Australia Increases Student Visa Fee by 25% to AUD 2,000
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Starting from July 1, international students who apply to study in Australia now need to pay AUD 2,000 (1.12 lakh in INR) for a student visa, hiked from the earlier AUD 1,600. This decision makes Australia the most expensive destination for a student visa application among major English-speaking countries.
Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher confirmed the increase, who also said that the change is expected to be AUD 760 million over four years.
“For those applying from July 1, the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for primary student visa applicants has increased from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000,” the Australian government portal says.
Australia Visa Fees Now Higher Than UK or Canada
Country | Visa Fee (Local Currency) | Visa Fee (INR) |
Australia | AUD 2,000 | 1,12,000 |
| USA | USD 185 | 15,780 |
UK | GBP 490 | 57,133 |
Canada | CAD 150 | 9,415 |
In INR, Australia now tops the chart, with the new fee translating with the new fee translating to approximately INR 1.12 lakh, depending on exchange rates.
Also Read: NSW and South Australia Introduce Invite-Only Visa for Global Talent
Stricter Rules and Student Cap Introduced
The visa fee hike is one of the few steps that has recently been taken to rein in international student numbers. Other changes include:
- A national cap of 2,70,000 international student commencements in 2025.
- Stricter English language requirements.
- Powers to suspend non-compliant education providers.
Hikes in Graduate Visa and University Tuition Fees
In February 2025, the Temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) also became expensive:
Fee Type / Course | Amount (AUD) | Amount (INR, approx.) |
Base student visa (from July 2025) | 2,000 | 1,12,000 |
Additional applicant (over 18) | 1,115 | 62,400 |
Additional applicant (under 18) | 560 | 31,360 |
Second Post-Higher Ed. Work stream (primary) | 880 | 49,280 |
Second Post-Higher Ed. Work stream (dependant) | 440 / 225 | 24,640 / 12,600 |
University of Melbourne - Engineering | 56,480 per year | 31,60,000 |
University of Melbourne - Clinical Medicine | 112,832 per year | 63,20,000 |
UNSW tuition increase | Up to 7% rise | — |
Typical UG degree (annual) | 20,000–45,000 | 11–25 lakh |
Typical PG degree (annual) | 22,000–50,000 | 12–28 lakh |
Typical Doctoral (annual) | 20,000–42,000 | 11–24 lakh |
Also Read: Australia Launches Interim Tertiary Education Commission to Build Future-Ready Workforce
Cost Breakdown for Indian Students After New Changes
The new changes to visa rules, tuition fees, and living expenses have certainly impacted the financial planning required for Indian students studying in Australia. Here is a detailed breakdown of estimated costs from tuition fees at top institutions like ANU to daily living expenses converted to INR for easy budgeting.
Category | Amount (AUD) | Amount (INR approx.) |
UG tuition (general, per year) | 20,000–45,000 | 11–25 lakh |
PG tuition (general, per year) | 22,000–50,000 | 12–28 lakh |
Doctoral tuition (per year) | 20,000–42,000 | 11–24 lakh |
ANU UG tuition (per year) | 42,560–47,940 | 23–29 lakh |
ANU full tuition range (all levels) | 14,455–58,050 | 7.8–31.4 lakh |
Living costs (annual, est.) | ~21,500 | ~11.63 lakh |
Food (weekly) | 80–150 | 4,300–8,100 |
Transport (weekly) | 30–70 | 1,600–3,800 |
Books & supplies (annual) | 500–1,000 | 27,000–54,000 |
Personal expenses (weekly) | 50–150 | 2,700–8,100 |
Hostel (annual, ANU) | 10,37,000–10,46,000 | 10.3–10.4 lakh |
Insurance (annual, ANU) | 27,957–35,325 | 1.5–1.9 lakh |
No matter what, Australia remains a top choice for Indian students but recent policy changes such as fees, stricter caps, and rising tuition costs demand careful financial planning.
With student visa fees now the most expensive among major study destinations (AUD 2,000/~₹1.12 lakh) and tuition hikes at leading universities, the total cost of education could be 20–30% higher than previous case.
Navigate Australia's New Visa Rules & Education Changes with GetGIS
With student visa fees now reaching INR 1.12 lakh and reshaping education pathways, smart planning is crucial. GetGIS is here to guide you smoothly through your Australian immigration journey while you plan your educational and career goals.
