Australia’s 13% visa fee hike: How it will impact Indian students and tourists; key details – ET TravelWorld

Indian people visiting Australia for work and travel, will not have to shell out more from their pocket. This is because of the rise in visa application fees that the Australian Government implemented on April 1, 2025. The increase, which is up to 13 per cent for all visa categories, is a component of Australia’s larger plan to deal with housing constraints and local economic difficulties.

In addition to increasing immigration fees, the Australian government has taken steps to restrict the number of international students in order to alleviate the pressure on the housing market. The Coalition’s proposal would restrict the number of international students who can enroll in public universities annually to 115,000, and it would significantly raise the application fees for student visas, particularly for those attending Group of Eight (Go8) colleges. Critics claim that these measures could result in large financial losses and damage Australia’s reputation as a top destination for international students.The Department of Home Affairs stated that the fee adjustments are intended to reflect inflation and the administrative costs associated with processing visas. The Albanese government emphasized that the additional revenue would support educational initiatives, including reducing graduate debt and funding apprenticeship programs.

One of the main countries from which overseas students come to Australia is India. In addition to growing tuition and living costs, the higher visa fees can discourage potential Indian students from studying in Australia.

To ease the strain on the housing market, the Australian government has implemented measures to limit the number of overseas students in addition to raising immigration fees. In addition to imposing a large increase in student visa application fees, especially for those attending Group of Eight (Go8) colleges, the Coalition’s proposal limits the number of overseas students who can enroll in public universities each year at 115,000. These actions, according to critics, could cause significant financial losses and harm Australia’s standing as a top international school destination.

The recent visa fee increases and policy shifts represent a challenging landscape for Indian students and travelers considering Australia. As the country seeks to balance domestic concerns with its international education sector’s contributions, prospective applicants must stay informed and consider the evolving dynamics when making decisions about studying or working in Australia.