A Bachelor of Nursing in Australia is a 3-year program, which makes the annual tuition figure only part of the picture — visa costs, mandatory health cover, and living expenses in Australia's major cities add up quickly. This guide breaks down tuition by state, mandatory extra costs, and a realistic total for the full 3-year degree.
Bachelor of Nursing Tuition by State
| State | Approximate Annual Tuition (International Students) |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Roughly AUD 38,000–46,000 |
| Victoria | Roughly AUD 36,000–45,000 |
| National range (all states) | Roughly AUD 32,000–46,000 |
| Full 3-year program (tuition only) | Roughly AUD 84,000–114,000 |
Treat these as approximate, current ranges — Australian universities set and adjust international tuition annually, and figures vary by institution within each state. Confirm current fees directly with your target university before applying.
Mandatory Additional Costs
| Cost | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — mandatory for the full visa duration | Roughly AUD 500–700 per year |
| Student visa (subclass 500) application fee | Approximately AUD 2,500 for the primary applicant (concessions apply in some categories) |
| Clinical placement-related costs | Uniforms, background checks, immunisation requirements |
Confirm the current subclass 500 visa fee directly on the Department of Home Affairs website, as visa fees are reviewed and adjusted periodically.
Living Costs
| Category | Approximate Figure |
|---|---|
| Department of Home Affairs minimum living-cost requirement (per year, for visa purposes) | Approximately AUD 29,710 (roughly AUD 2,475/month) — this is a government-set minimum, not a comfortable budget |
| Non-accommodation living costs (food, transport, utilities) | Roughly AUD 800–1,500 per month, depending on location |
| Regional cities (e.g. Adelaide, campuses outside major metros) | Generally the most affordable option, sometimes starting around AUD 1,200/month total |
Sydney and Melbourne sit toward the higher end of Australian living costs; regional campuses can meaningfully reduce your total spend without necessarily reducing tuition, since many regional campuses are branches of the same universities.
Total 3-Year Bachelor of Nursing Cost — Rough Scenarios
| Scenario | Tuition (3 years) | Living + OSHC (3 years) | Approximate Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional campus, lower-cost living | ~AUD 96,000–120,000 | ~AUD 70,000–90,000 | ~AUD 170,000–210,000 |
| Major-city campus, moderate living | ~AUD 114,000–138,000 | ~AUD 90,000–110,000 | ~AUD 210,000–250,000 |
| Major-city campus, higher living costs | ~AUD 114,000–138,000 | ~AUD 110,000–130,000+ | ~AUD 230,000–270,000+ |
These are illustrative scenarios, not predictions — the actual total depends heavily on the specific university, state, and city. Always request each university's official estimated cost of attendance for international students, and check the current Department of Home Affairs financial requirement before finalising a budget.
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