If you’re planning to study in Australia, brace yourself. The federal government has announced another increase in student visa fees. The new charge? AUD$2,000 — up from the already steep AUD$1,600.
We’ve seen this coming. The last jump was in July 2024, when the fee more than doubled from AUD$ 710. Now, just before the May 2025 election, the government is raising it again — and many students are questioning whether it’s still worth it.
So, what’s going on?
Australia’s Labour government says the move will help save money and boost revenue. They expect it to raise around AUD$ 760 million over four years. But for you, the student, it means a much bigger upfront cost just to apply.
Let’s put that in perspective:
- Canada charges about AUD$ 172.
- The U.S. charges AUD$ 299.
- The U.K. fee is still way below ours.
This latest increase cements Australia as the most expensive country in the world for student visa applications.
Why does it hit harder than it looks?
We’ve spoken with many students who are only coming for short-term study, like English courses or study abroad programmes under a year. For you, the new fee isn’t just high — it’s off the charts. Imagine paying AUD$2,000 just to study for a few months.
That’s why course providers are worried. Enrolments in English-only courses dropped by around 50% after the last fee hike. We expect this trend to continue if things don’t change.
Here’s what this could mean for you:
- Studying in Australia might now cost more than studying in the U.S. or Canada.
- Short-term courses might not be worth it anymore.
- You could face pressure to switch to a visitor visa, which often leads to rejections.
- Visa processing delays might increase as more students rush to apply before the fees go up.
To make things more confusing, the opposition has proposed even steeper fees if elected, up to AUD$5,000 for students applying to top universities.
So, what should you do?
If you’re planning to apply, now is the time to act. We can help you lodge your application before the higher fee kicks in. As a student visa consultant in Parramatta, we’ve worked with thousands of students just like you. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to move quickly.
When you work with us, you get:
- Help choosing the right visa type
- Support with every step of the application
- Timely action before policies change
- Advice tailored to your course length and study goals
If you’re unsure what this means for your plans, we’re here to help. Speak to a student visa consultant in Parramatta today. We’ll guide you through the process and help you save where you can — before more changes come your way.
