Approximately 120,277 Indian students were enrolled in Australian educational institutions as of August 2023.
Melbourne: There is a piece of news that concerns students from India planning to fly to Australia for studies. Australia has more than doubled the cost of student visa fees for international students from USD 710 to USD 1,600. This steep hike will affect thousands of Indians planning to study in this country.
The decision has sparked outrage among student representatives, who argue that the increase in prices will push potential students towards competitors, as reported by ABC News on Monday.
Effective July 1, the fee for international student visas has increased to USD 1,600 from the previous USD 710. The federal government has stated that the additional funds will support educational initiatives, such as reducing graduate debt, providing financial aid to apprentices, and continuing the execution of its migration strategy, according to the report.
“International education is an incredibly important national asset and we need to ensure its integrity and quality,” Minister for Education Jason Clare said in a statement.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra reports that approximately 120,277 Indian students were enrolled in Australian educational institutions as of August 2023, ranking them as the second-largest group of international students in Australia.
In contrast, Yeganeh Soltanpour, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, criticized the decision, pointing out that the increased fees, along with high deposit requirements, add significant financial pressure on international students, according to the ABC report.
“The possibility of spending all that money only to face rejection is quite disheartening for many students. It has caused many in the student community to explore other options and competitive countries,” she said.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, told the ABC that the announcement was the “last straw” for the international education sector, which has already suffered from a slowdown in visa approvals.
“We are really in danger of losing a USD 48 billion a year industry,” he said, adding that it will “heavily impact” on relationships with our Indo-Pacific neighbours who rely on Australia to deliver world-class qualifications to young people. He warned that this change could drive prospective students to the United Kingdom, Australia’s closest competitor, which currently charges USD 900 for student visa fees.
(With PTI inputs)
