🔺 What’s Happening?

• Effective July 1, 2025, the student visa application fee for international students has increased from AUD$1,600 to AUD$2,000.
• This comes just a year after a major increase in July 2024, when fees were raised from AUD$710 to AUD$1,600 — a 125% hike.

🎯 Why the Increase?

• According to the Department of Home Affairs, the rise is part of the government’s commitment to:
  • Strengthen the integrity of the student visa system.
  • Ensure only genuine students apply.
  • Keep the international education sector sustainable, with a focus on quality and equity.

🌏 Who’s Affected?

• All primary student visa applicants must now pay AUD$2,000.
• Exemptions remain for applicants from Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste, who receive a discounted visa charge.

⚠️ Impact on Language Schools (ELICOS Sector):

• The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector has been hit hard:
  • Since the 2024 fee hike, enrolments in short English courses have dropped by 50%.
  • Many students find the visa cost too high for short-term study.
• Several well-known ELICOS providers have shut down:
  • Perth International College of English (PICE)
  • IH Sydney
  • The Language Academy (Gold Coast & Sydney)
  • All cited financial struggles and high visa costs as major reasons.

✅How It Affects International Students:

💸Higher Upfront Cost

• Students now have to pay AUD$2,000 just for the visa application (previously AUD$1,600 in 2024 and AUD$710 in 2023).
• This adds significantly to the overall cost of studying in Australia, especially when combined with tuition, health insurance, and living expenses.

⚠️ Barrier for Low-Budget Students

• The increased cost may discourage students from lower-income countries or those seeking short-term courses (like English language or foundation programs).
• It could push some students to choose other countries (like Canada, UK, or Germany) where visa fees are lower.

🏫Limited Course Options

• Many ELICOS providers (English language schools) are shutting down due to declining enrolments, reducing options for students who:
  • Need to improve English before starting a degree.
  • Plan to study English only (short-term).

📉Impact on Genuine Students

• Ironically, the government says the increase is to “ensure only genuine students apply,” but:
  • It may penalize genuine but budget-conscious students, making study abroad less accessible.