Study in Australia vs the USA: student visa compared
A side-by-side look at the student-visa requirements for Australia and the USA— 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 | the USA |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of funds (per year) | 29,710 AUD | — |
| Living cost (per month) | 2,476 AUD | 1,800 USD |
| Visa fee | 2,000 AUD | 185 USD |
| Typical processing time | ~6 weeks | ~8 weeks |
| Main intakes | Feb, Jul | Jan, Aug |
| Required documents | 6 | 7 |
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 the USA
- Australia publishes a fixed proof-of-funds figure (€18,227/year), while the USA sets it via your admission document.
- Australia is typically faster to process (~6 weeks vs ~8 for the USA).
- Australia asks for fewer required documents (6).
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 the USA
- Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school
- Proof of funds (per your I-20)
- I-901 SEVIS fee
- DS-160 + visa interview
- Health insurance
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Frequently asked questions
Which student visa is faster, Australia or the USA?
Australia typically processes faster (~6 weeks vs ~8). Embassy appointment availability is often the real bottleneck in both.
Should I study in Australia or the USA?
It depends on your budget, course and goals. Australia publishes a fixed proof-of-funds figure (€18,227/year), while the USA sets it via your admission document. Australia is typically faster to process (~6 weeks vs ~8 for the USA). Australia asks for fewer required documents (6). Use each country's full requirements guide and the eligibility tools to decide.