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

Labor has been accused of trying to ‘out One Nation, One Nation’ after doubling fees for graduates and tripling them for permanent residents. Here’s what you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has been accused of exploiting international students and permanent residents after non-refundable visa fees were quietly hiked by up to 200%, placing Australia well in excess of other western nations.The peak body representing international students has warned prospective students to consider studying elsewhere, while critics affected by the scheme have accused Labor of trying to “out One Nation, One Nation”. Continue reading...

Australia has increased the Subclass 500 student visa fee to AUD 2,500, effective 1 July 2026. Discover how this 25% hike impacts Indian students and compares to new rules in Canada, the UK, and the US.

The Department of Home Affairs of Australia, which is responsible for immigration and visa processing, has revised the application charges for several visa categories, including those commonly used by international students and short-term visitors. The increased visa application charges are across four key categories affecting international applicants, including students and temporary migrants, with the revised …

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

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.