Australian Government

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Student Visa

Living Costs and Evidence of Funds

The Migration Regulations require international students to show evidence of funds to contribute to the
cost of living and studying in Australia. This helps to ensure students are better able to make the most
of their studies and have a safe and enjoyable experience in Australia.
From 1 January 2010, living costs for the assessment of a student visa increased to:
$18 000 per year for the main student
$6300 per year for the students partner
$3600 per year for the students first child
$2700 per year for every other child; and where required

Plus
Students must also show that the funds they are relying upon to meet the costs of
studying in Australia will be genuinely available to them during their stay in Australia.
What must students do to show that the funds are genuinely available?
Case Officers will consider a Student visa applicants circumstances to determine if the student
genuinely holds the funds to which they claim to have access. This includes checking:

a prospective students previous financial and immigration history

the employment history of the student or the person providing the student with financial
support
the source of the income used (for example, cash assets or a bank loan).
Where there is doubt about the students ability to access these funds in Australia, the student may be
asked to provide further information in support of their application. For example:

bank loans may need to have been deposited into a bank account to which they have
unrestricted access, and that they have the financial capacity to service the loan
provide evidence that the person sponsoring the student is giving you complete access to
the funds for your study in Australia. (see attached statement of support)

Frequently asked questions

Where can the money come from?
The money a student must have access to as part of their visa application can come from a number of
acceptable sources of income. Students do not need to solely rely on funds held in bank accounts or
money deposits with financial institutions, such as an education loan from an acceptable financial
institution.
Note: Non-cash assets such as property and shares are not acceptable sources of income, but may be
liquidated or used as collateral on a loan, if provided by an acceptable source.

Can I use my parents business accounts?

No. You cannot use Business Accounts as evidence of funds even if your parents are the only
shareholders. The accounts must be held by individual people.

Do Student visa holders have to meet the new living costs amount for a 2nd
application?
Yes. All students must declare that they can meet the financial requirements for the remainder of their
stay in Australia. However, a savings history (holding the money in an account for 3 or 6 months) is
not required where a student has completed 75 per cent of their course and is just finishing that course.

What if I have paid my school fees?

Attach a copy of the receipts for all school fee payments with your bank statements to your application.
School fee payments are deducted from the total amount you will need to show.

What if I am working, can this be included?

No. Any money you will earn in the future cannot be included in your funds.

For more information on Student visas See:

http://www.immi.gov.au/students/
NSW Student Centre February 2010

Australian Government
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

STUDENT VISA FINANCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT

Please read the following information carefully before you sign
Applicant's full name: .
Applicant's date of birth: ..
I, (Sponsors full name) ..............................................................................................................
hereby state that the Applicant is my ... [type of relationship]
and I have provided a certified copy of the evidence of this relationship.
I guarantee to the Australian Government that I will provide a level of financial support to the amount of :

$Australian Dollars.
I acknowledge that the Applicant will have full access to these funds to pay for their course fees, educational,
maintenance and other expenses incurred by the Applicant in Australia and the cost of the Applicant's travel to
and from Australia.
I enclose certified copies of evidence of money deposits with a financial institution totalling the amount of my
financial support.
I declare also that my regular income is sufficient to accumulate the level of funding that I am providing to the
Applicant.
My signature is verified by a copy of my passport bio-data page, or appropriate photo identification.
I acknowledge that I am aware that Australian law (s234, Migration Act 1958) provides a penalty of up to 10
years' imprisonment for the presentation of forged or false documentation, or the making of a false or misleading
statement to an officer exercising powers under the Migration Act.
I acknowledge that, if documents presented with my financial support are found to be counterfeit, fraudulently
altered or improperly obtained, this can be taken into account as a relevant consideration by Australian
authorities when considering a future visa application by me, and/or members of my immediate family.

Guarantor's Signature ..............................................................................Date ..

NSW Student Centre February 2010