Australia has more than doubled the visa fee for international students in a significant move aimed at controlling the country’s record-high migration levels, which have exacerbated pressure on an already strained housing market.
Starting July 1, the fee for an international student visa has increased to A$1,600 ($1,068) from A$710. Additionally, visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas are now prohibited from applying for a student visa while onshore.
“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.
According to official data released in March, net immigration surged by 60% to a record 548,800 people in the year leading up to September 30, 2023.
This increase in visa fees makes Australia a more expensive destination for international students compared to other popular destinations. For instance, a student visa for the U.S. costs approximately $185, and for Canada, it is about C$150 ($110).
The government has also announced the closure of loopholes in visa regulations that allowed foreign students to extend their stay indefinitely. This decision follows a sharp rise in the number of students holding a second or subsequent student visa, which spiked by over 30% to more than 150,000 in 2022–23.
These measures are part of a series of actions taken since late last year to tighten student visa rules. The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 led to a surge in annual migration to record levels. In March, English language requirements for international students were tightened, and in May, the amount of savings required for obtaining a student visa was raised to A$29,710 ($19,823) from A$24,505—the second increase in about seven months.
Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy expressed concern over the government’s ongoing policy pressure on the sector, warning that it could jeopardize the country’s strong position in international education. “This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees,” Sheehy said in an emailed response.
International education is one of Australia’s largest export industries, contributing A$36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year. The new measures, while aimed at controlling migration, could have significant economic implications if they deter international students from choosing Australia as their study destination.
