Australia doubles student visa fee to control migration
Effective from July 1, the new policy could hurt universities reliant on international student income, despite being a major export industry.
Sydney: Australia has significantly increased visa application fees for international students, more than doubling the cost from A$710 to A$1,600. This move is the latest in a series of measures by the government to curb record-breaking migration levels that have strained the housing market.
Effective July 1, 2024, the Australian government has implemented the following changes for international student visas:
-
Visa application fee: The fee has risen from A$710 to A$1,600.
-
Onshore application restrictions: Visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas can no longer apply for a student visa while inside Australia.
The government aims to control migration
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil stated that these changes aim to strengthen the integrity of Australia's international education system and establish a "fairer, smaller, and better" migration system. The government's decision comes after official data revealed a 60% surge in net immigration to a record 548,800 people in the year ending September 30, 2023.
High costs compared to other countries
The new visa fee makes studying in Australia considerably more expensive compared to popular alternatives like the United States and Canada, where student visa fees are around $185 and C$150 (approximately $110), respectively.
Addressing loopholes
The Australian government is also closing loopholes that allow international students to extend their stay indefinitely. This comes after a significant rise (over 30%) in the number of students on a second or subsequent student visa in 2022-23, exceeding 150,000.
This latest policy change follows a series of actions implemented since late 2023 to tighten student visa regulations. These actions include:
-
Increased English language requirements.
-
Raised the financial requirements for student visa applicants. This is the second increase within seven months, with the minimum required funds going from A$24,505 to A$29,710.
Concerns from Universities Australia
Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy expressed concern that the government's ongoing policy pressure on the international student sector could jeopardize Australia's strong position in this field. He highlighted the significant contribution of international student fees to both the national economy and universities.
International education is a major Australian export industry, valued at A$36.4 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year.