Australia Raises Student Visa Fee by AUD 500; Indian Students Face Higher Costs from 2026

Australia has increased the application fee for its Student Visa (Subclass 500) by AUD 500, with the revised charges taking effect from July 1, 2026. The fee hike also includes higher costs for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) and introduces a separate visa fee for students applying under the ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) category.

Under the revised fee structure, the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee has risen from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500, marking a 25 per cent increase. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) fee has been raised from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750. Additionally, for the first time, a separate fee of AUD 2,050 has been introduced for ELICOS applicants.

The Australian government has implemented these changes as part of its broader migration and immigration policy. The revisions were introduced mid-year rather than aligning with a new academic admission cycle. Education sector observers note that the changes come at a time when some international education segments, including English-language courses, have experienced slower enrolment growth.

The revised visa fees are expected to increase the overall financial requirement for Indian students planning to pursue higher education in Australia from 2026 onwards. The higher application fee will raise the upfront cost of obtaining a student visa. Since visa application fees are generally non-refundable, unsuccessful applicants may face a greater financial loss. Students planning to remain in Australia after completing their studies will also need to account for the increased Temporary Graduate Visa fee. Additionally, applicants enrolling in ELICOS programmes will now be subject to a separate visa fee.

These changes reflect Australia's ongoing adjustments to its immigration and education policies, which aim to manage migration levels while ensuring the integrity of the visa system. Indian students, who form a significant portion of Australia's international student population, will need to factor in these increased costs when planning their studies in the country.