Australia raises international student visa and post-study work fees from July 1, 2026

Australia Hikes Student Visa Fee By AUD 500, Higher Costs For Indian Students From 2026

Australia has increased its student visa fee by AUD 500 from July 1, 2026, raising education costs for Indian students planning higher studies abroad.

5 hours ago

Australia Raises International Student Visa Fee To AU$2,500; Post-Study Work Visa Also Gets Costlier

Australia has made studying in the country more expensive for international students after increasing visa application fees across several categories, including student and post-study work visas. The revised charges came into effect on July 1, 2026, following an announcement by the Department of Home Affairs, and have drawn criticism from universities and education groups that fear the move could affect Australia's appeal as a global study destination.Student visa fee rises to AU$2,500The application fee for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) for students pursuing higher education and vocational education and training (VET) has been raised from AU$2,000 to AU$2,500 under the updated pricing structure.While applicants enrolling in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) will also pay AU$2,050, students from ASEAN nations will pay a discounted cost of AU$2,050.The changes make Australia one of the most expensive destinations in the world in terms of student visa application costs.Post-Study work visa & partner visa charges also increasedThe fee hike extends beyond student visas. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows eligible graduates to remain in Australia after completing their studies, now costs AU$5,750, up from AU$4,600.Meanwhile, the application fee for partner visas has increased from AU$9,365 to AU$11,710.The Australian government has also increased salary thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas. The minimum wage criterion has increased from AU$76,515 to AU$79,499, mirroring broader adjustments to the country's migration laws.Australia among most expensive destinationsWith the latest revision, Australia's student visa fee now exceeds those charged by several other major study destinations.According to ICEF Monitor, an Australian student visa now costs AU$2,500, compared with approximately AU$935 in the United Kingdom, AU$790 in New Zealand, AU$775 in the United States and around AU$240 in Canada.Long-term increase trendThe latest increase continues a sharp upward trend in Australia's visa charges. Since 2022, student visa fees have risen by 285%, while fees for post-study work visas have increased by 148%. During the same period, countries such as Canada and the United States have largely kept student visa fees unchanged, while increases in the United Kingdom have been comparatively modest.

1 day ago