Australia Student Visa Fees: 25% Hike from 1 July 2026, Explained

The Australia student visa fees for Indian students in 2026 is AUD 2,500, approximately 1.68 lakh INR.

The exact student visa fee varies depending on your course type, with most international students applying for higher education paying the full visa application charge.

• AUD 500 increase: The Australia student visa subclass 500 fee increased by AUD 500 this year, which is about INR 33,500.
• Standard rate (higher education and VET): AUD 2,500, which applies to most international students pursuing degree and vocational courses.
• ELICOS and non-award rate: AUD 2,050 (INR 1.37 lakh) for eligible English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and non-award programmes.
• Concessional rate: Students from selected ASEAN and Pacific countries pay a reduced visa fee. Indian students are not eligible for this concession and must pay the full AUD 2,500.

(exchange rate of 1 AUD = INR 67)

The Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) fee in India has increased from UD 710 to AUD 2,500 between 2024 and 2026, which is more than a 250% total increase in three years.

The biggest jump came on 1 July 2024, when the fee rose 125%, from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. The increases in 2025 and 2026 were smaller at 25% each, but still added AUD 900 to the total visa cost over those two years.

The Australia Student Visa fees is only one part of your total visa budget. You also need to pay for mandatory health insurance, English language tests, medical examinations, and biometrics.

Below is the breakdown of major costs related to an Australian student visa:

No, the Australia Student Visa fee is not refundable. Once you submit your visa application and pay the fee, you will not get the money back, even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

Keep these points in mind before paying the student visa fee for Australia:

• The fee is non-refundable. The application charge is not refunded if your visa is approved, refused, or withdrawn after lodgement.
• The fee depends on your lodgement date. You pay the visa application charge that is in effect on the day you submit your application. Applying before a fee revision means paying the lower rate, while applications lodged after the revision attract the new fee.
• A refusal means you lose the full application fee. Since the visa application charge is non-refundable, a refused application results in the loss of the entire AUD 2,500 (INR 1.68 lakh) fee. This makes it important to submit a complete application with accurate documents and meet all visa requirements.

Australia student visa (subclass 500) fee is the highest application fee among the top study abroad destinations, costing more than the UK, USA, and Canada. At approximately ₹1.68 lakh, the fee is more than twice the UK's, over three times the USA's, and around ten times Canada's study permit fee. The table below compares the latest student visa or study permit application fees across all four countries.

Many students budget carefully for tuition and living expenses but overlook visa-related costs until the last minute. With Australia's student visa fee now at a record high, planning your finances early can help you avoid unexpected expenses and submit your application with confidence.

At Yocket Premium, our counsellors help you build a realistic study abroad budget, review your visa documents, and guide you through every step of the Australia student visa process, improving your chances of a smooth application.