- The Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) fee remains AUD $1,600 for 2026 applications via ImmiAccount.
- Applicants must now prove AUD $29,710 in savings following a significant inflation adjustment in early 2026.
- Overall upfront costs typically range between AUD $3,000 and $5,000 before tuition fees are even considered.
(AUSTRALIA) Australia’s international student visa fee remains AUD $1,600 in 2026, and that single charge now sits at the centre of a much larger budget test for would-be students. The fee applies to the Student visa (subclass 500) and is paid online through the ImmiAccount portal, where applicants also lodge their supporting documents and track progress.
For many students, the visa fee is only the first payment. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living-cost proof, English tests, health checks, and the institution’s Student Services and Amenities Fee all add to the upfront bill. VisaVerge.com reports that many applicants now need to budget AUD $3,000–$5,000 before they even reach the classroom.
A higher upfront bill for the subclass 500 pathway
The AUD $1,600 charge has stayed unchanged since July 1, 2024, when it rose from AUD $710. That earlier jump reshaped the market at once. It was justified by the government as a revenue measure tied to budget relief and cost-of-living support, and it marked the end of a long period of cheaper access.
The current fee is non-refundable, even when the visa is refused. That makes early preparation essential. Students who are planning a course start in 2026 should treat the visa charge as one line in a much wider expense sheet, not as the whole cost of applying.
The Department of Home Affairs requires applicants to show they can meet living costs of AUD $29,710 for 2026. That figure is up from AUD $24,505 in 2024. For many applicants, that rise matters more than the visa fee itself.
The full cost picture before a decision is made
- Visa Application Charge: AUD $1,600
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): AUD $600–$1,200 for 12 months of single cover
- Living-cost proof: AUD $29,710 for one student, with AUD $10,000 more for each dependent
- English test fees: about AUD $395–$410 for IELTS or similar tests
- Biometrics and health checks: about AUD $200–$500 when requested
- Student Services and Amenities Fee: usually AUD $300–$500 a year, paid to the institution
That mix explains why many families feel the first payment shock before the visa is even lodged. Tuition fees, often AUD $20,000–$50,000 a year, sit on top of all of this.
How the 2026 application journey usually unfolds
The process begins with a Confirmation of Enrolment, which the student receives from the education provider after accepting an offer. That document is then uploaded through the ImmiAccount portal, together with identity papers, finances, English test results, and the Genuine Student statement.
The next stage is payment. The visa charge is paid online in Australian dollars, and international card surcharges can add 2%–3%. Applicants should also expect exchange-rate changes, because the final amount in local currency depends on the card provider on the day of payment.
After lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs reviews the file, requests extra documents if needed, and may ask for biometrics or health checks. Standard processing times for 75% of subclass 500 applications average 4–6 weeks, while busy periods from June to August push many files to 8–12 weeks.
For many students, the hardest part is waiting with no refund in sight. The fee remains payable even when the case ends in refusal. That is why the quality of the first submission matters so much.
What officials look for in the file
The most common refusal reasons in 2025 were insufficient funds, which affected 25% of refusals, and Genuine Student failures, which accounted for 15%. The Genuine Student test replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant rule in March 2024 and remains central to the assessment.
Officers want a clear course plan, a believable study history, and a direct link between the chosen course and the applicant’s future at home. Financial records must show access to funds, not just paper promises. Loans lodged after March 2025 are not accepted for this purpose.
Dependents pay the same AUD $1,600 visa charge. Government-sponsored students and some people shifting from a Temporary Graduate visa can pay AUD $0, but that exception does not apply to standard subclass 500 applicants.
Why the fee still shapes demand
Australia’s fee is high by global standards. Canada charges about CAD $150, the United States charges USD $185 plus a USD $350 SEVIS fee, the United Kingdom charges GBP £490, and New Zealand charges NZD $375. That puts Australia at the top end of the market.
The 2024 increase had clear effects. Department of Home Affairs data showed a 12% fall in short-term visa grants in the second half of 2024. English language providers also reported up to 30% fewer applications from India and China. By early 2026, grants had steadied at about 250,000 a year, but the mix of applicants changed.
India-sourced applications fell 18% after the hike, while interest in the United Kingdom rose 22%. Those shifts matter because international education is worth AUD $48.7 billion to Australia and supports 250,000 jobs.
Policy settings now shaping the 2026 intake
Recent changes extend beyond the fee. On March 23, 2025, Ministerial Direction No. 111 gave priority to regional study and postgraduate research. That helped lift regional enrolments by 15%.
On January 1, 2026, the living-cost threshold moved to AUD $29,710 after a 12.5% inflation adjustment. The government also kept annual new commencements near 270,000 in 2025, with a provisional 260,000 cap for 2026.
Post-study work settings also changed. Doctoral graduates can now receive up to 4 years. Undergraduate post-study work rights were cut to 2 years from July 1, 2025. That makes the study decision more focused on the course itself, not just the migration pathway after graduation.
Compliance has tightened too. 18 providers lost CRICOS registration in 2025 for visa fraud, and that triggered 22,000 cancellations. Refusal rates reached 28% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 22% in 2024.
Where applicants are spending most attention now
Students who want a smoother file should use the official Student visa information page and check the ImmiAccount portal before payment. The visa charge is fixed, but the strength of the evidence file decides the outcome.
Practical preparation now centres on four things:
- secure the Confirmation of Enrolment early
- show 12 months of funds through bank statements
- complete biometrics and health checks quickly if asked
- keep OSHC active from the date required by the course offer
Parents, sponsors, and education agents often help assemble the paperwork, but the applicant remains the payer and the person responsible for the declaration. That is where many weak applications fail.
Australia still draws students because of its universities, post-study options, and English-language environment. But the entry price is high, and the margin for error is small. The visa fee, OSHC, and living-cost proof now define the first test long before classes begin.
