Australia Doubles Visa Fee for International Students Amid Migration Control Efforts

GG News Bureau
Sydney, 1st July. Australia announced on Monday that it has more than doubled the visa fee for international students, as part of efforts to manage record migration levels that have strained the housing market. Effective July 1, the fee for an international student visa has increased to A$1,600 ($1,068) from A$710. Additionally, holders of visitor visas and temporary graduate visas are now prohibited from applying onshore for a student visa.

“The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia,” stated Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil in a released statement.

Official data from March indicated a 60% increase in net immigration, reaching a record 548,800 people in the year ending Sept. 30, 2023.

The hike in visa fees now positions Australia’s student visa costs significantly higher compared to competitor countries like the U.S. ($185) and Canada (C$150, approximately $110).

The government also aims to close loopholes allowing foreign students to extend their stays indefinitely, following a surge in students on subsequent visas, surpassing 150,000 in 2022-23.

This move follows several recent measures to tighten student visa regulations, including stricter English language requirements in March and an increase in required savings for visa applications to A$29,710 ($19,823) in May, up from A$24,505, marking the second increase in seven months.

Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expressed concerns about the ongoing policy pressures affecting the sector, warning of potential economic risks. “This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees,” Sheehy stated in an emailed response.

International education stands as one of Australia’s largest export industries, contributing A$36.4 billion to the economy during the 2022-2023 financial year.