Study in Australia vs Finland: student visa compared
A side-by-side look at the student-visa requirements for Australia and Finland— the funds you must show, living costs, fees, processing time and document load. Figures are sourced from each country's official pages and date-verified.
| Factor | Australia | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of funds (per year) | 29,710 AUD | 9,600 EUR |
| Living cost (per month) | 2,476 AUD | 800 EUR |
| Visa fee | 2,000 AUD | 350 EUR |
| Typical processing time | ~6 weeks | ~4 weeks |
| Main intakes | Feb, Jul | Jan, Aug |
| Required documents | 6 | 5 |
Funds are shown in each country's own currency, so “lower” is only marked when currencies match. Always confirm current figures on the official sources below.
Verdict: Australia vs Finland
- Finland needs less money up front — about €9,600/year versus €18,227 for Australia (≈ €8,627 less).
- Finland is typically faster to process (~4 weeks vs ~6 for Australia).
- Finland asks for fewer required documents (5).
Money figures normalised to euros at ECB rates for comparison; official requirements are set in each country's own currency.
Unique to Australia
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Genuine Student (GS) requirement
- Financial capacity
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Health examination
Unique to Finland
- Admission to a Finnish institution
- Income requirement
- Health insurance
- Tuition fees (non-EU/EEA)
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in Australia or Finland?
By proof of funds, Finland is cheaper — €9,600/year versus €18,227 (compared at ECB rates, 2026-06-20). Tuition and living costs vary too — see each country's full guide.
Which student visa is faster, Australia or Finland?
Finland typically processes faster (~4 weeks vs ~6). Embassy appointment availability is often the real bottleneck in both.
Should I study in Australia or Finland?
It depends on your budget, course and goals. Finland needs less money up front — about €9,600/year versus €18,227 for Australia (≈ €8,627 less). Finland is typically faster to process (~4 weeks vs ~6 for Australia). Finland asks for fewer required documents (5). Use each country's full requirements guide and the eligibility tools to decide.