Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485): Fees Breakdown for Nigerians ₦2,620,878
Below is the complete breakdown of Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) fees for Nigerian applicants moving to Australia. Every line item is verified against the official immigration authority schedule — application fee, health surcharge, language test, credential evaluation, and other government fees.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦2,321,878 (~$1,746 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦27,593,202 (~$20,750 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦299,000 (~$225 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦2,620,878 (~$1,971 USD) |
Priced at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rates of a year ago, these fees would have come to about ₦2,720,000: ₦100,000 more than today (CBN rates as of 9 Oct 2026). Every country, then and now.
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 12 October 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦2,620,878 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦2,321,878: Paid to the Australia immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Language test — ₦299,000: IELTS Academic or General, TOEFL, or country-equivalent test. Book your slot in Lagos or Abuja well in advance — popular centres fill 6–8 weeks ahead.
- Proof of funds — ₦27,593,202: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Expert tip
Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485)
The student visa (500) base fee is A$2,500 from 1 July 2026. You must prove access to A$29,710/year for living expenses plus tuition fees (A$20,000–$50,000/year depending on course and university). OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory and costs A$624–$900/year for a single student. The real shock: the post-study work visa (485) now has a base fee of A$5,750 from 1 July 2026. The 485 now gives 18 months–3 years of post-study work rights (down from 4–6), and the age limit dropped from 50 to 35. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time on a student visa. Group of Eight universities carry the most weight for employment, but regional universities can earn you extra PR points.
Where Nigerians settle in Australia
Once your Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) is approved, most Nigerians head to Sydney or Melbourne. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Sydney: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,841,979/month · Lagos–Sydney flights from ~$1,200 · Nigerian community: Large
- Melbourne: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,057,184/month · Lagos–Melbourne flights from ~$1,200 · Nigerian community: Large
- Brisbane: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,186,281/month · Lagos–Brisbane flights from ~$1,250 · Nigerian community: Medium
Life in Sydney
Sydney is Australia's most expensive city — a 1-bed apartment averages about A$3,060/month on Numbeo's blend of city-centre (A$3,616) and outer-area (A$2,504) rents. Nigerian community hubs are in Blacktown, Liverpool, and Parramatta in Western Sydney, where rents drop 20–30% compared to the inner city. There are no direct flights from Lagos — you'll connect through Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Doha (Qatar Airways), with total travel time around 22–25 hours. Sydney has the strongest job market in finance, tech, and healthcare, but your money stretches much further in other cities. Get an Opal card for public transport — weekly caps keep costs around A$50.
10% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Australia as their destination. Average Japa Score: 61/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦500K–₦1M.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) cost for Nigerians moving to Australia?
- Total government fees for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) are ₦2,620,878 (about $1,971). This covers the visa application fee, language test of ₦299,000, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) is 4–8 weeks (student visa), 4–6 months (485 visa). Apply from the Australia High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485)?
- You need to show ₦27,593,202 ($20,750) in savings for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485). This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) + Post-Study Work (485) application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Language test result (IELTS/TEF) required — book early, Lagos and Abuja test slots go fast. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦27,593,202 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Australia.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 12 October 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last reviewed: 8 Oct 2026