The Australian Government has announced another increase in visa application fees, with the changes taking effect immediately.
The Student visa (subclass 500) application fee has risen from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500, marking the second fee increase since July 2025.
A new pricing structure has also been introduced for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) applicants under the subclass 500 visa. Instead of the standard student visa fee, ELICOS students will now pay AUD 2,050. The move comes despite strong lobbying from education industry groups, which had urged the government to reduce the fee below AUD 2,000, citing falling enrolments and the short duration of many English language courses.
Under the revised arrangements, prospective students from ASEAN countries will qualify for the lower AUD 2,050 application fee, while applicants from Pacific Island countries will continue to pay the concessional rate of AUD 745.
The government has also significantly increased the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) application fee. The cost has jumped from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750, representing a 25% increase and the second fee hike in just four months.
The latest changes are expected to further increase the financial burden on international students and graduates seeking to study and work in Australia, as stakeholders continue to express concerns about the impact of rising visa costs on the country's global education competitiveness.
