Australia has increased the cost of student visa fees for international students from $710 to $1,600, which will affect many Indians planning to study in the country.
Student representatives have expressed outrage over the price hike, as reported by ABC News on Monday. They say it may push potential students to consider other options.
The fee for international student visas has increased to $1,600 from $710 starting July 1. The federal government indicated that the additional revenue will be utilized to support educational initiatives, including reducing graduate debt, providing financial assistance for apprentices, and continuing the implementation of its migration strategy, the report mentioned.
"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 estimates that as of August 2023, around 1,20,277 Indian students are currently enrolled to study in Australia, placing Indian students as the second largest group of foreign students in Australia.
Yeganeh Soltanpour, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, criticized the decision, highlighting that the increased fees and high deposit costs are creating additional financial burdens for international students, as reported by ABC.
"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, the CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, informed the ABC that the announcement was the “last straw” for the international education sector, which had already been impacted by a decrease 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" 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 $900 for student visa fees.
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