To limit record migration, the Australian government has doubled its visa fees for international students.
Australia increased student visa fees:
The international visa fee has increased from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. The fee increase is effective from July 1.
Meanwhile, visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas are prohibited from applying onshore for student visas.
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“The changes coming into effect today will help restore the integrity of our international education system, and create an immigration system that is fairer, shorter, and fairer for Australia,” Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neill said in a statement. Be able to deliver better.”
Official data released in March showed net immigration rose 60 percent to a record 548,800 in the year to September 30, 2023.
This makes applying for an Australian student visa more expensive than in competing countries such as the United States and Canada, where they cost C$185 and C$150 ($110) respectively.
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The government said it was also closing loopholes in visa laws that allowed foreign students to continually extend their stay in Australia.
Universities CEO Luke Sheehy said continued government policy pressure on the sector would threaten the country’s strong position.
“This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees,” Sheehy said in an emailed response.
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International education is one of Australia’s largest export industries and was worth $36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year.