Financial Planning for Your Australian Education
Studying abroad means making big financial decisions. You're probably thinking about visa costs, living expenses, and how to manage money in a new country.
We help international students plan realistic budgets and understand financial scenarios. Because knowing what to expect makes everything easier.
Our scenario modeling tools let you test different situations before you arrive. What if rent costs more than expected? How much do groceries really cost in Sydney? These questions matter when you're planning from thousands of kilometers away.
Talk to Us About Your Plans
Understanding Student Visa Financial Requirements
Living Cost Evidence
You need to show you can afford AUD 24,505 per year for living expenses. That's the baseline number, but most students find they need more in cities like Melbourne or Sydney. Our tools help you model realistic scenarios based on where you'll actually live.
Tuition Coverage
Your visa application requires proof you can pay for your course. But tuition is just the start. What about textbooks? Lab fees? Field trips? We help you map out the full picture so there aren't surprises later.
Work Hour Limitations
Students can work 48 hours per fortnight during term. That income helps, but you can't rely on it to cover everything. We'll show you scenarios with and without part-time work so you can plan conservatively.
Health Insurance Mandates
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) isn't optional. It costs between AUD 450-600 annually depending on your provider. And it doesn't cover everything dental and optical usually aren't included. Worth factoring into your real budget.
The Department of Home Affairs updates financial requirements regularly. We track these changes so your scenarios reflect current expectations. No guesswork involved.
Support Areas We Focus On
Financial planning isn't just about having enough money. It's about understanding how different choices affect your budget and your study experience.
Accommodation Scenarios
On-campus, share house, or private rental? Each option changes your weekly budget significantly. We model different housing situations so you can compare costs realistically. Strathfield South and surrounding suburbs offer varied options worth exploring.
Transport Planning
Living close to campus costs more but saves on transport. Living further out means cheaper rent but daily travel expenses. Our scenarios include Opal card costs, walking times, and the actual trade-offs involved in location decisions.
Food & Daily Expenses
Cooking at home versus eating out makes a huge difference. So does shopping at different supermarkets. We break down typical weekly food costs and show you where students actually spend their money in practice.
Course Material Costs
Some courses require expensive software subscriptions or specialized equipment. Others just need library access. We help you understand what your specific program typically requires beyond tuition fees.
Currency Fluctuations
Exchange rates move around. What looked affordable when you applied might cost more by the time you arrive. Our modeling includes currency scenarios so you can see how rate changes affect your total expenses.
Emergency Buffers
What if your laptop breaks? What if you need to fly home unexpectedly? Building buffer funds into your plan isn't pessimistic. It's realistic. We help you figure out appropriate emergency reserves based on your situation.
Programs typically start in February or July 2026, giving you time to plan thoroughly. Rushing financial decisions usually leads to stress later.
Meet Your Planning Advisors
Our team knows both financial modeling and the actual experience of studying in Australia. They've helped hundreds of international students think through scenarios before making big decisions.
Siobhan Rafferty
Student Finance Specialist
Siobhan worked in university administration for six years before joining us. She knows exactly what documentation you need and which financial scenarios immigration officers actually look for in visa applications.
Amara Kovačević
Budget Modeling Lead
Amara came to Australia as an international student herself in 2018. She understands the real costs because she lived them. Her scenario models include details other advisors miss things like quarterly utility bills and annual insurance premiums.
Linnea Sørensen
Accommodation Planning
Linnea tracks rental markets across Sydney and helps students understand true housing costs. Bond payments, connection fees, furniture deposits. She makes sure your accommodation scenarios include everything, not just the weekly rent figure.
Reach us at 30 Gould St, Strathfield South NSW 2136, call +61419204968, or email info@velorastin.org. We typically respond within one business day and can schedule consultations for times that work across different time zones.