Australian Student Visa Fee Rises to AUD 2,000 from July 2025

Key Takeaways

• Australian student visa fee rises to AUD 2,000 for primary applicants from July 1, 2025.
• Visa allows full-time study, work rights of 48 hours per fortnight, and family inclusion.
• Fee hike aims to fund migration programs and regional infrastructure, impacting student finances.

The Australian student visa (subclass 500) is a key pathway for international students who want to study in Australia 🇦🇺. This visa allows students from around the world to enroll in full-time courses at recognized Australian educational institutions. Over the past few years, the cost of this visa has changed significantly, affecting students’ decisions and financial planning. As of July 1, 2025, the fee for the primary applicant has risen to AUD 2,000. This change is part of the Australian Government’s broader approach to managing migration and supporting infrastructure, but it also brings new challenges for students and their families.

Below, you’ll find a clear explanation of the Australian student visa, including who can apply, what the requirements are, how the process works, and what rights and responsibilities come with this visa. We’ll also look at how the recent fee increases affect students, compare Australia’s approach to other countries, and provide practical advice for those considering studying in Australia 🇦🇺.

What Is the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)?

The Australian student visa (subclass 500) is the main visa for international students who want to study in Australia 🇦🇺. It allows you to:

• Enroll in a full-time course at a recognized Australian school, college, or university
• Stay in Australia 🇦🇺 for up to five years, depending on your course length
• Work up to 48 hours every two weeks during study periods (with more work rights for research students)
• Bring family members, such as a partner or children, as secondary applicants

This visa is popular because it gives students the chance to experience life in Australia 🇦🇺, gain a world-class education, and even explore work and migration opportunities after graduation.

Historical Changes in Visa Fees

Understanding how the cost of the Australian student visa has changed helps explain why the current fee is so important for students and their families.

Before July 2024:
– The application fee for the primary applicant was AUD 710.

From July 1, 2024:
– The fee more than doubled to AUD 1,600.

From July 1, 2025:
– The fee increases again to AUD 2,000 for the primary applicant.

These changes mean that in just over a year, the cost of applying for an Australian student visa has nearly tripled. The government says this is to help fund migration programs and improve infrastructure, especially in areas where many international students live and study.

Current Fee Structure (Effective July 1, 2025)

Here’s a breakdown of the new fees for the Australian student visa, starting July 1, 2025:

Note:
– If you pay by credit card or PayPal, you’ll pay a small extra charge.
– These fees are for the application only. You may also need to pay for health checks, police certificates, and other documents.

Why Did the Fee Increase?

The Australian Government, led by the Labor Party, raised the fee to AUD 2,000 to:

• Support migration programs: The extra money helps run and improve migration services.
• Build regional infrastructure: Funds go toward housing, transport, and services in areas with many international students.
• Manage student numbers: Higher fees may slow down the growth in student numbers, which some say puts pressure on housing and local services.

The opposition Coalition party suggested even higher fees, especially for students at top universities, but these ideas have not become law.

Who Can Apply for the Australian Student Visa?

To apply for the Australian student visa (subclass 500), you must:

• Have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): This is an official letter from an Australian school, college, or university showing you have a place in a full-time course.
• Meet English language requirements: You may need to show results from an English test like IELTS or TOEFL, unless you’re from an English-speaking country or have studied in English before.
• Show you have enough money: You must prove you can pay for your course, living costs, and travel. This is to make sure you won’t run into financial trouble while in Australia 🇦🇺.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): This is health insurance for international students. You must have it for the whole time you’re in Australia 🇦🇺.
• Meet character and health requirements: You may need to provide police certificates and have a health check.
• Be a genuine temporary entrant: You must show you plan to study and then leave Australia 🇦🇺 when your visa ends, unless you qualify for another visa.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Applying for the Australian student visa is mostly done online. Here’s how it works:

1. Get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

• Apply to an Australian school, college, or university.
• Once accepted, you’ll get a CoE. You need this before you can apply for the visa.

2. Gather Your Documents

You’ll need:

• Your passport
• CoE letter
• Proof of English skills (if needed)
• Evidence of funds (bank statements, scholarship letters, etc.)
• OSHC policy details
• Police certificates (if required)
• Health check results (if required)

3. Create an ImmiAccount

• Go to the Australian Department of Home Affairs website and create an ImmiAccount.
• This is where you’ll fill out your visa application and upload documents.

4. Complete the Online Application

• Fill out the application for the Student visa (subclass 500). You can find the official form and instructions here.
• Upload all required documents.
• Pay the visa fee (AUD 2,000 for the main applicant from July 1, 2025).

5. Wait for a Decision

• Processing times can vary. Check the latest estimates on the Department’s website.
• You may be asked for more information or an interview.

6. Receive Your Visa

• If approved, you’ll get a visa grant notice. This will tell you your visa number, start date, and conditions.

Visa Conditions and Rights

Holding an Australian student visa comes with important rules and benefits:

Study Rights

• You must stay enrolled in a full-time course at a recognized institution.
• You must make satisfactory progress in your studies.

Work Rights

• You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (every two weeks) during study sessions.
• During official school breaks, you can work unlimited hours.
• Research master’s and doctoral students can work unlimited hours at any time.

Bringing Family

• You can include your partner and children in your application.
• They must also meet health and character requirements.
• Family members can work limited hours.

Health Insurance

• You must have OSHC for yourself and any family members for the entire stay.

