Australia is once again considering an increase to student visa application fees—just months after the last hike in July 2024, which saw fees jump from $710 to $1,600.
Now, a further rise to $2,000 is on the table, raising concerns among international students already managing tight budgets.
The federal government says the proposed increase would help fund election promises and education reforms. But many students question whether the growing cost of entry into Australia is fair—especially when they’re already contributing significantly to the economy and university sector.
In a recent article by SBS, Radhika*, an MBA student living in Melbourne, says the rising costs are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
“I can only work limited hours. I have rent to pay, a car to maintain, and two school-aged kids whose international fees we’re already covering. Now, I’ll have to think carefully and plan how to manage these extra costs when it’s time to pay my visa fee,” she shares.
Journalism student Jai Tiwari believes the increase is part of a broader effort to reduce international student numbers.
“The government is clearly trying to cut down the number of international students. When I arrived a few years ago, fees were much lower, but now they’ve almost doubled,” he said.
Others, like finance student Rahat Mirani, acknowledge that the higher fee might discourage non-genuine applicants.
“The good thing is it might discourage those who aren’t serious about studying and are just looking for a visa to enter and stay. But in the long run, it’s the students here for genuine studies who end up bearing the cost,” he says.
With affordability becoming a growing concern, international students are watching closely to see whether the proposed visa fee increase will go ahead—and how it might affect their future in Australia.
*Name changed.
