Australia has increased the application fee for its Student Visa (Subclass 500), making it more expensive for international students to study in the country.
The new fee will affect most students, including thousands from India.
However, there is some relief for those enrolling only in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), as they will pay a lower visa fee.
Student Visa Now Costs AUD 2,500
From July 2026, the application fee for Australia’s Student Visa (Subclass 500) has increased from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500, a 25% hike.
The revised fee applies to students planning to pursue:
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate degrees
Vocational education
Other academic programmes
With this increase, Australia has become one of the most expensive countries in terms of student visa application fees.
Lower Fee for ELICOS Students
Students enrolling only in ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) will not have to pay the full amount.
Instead, they will pay a reduced visa application fee of AUD 2,050.
ELICOS courses help international students improve their English language skills before joining university or vocational programmes.
The Australian government says the lower fee is intended to encourage students who want to study English in the country.
What Does This Mean for Indian Students?
The higher visa fee means Indian students planning to study in Australia will need to budget for a larger upfront expense.
Apart from the visa fee, students also have to manage tuition fees, accommodation costs, health insurance, and daily living expenses.
The latest increase could make studying in Australia more expensive for many families.
Students opting only for English language courses will benefit from the lower ELICOS fee, but those pursuing degree programmes will have to pay the full visa charge.
Education Sector Raises Concerns
The fee hike has received mixed reactions from Australia’s education sector.
Some education experts believe the higher visa cost could make Australia less attractive compared to countries like Canada, the UK, and Germany, where student visa application fees are generally lower.
Others say the reduced fee for ELICOS students offers only limited relief because it applies to a relatively small number of international students.
Students Should Plan Their Budget Carefully
Experts advise students planning to study in Australia to include the revised visa fee in their education budget.
They also recommend checking the latest visa rules, financial requirements, and application timelines before applying to avoid delays or unexpected expenses.
For most international students, especially those from India, the higher visa fee means studying in Australia will now require more careful financial planning.