Other Conditions

• Keep your contact details up to date with your school and the Department of Home Affairs.
• Follow all Australian laws.
• If your CoE changes (for example, you switch courses), update your visa application right away.
• Breaking visa conditions can lead to your visa being cancelled and you may have to leave Australia 🇦🇺.

Extensions and Further Applications

If you need more time to finish your studies, you can apply for a visa extension:

• First extension: AUD 1,600
• Further extensions: AUD 700 each

You must apply before your current visa expires and provide a new CoE and updated documents.

How the Fee Increase Affects Students

The jump to AUD 2,000 for the Australian student visa is a big change for many students and their families. Here’s what it means in practice:

Financial Impact

• The higher fee adds to the already high cost of studying in Australia 🇦🇺, which includes tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.
• Students from lower-income countries may find it harder to afford the visa, which could reduce the number of applicants from these regions.
• Families often save for years to send a child to study abroad, so the extra cost can be a real burden.

Decision-Making

• Some students may choose other countries with lower visa fees, such as Canada 🇨🇦 or the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
• Others may look for scholarships or financial aid to help cover the cost.

Impact on Education Providers

• Australian universities and colleges rely on international students for a large part of their income.
• If fewer students apply because of the higher fee, schools may face financial challenges.
• Some education providers and student groups have asked the government to reconsider the fee increase or offer more support to students.

Comparisons with Other Countries

Australia 🇦🇺 is not the only country to charge a visa fee for international students, but the recent increase makes it one of the most expensive.

• Canada 🇨🇦: The student visa fee is about CAD 150 (about AUD 170).
• United Kingdom 🇬🇧: The student visa fee is about GBP 490 (about AUD 930).
• United States 🇺🇸: The F-1 student visa application fee is USD 185 (about AUD 280).

This means that, starting July 1, 2025, Australia’s fee of AUD 2,000 is much higher than in these other popular study destinations.

Real-World Example: A Student’s Experience

Let’s look at a real-life scenario:

Maria from Brazil 🇧🇷 wants to study engineering in Australia 🇦🇺. She receives a scholarship covering half her tuition, but she and her family must pay for the rest, plus living costs and the visa fee.

• Before July 2024, the visa fee was AUD 710. Maria’s family could manage this.
• In July 2024, the fee jumped to AUD 1,600. They had to adjust their budget, cutting back on other expenses.
• Now, with the fee at AUD 2,000 from July 1, 2025, Maria’s family must save even more. They consider whether it’s still worth it, or if Maria should look at other countries with lower fees.

This example shows how fee increases can affect real students and their families, sometimes forcing them to change their plans.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Government

• The Labor Government says the fee increase is needed to fund migration programs and build infrastructure.
• They believe it will help manage student numbers and reduce pressure on housing and services.

Opposition

• The Coalition party wants even higher fees, especially for students at top universities, but these ideas have not become law.

Education Providers and Student Groups

• Many schools and student groups worry the higher fee will scare away students, especially from poorer countries.
• They say international students bring money, skills, and cultural diversity to Australia 🇦🇺, and that high fees could hurt the country’s reputation as a top study destination.

Practical Tips for Applicants

If you’re planning to apply for an Australian student visa, here are some steps to help you prepare:

• Budget carefully: Include the visa fee, tuition, living costs, health insurance, and travel in your plan.
• Apply early: Processing times can vary, so start your application as soon as you get your CoE.
• Check for scholarships: Many schools offer scholarships to help with costs.
• Keep documents ready: Make sure your passport, CoE, and other documents are up to date.
• Stay informed: Check the Department of Home Affairs student visa page for the latest information.

Future Outlook

As of now, there are no official plans for further fee increases beyond July 2025. However, the government may review visa fees in the future, depending on economic conditions and student numbers. Education providers and student groups will keep watching to see how the higher fees affect international student enrollment and Australia’s place in the global education market.

Where to Find More Information

For the most up-to-date and official details on the Australian student visa, including how to apply, what documents you need, and current processing times, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs student visa page.

You can also find helpful information about living in Australia 🇦🇺, student support, and costs on the Study in Australia website.

If you need help with your application, education agents can assist with paperwork, but remember they are not licensed migration advisors.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes to the Australian student visa fee structure are some of the most significant in recent years, and students should plan carefully to meet the new requirements.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian student visa fee for the main applicant rises to AUD 2,000 from July 1, 2025.
• Students must meet strict requirements, including having a CoE, enough funds, and health insurance.
• The higher fee may affect students’ choices and could impact the number of international students coming to Australia 🇦🇺.
• Careful planning and early application are more important than ever.
• For official details and to start your application, visit the Department of Home Affairs student visa page.

By understanding these changes and preparing well, students can still take advantage of the many opportunities that studying in Australia 🇦🇺 offers.

Learn Today

Australian student visa (subclass 500) → A visa for international students allowing study and limited work in Australia for up to five years.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) → Official document from an Australian institution confirming full-time student enrollment required for visa application.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) → Mandatory health insurance for international students covering medical costs during their stay in Australia.
Migration programs → Government initiatives managing immigration flows and supporting infrastructure for newcomers like international students.
Visa extension → An application process to prolong the student visa beyond its original expiration date for continued study.

This Article in a Nutshell

Effective July 2025, the Australian student visa fee jumps to AUD 2,000, challenging students’ budgets. This visa enables study, limited work, and family inclusion while supporting migration infrastructure amid rising costs and global competition for international students.
— By VisaVerge.com