Australia’s top international education bodies have called on the federal government to urgently reduce the AUD $2,000 non-refundable student visa application fee, citing its impact on short-term study programs and international student diversity.

In July 2025, the government raised the student visa fee to $2,000, following a 125% increase the previous year from $710 to $1,600. The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), English Australia, and the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) argue that Australia now has the highest student visa charges globally.

In a joint letter to the Prime Minister, treasurer, finance minister, and the six-member council for international education, the organisations urged a 50% reduction for students enrolling in:

• Independent ELICOS programs lasting less than 52 weeks
• Non-award courses lasting less than 52 weeks

“These students typically seek a short study experience rather than a multi-year qualification. Requiring them to pay the full $2,000 non-refundable fee for a course lasting months or weeks is inequitable especially when compared to longer award-conferring programs,” the letter said.

The groups warned that high fees are harming independent English language providers, leading to school closures and reduced cultural exchange. “As well as reducing diversity in Australian classrooms, reduced interest for incoming study abroad and exchange programs… will restrict outbound semester exchange opportunities for Australian students over time,” the letter added.

Data from the Department of Education shows international student commencements in the year to July 2025 fell 16% compared with 2024, with English language colleges (ELICOS) down nearly 40%.

Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill acknowledged concerns from providers but said visa fee hikes were not the sole factor. “The correlation between a reduction in offshore student numbers was not actually with the first increase to the visa fee… the correlation with the more significant drop in student numbers was when we tightened up the visa integrity settings because of some of the behaviour we were seeing from certain markets,” Hill told The Pie News. He added that the government is reviewing options in response to stakeholder feedback.