Australia Hikes Student Visa Fee by 25% for International Students

• Student visa fee increases to AUD 2,000 starting 1 July 2025.
• Visa covers studies from higher education to school-level programs.
• Extra charges apply for dependents; some applicants are exempt.

The fee for the Australian student visa has risen by 25% for international students intending to enroll in Australian universities. However, the rise is significantly smaller than the fee hike implemented in 2024. In 2024, the cost for international student visas surged by 125%, rising from $710 to $1,600.

For 2025, the visa application fee (VAC) for Student visas (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visas (subclass 590) has risen from AUD 1,600 for a primary applicant to AUD 2,000. The new fee for student visas will come into effect on 1 July 2025.

Subclass 500 is the student visa that enables international students to travel to Australia to study at an Australian college or university for a duration of up to five years.

The Student visa (subclass 500) allows international students to pursue a wide range of study programs in Australia. These include higher education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), pathway courses, and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

It also covers primary and secondary schooling, secondary school exchange programs, postgraduate research, and non-award courses such as Study Abroad and Exchange semesters.

Additionally, the visa is available to international students sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence.

Starting from 1 July 2025, the fees for student visas will be AUD$2,000 for each application, unless students qualify for an exemption. The rise does not pertain to Student visa applicants from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.

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Students and their family members applying together with the student may not need to pay the standard application fee if they are secondary exchange students or applying for courses sanctioned under a student’s training program authorized by the Commonwealth for study in Australia.

The base application fee is also not required if students are applying for a new Student visa (subclass 500) due to a default by the education provider.

Before applying for a student visa, applicants need to first register for a course at an Australian education or training institution. After obtaining a confirmation of enrollment (CoE) from the provider, applicants may proceed to apply for a Subclass 500 student visa.

Besides the Base application fee of AUD$2,000, there is an extra applicant fee of AUD$1,225 for those 18 and older and AUD$400 for individuals under 18. If the applicant is located in Australia when applying, they may need to pay the subsequent temporary application charge (STAC) of AUD 700.