Student Visa Fee Increase 2026: What the AUD$2,500 Charge Means for You
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Last Updated: 8 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the standard Student visa (subclass 500) application charge is AUD$2,500, up from AUD$2,000 — a 25% rise. The Department of Home Affairs applies this rate under the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00874). ELICOS and Non-Award sector students pay a lower AUD$2,050. The charge is non-refundable, even if the Department refuses your application.
This is the second increase in two years. The fee moved from AUD$1,600 to AUD$2,000 on 1 July 2025, then to AUD$2,500 on 1 July 2026 — a combined rise of 56% since mid-2025.
How Much Does a Student Visa Cost in 2026?
The Department charges different rates depending on your course type:
Standard Student visa (most higher education and VET applicants): AUD$2,500
ELICOS and Non-Award sector: AUD$2,050
Postgraduate research: AUD$2,500 (standard rate)
Eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, or ASEAN member countries: a
concessional rate applies — confirm your exact figure on the official Visa Pricing Estimator, since it varies by passport and stream
None of these fees are refundable. You pay the full charge at lodgement through ImmiAccount, regardless of the outcome.
Why Did the Fee Increase Again?
This is the second increase in two years, and it isn't a student-visa-specific decision. The Explanatory Statement to the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 ties this round to the Government's 2026–27 Budget measures and describes it as supporting the sustainability of Australia's migration and citizenship programs, alongside standard annual CPI indexation.
The amendment applies a roughly 25% rise to the first instalment of the Visa Application Charge across most visa categories, not just student visas.
The same regulation lifted the Temporary Graduate (485) visa to AUD$5,750, the Partner visa to AUD$11,710, and the 189, 190, and 494 skilled visas to between AUD$6,135 and AUD$6,140. Student visa applicants carry this cost on top of tuition, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and living-cost evidence — currently AUD$29,710 a year for a single applicant.
What's the Total Cost of a Student Visa Application?
The AUD$2,500 fee is only one line in your budget. The Department requires several other costs before it grants your visa:
Visa application charge: AUD$2,500 (AUD$2,050 for ELICOS/Non-Award)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): mandatory for your entire stay under your visa conditions; single cover starts from around AUD$478–750 a year, depending on your insurer and policy length
Biometrics collection: AUD$40–80 if your passport requires it, paid directly to the local collection centre — this fee doesn't go to the Department
Financial capacity evidence: you must show access to AUD$29,710 a year in living costs, on top of your full first-year tuition and return airfare
None of these figures include tuition itself, which varies by course and provider. Add up the visa charge, OSHC, and living-cost evidence before you commit to a course, so your budget reflects the real cost of studying in Australia — not just the headline visa fee.
What Should You Do Before You Apply?
Budget for the AUD$2,500 fee (or AUD$2,050 for ELICOS/Non-Award) alongside tuition, OSHC, and the AUD$29,710 living-cost threshold
Prepare a strong Genuine Student (GS) statement — this replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test and now drives most refusal decisions
Submit complete, error-free financial evidence, since the fee is non-refundable on refusal
Choose a provider with a strong visa-approval history — the Department is actively cracking down on course-hopping and low-compliance providers
Get advice from a registered migration agent before you lodge, especially if you are switching visas or applying onshore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?
The standard Student visa (subclass 500) fee is AUD$2,500 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD$2,000. ELICOS and Non-Award sector applicants pay AUD$2,050. The Department sets these rates under the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026.
Is the student visa fee refundable if my application is refused?
No. The Department of Home Affairs visa application charge is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. You pay the full amount at lodgement through ImmiAccount, whether the Department grants or refuses your visa.
Who qualifies for a lower student visa fee?
Eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN member countries may qualify for a concessional rate. Confirm your exact figure using the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator, since it depends on your passport and visa stream.
Did the student visa fee increase from 2025 to 2026?
Yes. The fee rose from AUD$1,600 to AUD$2,000 on 1 July 2025, then to AUD$2,500 on 1 July 2026 — a combined 56% increase in two years.
What other costs come with a student visa application, besides the visa fee?
Budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC, from around AUD$478–750 a year), biometrics collection (AUD$40–80 if required), and evidence of AUD$29,710 a year in living costs on top of your first-year tuition and return airfare.
What other visa fees increased on 1 July 2026? The Temporary Graduate (485) visa rose to AUD$5,750, the Partner visa rose to AUD$11,710, and the 189, 190, and 494 skilled visas now sit between AUD$6,135 and AUD$6,140.
Student Visa Fee Increase 2026: Book a Consultation Today
The AUD$2,500 student visa fee and the wider 1 July 2026 reforms raise the cost of studying in Australia. Our MARA-registered migration agents and education specialists help you plan your application, prepare a strong Genuine Student statement, and avoid costly refusals. Book a one-on-one consultation today.
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