Australia has more than doubled its visa fees for international students, raising them from A$710 to A$1,600 effective July 1.
This significant hike aims to manage the surge in migration and address housing market pressures but has been met with fierce criticism, labeled as an “outrageous impost“
Under the new regulations, visitors and temporary graduate visa holders are barred from applying for student visas while in Australia, a measure touted to enhance the integrity of the international education system.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil defended the changes, asserting they would foster a fairer and more streamlined migration system.
Recent statistics show a dramatic 60% increase in net immigration, with 548,800 individuals receiving Australian visas in the past year. With this fee adjustment, Australia now stands significantly higher than its global competitors, with the US charging around $185 and Canada about C$150 ($110) for similar student visas.
Critics lambasted the move as “robbing Ranjit to pay for Richard,” denouncing it as disproportionately burdening international students to fund domestic initiatives. As Australia grapples with the fallout, concerns mount over its attractiveness as a destination for global learners amidst an increasingly competitive global landscape.
