For many Sri Lankan families, sending a child to Australia for higher education is one of the biggest financial commitments they will make.

The cost goes well beyond the first university payment. Tuition fees, living expenses and other costs associated with studying and living overseas all need to be considered before a student begins the application process.

Kolitha Fernando, Managing Director of Jeewa Education, says financial planning has become particularly important as Australian student visa applications face greater scrutiny.

Rather than waiting until the visa stage to think about money, families should have a realistic understanding of how the student’s education and living costs will be supported throughout the study period.

Parents will generally be the most straightforward sponsors for a student. However, Fernando said sponsorship may also come from another person where there is a genuine basis for that financial support.

In such cases, simply showing that funds are available may not be sufficient.

The relationship between the student and sponsor, the nature of the financial support being offered and the sponsor’s ability to provide those funds should be clearly demonstrated through appropriate documentation.

This is where families need to be particularly careful.

A sponsor should be prepared to provide the relevant financial documents required by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, with the information presented being truthful, complete and credible.

For parents, this means having an open conversation about finances before committing to an Australian education pathway.

How much will tuition cost? What will the student need for accommodation and day-to-day living? Who will provide the funds, and can that financial support be properly documented?

These questions should be answered at the beginning of the process rather than after an application has already been submitted.

Fernando also cautioned against assuming that the same financial documentation will work for every student. Each family’s circumstances are different, and the evidence required should reflect the genuine financial position of the applicant and sponsor.

Working with an experienced counsellor can therefore help families understand what documentation may be required and develop a financial plan that suits their individual circumstances.

For students, studying in Australia is an investment in their future. For parents, however, it should also be a decision supported by careful financial preparation, transparent documentation and a realistic understanding of the costs involved.

The strongest application is not simply one that shows money in an account. It is one that clearly and credibly explains how a student’s education will be funded.

Kolitha Fernando
Managing Director – Jeewa Education 076 855 9993 | 077 844 9993 | 076 555 9993