Planning your study trip to Australia

So you’ve found the perfect English course in Australia and received a letter of offer from the education provider…what next?

Well there’s a couple of boxes that need to be ticked in terms of planning and paperwork. So let’s look at what you need to consider when it comes to planning your study trip to Australia.

Accommodation

Accommodation costs represent one of the biggest expenses you will have in Australia other than the course fees and flights.

That’s why it pays to start looking at your options early.

When it comes to accommodation, there are a range of choices available, including:

Short term accommodation - Such as a hotel, AirBnB or short-stay rental.

Private rentals - Which involves entering into a rental agreement with a real estate agency or landlord, paying a bond, and committing to the payment of weekly rent for a set period. This might also involve shared accommodation, where you share the rental with others.

Student accommodation - Which is usually located near an education institution and is purpose designed for students. It can be managed privately or by your education provider, and utilities and internet are often included in the weekly rental fee.

Homestay - Where you live with a local family in their home for a fee.

The option that suits you best will likely depend on your circumstances, the length of your stay, your budget, and more.

Visa

Every overseas English student looking to study in Australia will require a visa in order to enter and stay in the country.

The type of visa you need depends on the main reason for your visit. Reasons can include: study, a working holiday, to accompany a minor student, tourism, or workplace training.

It’s important to note the different visa types have different conditions when it comes to how much you can study and work while you’re here.

You can learn more about the various visa types that allow you to study in Australia here.

Expenses

There are day-to-day costs associated with being a student in Australia, ranging from accommodation to transport, food, entertainment, and tourism.

It’s important to factor these in and budget for them from the outset. In fact, it’s a condition of most Australian visas that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.

In 2025, the minimum required funds for a single student applying for a Student Visa was AU$29,710, while Working Holiday Visa holders needed about AU$5000 to cover their stay, plus the fare for leaving the country.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government has a handy cost of living calculator to help you determine the costs associated with studying in different locations in Australia here.

Working in Australia

Visas have very strict conditions about whether you can work in Australia and also the maximum amount of work you can undertake.

If you’re looking to get a job in Australia while studying, make sure you are upholding the conditions of your visa.

For example, a Student Visa allows you to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, but you can work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.

Health insurance

As part of your visa conditions, you will require health insurance. Known as Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC), this insurance helps cover any medical expenses you might incur during your time in Australia.

There are a range of different OSHC insurers and they provide different types of plans., however the Australian Government notes the compulsory minimum OSHC plan typically covers:

• visits to the doctor (GP)
• some hospital treatments
• ambulance, and
• limited pharmaceuticals (medicines)

You can learn more about the Australian Government’s requirement for health insurance here.

A little planning goes a long way

As with any adventure, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to studying in Australia. By understanding what you need to organise in advance of your arrival, you can arrive feeling confident, excited and ready to make the most of your study experience.

Looking to find the ideal course to suit your needs? You can use our handy search tool here.