Australia Doubles Visa Fee for International Students. The Australian government has announced a significant increase in visa fees for international students, more than doubling the cost from A$710 to A$1,600, effective July 1, 2024. This move is part of broader efforts to manage record migration levels and enhance the integrity of the country’s international education system.
The increased visa application fee for international students will take effect on July 1, 2024, raising the cost from A$710 to A$1,600. Additionally, the government has tightened student visa rules. Visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas will be banned from applying onshore for a student visa. English language requirements for student visas will be increased starting in March 2024, and the required amount of savings for international students to obtain a visa will rise from A$24,505 to A$29,710 in May 2024.
The increased fee makes Australia’s student visa significantly more expensive compared to the United States and Canada. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated that these changes aim to create a migration system that is fairer, more efficient, and better able to serve Australia’s needs. Net immigration increased by 60% to a record 548,800 people in the year ending September 30, 2023, prompting the need for stricter regulations.
The government has also implemented other elements of its Migration Strategy. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from A$70,000 to A$73,150 based on annual indexation. The duration and age eligibility for Temporary Graduate Visas will be shortened. Measures will be implemented to prevent students and other temporary visa holders from continuously extending their stay. Enhanced mobility for temporary skilled migrants will reduce exploitation and drive productivity. The Strengthening Employer Compliance Bill 2023 introduces new criminal measures against employers engaging in migrant exploitation. The Workplace Justice Visa Pilot allows temporary visa holders to remain in Australia temporarily while pursuing workplace justice.
These measures highlight the Australian government’s commitment to managing migration levels, ensuring the integrity of its international education system, and creating a fairer and more effective migration process. The substantial increase in visa fees, along with tighter regulations, underscores the government’s intent to address challenges associated with high immigration and maintain the quality and sustainability of its migration system.
