Australia – The Australian Department of Home Affairs is set to increase visa application charges from July 1, 2025, with student visa applicants among those most affected by the changes.

According to the latest updates, the student visa fee is expected to rise by $400, bringing the total application cost to around $2,000. This marks one of the biggest jumps in recent years and is likely to place additional financial pressure on international students planning to study in Australia.

Other visa categories are also set to face fee increases, although full details have yet to be officially confirmed.

In addition to visa fees, costs associated with supporting documents such as police checks, medical examinations, are also expected to increase. These changes mean that overall costs for visa applicants could rise by several hundred dollars. Furthermore, the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) application fees are also expected to increase from the current $3,496.

Migration experts and education agents are advising prospective applicants to submit their applications before July 1 if possible, to avoid the increased fees.

The fee hike has sparked concern among international student communities and migration stakeholders, who say the added financial burden could make Australia a less attractive destination for skilled migrants and students.

More updates are expected in the coming days as the Department of Home Affairs releases its official fee structure.