Studying in Australia in 2027: Requirements, Costs and Visas
Explore admission requirements, costs, the subclass 500 student visa and a practical preparation timeline for Vietnamese students planning to study in Australia in 2027.
Owen & Co. Advisory Team · 6 min read
Published 01/11/2026
Drafted with AI assistance and edited by the Owen & Co. team.
Photo: Caleb/Unsplash.
Studying in Australia is a big decision for a family. You may be comparing schools while also wondering how much English you need, what the visa involves and whether the budget will stretch far enough.
You do not need to solve everything at once. Start with a course that fits your background, then work through the costs and application requirements together. That gives you a stronger plan for a 2027 intake.
Find a course that fits your starting point
Australia has no single GPA requirement for every institution. Your qualifications, prerequisite subjects and chosen program all matter. These are some common starting options:
| Your starting point | Options to explore |
|---|---|
| Still at secondary school | Secondary study in Australia or an eligible preparatory pathway |
| Completed secondary school | Direct bachelor’s entry, foundation or a diploma pathway |
| Completed a university degree | Postgraduate study suited to your background and goals |
| Already working | Study that develops skills or supports a career change |
If you need English, foundation or diploma study first, include the extra tuition and living costs. A lower entry requirement does not necessarily make the overall route cheaper.
Check English for both admission and the visa
The score accepted by a school may differ from the score needed for a visa. The official guidance describes IELTS Academic 6.0 or equivalent for Student visa applicants required to provide English evidence under rules introduced on 23 March 2024. Certain eligible ELICOS and foundation or pathway arrangements may use a different threshold, such as IELTS 5.5.
Your institution may require a higher score. Check the rules for your exact course and visa circumstances before deciding which test result is enough.
Make two financial calculations
One calculation is your actual budget for the whole course. The other is the financial evidence required for the visa. They serve different purposes, and the visa threshold may be lower than your real living costs.
Here is an illustrative first-year budget:
| First-year item | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | AUD 35,000 |
| Housing, food, transport and everyday living | AUD 32,000 |
| Subtotal | AUD 67,000 |
| Additional costs | Visa, OSHC, flights, health checks, materials and a contingency |
The AUD 67,000 covers only the two main items in this example. It is not an average or a school quotation. Add visa fees, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), flights, health examinations, materials and a contingency.
The linked guidance cites a living-funds amount of AUD 29,710 for one student over 12 months, announced from 10 May 2024. Recheck the applicable amount for your application. The source also describes a lower visa-fee arrangement for eligible ASEAN citizens, including Vietnamese applicants; use the official fee schedule for your circumstances and submission date.
Deduct scholarship funding only when you understand the award and its conditions. Part-time earnings can help with expenses, but should not be what makes the whole plan affordable.
Prepare a clear student visa application
For the subclass 500 visa, your checklist will generally involve your passport, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), academic records, English evidence where required, financial documents and OSHC. You also need to meet the relevant health and character requirements. Students under 18 need appropriate welfare arrangements.
Follow the official checklist for your case rather than treating a general list as complete.
Explain why the course makes sense for you
The Genuine Student requirement asks about your purpose for studying. The cited guidance requires English responses with a limit of 150 words per response, supported by relevant evidence.
Instead of saying only that Australia has a good education system, explain which skills you need, why the course teaches them well and how you expect to use them. If you have changed fields or taken time away from study, describe that history clearly. Employment letters or other records can help support your explanation.
Financial evidence should also be easy to follow. Explain significant deposits and show whether the funds are genuinely available for your studies.
Choose the school with care from the outset
A government announcement dated 2 October 2026 extends transfer restrictions for students outside the school sector to 12 months of the principal course during a transition period, with exceptions. The announcement also describes a new transfer-related visa arrangement from 1 July 2027, requiring a new visa before starting at a new provider.
Check the official announcement and the rules applying to you. The practical lesson is to choose a suitable course now, rather than rely on changing providers after arrival.
Give yourself a manageable timeline
Use this as a planning framework, rather than a promise about visa processing:
| When | What to work on |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months before enrolment | Review grades, English, budget and career goals |
| 6–9 months before enrolment | Compare courses and apply for admission and scholarships |
| 3–6 months before enrolment | Complete admission conditions, CoE, OSHC and visa preparation |
| After visa grant | Read the conditions, confirm housing and prepare for arrival |
If your preferred intake is close, focus on completing the requirements properly. A later intake can be a better decision than a rushed application with unresolved gaps.
Bring Owen & Co. Education your transcript, English results, budget and preferred intake. We can help you compare realistic options and identify what needs attention first.
Sources and further reading
- owenandcoeducation.com — australia
- Owen & Co. Education
- Australian Department of Home Affairs
- study and living expenses
- Study Australia – financial requirements
- Official fee schedule
- Student visa 500 guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs
- GS request
- Student visa reform announcement
Frequently asked questions
How much should my family budget for Australia in 2027?
Include tuition, living costs, OSHC, visa fees, travel and a contingency. The article's AUD 67,000 example covers tuition and living costs only; build your own figures around the course and location.
Can I study with IELTS 5.5?
Some eligible English and pathway arrangements may be possible. Check both the course and visa requirements; 5.5 is not sufficient for every program or application.
Does a CoE guarantee a Student visa?
No. A CoE confirms enrolment. You still need to meet the visa's other requirements.
How should I explain a gap in study?
Give a clear timeline of what you did, support it with relevant records and explain why returning to study now makes sense for your goals.
How long will the visa take?
Processing varies by application. Published estimates can help with planning, but they do not guarantee when your decision will arrive.
How many hours can I work?
The usual limit described here is 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, with no limit during scheduled breaks. Exceptions exist, so read your own visa conditions.
Can my partner and children accompany me?
The linked official guidance describes an ASEAN exception to restrictions announced on 2 October 2026, with family included in the student's application and the subsequent-entrant mechanism removed. Check the announcement and your family's eligibility before applying.
