Study in Australia from Nepal, Complete 2026 Guide

You need to show at least AUD 24,505 (approximately NPR 21 lakh) in genuine savings for the first year of living costs, plus your first-year tuition fees if they are not already paid, plus AUD 8,755 for each dependant you bring. The funds must be held for at least 3 consecutive months before you apply, and should sit in your own account or a close family member's account. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, fixed deposit certificates, an approved education loan letter, and scholarship letters. Because Nepal is Assessment Level 3, showing more than the minimum, plus a steady source of income, significantly strengthens your application.

Yes, your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can accompany you on dependant visas linked to your Subclass 500, and your spouse gets work rights while you are enrolled full-time in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme. However, the financial requirement increases significantly: you must demonstrate an additional AUD 7,362 per year for your spouse and AUD 3,152 per year per child, on top of your own AUD 24,505 living costs and tuition. Children can attend Australian schools, though some states charge international school fees. Check the current dependant figures on the DHA website at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, as these amounts are updated annually.

For Assessment Level 3 applicants, which includes Nepal, expect 4 to 8 weeks after submitting a complete Subclass 500 application through ImmiAccount. Applications that need a health check or further document checks can add 1 to 2 weeks, and peak-season lodgements (November to January for Semester 1, March to April for Semester 2) often take longer. Biometrics are collected at VFS Global in Kathmandu after you submit. To be safe, apply as soon as you receive your Confirmation of Enrolment and aim to lodge at least 3 months before your course start date, so you have buffer time for any requests for additional information.

If your visa is refused, you receive a written decision letter explaining the reasons, which you should read carefully before acting. The common refusal reasons for Nepali applicants are insufficient or unexplained financial evidence, a weak or generic Genuine Student (GS) statement, failing to declare a previous visa refusal, and a mismatch between your stated career goals and the course chosen. If you are onshore, you can request a Merits Review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within 21 days. If you are offshore in Nepal, you generally cannot appeal but can reapply with stronger documentation that directly addresses each refusal reason. Always disclose the prior refusal in any new application.

The MoEST (Ministry of Education, Science and Technology) No Objection Certificate is required from the Nepal side before you remit tuition or living expenses abroad, and before departing Nepal. You apply fully online at noc.moest.gov.np; no office visit is needed, and approval normally takes 2 to 3 working days. You should obtain the NOC after receiving your offer letter and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your Australian university. Government employees or those on scholarships may also need study leave approval from their department. The NOC, together with NRB forex approval, allows your Nepali bank to wire funds legally to your Australian institution. Keep a copy of your NOC when you travel.