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Educational Visa Sponsor
Hello everyone! I hope you’re all doing well! My cousin from the Philippines has recently received an exciting scholarship offer from the University of Canberra (UC). To move forward with applying for his Student Visa, he has been informed that he requires his Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and must successfully complete the IELTS exam.
He has passed the IELTS test, and I’ve also covered his acceptance fee, so he is now in the process of securing his visa for studying in Australia.
My main concern revolves around the financial requirements, specifically the “show money” aspect. As a sponsor, I understand we need to demonstrate financial stability by having funds available in our bank account to support his living expenses while studying in Australia. I’ve been researching the exact amount required, but I’ve come across various figures, and I’m hoping someone with similar experience can provide clarity.
Currently, I have a stable job with sufficient income to support him, but I only have $20,000 available to show as financial proof. I’m aware that many sources suggest needing between $70,000 to $100,000, which is quite daunting. I’m worried that my available funds might not meet the requirements. Does anyone know if a specific amount is required for the show money?
Additionally, my cousin’s partner, with whom he’s been in a relationship for six years (though they are not married), plans to be included as a dependent on his student visa application. Will this significantly increase the financial obligation? I would appreciate any insights on this situation!
Furthermore, could anyone share what specific documentation is usually required to prove financial stability when applying for an Australian Student Visa?
Any guidance or experiences shared would be immensely helpful!
Thank you so much! 😊
(Also, please excuse me if I’ve used the wrong visa subclass terminology; I’m not entirely sure about that aspect.)
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3 Replies
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Hi Megan,
It’s great that your cousin has received a scholarship from the University of Canberra. Kudos to you for helping support his journey! You’re absolutely right that financial capacity is a key requirement for an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500).
Financial Requirements (“Show Money”)
For a Student Visa, the Department of Home Affairs requires proof that the student and any dependents can support themselves while in Australia. As of the most recent guidelines:
- The minimum amount required for living costs is $24,505 per year for a single student.
- If your cousin’s partner is applying as a dependent, an additional $8,574 per year is required.
- If tuition fees are not fully covered by the scholarship, evidence of additional funds for tuition will be needed.
- Travel costs should also be considered—typically $2,500 for applicants from the Philippines.
Since financial capacity can be demonstrated in different ways, you do not necessarily need $70,000–$100,000 in cash. Instead, you can provide proof through:
- Personal or Sponsor’s Bank Statements – Showing sufficient available funds.
- Income Evidence – Payslips, tax returns, or employment contracts proving a stable income of at least $72,465 per year (or $84,543 if including a dependent).
- Scholarship Confirmation – If the scholarship covers tuition and living expenses, this can reduce the financial requirement.
Including a Partner as a Dependent
Your cousin’s partner can be added to the student visa application as a dependent, but they will need to prove their relationship is genuine and ongoing. If they are not married, they must provide de facto evidence, such as:
- Joint bank statements
- Shared rental agreements
- Photos, messages, or travel history together
- Statutory declarations from friends/family confirming their relationship
Since adding a dependent increases the financial requirement, you must show additional funds or proof of income to cover both of them.
Supporting Documents for Financial Proof
- Bank statements (last 3–6 months)
- Employment letter with salary details
- Payslips & tax returns (if using income proof)
- Letter of financial support (if a sponsor is providing funds)
- Scholarship confirmation letter (if applicable)
Next Steps
- Calculate whether your available funds and/or annual income meet the requirements.
- If your funds are insufficient, consider including additional sponsors (such as parents or other relatives) or showing proof of regular income.
- Gather relationship evidence if the partner is applying as a dependent.
I recommend checking the latest financial requirements on the official Home Affairs website: http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further clarification. 😊
Regards
Mark
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Immigration and citizenship Website
Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.
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how i can
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Please start your own forum post here Farhan. https://ozvisaforum.com/post-new-topic/
Please also include a little more information as it’s not clear what your question relates to – thank you
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