Student visa fees rise again as Australia adds ELICOS pricing tier
Australia has increased student visa application fees, with the standard subclass 500 visa rising to AUD $2,500 and a new, higher tier introduced for ELICOS students. The move has drawn criticism from industry groups who argue it treats international students as a revenue source rather than a vital part of the community.
Why it matters
Rising costs for international education may impact Australia's competitiveness in the global student market and its soft-power influence.
Policy Student visa fees rise again as Australia adds ELICOS pricing tier Australia has hiked visa fees overnight, lifting the student visa to AUD $2,500 and introducing a separate $2,050 ELICOS rate. by Kim Martin June 30 2026 2 Min Read Share Copied! 0 Add Your Opinion Already among the world’s most expensive student visa systems, Australia just got pricier. Photo: iStock Australia has increased student visa application fees overnight, with the Student visa (subclass 500) rising from $2,000 to $2,500. The change follows the last increase in July 2025.
The article includes critical quotes from industry representatives, framing the fee hike as a negative policy decision.
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