Costs and funding opportunities
Planning your finances is an important part of preparing for your international experience.
Most of our virtual global learning programs are cost-free for eligible students, although you will still be required to pay Deakin unit fees through your usual method. See below for available funding.
View grants and funding
The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the Australian Government that involves a scholarship program for study of up to one year, internships or mentorships, and a flexible mobility grants program for both short and longer-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research within the Indo-Pacific region.
Eligible destinations for Deakin students include Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, China, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Please visit our Host Universities page or your program page for current information about funding opportunities. Please note information is updated before each exchange cycle.
Also note, aside from the New Colombo Plan's mobility program grants, there are prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarships available. If you are interested in
The Commonwealth Government offers OS-HELP loans of up to $7,348, or $8,817 for Asian destinations, to students who are about to undertake some of their study overseas on a credit bearing program. You may also be eligible for an additional $1,172 when undertaking Asian language study in preparation for study in Asia. This loan is paid into your nominated bank account by Deakin to cover costs such as airfares, accommodation or program fees.
You can receive a maximum of two OS-HELP loans over your lifetime. The loans must, however, be applied for at least six months apart. Visit the Australian Government website for more information on conditions of the loan, and find out how to apply for an OS-HELP loan.
Australian government subsidies may be offered to students who go to selected universities for a trimester or year long exchange. Destinations and the number of available subsidies change from year to year.
Only students who are Australian citizens or who hold Australian Permanent Resident status are eligible to receive an Australian Government subsidy. All eligible exchange students applying to one of the universities with available scholarships are considered for a subsidy. The subsidies are allocated based on academic merit. Check the program you are interested in for further details on any applicable scholarships.
Some universities or countries offer scholarships and grants to visiting students. Check the program you are interested in for further details on any applicable scholarships.
Students who undertake Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs such as internships, industry-based learning, practicum placement, professional practice, law clinic or community-based volunteering for credit toward their degree may be eligible for bursaries to support their experiences. Further information and application forms can be found on the DUPP WIL webpage.
If you are eligible for Austudy or Youth Allowance and are attending a trimester exchange, faculty-led or Deakin-approved intensive program, your payments will continue while you are overseas. You must have a full-time study load for the year to be eligible for Centrelink payments.
Once you are accepted into a study abroad program, you should make an appointment with Centrelink to discuss your plans. The study abroad team can provide a Centrelink letter confirming your overseas program on request. Please email study-tours@deakin.edu.au for more information.
Students who undertake a trimester at a non-partner university or arrange their own intensive program as a free-moving student are not eligible for Centrelink payments.
Visit Centrelink for more information on Austudy and youth allowance payments.
It may be possible to work part-time while you are studying abroad. We strongly recommend that you don't rely on finding work to support yourself and instead consider income from part-time work as an extra bonus.
Many countries have strict limitations on work entitlements for visiting students. You may have to apply for a work visa and pay an application fee before you are allowed to work. Contact your host country's embassy or consulate for further information on work entitlements.
Personal costs to consider
- Visa application and processing fees.
- Passport application fees.
- Return airfare to your host country.
- Domestic travel within the host country.
- Accommodation.
- Immunisations and medications.
- Text books.
Other costs
Some international programs attract an application fee. These fees are be paid when you apply to process your application.
- Study abroad and exchange – $110. This fee is non-refundable.
- Short-term programs – $55. This fee is non-refundable.
Different programs have different tuition costs. Trimester abroad and faculty-led study programs are run by Deakin or with partner institutions so, tuition costs are included in your regular Deakin semester fees.
Short-term partner programs may or may not be offered at Deakin partner universities and therefore tuition may or may not be included in your program fee. Short-term partner programs that have tuition fees charged by the host institution are listed as 'study abroad' within the program search.
If your international experience is not for credit, such as volunteering or placements, you will not be required to pay tuition fees.