,000 and AUD 42,000 per year. Many PhD students in Australia receive the Research Training Program scholarship which waives the full tuition fee and gives a living stipend of around AUD 32,000 per year. This makes PhD the most affordable study option if you qualify.

Group of Eight universities like University of Melbourne, UNSW, University of Sydney, and ANU charge the highest fees. Regional and mid-tier universities charge significantly less for the same level of degree.

Tuition for a standard bachelor’s or master’s at a non-Group of Eight university in Australia is roughly AUD 25,000 to AUD 40,000 per year. Group of Eight universities charge AUD 40,000 to AUD 60,000 per year for most programs.

To understand what GPA you need to get into these universities, you can read our guide on how much GPA is required to study in Australia from Nepal.

How Much Does Living Cost in Australia for International Students?

The Australian government requires international students to show proof of at least AUD 29,710 per year for living expenses when applying for a student visa. This is the official minimum amount set by the Department of Home Affairs.

In reality, most students spend between AUD 20,000 and AUD 30,000 per year on living costs depending on which city they live in and how they manage their budget.

Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive cities. A student in Sydney can expect to spend around AUD 25,000 to AUD 28,000 per year just on living costs. Melbourne is similar at around AUD 24,000 to AUD 28,000 per year.

Brisbane and Perth are more affordable, with living costs of around AUD 20,000 to AUD 24,000 per year. Adelaide is one of the most student friendly and affordable cities, with average living costs of around AUD 18,000 to AUD 22,000 per year.

Regional cities and smaller towns are even cheaper, sometimes 15 to 20 percent below Adelaide prices. Studying in a regional area also gives you extra post-study work visa time, which is a bonus on top of the cost savings.

Here is a rough monthly breakdown for a student living in a major city like Melbourne or Brisbane. Shared accommodation costs around AUD 600 to AUD 1,200 per month. Food and groceries cost around AUD 300 to AUD 500 per month if you cook at home. Public transport costs around AUD 80 to AUD 150 per month. Phone and internet cost around AUD 50 to AUD 100 per month. Other daily expenses including personal items and occasional eating out cost around AUD 150 to AUD 300 per month.

Plan for AUD 20,000 to AUD 28,000 per year for living costs. Choose Adelaide or regional cities over Sydney or Melbourne to save AUD 5,000 to AUD 8,000 per year on the same lifestyle.

How Much Is the Australian Student Visa Fee in 2026?

The Australian student visa, which is Subclass 500, costs AUD 2,000 in 2026. This is approximately NPR 2 lakhs at current exchange rates.

This fee increased significantly in July 2025 and is now one of the highest student visa fees in the world. It is a non-refundable fee, which means you lose this money even if your visa is rejected. This makes it very important to prepare your application documents carefully before submitting.

Besides the visa fee, you will also need to pay for biometrics at VFS Kathmandu, which costs around NPR 3,200. A medical examination is also required and costs around NPR 10,000 to NPR 12,000. If you use a migration agent to help with your application, that can cost an additional AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,000 though this is optional.

To qualify for a student visa, you must show proof of at least one year of tuition fees, AUD 29,710 in living costs, and around AUD 4,000 in travel funds. Most Nepalese students use A-class bank statements or education loans from Nepali banks to meet this financial requirement.

Key takeaway: Budget AUD 2,000 for the student visa fee alone. Add NPR 15,000 to NPR 20,000 for biometrics and medical on top of that. The total visa cost for a Nepali student is roughly NPR 2.2 to 2.4 lakhs.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Australia?

Overseas Student Health Cover, also called OSHC, is mandatory for all international students in Australia. You must purchase it before your visa is approved and it must cover your entire stay.

OSHC costs between AUD 500 and AUD 800 per year for a single student. The exact price depends on which provider you choose. Major providers include Medibank, Bupa, AHM, Allianz, and NIB. Medibank charges around AUD 64 per month and Allianz charges around AUD 67 per month for a single student.

For a three year bachelor’s degree, you will need to budget approximately AUD 1,800 to AUD 2,400 in total for OSHC over the full course duration.

Key takeaway: Budget AUD 600 to AUD 800 per year for OSHC. This is mandatory and cannot be skipped for visa approval.

How Much Are Flights from Nepal to Australia?

A one-way flight from Kathmandu to Australia costs between NPR 1 lakh and NPR 2 lakhs depending on the season, airline, and destination city.

Sydney and Melbourne are the most commonly chosen destinations and are also the most expensive to fly to. Brisbane and Adelaide are slightly cheaper. Flights in January and February, which is before the February intake, are more expensive because of high demand from international students. Booking three to four months in advance will get you a significantly better price.

Return flights cost roughly double the one-way amount. You do not need to buy a return ticket before leaving but it is worth budgeting for it as you will eventually need to come home.

Budget NPR 1 lakh to NPR 1.5 lakhs for your one-way flight from Kathmandu to your Australian city. Book early to get better prices.

How Much Can You Earn by Working Part Time in Australia?

International students in Australia can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms and unlimited hours during official university holidays.

The minimum wage in Australia is around AUD 24 per hour in 2026. Working 24 hours per week, which is the maximum during term time, you can earn around AUD 2,300 per month before taxes. After tax, you take home roughly AUD 1,800 to AUD 1,900 per month.

