Australian student visa fees apply from today, 1.7.2025, to applicants and accompanying relatives
PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
The above information was confirmed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to two international education websites, The PIE News and StudyTravel Magazine . "In accordance with the government 's commitment during the election campaign, from July 1, the visa application fee for international student applicants will officially increase from 1,600 AUD (27 million VND) to 2,000 AUD," said a spokesperson for the Australian Department of Home Affairs. This is also the second time Australia has increased the student visa fee, previously from 710 AUD (12.1 million VND) to 1,600 AUD.
"Internationaleducation is important to Australia and the government is committed to managing the sector sustainably, while ensuring fairness, quality and transparency," the spokesperson added. It is known that the Australian student visa application fee is also the highest compared to competing countries such as the US (185 USD: 4.8 million VND), Canada (150 CAD: 2.8 million VND) or the UK (524 GBP: 18.7 million VND).
Notably, this fee will not be refunded to the applicant even if the applicant is not granted a student visa. Today, July 1, the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs also displayed the new fee and said that there are some cases where this fee is exempted. The agency further informed that if the applicant is accompanied by relatives, the visa fee will increase from 400 AUD (6.8 million VND) to 1,225 AUD (21 million VND), depending on whether the applicant is under 18 or 18 years old or older.
The fee increase is intended to enhance the transparency and quality of the student visa program, ensure that visas are only granted to genuine international students and contribute to Australia’s sustainable economic growth. However, the move is sure to be met with criticism – particularly from the English language intensive course for international students (ELICOS) sector.
According to international education websites, the increase in Australian student visa fees further highlights the difficulties that the international education sector in Australia is experiencing, especially ELICOS. The number of ELICOS visa applications from overseas in the current financial year has also decreased by 53% compared to the same period last year, according to Mr. Ian Aird, CEO of English Australia.
The reason for this sharp decline, according to experts, is that a 6-month ELICOS course costs only about 6,500 AUD (111 million VND), and the old visa fee (1,600 AUD) is equivalent to having to pay nearly 25% more. This figure increases to 30% when the new visa fee is applied, and this will further discourage international students. Previously, many long-standing Australian education providers had to close down such as Perth International English College, IH Sydney, The Language Academy...
Vietnamese students listen to advice from Australian university representatives at an event hosted by the New South Wales state government in 2024.
PHOTO: NGOC LONG
Currently, the Australian student visa approval process is being carried out under Directive 111. Specifically, the Australian government will prioritize the processing of student visas for each school until the school reaches 80% of the new student enrollment quota specified in the National Plan (NPL). Once a school reaches 80% of its quota, it will be placed at the back of the queue to give priority to those units that have not reached 80% of their quota.
This means that the Australian government will still grant student visas to applicants if they apply to schools that have exceeded their international enrolment quotas, but the process will take longer. "Directive 111 is not a quota and does not set out criteria for approving or rejecting student visa applications... The most important thing is that any student planning to study in Australia should apply for a visa as soon as possible," the Australian government stressed.
According to statistics from the Australian Department of Education, in 2024 there will be 853,045 international students in this country, of which 37,647 will be Vietnamese, ranking 5th. At leading schools, the number of Vietnamese students and researchers accounts for a significant proportion, such as about 600 at the University of Melbourne and 400 at the University of Adelaide, or in the top 10 in terms of number at the University of Queensland... Victoria is the state with the largest concentration of Vietnamese international students with 15,465 people.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tu-hom-nay-uc-tiep-tuc-tang-phi-visa-voi-du-hoc-sinh-len-2000-aud-185250701084524449.htm
Comment (0)