Planning to study in Australia? Be prepared to spend more before your journey begins.
The Australian government has increased the application fee for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) by 25%, making it more expensive for most international students, including those from India.
The new visa fee came into effect on July 1, 2026.
New Student Visa Fee Explained
Under the new rules, the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee has increased from 2,000 AUD to 2,500 AUD.
This means students now have to pay an extra 500 AUD, which is roughly ₹27,000 to ₹30,000 more than before. The higher fee applies to most students applying for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses in Australia.
Some Students Will Pay Less
Not every international student will have to pay the new 2,500 AUD fee.
Students from ASEAN (Southeast Asian) countries are exempt from the fee hike.
Students applying for ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) will continue to pay 2,050 AUD instead of 2,500 AUD.
The Australian government has also announced fee waivers for students enrolled in certain university diploma and certificate-level courses.
However, most Indian students applying for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs will still have to pay the full 2,500 AUD visa fee.
What It Means for Indian Students
India is one of the largest sources of international students in Australia. Because of this increase, Indian students will now need a bigger budget before starting their studies.
The higher visa fee will add to the overall cost of studying abroad, including tuition fees, travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
Why Australia Increased the Fee
According to the Australian government, the number of international students has grown rapidly in recent years. This has put extra pressure on housing, education services, and the visa system.
The government says the higher visa fee is part of its plan to better manage international student numbers and make the student visa system more balanced and sustainable.
