Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Nepali students pursuing higher education abroad. Every year thousands of students apply for an Australia student visa (Subclass 500) to study in universities and colleges across the country.
However, due to strict visa policies and documentation requirements, some students unfortunately face visa refusals.
One of the biggest concerns for students and parents is how much money will be lost if the visa is rejected.
We will explain the possible expenses Nepali students may incur before visa decision and what amount might be non-refundable.
Before submitting a visa application, students usually spend money on several stages of the process.
These expenses include:
English language tests
Application processing
Medical examinations
Visa fees
University tuition deposits
Some of these costs are non-refundable, while others may be partially refunded depending on university policies.
Most Australian universities require proof of English proficiency.
Common tests include:
IELTS
PTE Academic
TOEFL
Approximately NPR 25,000 – 35,000
This fee is non-refundable, regardless of visa outcome.
After receiving an offer letter, students are usually required to pay a tuition fee deposit before receiving the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Most universities refund the tuition deposit if the visa is refused, but:
Administrative charges may be deducted.
Refund processing may take several weeks.
Students must provide official visa refusal documentation to claim the refund.
International students must purchase health insurance before applying for the visa.
If the visa is refused, OSHC is usually refundable, though small administrative charges may apply.
Australia requires medical tests from approved clinics.
Approximately NPR 8,000 – 12,000
This fee is non-refundable.
The visa application fee is one of the largest expenses.
Approximately AUD 2,000 (may change depending on immigration policies).
This fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
This means students may lose approximately 5 to 7 lakhs depending on the situation.
However, tuition deposits and OSHC are often refunded, subject to university policies.
