Studying in Australia Becomes Costly As Student Visa Fee Increased By AUD 500
The latest revision includes higher fees for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) and a separate visa fee has been introduced for students applying under the ELICOS category.
NEW DELHI: Australia has increased the application fee for Student Visa (Subclass 500) by AUD 500. The revised charges came to effect on July 1, 2026.
The latest revision includes higher fees 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.
The revised fee structure is expected to increase the overall cost of studying in Australia for international students, including those from India.
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee has increased from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500, a 25% increase. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) fee has been increased from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750.
Australia has introduced a separate fee category for ELICOS applicants for the first time. Students applying under this category now need to pay AUD 2,050.
Revised Visa fee
| Visa Type | Previous Fee | Revised |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | AUD 2,000 | AUD 2,500 |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | AUD 4,600 | AUD 5,750 |
| ELICOS Category | Standard Student Visa Fee | AUD 2,050 |
The Australian government has implemented the revised visa fees as part of its broader migration and immigration policy.
The changes have been introduced during the middle of the year rather than aligning with a new academic admission cycle.
The revised fee structure indicates a continued increase in visa application costs for international students.
Experts note that the changes come at a time when some international education segments, including English-language courses, have experienced slower enrolment growth.
How Indian students will be affected
The revised visa fees are expected to increase the overall financial burden on Indian students planning to pursue higher education in Australia.
The higher application fee will increase the upfront cost of obtaining a student visa. As visa application charges are usually non-refundable, unsuccessful applicants may incur a greater financial loss.
Students planning to stay in Australia after completing their studies need to account for the increased Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) fee. Additionally, applicants enrolling in ELICOS programmes will now be subject to a separate visa fee.