Australian Student Visa 2024: 125% Fee Hike Effective July 1, Impact on Indians [Latest Update]

4 July 2024, New Delhi, India: The Australian government has significantly increased international student visa fees, a move expected to impact the growing number of Indian students. Effective July 1, 2024, the application fee for the Australian Student visa will be (subclass 500) risen by 125%, from AUD $710 to AUD $1,600. This adjustment aims to reflect the growing value of education in Australia and to fund various educational initiatives. The updated fee breakdown is available on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Purpose Behind the Fee Increase Australian Student Visa

Minister for Education Jason Clare highlighted the purpose of these changes:

“These changes will strengthen integrity in the international education system and help to fund important reforms recommended by the Universities Accord, including making HECS fairer, paid practicums, and expanding FEE-Free Uni Ready courses.”

Australian Student Visa: Key Changes in Migration Policies

Alongside the fee increase, Australia is rolling out an updated Migration Strategy designed to create a more efficient and fairer system. Key components include:

• Workplace Justice Visa Pilot: Temporary visa holders can now stay in Australia briefly to pursue workplace justice.
• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): Raised from $70,000 to $73,150.
• Amendments to Temporary Graduate Visas: Duration of these visas will be reduced, and age eligibility criteria will be adjusted.
• ‘Visa Hopping’: Individuals holding temporary visas, such as Graduate or Visitor visas, will no longer be permitted to apply for a student visa while inside Australia. This measure aims to ensure that only genuine students receive visas.

Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil 

“The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia.”

Impact on Australian Student Visa for Indian Students

India is the second-largest source country for Australian Student Visa, with over 122,000 Indian students enrolled as of 2023. The increased fees and new migration policies are expected to have a substantial impact on these students.

Moreover, the adjustment in visa policies is part of a broader effort to manage the increasing migration flow, which has also strained Australia’s housing market. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, net overseas migration stood at 548,800 individuals for the year ending September 30, 2023.

Australian Student Visa Students Data and Statistics

• New student visa fee: AUD $1,600
• Previous student visa fee: AUD $710
• Fee increase percentage: 125%
• Fee for accompanying applicants (18 and over): AUD $1,445
• Fee for accompanying family members (under 18): AUD $390
• New TSMIT: $73,150
• Previous TSMIT: $70,000
• Indian students in Australia (Jan-Sep 2023): 122,391
• Net overseas migration: 548,800 (year ending Sep 30, 2023)
• Comparison of visa fees:
  • US: Approximately $185
  • Canada: CAD 150 ($110)
• New savings prerequisite for student visas: AUD 29,710 (up from AUD 24,505)

The fee increase for Australian Student Visa will also support measures in the Vocational Education and Training sector.

The upcoming changes underscore the government’s efforts to balance the benefits of international education with system integrity.

Students planning to study in Australian Student Visa should prepare for these changes and adjust their plans accordingly.  For further updates and detailed information, visit The Rising News.

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