The Australian federal government has quietly hiked visa application fees by up to 200%, making the country’s fees the highest among Western nations. The non-refundable charges, effective 1 July 2024, have sparked outrage among international students, permanent residents, and business groups.
Fee Increases and Comparisons
The temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) fee more than doubled from $2,300 in March to $4,600, then rose again to $5,750 on 1 July—more than triple the fees in the UK, US, New Zealand, and Canada. The resident return visa surged from $490 to $1,475, a 200% increase. Bridging visa B jumped from $190 to $575. Skilled independent visas rose 25% to $6,140, and partner visas increased 25% to $11,710. According to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the average skilled worker visa cost is now more than double that in the UK and over ten times that in the US.
Impact on Permanent Residents
Australia and New Zealand are the only Western nations where a permanent resident’s re-entry right expires after one year abroad. New Zealand charges A$290 for a resident return visa, while Australia now charges $1,475. Adrian Riordan, married to a permanent resident, 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.” A petition opposing the resident return visa fee has garnered over 30,000 signatures, calling the increase “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.”
Student Reactions
The International Students Representative Council of Australia (ISRC) warned prospective students to consider other destinations. President Weihong Liang said: “International students are increasingly being treated not as valued members of Australian campuses and communities, but as a source of government revenue.” One anonymous student described the hike as a “kick in the teeth,” asking: “Are international students just official ATMs for the government at this point?” Syed Taqi Abbas Razvi, an ethnocultural officer at the National Union of Students, said he felt “devastated” and “hopeless.” He added: “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.”
Business and Education Sector Concerns
Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Higher visa costs will make Australia a harder sell for visitors, which will have significant impacts on tourism operators and education providers.” He criticised the government for “sneaking in major changes that carry drastic consequences.” Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, said governments had encouraged universities to build the international student sector but are now “dismantling it, one decision at a time.” He noted that the fee hike, combined with higher visa refusal rates and policy uncertainty, has made Australia a less attractive destination.
Government Justification
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Guardian Australia that a visa to live, work, or study in Australia “is underpriced at any cost” and remains a “small fraction” of average fees paid by international students. The government has also capped international student places at 295,000 by 2027, 8% below the 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.”
