Studying in Australia just got even more expensive. After raising its student visa application fee from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 in July 2024, Australia has increased it again to AUD 2,000 (around ₹1.1 lakh), making it the most expensive student visa among major English-speaking study destinations.

For international students, who consistently rank among Australia’s largest international student groups, the change adds another financial hurdle at a time when universities are already facing slower enrolment growth.

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The Student Visa Fee Timeline

In 2023, the Subclass 500 fee stood at AUD 710. It jumped 125% to AUD 1,600 in July 2024, then climbed again to AUD 2,000 in July 2025. In under two years, the cost has nearly tripled. The pattern here is unmistakable: Australia is deliberately pricing out lower-income applicants, using fees as a migration lever rather than a compliance tool.

Australia vs Other Popular Study Destinations

Australia’s student visa fee is now well ahead of competing destinations:

The gap is hard to ignore. An Australian student visa now costs several times more than equivalent permits issued by Canada, the US, or the UK.

New Rule Ends Onshore Student Visa Applications

The fee hike is only part of the story. Australia has also ended the option for certain temporary visa holders to switch to a student visa from within the country. Applicants must now lodge their student visa application from outside Australia.

As a result, people holding the following visas can no longer apply for a student visa while in Australia:

• Temporary Graduate Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Maritime Crew Visa

Anyone hoping to extend their stay by moving into the student visa pathway will now need to leave Australia and apply offshore.

Temporary Graduate Visa Rules Also Tightened

The Australian government has separately reduced the maximum eligible age for the Temporary Graduate Visa from 50 years to 35 years.

This change affects international graduates who planned to remain in Australia after completing their studies and gain local work experience.

Taken together, the higher visa costs, stricter eligibility rules, and reduced post-study work access point to a clear shift in policy.

Why Australia Is Tightening the Rules

The government says the measures are designed to manage migration levels and address concerns about misuse of the student visa system.

Over the past two years, Australia has introduced a series of reforms targeting student migration, graduate visas, English language requirements, and enrolment growth.

For genuine students, Australia remains one of the world’s leading study destinations. But entering the country is becoming more expensive and more selective than at any point in recent years.

What This Means for Indian Students

Indian students considering Australia will need to budget more carefully before applying. A student planning a master’s degree now faces:

• Higher visa application costs
• Increased scrutiny during visa processing
• Fewer options to switch visa categories inside Australia
• Tighter post-study work eligibility rules

The pattern is becoming clear. Australia is no longer focused on attracting the highest possible number of international students. Instead, it is prioritising applicants who can demonstrate stronger financial capacity and a genuine long-term study plan.

Take:

We believe Australia remains a strong education destination, but the rising visa costs and tighter rules make planning more important than ever. Indian students should factor these changes into their budget and long-term career strategy before applying.

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