Japa: Australia hikes international students visa fees to prevent migration

Australia has implemented significant increases in visa fees for international students, effective from July 1, marking a sharp rise from A$710 to A$1,600 ($1,068).

This move comes as part of broader efforts by the government to manage unprecedented levels of migration, which have strained the housing market.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized that the fee adjustments are aimed at restoring integrity to Australia’s international education system and creating a more manageable migration framework.

The government has also prohibited onshore applications for student visas from visitor visa holders and temporary graduate visa holders.

Recent official data highlighted a 60% surge in net immigration to a record 548,800 people in the year leading up to September 30, 2023, underscoring the urgency of regulatory adjustments.

Comparatively, the increased visa costs position Australia significantly higher than its global counterparts such as the US and Canada, where student visa fees are approximately $185 and C$150 ($110), respectively.

In addition to fee hikes, the Australian government is closing loopholes that previously allowed foreign students to extend their stays indefinitely.

This follows a notable 30% rise in the number of students obtaining second or subsequent student visas, exceeding 150,000 in the 2022–23 period.

These changes build upon previous measures implemented late last year, including stricter English language requirements and heightened financial thresholds for visa applicants, rising to A$29,710 ($19,823) from A$24,505 in May.

Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expressed concerns over the cumulative impact of these policy shifts on the country’s education sector and economy.

He cautioned that sustained pressure on international student numbers could jeopardize Australia’s economic strength, given that international education is one of the nation’s largest export industries, contributing A$36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year.

The latest adjustments reflect Australia’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate its immigration policies following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, which precipitated a surge in annual migration levels to record highs.