Study and Living Costs

Application Fees

Course Fees

Course fees are fixed for the normal duration of a course.

The list of course fees for 2009 are outlined in the Course Information table. These fees apply to students beginning their course in 2009. Fees for students beginning after that date are subject to annual review and may change.

Course tuition fees cover the full cost of tuition but exclude the cost of living (housing and food), medical insurance, textbooks, entertainment, telephone calls, transport, as well as non-compulsory course expenses.

Please click here to download Tuition Fee Terms.

Other Study Costs

Course fees do not cover the cost of buying textbooks. The cost of textbooks varies depending on the course you choose. You should expect to pay up to A$500 a year if you choose to buy a significant number of textbooks. Multiple copies of the main textbooks and reference works for all courses are held in the University Library. If applicable, old text books or used books can be purchased from students who wish to sell their books.

Additional fees for the cost of materials, equipment or other resources necessary to successfully complete a course may also be charged. Some approximate costs include:

Use the FOREXe Currency Convertor to convert any type of Currency to Australian Dollars.

Arts Academy Courses: A$1000 for materials
Behavioural and Social Science Courses: Variable optional field trip costs (accommodation and food)
Information Technology Courses: A$300 (optional computer equipment)
Nursing Courses: A$80 (nurse’s uniform). Variable field work costs (accommodation and food)
Science/Engineering Courses: Variable field work costs (accommodation and food)

Accommodation and Living Costs

Living costs in Ballarat are significantly lower than in the large Australian capital cities. If you are a single student you would normally require approximately A$12,000 a year for living expenses. This covers housing, food, transport, clothing and some modest entertainment. If you are married you would need to add per year approximately A$5,000 for a spouse and A$2,500 for the first child and A$2,000 for additional children if these family members accompany you to Australia. You will also need to allow A$8,000 per year for schooling for each child between 5-18 years of age.

Yearly Average Costs (per person share) Off-Campus	$AUS Per Month	$AUS Per Year
Rent*	300	3600
Bills (gas, electricity, water)	50	600
Phone (home phone)	50	600
Stationery (photocopying etc.)	55	660
Food (cooking at home)	235	2820
Public Transport	50	600
Personal expenses (including entertainment)	150	1800
Clothing	-	500
Textbooks	-	500
Overseas Student Health Cover (single)	-	320
Total per month:	A$890	A$12,000

*Students need to allow approximately A$1000 for setting up costs which includes temporary accommodation fees, rent due in advance, furniture etc.

Clothing

Summers in Ballarat are warm to hot during the day but usually cool down at night. In winter temperatures are usually quite cold. Warm clothes, including a good coat, are necessary. Clothing in Ballarat is relatively inexpensive and it is possible to purchase appropriate warm clothing after your arrival.

Medical Insurance

Under Australian Government legislation, and as a condition of receiving your student visa, you are required to purchase Australian Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your period of stay in Australia.

The University of Ballarat takes out insurance through BUPA (HBA) when it processes the Overseas Health Cover for commencing students. Students who choose to take out Overseas Health Cover with another provider must provide evidence of payment before their eCoE will be issued for their student visa.

The University will issue the necessary visa documentation (Confirmation of Enrolment) to you once the first semester (half year) course tuition fee has been paid and evidence of payment of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) fee has been received. From 1 July 2010 students must obtain OSHC cover for the proposed duration of their Student visa.

In 2010 OSHC fees are:
Single
3 months: A$97
6 months: A$193
12 months: A$385
24 months: A$732

Family
3 months: A$194
6 months: A$386
12 months: A$770
24 months: A$1,464

OSHC provides the following:

Medical Expenses

OSHC provides 85% of the schedule (government-recommended) fee for consultations for private doctors (including specialists) and emergency ambulance transport.

Hospital Costs

OSHC pays all charges for a shared ward and treatment in a public (government) hospital if a doctor appointed by the hospital treats you. If your own doctor treats you and charges more than the scheduled fee, you must pay the difference. If you choose to be treated in a private hospital, OSHC pays up to the schedule fee for treatment and accommodation, but you must pay any extra costs.

Exclusions

OSHC does not pay for pharmaceutical drugs, dentists, physiotherapists, glasses or contact lenses, pregnancy-related services during the first nine months of cover, or pre-existing conditions. Additional coverage for these purposes can be purchased separately through HBA or your chosen health cover provider.

Schooling for Dependent Children

Members of your family who are aged between 5 and 18 years of age, and who will be living in Australia for more than 3 months, will not be granted a visa unless you can provide evidence that they are enrolled in an Australian school and any school fees payable have been paid.

Student Loans

Short-term emergency financial assistance in the form of a student loan may be available through the University’s emergency loans scheme. However, loans are not available to cover the cost of tuition fees.