Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Australia's Ruling Party Plans to Raise Student Visa Fees
Imagine you want to study in Australia, but it costs money for a visa.
The Labor Party, if they win the election, plan to make these visas cost even more.
They want to increase the fee to $2,000.
The money raised will be used by the government.
Another party, the opposition, also wants to increase the visa fees.
International students bring money to Australian universities, but they also cause a rise in how much housing costs.
Australia already raised visa fees last year and has other rules for students.
Labor Party plans to raise international student visa fees to A$2,000 if re-elected.
The fee hike aims to generate A$760 million over four years.
The opposition party has also pledged to increase visa fees.
In February 2025, nearly 200,000 international students arrived in Australia.
Labor plans to cap student commencements at 270,000 in 2025; opposition favors 240,000.
- Who
- Australia's Labor Party and opposition parties.
- What
- Proposed increase in international student visa fees.
- When
- The proposed increase is planned if Labor wins the upcoming election.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- To generate revenue and manage the impact of international students.
- Proposed Visa Fee
- A$2,000 ($1,279)
- Current Visa Fee
- A$1,600
- Expected Revenue (4 years)
- A$760 million
- International students arrived in Feb 2025
- 200,000
- Labor's proposed student commencements in 2025
- 270,000
- Opposition's proposed student commencements
- 240,000
- International students enrolled in 2024
- Over 1 million