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Labor Pledges International Student Visa Fee Hike to Fund $760M Election Commitments

The ruling party plans to raise visa fees to A$2,000 and cap commencements at 270,000, as the Coalition proposes even steeper increases ahead of the federal election.

A student walks from high density housing near the campus of the University of Technology in Sydney, April 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Reed/File Photo

Overview

  • Labor has announced it will increase international student visa fees from A$1,600 to A$2,000 starting July 1, 2025, if re-elected.
  • The fee hike is projected to generate A$760 million over four years, funding election promises and budget savings.
  • Labor also plans to cap international student commencements at 270,000 in 2025 to address migration and housing pressures.
  • The Coalition proposes a higher visa fee structure, with A$2,500 for most students and A$5,000 for applicants to Group of Eight universities, alongside a lower cap of 240,000 commencements.
  • Australia's international student enrollments, which surpassed one million in 2024, remain a critical revenue source for universities but contribute to rising housing costs and net migration concerns.