July 7th, 2024 at 02:53 pm

Australian International Student Visas See a 125% Hike | Study in Australia 2024

Australia declared that beginning on July 1, 2024, student visa fees would increase by a significant 125%. The subclass 500 student visa will now cost AUD 1,600. The modifications are intended to uphold the integrity of the international education industry and assist educational endeavors.

NEW DELHI

Effective July 1, 2024, the Australian government has announced a significant hike in the cost of student visas. The AUD 1,600 application fee for the subclass 500 international student visa is a 125% increase from the prior AUD 710 fee. The Australian Ministry of Home Affairs’ official website has been updated with the new price breakdown.

The Australian government has announced that in addition to the higher fee for primary applicants, any accompanying applicant who is 18 years of age or older would now pay AUD 1,445; accompanying family members who are younger than 18 would pay AUD 390. The 125% increase is indicative of Australia’s growing emphasis on education.

The Australian Ministry of Home Affairs released a media statement stating that the fee rise is indicative of the rising cost of education in the country. It also demonstrates the Albanese government’s dedication to re-establishing credibility in the field of international education. The extra money raised by the fee increase will go toward several significant immigration and education-related projects.

The statement claims that the higher fees will contribute to funding the Universities Accord’s suggested changes to HECS, including paid practicums, an expansion of FEE-Free Uni Ready courses, and fairer HECS. The monies will support apprentices and their employers financially in the Vocational Education and Training sector. Furthermore, the raise will help with the current Migration Strategy execution.

Updated Migration Strategy

Additionally, a revised Migration Strategy will take effect, bringing about several significant adjustments:

• A pilot initiative for Workplace Justice Visas: Under this initiative, holders of temporary visas will be able to stay in Australia temporarily while they pursue workplace justice.
• Increased Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): Following a ten-year freeze at $53,900, the TSMIT will see its second increase during the current administration, rising from $70,000 to $73,150 based on annual indexation.
• Modifications to Temporary Graduate Visas: These visas will no longer be valid for as long, and there will be a lower age requirement.
• Stopping “Visa Hopping”: Steps will be taken to plug the gaps that let students and other temporary visa holders stay in Australia for extended periods—sometimes permanently.

Jason Clare’s Comment on the Changes

“These changes will strengthen integrity in the international education system and help to fund important reforms recommended by the Universities Accord, including making HECS fairer, expanding FEE-Free Uni Ready courses,” said Jason Clare, minister of education, in response to the announcements.

According to media sources, the Indian High Commission in Canberra said that, with 122,391 Indian students enrolled in Australia between January and September 2023, India continues to be the second-largest source country for foreign student enrollments.

“The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia,” said Clare O’Neil, Minister of Home Affairs and Cyber Security, emphasizing the necessity of these changes.