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| Australia has more than doubled the cost of student visa fees |
Australia has more than quadrupled the cost of student visa fees for overseas students, affecting thousands of Indians wanting to study in the country.
The charge has risen from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600.
An increase in student immigration fees may benefit Australia's competitors.
ABC News reported on Monday that student representatives are outraged by the plan, claiming that the price increase will push potential students to competitors.
Australia's new student visa fees take effect on July 1. According to the report, the additional cash will be used to fund educational initiatives such as graduate debt reduction, financial support for apprentices, and the continuous implementation of the federal government's migration policy.
"International education is an incredibly important national asset, and we need to ensure its integrity and quality," said Minister for Education Jason Clare.
Indian students in Australia.
According to the Indian High Commission in Canberra, the number of Indian students registered in Australia is expected to be around 120,277 as of August 2023, making Indian students the country's second-largest foreign student cohort.
Meanwhile, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, Yeganeh Soltanpour, lambasted the decision, claiming that the fee rise, paired with hefty deposit costs, puts additional hardship on international students, according to an ABC report.
"The thought of spending all that money only to be rejected is disappointing for many students. It has prompted many students to consider other options and competitive countries," she explained.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the foreign Education Association of Australia, told the ABC that the revelation was the "last straw" for the foreign education sector, which had previously experienced a delay in visa approvals.
“We are really in danger of losing a USD 48 billion a year industry,” he said, adding that it will “heavily impact” relationships with our Indo-Pacific neighbors who rely on Australia to deliver world-class qualifications to young people. He warned that this change could drive prospective students to the United Kingdom, Australia’s closest competitor, which currently charges USD 900 for student visa fees.
Australia increases funds needed for student visa
Apart from student visa fees, recently, Australia increased the funds required for the visas.
Effective on May 10, 2024, students applying for Australian visas are required to show funds equivalent to 75 percent of the national minimum wage.
Currently, the funds required for an Australian student visa for the primary applicant is AUD 29,710.
The decision was made to ensure that students can afford basic living expenses in Australia.