Australia has increased the application fee for its standard Student Visa (Subclass 500) to AUD 2,500, effective July 1, 2026, marking a 25% hike from the previous fee of AUD 2,000. This is the second consecutive annual increase, with the fee having risen from AUD 1,600 last year. Indian students will now have to pay approximately ₹1.65 lakh for the visa, according to livemint.com.
The Department of Home Affairs announced the fee hike, which comes amid broader global trends of rising visa costs in major study destinations. The increase follows the 2025 adjustment and reflects Australia's policy to manage international student intake and associated administrative costs. The new fee applies to all applicants for the Subclass 500 visa, which is the primary visa for international students seeking to study in Australia.
This fee increase places Australia among countries that have recently raised student visa costs, including Canada, the UK, and the US. For Indian students, who form a significant portion of Australia's international student population, the higher fee adds to the overall expense of studying abroad. The move may influence decisions on study destinations, as visa costs are a critical factor in international education planning.
The AUD 2,500 fee for the Subclass 500 visa will be applicable starting July 1, 2026, as confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs. This update follows the previous fee increase implemented in 2025 and is part of Australia's ongoing adjustments to its immigration and student visa policies.