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If you’re serious about moving to Australia in 2026, stop guessing.
Let’s calculate it properly.
Below is a simple breakdown you can use to estimate your personal relocation budget.
🧮 STEP 1: Choose Your Path
There are two common pathways Nigerians use:
- 🎓 Student Visa (Subclass 500)
- 💼 Skilled Migration
Let’s calculate both.
🎓 OPTION 1: Student Visa Budget (Single Applicant)
📌 Mandatory Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Visa Fee | 2,000 |
| Tuition (1 year average) | 25,000 – 40,000 |
| Living Expenses (required proof) | 29,710 |
| Health Insurance (OSHC) | 600 – 1,000 |
| Flight Ticket | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| English Test + Medicals | 500 – 1,000 |
💰 Estimated Total:
👉 AUD 60,000 – 75,000
In Naira (depending on exchange rate):
👉 Roughly ₦13M – ₦18M+
💼 OPTION 2: Skilled Migration Budget (Single Applicant)
For those not going through school.
📌 Mandatory Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Skills Assessment | 500 – 2,000 |
| English Test | 300 – 400 |
| Visa Fee | 4,000 – 5,000 |
| Medicals + Police | 500 – 800 |
| Flight | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Settlement Fund (3–4 months survival) | 10,000 – 15,000 |
💰 Estimated Total:
👉 AUD 17,000 – 25,000+
In Naira:
👉 Roughly ₦4M – ₦7M+
🏙 Does the City Matter?
Yes. A lot.
Living in Sydney is more expensive than living in Adelaide or Perth.
Rent difference alone can change your monthly budget by thousands.
Choose wisely.
📊 3-Month Survival Budget After Arrival
Even if you get a job quickly, prepare for at least 3 months without stable income.
Monthly Basic Estimate (Shared Accommodation)
- Rent: 1,600 – 2,500 AUD
- Food: 600 – 900 AUD
- Transport: 150 – 250 AUD
- Miscellaneous: 300 – 500 AUD
👉 Monthly Survival: 2,500 – 4,000 AUD
Multiply by 3 months.
That’s why settlement funds are critical.
🚨 The Mistake Nigerians Make
They only calculate:
✔ Visa fee
✔ Flight
And forget:
❌ Bond payment (4 weeks rent upfront)
❌ Household setup
❌ Delays in job search
❌ Emergency buffer
That’s how panic starts.
🎯 Smart Planning Strategy (What Successful Migrants Do)
Instead of trying to raise everything at once:
- Pay for English test first.
- Save gradually for skills assessment.
- Spread payments across months.
- Build consistent bank history.
- Avoid last-minute large deposits.
Immigration looks at patterns — not miracles.
💡 Final Advice for 2026 Movers
Australia is not cheap.
But it is structured.
If you plan for:
✔ Visa
✔ Tuition (if student)
✔ Living proof
✔ 3-month buffer
You reduce stress by 70%.
The real question is not:
“Can I afford it?”
The real question is:
“Am I planning it properly?”
