Australia has significantly increased the cost of student visas for international students from USD 710 to USD 1,600, a move that will heavily impact the large number of Indian students aspiring to study in the country.
This change, effective from July 1, has sparked outrage among student representatives, who warn that the steep price hike will deter prospective students and drive them to competing destinations.
ABC News reported on Monday that student visa fees have more than doubled, marking a significant financial strain for many international students.
The Australian federal government has justified the fee increase, stating that the additional revenue will support various educational initiatives.
These include reductions in graduate debt, financial aid for apprentices, and the continued implementation of the country's migration strategy.
Minister for Education Jason Clare pointed out the importance of maintaining the integrity and quality of Australia's international education sector.
"International education is an incredibly important national asset, and we need to ensure its integrity and quality," Clare stated.
According to the Indian High Commission in Canberra, as of August 2023, there are approximately 1,20,277 Indian students enrolled in Australian institutions, making them the second-largest group of international students in the country.
Yeganeh Soltanpour, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, criticized the decision, highlighting the additional burden the fee increase places on students.
She maintained that the combination of high visa fees and substantial deposit requirements is particularly disheartening for many students, causing them to consider other countries for their education.
"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," Soltanpour said.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, echoed these concerns, describing the announcement as the "last straw" for an already struggling international education sector.
He warned that the increase could lead to a significant decline in Australia's USD 48 billion-a-year education industry and harm relationships with Indo-Pacific nations that rely on Australian education for their young people.
"We are really in danger of losing a USD 48 billion-a-year industry," Honeywood cautioned, adding that this change could push prospective students towards the United Kingdom, which currently charges USD 900 for student visas.
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