The Australian government has decided to increase the fee for international student visas by 125%. Such an innovation should reduce record high levels of migration. Find out more about the cost of a student visa in Australia
Australia has significantly increased the fee for student visas, increasing it from $710 to $1,600 from July 1, 2024. This 125% increase makes Australia the most expensive country to obtain a student visa, exceeding the cost in the United States and Canada, where it is approximately 185 US dollars and 150 Canadian dollars (110 US dollars), respectively.
The Australian government has implemented such a solution as part of a broader strategy to manage record high levels of migration, which have increased pressure on the housing market, thus trying to regulate the influx of international students.
According to statistics, the largest number of international students come to Australia from China, India, Malaysia and Nepal.
Features of international student flows in Australia
International education is an important industry for Australia, which contributed $36.4 billion to the country’s economy in the 2022-2023 financial year. However, the Government is taking measures to ensure the sustainability of this sector by addressing the problems of high levels of migration.
The new visa fee is one of the measures aimed at balancing the influx of international students with the country’s ability to accept them. Guest visa holders and students with temporary visas are now prohibited from applying for student visas while in the country. This step is aimed at tightening the rules and preventing abuse of the visa system.
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Details regarding the price increase for student visas
The increase in the fee for student visas in Australia also includes additional fees for accompanying applicants. Each family member aged 18 and over will now pay a $1,445 fee, while those under the age of 18 will be charged $390. This policy aims to manage the financial consequences of supporting dependents during the study period.
In addition, the Government has increased the minimum funding requirements for international students. As of May 10, 2024, applicants must demonstrate the availability of funds in the amount of at least $29,710, which is 21% more than the previous figure of $24,505. This new threshold is about $5,000 higher than what is required to obtain a study permit in Canada. The government claims that this increase corresponds to 75% of the national minimum wage, which guarantees students sufficient financial support during their stay in the country.
The Australian government also announced measures aimed at closing loopholes in visa legislation that allowed foreign students to overstay their visas. This decision was made in response to a significant increase in the number of students receiving a second or subsequent student visa, the number of which exceeded 150,000 in 2022-2023. The Government is seeking to reduce this trend by introducing stricter rules and enforcement.
Claire O’Neill, Australia’s Minister of the Interior and Cybersecurity, stressed that the changes are designed to restore the integrity of the international education system and create a more equitable and manageable migration system. The coming months will show whether these measures successfully balance the needs of students, educational institutions and the wider Australian community.
In the previous article, we wrote that the Australian government is once again complicating the procedure for obtaining visas for international students. Such changes are designed to allow students to afford basic expenses while studying in Australia.
Igor Usyk – Head of the Legal Department of Visit World
To ensure a safe move to Australia, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration abroad.
Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:
Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Australia;
Legal advice on immigration to Australia;
Travel insurance for foreigners in Australia;
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