Australia Increases International Student Visa FeesAustralia Increases International Student Visa Fees Australia has raised the cost of international student visas from $472 to $1,064, a move aimed at curbing immigration. The fee increase, announced on Monday, has drawn criticism from student representatives. The Australian government justified the increase by stating that the additional revenue will fund initiatives such as financial support for apprenticeships and debt reduction for graduates. However, the move is also seen as part of the government’s effort to slow migration, which reached a peak of 528,000 in the 2022-2023 academic year following the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics argue that the fee hike will disproportionately affect students from the Indo-Pacific region, who have traditionally relied on Australia as their preferred destination for studying abroad. Phil Honeywood, head of the International Education Association of Australia, expressed concern that the increase could cost Australia billions of dollars in lost industry revenue. Opponents of the fee increase also argue that it will simply drive students to other countries, such as the United States, instead of encouraging them to stay in Australia and contribute to the economy. “Rather than restoring integrity to the international education sector, this measure will act as a deterrent to international students,” said Vicki Thompson, CEO of the Group of Eight, an education organization representing Australia’s leading research institutions. The fee increase has been met with widespread criticism from student representatives, who argue that it will make studying in Australia inaccessible for many. They also contend that it undermines Australia’s reputation as a welcoming and supportive destination for international students.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference in Canberra, Australia, on April 13. His government on Monday more than doubled the cost of international student visas. File photo by Lukas Coch/EPA-EFE
July 1 (UPI) — Australia on Monday doubled the cost of student visas in a bid to slow immigration. This angered international student representatives.
The Australian federal government has increased the cost of a student visa application from about $472 to about $1,064.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government said the increase would fund several initiatives, including financial support for apprenticeships and efforts to reduce graduate debt.
The visa increase is also seen as part of Australia’s efforts to slow migration, which peaked at 528,000 in the 2022-2023 academic year following the COVID-19 crisis.
Phil Honeywood, head of the International Education Association of Australia, said the increases would particularly hurt students from the Indo-Pacific region, who had traditionally become dependent on Australia and the country of choice for education abroad.
“We are really at risk of losing an industry that is a $48 billion a year industry,” Honeywood told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. about the loss of students.
Opponents of the fee said the change will simply cause Australia to lose students to the United States and other competitors, rather than them staying and paying the increase.
“Rather than restoring integrity to the international education sector, this measure will act as a deterrent to international students,” said Vicki Thompson, CEO of the Group of Eight, an education organization made up of the country’s leading research institutions, according to The Guardian . .
“The recent crackdown on visa approvals has already sent a strong message that we are not open for business. Once again, our international students are being used as cash cows to support the economy and national research efforts and now to fund other government initiatives. .”
