Australia's Labor to hike student visa fees in pre-election pledge

Australia’s Labor vows to hike student visa fee if reelected

Robert Besser
02 May 2025, 11:21 GMT+10

Australia's Labor to hike student visa fees in pre-election pledge

Australia’s ruling Labor Party says it will raise the fee for international student visas to A$2,000 (US$1,279) if it wins the upcoming federal election
Right now, the visa costs A$1,600
The higher fee is expected to bring in A$760 million over four years, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher

SYDNEY, Australia: Australia's ruling Labor Party says it will raise the fee for international student visas to A$2,000 (US$1,279) if it wins the upcoming federal election.

Right now, the visa costs A$1,600. The higher fee is expected to bring in A$760 million over four years, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

Gallagher said the change makes sense and shows that studying in Australia is still valuable. The government already increased the visa fee from A$710 to A$1,600 last year.

Australia's opposition party also wants to raise the fee — even higher. They plan to charge at least A$2,500 for most students and up to A$5,000 for those going to top universities, known as the Group of Eight.

International students bring in a lot of money for Australian universities, but they are also part of the reason why immigration numbers are rising, which has pushed up housing costs.

In February 2025, nearly 200,000 international students arrived in Australia — up 12 percent from last year and seven percent higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labor wants to limit new international student enrollments to 270,000 in 2025, while the opposition wants a lower limit of 240,000. In 2024, more than a million international students were enrolled, and 572,000 started new courses.

Student visa fees in Australia are already much higher than in countries like the U.S. (about US$185) and Canada (about C$150 or US$108). The government has also made English language rules stricter and can now block schools from enrolling international students if they break the rules too often.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Australian Herald.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Australia’s Labor vows to hike student visa fee if reelected

SYDNEY, Australia: Australia's ruling Labor Party says it will raise the fee for international student visas to A$2,000 (US$1,279)...

Trump demands free passage for US ships through Panama, Suez canals

Trump wants US ships to travel free through Panama, Suez canals

WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that American military and business ships should be able to travel...

Singapore orders Meta to block foreign election posts

Singapore orders foreigners' Facebook posts blocked before elections

SINGAPORE: Singapore has ordered Facebook's parent company, Meta, to block Singaporeans from seeing posts made by three foreigners...

Iowa governor sues Des Moines Register over email dispute

Iowa governor sues Des Moines Register for obtaining private emails

DES MOINES, Iowa: Iowa's governor has launched a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, seeking to block the newspaper from obtaining...

Ex-Detroit nonprofit executive gets 19 years for $40 million theft

Detroit nonprofit ex-finance chief gets 19 years for $40 million theft

DETROIT, Michigan: A former top official at a major Detroit nonprofit was sentenced this week to 19 years in prison for stealing over...

New Mexico hosts global celebration of native and indigenous cultures

Thousands gather in New Mexico for the largest powwow in North America

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: Thousands of people are gathering in New Mexico for a big event that celebrates Native American and Indigenous...

Sydney

Section

Australia’s Labor vows to hike student visa fee if reelected

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

Australia’s Labor vows to hike student visa fee if reelected

Trump demands free passage for US ships through Panama, Suez canals

Singapore orders Meta to block foreign election posts

Iowa governor sues Des Moines Register over email dispute

Ex-Detroit nonprofit executive gets 19 years for $40 million theft

New Mexico hosts global celebration of native and indigenous cultures

Sydney

Australia’s Labor vows to hike student visa fee if reelected

"If the team needs me, I am prepared": Cheteshwar Pujara on India's forthcoming England tour

"Every cricket fan must go to...": Finch reflects on MS Dhoni's charm amidst CSK's tough season

What are the symptoms of measles? How long does the vaccine last? Experts answer 6 key questions

(SP)CHINA-XIAMEN-BADMINTON-SUDIRMAN CUP-FRANCE VS AUSTRALIA (CN)

Adani Ports pegs Rs 11,000-12,000 crore as capex spending in FY26

Movie Review

The Cloverfield Paradox [Blu-Ray]