Student Visa Fee Rises to $2,000: What This Means
VisaClarity Team
Migration Information Hub Writers
Effective 1 July 2025, the Australian Government implemented a substantial increase to the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application charge, raising the primary applicant fee to $2,000 AUD.
This fee represents a massive jump from the previous $710 rate, making Australia one of the most expensive student visa destinations globally.
The New Fee Structure
The fee increase applies to all applications lodged on or after July 1, 2025. It affects all sectors, including English language schools (ELICOS), vocational training (VET), and university degrees.
Why Did the Government Raise Fees?
According to budget papers, the policy objective is two-fold:
- To fund key education and housing infrastructure initiatives across Australia.
- To manage and reduce net overseas migration, prioritizing higher-value applicants and cooling the high volume of applications in vocational courses.
Additional Dependent Charges
If you are applying with family members, the costs escalate quickly:
- Primary Applicant: $2,000 AUD
- Adult Dependent (18+): $1,445 AUD
- Child Dependent (<18): $720 AUD
For a family of three (couple + 1 child), the government visa fee alone totals $4,165 AUD, excluding OSHC and surcharges.
Refusals and Refund Policy
It is vital to know that visa fees are non-refundable. If the Department of Home Affairs refuses your student visa due to GTE failure, missing documents, or bank statement issues, the $2,000 application fee will not be returned.
This makes complete, compliant documentation more important than ever. Double-check all financial records and course CoEs before submitting.