For my Bachelor’s in Australia, I got a full tuition scholarship. Will I still have to demonstrate living expenses for the visa application?
Even if you have a full tuition scholarship, for a subclass 500 student visa in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs still requires proof that you can cover your living expenses while studying in the country.
The Australian government currently estimates AU$21,041 per year (as of 2025) for living costs for a single student. This is separate from tuition fees, so your scholarship covers only what it specifies—usually tuition—and doesn’t automatically cover living costs unless explicitly stated. You can demonstrate funds through:
-
Personal savings or family funds
-
A combination of your scholarship and additional funds
-
Education loans
-
Sponsorship letters
So, even with a full tuition scholarship, you’ll need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses for visa purposes.