Australia Increases Student Visa Fee Again - Indians Will Now Pay ₹1.65 Lakh | Everything you need to know

Studying in Australia just got significantly more expensive. In its second consecutive annual price hike, the Australian government has increased the application fee for standard student visas (subclass 500) to AUD 2,500 (1.65 lakh) with effect from 1 July 2026.

The move, announced by the Home Office, represents a steep 25% increase from the previous AUD$2,000 fee. The fee increased from AUD 1,600 last year.

Financial impact on Indian students

For potential students from India, these upfront costs can add to an already expensive process. Visa application fees are generally non-refundable, so an unsuccessful application now carries a much higher financial risk.

This fee increase is only one part of the financial equation. Students hoping to stay and work in Australia after graduation face another massive price hurdle. The temporary graduate visa (subclass 485), an essential pathway for gaining international work experience, has been increased to AUD 5,750.

Combined with new visa fees, compulsory health insurance (OSHC), tuition fees and the government’s updated financial capacity threshold, which requires students to show AUD 29,710 in available means of living, the barrier to entry to Australian education is at an all-time high.

Global trend: Tightening of international study visas

Australia is not acting in isolation. Traditional centers of higher education around the world are finding it increasingly difficult for foreign students to migrate, largely due to domestic political pressures on housing and population caps.

Why has Australia increased fees again?

The fee adjustments are part of Australia’s wider strategy to overhaul its migration system and maintain the integrity of its international education sector. By increasing entry costs and strictly enforcing the genuine student (GS) requirement, policymakers are trying to discourage bogus applicants who use the student visa system primarily as a backdoor to the labor market rather than for academic advancement.

For Indian students who are actively planning their academic income in 2026 and 2027, the message is clear: studying abroad now requires earlier financial planning, impeccable documentation and a much larger initial budget.