2026 Edition: Australian Language School Tuition on the Rise; The 198,000 Yen Plan Gains Attention in the Era of Soaring Study Abroad Costs

The Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (JAWHM), a non-profit organization that supports and promotes the working holiday system, has investigated tuition fee trends at language schools in Australia and confirmed a continuous rise in tuition across many schools from 2024 to 2026.

Continuous Tuition Increase from 2024 to 2026: 'Wanting to Study Abroad but It's Expensive' Becomes Reality

In Australia in recent years, language school costs have been soaring year by year against the backdrop of:

- Ongoing inflation
- Rising labor costs
- Surging rent prices
- Recovery in demand from international students
- Increases in student visa-related expenses

Looking at mainstream tuition ranges for General English courses, some cases show an increase of approximately A$50 to A$100 per week in 2026 compared to 2024.

At the 2026 exchange rate, it is not uncommon for language school costs alone to amount to:

- 4 weeks: Around 160,000 to 350,000 yen
- 12 weeks: Around 450,000 to 1,000,000 yen

The reality that 'school fees alone are expensive' is becoming more pronounced.

Furthermore, overall preparation burdens are increasing as other expenses are required, such as:

- Admission fees
- Material fees
- Accommodation costs
- Utilities
- Airfare
- Overseas insurance
- Visa application fees

Increase in Young People Giving Up on Going Abroad Due to Costs

In recent years, coupled with the impact of the weak yen and high prices, an increasing number of consultations indicate sentiments such as, 'I'm interested in a working holiday, but the initial amount required was more than I imagined,' and 'The hurdle to study in Australia is higher than in the past.'

In particular, when arranging a language school, housing, and local support individually, there are many cases where people 'don't know what is necessary' or find that 'the total cost is much higher than expected.'

Given this background, there is a growing need for a system that allows people to confidently take on overseas challenges while minimizing initial costs as much as possible.

The JAWHM '198,000 Yen Plan' Attracting Attention

In response to this situation, JAWHM offers a '198,000 Yen Plan' for Australia.

This plan includes the support necessary before and after departure, such as:

- Language school fees (admission fee, 1 month's tuition, materials fee)
- 1 month in a student dormitory
- Utilities
- Support for finding a share house
- Local job search support
- Visa support
- Flight ticket support
- Overseas insurance support
- 100 hours of online English conversation
- JAWHM's '100 Peace of Mind Supports'

With language school costs alone becoming increasingly expensive, the price setting of 198,000 yen—which bundles 'school + housing + preparation support'—is gathering significant attention from those venturing overseas for the first time.

Not Just 'Cheap', But Designed to Make the First Step Easier

According to JAWHM, this plan is not merely a product of price competition but is designed to 'lower the hurdles of taking on overseas challenges.'

■ The Security of Having the First Residence Decided
A major anxiety for overseas beginners is 'housing immediately after arrival.' Because this plan includes stays in a student dormitory or share house, it offers benefits such as eliminating the need to search for housing upon arrival at the airport, making it easier to start local life immediately, and allowing participants to easily connect with peers on working holidays.

■ 'Easy for English Beginners to Make a Move'
In response to concerns about English proficiency, 100 hours of online English conversation are provided before departure. Furthermore, by packaging language schooling, local support, and job search assistance, the system makes it easy for beginners who 'don't know where to start' to proceed with their preparations.

■ Increasing Use as a 'Trial Working Holiday'
Since this plan can be participated in on a monthly basis, its use is expanding among those whose need is 'to experience living abroad first,' such as for a trial before a long-term working holiday, a first overseas experience, a short vacation for working adults, or a pre-leave of absence experience for students.

'Overseas Experience is Not Just for a Select Few'

Under the belief of 'wanting to reduce the number of young people who give up on going overseas due to cost,' JAWHM emphasizes a support design that makes it easy for beginners to try, rather than focusing solely on price.

In recent years, while more young people are aiming to go abroad for the purposes of improving English skills, gaining international experience, experiencing overseas employment, and building careers, the financial hurdles are also rising. JAWHM will continue to support those aspiring to challenge themselves overseas from both financial and informational aspects.

■ What is a Working Holiday?

The working holiday program is a system based on arrangements between two countries or regions. To provide youths of the partner country/region with an opportunity to understand the culture and general lifestyle of their own country/region, it mutually allows activities to spend a vacation for a certain period and employment to supplement stay expenses during that period.

What are tourist visas, study abroad, student visas, and work visas?