Education
Australia’s Doubling of Student Visa Fees to Impact Indian Applicants
Australia has more than doubled its international student visa fee from AU$710 (approximately ₹38,000) to AU$1,600 (approximately ₹86,000), a move set to significantly affect Indian students, who represent the second-largest group of international students in the country. The increase is aimed at curbing migration and funding key initiatives in education and migration.
Australia’s Home Minister, Clare O’Neil, stated that the changes, effective from July 1, 2024, are intended to restore integrity to the international education system and ensure a fairer migration system. This hike comes amidst other measures to curb the misuse of student visas and migration loopholes.
India remains a crucial source of international students for Australia, with 122,391 Indian students enrolled during January-September 2023, according to the Indian high commission in Canberra. The fee hike, therefore, is expected to have a significant impact on Indian students planning to study in Australia.
Recent measures by the Australian government to address migration issues include shortening the duration of temporary graduate visas, reducing age eligibility, and ending “visa hopping” practices. Additionally, the government had previously relaxed work-hour restrictions for student visa holders to address workforce shortages, but these restrictions were reinstated in June 2023, limiting work to 48 hours a fortnight while studying.
The increased visa fees will help fund several educational and migration initiatives, such as financial support for apprentices and their employers and the implementation of Australia’s migration strategy. Furthermore, the temporary skilled migration income threshold (TSMIT) has been raised from AU$70,000 (₹3,790,000) to AU$73,150 (₹3,960,000).
This significant fee increase reflects the growing value of education in Australia and the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its international education sector. Indian students planning to study in Australia will need to factor in these changes, which are significantly expensive, as they prepare for their higher education journey.
(with inputs from Reuters)