Australia's federal government has been accused of exploiting international students and permanent residents after non-refundable visa fees were quietly hiked by up to 200%, placing the country well in excess of other Western nations. The application fee for a temporary graduate visa has more than doubled in six months to $5,750, more than triple that of the UK, US, New Zealand and Canada.
Fee Hikes Effective from 1 July
On 1 July, most visa application charges were increased by about 25%, with some categories rising by 200%. Among the largest cost jumps was the resident return visa, which more than tripled from $490 to $1,475, while the bridging visa B surged from $190 to $575. The temporary graduate visa (485) increased from $4,600 to $5,750, following a doubling from $2,300 to $4,600 on 1 March. The student visa application charge also rose from $2,000 to $2,500, following an earlier increase from $710 to $1,600 in 2024.
Comparison with Other Western Nations
Australia and New Zealand are the only Western nations where a permanent resident's right to re-enter the country expires after a year if they are abroad. In New Zealand, the cost to renew the resident return visa is A$290. The average visa cost for skilled workers in Australia is now more than double that in the UK and more than 10 times that in the United States. The fees for temporary graduate visas are more than triple those of the UK, US, New Zealand and Canada.
Reactions from Affected Individuals
Adrian Riordan, whose wife is a permanent resident splitting time between Australia and Japan, said: "What is the point of paying taxes, if government services are considered a source of revenue, rather than a service? They're trying to out One Nation, One Nation. These are people that are permanent residents. And we have no choice over the matter." A petition opposing the resident return visa fee increase has attracted more than 30,000 signatures, describing it as "excessive, disproportionate and unfair." One signatory wrote: "I pay tax here, I work here, I live here – and you still charge me like I'm a stranger begging at the border."
Impact on International Students
The International Students Representative Council of Australia (ISRC) president, Weihong Liang, said prospective students should carefully consider studying in Australia after the sharp visa hike. "International students are increasingly being treated not as valued members of Australian campuses and communities, but as a source of government revenue," he said. "To students around the world considering Australia, our message is clear: carefully assess the increasing policy uncertainty surrounding Australia's international education system before choosing Australia as your study destination." One anonymous student described the increase as a "kick in the teeth," asking, "Are international students just official ATMs for the government at this point?" Syed Taqi Abbas Razvi, ethnocultural officer at the National Union of Students, said he felt "devastated" and "hopeless" upon learning of the increase. "International students don't feel supported. With the constant visa fee increases, it's getting unaffordable for not just myself, but most international students to even consider coming here," he said.
Business Sector Concerns
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO, Andrew McKellar, warned that rising visa costs will make Australia less attractive to skilled workers. "Higher visa costs will make Australia a harder sell for visitors, which will have significant impacts on tourism operators and education providers," he said. "Sneaking in major changes that carry drastic consequences is a poor way to treat the business community." Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said governments have encouraged universities to build the international student sector for years but are now "dismantling it, one decision at a time." He added: "The cumulative effect is clear. Australia is becoming a harder sell, and the sector's slow nosedive continues."
Government Justification
The federal government reviews visa application charges at the beginning of the new financial year, typically increasing prices marginally, but has not formally justified the above-inflation jumps. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Guardian Australia a visa to live, work or study in Australia "is underpriced at any cost" and remains a "small fraction" of the average fees international students pay. The government has confirmed it will cap international student places at 295,000 in 2027 – 8% below the immediate post-Covid peak. Education Minister Jason Clare said: "International education is an incredibly important export industry for Australia, but we need to manage it sustainably. This is about making sure international education supports students, universities and the national interest."