During semester holidays, many students work full time and can earn AUD 3,500 to AUD 4,500 per month before taxes. This extra income during breaks can help cover a significant part of your living costs for the following semester.

Most students work in hospitality, retail, delivery, or care work. Getting a Tax File Number, also called a TFN, from the Australian Tax Office is the first step to legally working in Australia. You can apply for it as soon as you arrive.

Part-time work in Australia can earn you roughly AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,000 per month after tax during study terms. This helps cover living costs but will not cover tuition. Do not plan your budget assuming you will earn full-time wages during term.

How Much Do IELTS and PTE Cost in Nepal?

Before applying to an Australian university, you need an English test score. IELTS Academic is the most common test. PTE Academic is also widely accepted and many students find it easier to prepare for.

IELTS Academic costs approximately NPR 30,000 to NPR 36,000 in Nepal. PTE Academic costs approximately NPR 28,000 to NPR 32,000. These fees are paid each time you sit the test.

If you need to retake the test to improve your score, add this cost to your planning budget. Many students spend NPR 10,000 to NPR 20,000 on coaching or preparation courses before taking the exam.

For most Australian universities, you need IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. For scholarships like Australia Awards, you need at least IELTS 6.5. For more details on what English score you need, you can read our guide on is IELTS required for a scholarship in Australia.

Budget NPR 30,000 to NPR 40,000 for your English test including one sitting and basic preparation. If you need to resit, add another NPR 30,000 to your plan.

What Is the Total Budget You Need to Show for an Australian Student Visa?

When applying for a student visa, Australian immigration requires you to show that you have enough money to cover your study. The total amount you need to show in your bank account or loan documents is approximately AUD 60,000 for the first year.

This covers one year of tuition fees which is roughly AUD 25,000 to AUD 40,000 depending on your course, AUD 29,710 in living costs as required by the government, and around AUD 4,000 for travel costs. Some universities also ask for a tuition deposit of AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000 before they issue a Confirmation of Enrollment.

Education loans from A-class banks in Nepal are accepted by Australian immigration. Many Nepali families use a combination of savings and education loans to meet this requirement. Make sure your financial documents are clean, organized, and clearly show the required funds.

Key takeaway: You need to show approximately AUD 60,000 equivalent in your visa financial documents for a standard bachelor’s or master’s application.

Can Scholarships Reduce the Cost of Studying in Australia?

Yes. Several scholarships can significantly reduce or even eliminate the cost of studying in Australia.

The Australia Awards Scholarship is the best option for Nepali students. It is fully funded by the Australian government and covers tuition, living expenses, return flights, and OSHC. Around 19 Nepali students received this scholarship for the 2026 intake. Applications open in February each year.

The Research Training Program scholarship covers full tuition and provides a living stipend of around AUD 32,000 per year for PhD and master’s by research students. This scholarship is considered automatically when you apply for a research degree at most Australian universities.

University specific scholarships like Macquarie University’s Nepal Scholarship give AUD 10,000 per year to eligible Nepali students, which reduces tuition by around 25 percent. Many other universities offer merit scholarships of 10 percent to 50 percent tuition reduction for high achieving international students.

The Destination Australia scholarship gives up to AUD 15,000 to AUD 22,500 per year to students who study at regional universities. This is one of the easier scholarships to qualify for compared to Australia Awards.

For a complete breakdown of scholarship options, you can read our guide on can I get a 100% scholarship in Australia.

Strong academic results and early applications significantly improve your chances of getting partial or full scholarship support to reduce your total cost of studying in Australia.

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Studying in Australia

There are several practical ways to reduce how much you spend while studying in Australia.

Choose a regional university or a university outside Sydney and Melbourne. Tuition is often lower and living costs are significantly cheaper. You also get extra post-study work visa time as a bonus.

Share accommodation with other students. Living in a shared house with two or three other students can reduce your rent from AUD 1,200 per month to AUD 600 to AUD 800 per month. This alone saves AUD 4,800 to AUD 7,200 per year.

Cook your own food instead of eating out. Grocery shopping in Australia is manageable and cooking at home can reduce your food costs from AUD 800 to AUD 1,000 per month down to AUD 300 to AUD 500 per month.

Use student discount cards and public transport concessions. Most Australian states offer transport concession cards for students which reduce commuting costs by 30 to 50 percent.

Apply for scholarships early and apply to more than one. Many scholarships close 6 to 12 months before the intake, so start researching before you even apply to a university.

Work consistently during semester and increase your hours during holidays. This will not cover tuition but it will reduce how much you need to draw from savings or loan for living costs.

Choosing the right city, sharing accommodation, and cooking at home can save you AUD 8,000 to AUD 12,000 per year without changing your study plan.

Final Thoughts

Studying in Australia is expensive but it is a manageable cost with the right planning. The total annual cost of AUD 40,000 to AUD 70,000 is a significant investment but it comes with world class education, part time work rights, and up to 4 to 6 years of post-study work visa after graduation.

The key to managing the cost is to start planning early. Research universities, compare tuition fees across different cities, apply for scholarships before the deadlines, and prepare your financial documents carefully for your visa application.

If you pick the right university, live smartly, work part time, and qualify for even a partial scholarship, the actual amount you spend out of pocket can be significantly lower than the maximum estimate.

For more help planning your study in Australia, you can also read our guides on which university in Australia has a 100% acceptance rate.

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Last updated: May 4, 2026