The cost of an international student visa to Australia has more than doubled, which has made many people decide against studying there. Both existing and potential students are impacted by the fee rise, and many are opting to attend other schools because of the higher costs.


Many present and potential students have had to reconsider their plans due to the notable increase in Australia’s prices for international student visas. The cost of applying for a visa has more than doubled, from $710 to $1,600, beginning of July 1.

Potential students are now considering other study locations due to their reluctance following this steep increase. One Chinese student, who was thinking at options in Hong Kong and Europe, voiced concerns about the expense and cultural fit. She emphasised that Hong Kong is a more desirable alternative due to its closeness and shared cultural traits.

Concerns were also raised by a Bhutanese single mother who is currently assisting her kids through TAFE in Australia. She listed inflation and the high cost of living, including housing, as major obstacles. She added that because of the rising prices, if she had to make the decision now, she would only be able to pay the visa for one child.

A University of Canberra master’s student studying information technology expressed concern about potential future students from her nation, saying that the increase in tuition may cause them to look at other nations like the UK or Canada.

Notwithstanding these reservations, the federal government declared that the extra money raised from higher fees would finance important changes, such as lowering student loan debt and supporting apprentices financially. The goal of these changes is to improve the international education system’s integrity.


Experts do anticipate that the increased costs will have an effect on Australia’s economy by lowering the number of overseas students. Over 740,000 international students as of March contributed more than $47 billion to the economy, demonstrating the substantial impact of these students.

Current students are also impacted by the changes; some are reevaluating their study schedules as a result of the high expenses. Due to the cost, a Brazilian student said he could abandon his intentions to change degrees. Another Chinese student said that the fee rise indicated that international students were not welcome, which would have an impact on Australia’s attractiveness as a study destination.

While thrilled to be pursuing a master’s degree in communication at Flinders University, a Vietnamese student voiced worries about the effect on incoming Vietnamese students and the unpredictability of her country’s employment prospects after graduation. This uncertainty was increased by the expiration of the two-year extension for holders of graduate visas for specific degrees.

In general, a lot of international students are considering studying and pursuing jobs in other nations as a result of the significant increase in visa fees.