International students, including Indians, must spend more time studying in Australia. Australia more than doubled the international student visa fee from Monday. The Australian government has taken this step due to increased pressure on the housing market and the recent record increase in international students.
Australia has increased the international student visa fee from 710 Australian dollars (about Rs 39,527) to 1,600 Australian dollars (about Rs 89,059) from July 1. Additionally, visitor and temporary graduate visa holders have been banned from applying for student visas.
These Changes Will help create A Better Migration System.
Australian Home Minister Clare O’Neill said that these changes will help maintain the integrity of the international education system and create a better migration system. According to official data released in March, net immigration increased by 60% to 5,48,800 by September 30, 2023. This increase has made applying for a student visa for Australia more expensive than the US and Canada.
The fee is $185 in the US and $150 in Canada. The Australian government said these changes would help close the loophole in visa rules that allows international students to extend their stay in Australia continuously.
Annual Immigration At Record Level
The number of students on second or subsequent student visas in 2022-23 increased by 30 percent to over 1,50,000. The government said the latest step had to be taken as annual immigration reached record levels after the ban on student visas during the COVID period was lifted in 2022.
