EducationPro - Budget Planning Workbook
Last updated: March 2, 2026 (Australia/Perth)

Goal
- Build a realistic 12-month student budget that is visa-ready and operationally safe.

1) Build your budget in 3 buckets

A. One-time pre-departure costs
- Visa application and related compliance fees
- Medical/police checks (if required)
- English test/application/admin fees
- Flight and initial setup costs (luggage, essentials)

B. Tuition and institution costs
- Annual tuition and any enrolment/deposit requirements
- Student services/amenities fees (if applicable)
- Materials/equipment depending on programme

C. Monthly living costs
- Accommodation (rent + bond + utilities)
- Food and transport
- Phone/internet
- Personal and contingency spending
- Health cover/insurance contributions

2) Required safety buffer
- Keep an emergency reserve of at least 2-3 months of fixed living costs.
- Keep first-month setup funds separate from tuition funds.

3) Simple budget formula
Total first-year requirement =
(One-time pre-departure) + (Tuition and mandatory fees) + (12 x monthly living costs) + (Emergency reserve)

4) Payment control checklist
- Track due dates for tuition instalments and rent.
- Keep receipts for major payments.
- Recheck exchange rates before large transfers.
- Use official fee portals only.

5) Destination-specific compliance reminders
Australia
- OSHC is generally required for the relevant stay period for Student visa holders.

UK
- Student visa fee and immigration health surcharge apply per current UK rules.

Canada
- Study permit and related fee structure should be confirmed on IRCC fee pages.

USA
- Student visa applicants should account for both visa process costs and SEVIS I-901 fee.

Malaysia
- Student pass related process/fees should be checked through EMGS and institution instructions.

South Korea
- Verify visa fees and insurance/health obligations through official Korean portals and mission guidance.

6) Budget quality checks before finalizing
- Tuition and living assumptions are dated and source-linked.
- All mandatory fees are included (not only tuition).
- Buffer is funded and not double-counted.
- A monthly cashflow plan exists (income vs outgoing).

Official references used
- Australia Student visa length of stay / OSHC context:
  https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/length-of-stay
- UK Student visa guidance (includes cost references):
  https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
- Canada student work and process context (IRCC):
  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/while-you-study.html
- USA Student visa overview:
  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
- SEVIS I-901 fee portal:
  https://www.fmjfee.com/
- Malaysia EMGS portal:
  https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/
- Korea Visa Portal:
  https://www.visa.go.kr/

Internal note
- This workbook is planning guidance only. Final amounts and requirements must be verified from official sources and your institution.