Australia has officially increased its visa application charges by 13%, effective from April 1, 2025. This decision will directly affect thousands of Indian students, tourists, professionals, and families planning to visit or move to Australia.

The fee hike follows last year’s major increase in July 2024, when the student visa fee doubled from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. With this second hike in less than a year, the total cost of studying or visiting Australia continues to rise — and Indian applicants will feel the pinch the most.

 

Updated Visa Fees: April 2025

Here’s a comparison of key visa categories before and after the April 2025 revision:

Visa Type	Old Fee (2024)	New Fee (April 2025)	% Increase
Student Visa (Subclass 500)	AUD 1,600	AUD 1,808	~13%
Visitor Visa (Tourist)	AUD 150	AUD 169.50	~13%
Temporary Graduate Visa	AUD 1,945	AUD 2,235	~15%
Work Visa (General Skilled)	AUD 1,000	AUD 1,130	~13%

Note: Additional charges like health assessments may still apply separately.

 

Why Indian Applicants Are Most Affected

India remains one of the top three source countries for both international students and tourists heading to Australia. But this hike significantly increases the overall financial burden on Indian families.

Total Visa Cost for a Student with Family:

• Student Visa: AUD 1,808
• Spouse (Dependent): ~AUD 650
• Child (if any): ~AUD 150–200
• Total Visa Charges: AUD 2,600+

And this does not include:

• Tuition fees
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Living expenses (AUD 24,505 per year required for visa)
• Travel and initial settlement costs

For many Indian middle-class families, this increase might push them to reconsider their study plans, especially for the July and November 2025 intakes.

 

Higher Fees, Same Wait Times

Despite the increased charges, no improvements in visa processing timelines have been announced. Student visa applicants and temporary graduates continue to experience delays, particularly from high-volume countries like India and Nepal.

This has led to growing dissatisfaction, with many applicants asking — why pay more for the same experience?

 

Potential Drop in Applications

Education consultants across India are reporting concerns that:

• Students are starting to explore alternative countries
• There’s confusion around university-level enrollment caps and longer wait times
• Applications for Go8 (Group of Eight) universities are facing more scrutiny

 

Will Students Choose Other Countries?

Due to rising costs and policy uncertainty in Australia, Indian students may increasingly explore more affordable and stable study destinations like:

• Canada – Despite intake caps, still popular for PR opportunities, post-study work rights, and Indian community support.
• UK – Offers globally recognized degrees, shorter 1-year master’s programs, and a 2-year post-study work visa (Graduate Route). Visa processes are relatively smoother, and many UK universities accept LanguageCert, PTE, or IELTS.
• Ireland – English-speaking, welcoming to international students, with strong tech and business job markets.
• Germany – Low or no tuition fees, wide range of English-taught programs, and no IELTS required at many public universities.
• New Zealand – Known for quality education, good work rights, and a peaceful, student-friendly environment.

These countries often provide easier visa processes, better work opportunities, and clearer PR pathways, making them attractive alternatives for Indian students reconsidering Australia.

 

Tourist Travel Also Gets Costlier

For Indian tourists, the Visitor Visa fee has gone up from AUD 150 to AUD 169.50. While this isn’t a dramatic increase, it still adds up for:

• Group travel
• Family vacations
• Frequent flyers to Australia

The added cost may slightly discourage budget-conscious travelers.

 

Why Australia Is Increasing Visa Fees

According to the Australian government, this increase is part of a broader plan to:

• Cut net overseas migration by 50% over the next two years
• Fund domestic education reforms and reduce student debt
• Prioritize skilled migration and reduce reliance on international students

But this approach has received criticism for risking Australia’s reputation as a top global study destination.

 

Final Thoughts

The 13% visa fee hike in April 2025, following the major increase in July 2024, marks a clear shift in Australia’s immigration and education strategy. While it may help balance local policies, the burden falls heavily on Indian students, professionals, and tourists.

 

Need Help Applying for an Australian Visa?

Cosmos Consultancy offers expert counselling, document assistance, and university guidance for:

• Student Visas
• Dependent Visas
• Tourist & Visitor Visas
• Alternatives to Australia: Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany

Contact us today for FREE guidance and step-by-step visa support!