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Planning has become more and more crucial for every visa applicant as significant changes continue to reshape Australia’s migration landscape. What may seem like a simple increase in visa application fees can create a butterfly effect throughout your entire study and permanent residency (PR) journey.
New Insights:
Who is Exempt?
Some applicants will continue paying the lower application charge (plus CPI adjustments).
ASEAN Student Visa Applicants:
✔ Brunei ✔ Indonesia ✔ Malaysia | ✔ Philippines ✔ Thailand ✔ Cambodia | ✔ Laos ✔ Myanmar ✔ Vietnam |
Pacific & Regional Countries:
✔ Fiji ✔ Kiribati ✔ Nauru ✔ Papua New Guinea ✔ Samoa | ✔ Solomon Islands ✔ Timor-Leste ✔ Vanuatu ✔ Tonga | ✔ Federated States of Micronesia ✔ Tuvalu ✔ Republic of the Marshall Islands ✔ Palau |
Other Exemptions:
| ✔ Independent ELICOS students | ✔ Non-award course students |
Why Are Visa Fees Increasing?
The Australian Government reviews visa application charges every financial year.
The increases generally reflect:
➜ Inflation ➜ Administrative costs ➜ Migration management | ➜ Labour market demand ➜Government policy changes |
Australia now has one of the world’s most expensive student visas.
Still, continuing to attract international students because of its:
➜ World-class universities ➜ Strong employment opportunities | ➜ Clear migration pathways ➜ High quality of life |
Have Visa Fees Increased Before?
Visa application charges have increased regularly over the past several financial years.
The most significant change occurred during 2024-2025, when the Student Visa fee increased from:
$710 → $1,600 (125% increase)
Following broader migration reforms, ABS reported net overseas migration fell from:
429,000 → 306,000
Although visa fees were only one factor, they formed part of wider migration policy changes that contributed to lower migration numbers.
What If Your Country Is Not on the Exemption List?
If your country is not included in the exemption list, you will generally be required to pay the new standard visa application charge.
This means applicants from most other countries should carefully factor the higher visa costs into their overall study and migration budget. As visa application charges may increase further in future financial years, it is important to consider not only the cost of your initial Student Visa, but also any future visas you may require, such as a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), employer-sponsored visa, or permanent residency visa.
Early financial planning can help reduce unexpected costs and ensure your long-term study and migration plans remain achievable.
What Should You Do As An Applicant?
The recent increase in Student Visa (subclass 500) application charges highlights how quickly visa costs can change. While future fee increases cannot be predicted, applicants should be prepared for the possibility that visa application charges may continue to rise over the course of their study and migration journey. Planning ahead and maintaining a financial buffer can help minimise unexpected expenses and reduce financial stress.
Financial planning has never been more important. Before applying, make sure you:
Planning ahead today can help you avoid unexpected costs and make your study and migration journey in Australia much smoother.
Further Information
For the latest visa fees, migration policies, and application requirements, always refer to the Australian Government’s official immigration website or consult a qualified education or migration adviser.
