Sydney: In a policy shift, the Australian government has announced an increase in international student visa fees, raising the cost from AUD 710 ($473) to AUD 1,600 ($1,068). Effective immediately, this measure aims to address the pressures of record-high migration levels on the housing market.
This fee hike is expected to particularly affect Indian students, who make up the second-largest group of international students in Australia. Additionally, temporary visa holders, including those on Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, will now be prohibited from applying for a student visa while in Australia, impacting many Indian students currently residing in the country.
Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security of Australia stated "The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia.
These measures are designed to ensure that only genuine students are granted visas, supporting Australia's economic growth. Official statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a net overseas migration of 548,800 people for the year ending September 30, 2023.
According to Reuters, with the fee hike, the cost of an Australian student visa is now higher compared to the US and Canada, where fees are approximately 185 dollars and CAD 150 ($110), respectively,
Additionally, the government is closing loopholes in visa regulations that allowed foreign students to extend their stay in Australia multiple times. This move comes in response to a 30 percent surge in students on second or subsequent visas, exceeding 150,000 in the 2022–23 period.
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