Australia is planning a significant increase in its international student visa fee in 2025, with costs set to rise from A$1,600 to A$2,000 (approximately USD 1,279), if the ruling Labour Party is re-elected.
The government has noted that the proposed A$400 hike was part of a broader strategy aimed at overhauling migration policy and restructuring the education sector.
International students would pay A$2,000 to study in Australia, vastly outpacing global competitors.
The United States charges USD185 (about A$290), and Canada’s CAD 150 fee translates to around A$160, making Australia’s pricing significantly steeper.
According to a joint statement by Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, the increase was projected to raise A$760 million over the next four years.
“We think that’s a sensible measure that really prizes the value of studying here in Australia,” Gallagher said during a news conference.
The hike came after a previous increase in July 2023, when visa fees more than doubled from A$710 to A$1,600.
Australia’s international education sector, valued for the billions it generates in tuition revenue, faces mounting pressure amid rising migration and housing concerns. More than one million international students were enrolled nationwide, underscoring the sector’s economic importance.
However, a surge in arrivals, nearly 200,000 students landed in February 2025 alone, up 12.1% from the previous year and 7.3% above pre-pandemic levels, has intensified scrutiny over the sector’s role in Australia’s broader migration trends.
The government plans to cap the number of international students at 270,000 in 2025, while the conservative opposition called for an even tighter limit of 240,000.
