Australia to Raise International Student Visa Fee to A$2,000
Australia is set to significantly increase its international student visa fee in 2025, raising it from A$1,600 to A$2,000 (approximately USD 1,279) if the ruling Labour Party is re-elected.
The government explained that the A$400 increase is part of a broader strategy aimed at revamping migration policies and restructuring the education sector.
With the new fee structure, international students would face a visa cost of A$2,000, making Australia’s fees substantially higher than those of its global competitors. The United States charges around USD185 (roughly A$290), while Canada’s CAD150 fee is equivalent to about A$160, making Australia’s visa fee significantly steeper.
In a joint statement, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher noted that the increase is expected to generate A$760 million over the next four years.
“This increase is a sensible move that truly reflects the value of studying in Australia,” Gallagher said in a press conference.
This hike follows a previous fee rise in July 2023, when visa costs more than doubled from A$710 to A$1,600.
Australia’s international education sector, which generates billions in tuition fees, faces growing challenges amid rising migration and housing pressures. With over one million international students enrolled across the country, the sector’s economic significance is undeniable.
However, the surge in international student arrivals, with nearly 200,000 students arriving in February 2025 alone—an increase of 12.1% from the previous year and 7.3% above pre-pandemic levels—has raised concerns about the sector’s role in the broader migration trends in Australia.
The government has announced plans to cap the number of international students at 270,000 for 2025, while the conservative opposition has advocated for a more restrictive limit of 240,000.
