International students planning to study in Australia will now face higher upfront costs, as the Australian Government has increased the application fee for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) to AUD 2,000.
The new fee, effective from July 1, 2025, represents a 25% increase from the previous AUD 1,600 charge.
The DAAD Scholarship, a visa and scholarship platform, also notes that the increase follows an earlier significant fee hike in 2024, when the visa cost more than doubled from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600.
Reform Measures Targeting System Integrity
Reports inform that the new pricing structure is intended to discourage non-genuine applications, boost budget revenue and reduce misuse of student visas. Compared to modest increases in other visa subclasses, such as skilled and partner visas (which rose by about 3% in line with the Consumer Price Index), the student visa has experienced significantly sharper hikes.
The DAAD states that over the past five years, the Subclass 500 visa fee has increased from AUD 575 in 2019–20 to AUD 2,000 in 2025–26 — a cumulative rise of nearly 247%.
Visa Fee History Shows Significant Rise
A breakdown of visa fee changes over the past five years shows the sharp upward trend:
- 2019–20: AUD 575 → 620 (+7.8%)
- 2020–21: AUD 620 → ~710 (+14.5% estimated)
- 2021–22: ~710 (stable, with most students studying online due to COVID-19)
- 2022–23: ~710 → 1,600 (+125%)
- 2023–25: 1,600 → 2,000 (+25%)
These increases have led to concern among education agents and international students about the rising cost of choosing Australia as a study destination.
International Students Face Steeper Upfront Costs
The change means Australia now has the highest student visa fee among major English-speaking study destinations. For comparison:
- Australia: AUD 2,000 (~USD 1,330)
- United States (F-1 visa): USD 185
- Canada (Study Permit): CAD 150 (~USD 110)
- United Kingdom (Student Visa): GBP 490 (~USD 620)
Reports inform that education, some critics say, could make it too expensive for talented students from developing countries. On the other hand, supporters say it helps restore fairness and long-term stability to the international student system.
Advice for Prospective Students
The updated fee applies to all students submitting a visa application from July 1, 2025. Students planning to begin studies in late 2025 or early 2026 are advised to include the new cost in their financial planning.
In response to the change, universities and education providers are expected to increase support and scholarship options to ease the financial pressure. Prospective students are encouraged to review available scholarships and seek financial guidance from their chosen education provider.
