With over a million international students enrolled, Australia eyes visa fee hike

As international student enrolments in Australia surpass one million, the government is preparing to raise student visa fees. While some students worry the increased costs could drive future applicants toward more affordable countries, others believe the move may help filter out non-genuine enrolments.

More than one million international students were enrolled in Australia by the end of 2024, according to official figures. Credit: Background image/AAP/Other supplied by Rahat Mirani, Jai Tiwari and Radhika (name changed)

According to the Department of Education, more than one million international students were enrolled in Australia by the end of 2024, a 15 per cent increase in enrolments on the same period in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic).

Amid this record enrolment, the government is preparing another increase to student visa application fees.

The proposed hike, set to take effect from July 1, follows last year’s sharp rise from $710 to $1,600.

The Labor government announced plans to raise international student visa fees from $1,600 to $2,000 to help fund some of its major election commitments.

However, the announcement has sparked concern among many international students, who say the increase will only add to their already heavy financial burdens.

Radhika (name changed) is an MBA student juggling rent, university fees, and international school fees for her two children.

She worries the visa fee hike will stretch her finances even further.

Radhika (name changed), an international student lives in Melbourne. Credit: Supplied by Radhika (name changed)

"I can only work limited hours. I have rent to pay, a car to maintain, and two school-aged kids whose international fees we’re already covering. Now, I’ll have to think carefully and plan how to manage these extra costs when it’s time to pay my visa fee," she shares.

Jai Tiwari, a journalism student in Melbourne, sees the fee hike as part of a government strategy to reduce migration.

Jai Tiwari, an international student in Australia. Credit: Supplied by Jai Tiwari

"The government is clearly trying to cut down the number of international students. When I arrived a few years ago, fees were much lower, but now they’ve almost doubled," he said.

"Many of my friends who were planning to study here are hesitant now because overall expenses, including the visa fee, have gone up," he explains.

On the other hand, Rahat Mirani, a finance student, believes the higher fees could help deter non-genuine applicants.

Rahat Mirani, an international student Credit: Supplied by Rahat Mirani

"The good thing is it might discourage those who aren’t serious about studying and are just looking for a visa to enter and stay. But in the long run, it’s the students here for genuine studies who end up bearing the cost," he says.

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