Australia has announced a significant increase in the visa fee for international students, doubling it from A$710 to A$1,600 (around $1,068) starting July 1. This move is part of the government's strategy to manage record-high migration and alleviate pressure on the country's housing market.
The new policy also includes restrictions for visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas, who are now barred from applying for a student visa while in Australia.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil stated, "These changes will help restore integrity to our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia."
According to official data from March, net immigration surged by 60%, reaching a record 548,800 people in the year leading up to September 30, 2023.
The increased visa fees make Australia a more expensive option for international students compared to other popular destinations like the U.S. and Canada, where student visa fees are approximately $185 and C$150 ($110) respectively.
In addition, the government is closing loopholes that allowed foreign students to repeatedly extend their stay in Australia. The number of students on a second or subsequent student visa jumped by over 30%, exceeding 150,000 in the 2022-23 period.
This measure follows a series of actions taken since late last year to tighten student visa regulations after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022, leading to a surge in annual migration.
In March, the government increased the English language requirements for international students. Then in May, the required savings amount for obtaining a student visa was raised to A$29,710 ($19,823) from A$24,505, marking the second increase within seven months.
Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expressed concerns over the ongoing policy pressures on the education sector, warning that it could jeopardize the country's strong position. "This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees," he said.
International education is one of Australia's largest export industries, contributing A$36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year.
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