Fees and Expenses
- Schedule of payments due to Charles Darwin University prior to arrival
- Statutory expenses
- General expenses
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Students supporting dependents
- Employment options
- Weekly expense guide
- 2008 international course list (.pdf)
- CDU refund policy (.pdf)
- CDU WA (AAHM) refund policy (.pdf)
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Schedule of payments due to Charles Darwin University prior to arrival
- One semester's fees must be paid to Charles Darwin University. Refer to course fee list (.pdf) for exact costs (Tuition fees include course application fees and student amenities fee)
- Compulsory visa length overseas health cover (Provider: Worldcare - view 2008 fees)
- If staying at North Flinders International House:
- Security deposit (refundable): $300.00
- Application fee: $33.00
- Where payment is made directly into the university's bank account, the bank deducts a fee, currently AUD $19
Statutory expenses
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires evidence that applicants for a student visa have sufficient funds to complete their studies. Expenses to be considered include visa fees, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), tuition fees, general living expenses and return airfares.
For further information, please visit the DIAC website.
The Expense Guide in this section provides a guideline of weekly expenses.
General expenses
A single student will need approximately AUD$12,000 - $14,000 per year to live comfortably in Darwin. Please be advised airfares, visa costs, overseas student health cover (OSHC) and tuition fees will be additional. A married student will need a further AUD$5000 per year for a spouse and approximately AUD$3000 per year per child. In addition, it is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 18 to attend school and pay school tuition fees of up to AUD$9500 per year. Childcare costs of up to AUD$45 per day may also need to be considered.
For further information, please refer to the DIAC website.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory requirement for a student visa. OSHC Worldcare is the preferred OSHC provider for Charles Darwin University.
The University requires students to pay full OSHC Worldcare costs for the duration of the course in one initial payment. The benefits are:
- OSHC discounts are available to students who purchase OSHC for longer than 12 months
- Students pay OSHC premiums directly to the University at the time of accepting an offer
- Students are protected from any increase in annual OSHC rates
- Students have the security of continuous OSHC for the duration of the course.
OSHC Worldcare 2008 fees
| Months | Single premium (AUD$) | Family premium (AUD$) |
| 12 | AUD$370 | AUD$740 |
| 18 | AUD$528 | AUD$1056 |
| 24 | AUD$705 | AUD$1410 |
| 36 | AUD$1058 | AUD$2117 |
For further information, please refer to Worldcare’s website.
Students supporting dependents
A student bringing a spouse and/or children to Australia will need to have enough money to support them before the Australian Government will issue a visa. As a condition of the dependant visa it is a requirement that all dependent children between the ages of 5 and 18 must attend school full-time.
| School Fees 2006 | Age | Fee (AUD$) |
| Primary school | Ages 5 to 12 | AUD$7500 |
| Junior secondary school | Ages 13 to 15 | AUD$9000 |
| Senior secondary school | Ages 16 to 18 | AUD$1000 |
The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET), International Services Branch is responsible for processing all applications from prospective international students to study in Northern Territory Government Schools. On completion and return of the Application Form to the International Services Branch an appropriate school will be identified and, if the application is accepted, you will be issued with an Offer Letter.
For further information, please visit the DEET website.
Employment options
To be eligible to work in Australia, International students must apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) after the commencement of their studies. International students on a student visa are entitled to work part time up to 20 hours per week and full time during semester breaks. The Northern Territory has strong hospitality and retail sectors where part time employment opportunities are available.
Weekly expense guide
| Accommodation Initial Costs | Private / Off Campus** (AUD$) | On Campus (AUD$) |
| Rental Accommodation Bond | x 4 weeks rent 320 - 640 |
x 2 weeks rent 290 - 360 |
| Rent in Advanced - 2 weeks | 160 - 320 | 290-360 |
| Electricity / gas / phone connection | 120 | - |
| Total | 600-1080 | 580 - 720 |
| Estimated Living Expenses (based on single student) | Private / Off Campus** AUD$ weekly |
On Campus AUD$ weekly |
| Rent per week | 80 - 160 Based on shared accommodation |
145 - 180 |
| Additional House Expenses (Gas, electricity, water) | 20 | - |
| Phone (Includes mobile and modem) | 20 | 20 |
| Food and Groceries | 60 | 60 |
| Public Transport | 15 | 15 |
| Personal (Clothes, health, etc) | 10 | 10 |
| Recreation / Entertainment | 20 | 20 |
| Photocopying / printing / stationery / *** | 10 | 10 |
| Estimated weekly living costs (including rent) | 235 - 335* | 280 - 315* |
*Tuition, Visa Costs, OSHC and airfares will be additional. Please also remember if you are bringing a spouse or family then weekly rent, food and utilities will increase with additional yearly expenses for services such as child care or school tuition fees. See relevant information in this section.
** Off campus rental accommodation is commonly unfurnished therefore the purchase or rental of furniture and appliances will be an additional expense.
*** Text books can be a considerable cost, which varies depending on the course. This is normally an upfront cost at the beginning of each semester. Second hand books may be available for purchase to help reduce this expense.
