Last updated: 3 July 2026. Data source: Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing · ICEF Monitor.
From 1 July 2026, the standard first-instalment fee for an Australian student visa (subclass 500) rose to A$2,500 — up roughly 25% from A$2,000. The increase applies to any application lodged on or after 1 July 2026, and the fee is non-refundable whether or not the visa is granted. It is the third increase since October 2023, and it once again makes Australia's student visa the most expensive of any major English-speaking study destination.
Scope note: This article covers the visa application charge — the fee you pay the Department of Home Affairs to lodge. It is separate from tuition, OSHC health cover, and the financial-capacity evidence you must show. Figures apply to the ELICOS, VET, and Higher Education sectors.
What the new fee is
The subclass 500 first-instalment charge from 1 July 2026 depends on your passport and course type.
| Applicant category | Fee from 1 Jul 2026 |
|---|---|
| Standard applicant | A$2,500 |
| ASEAN member-country passport holder | A$2,050 |
| ELICOS or non-award course (not Pacific-regional) | A$2,050 |
| Pacific-regional or Timor-Leste passport holder | A$745 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing. Confirm the exact charge for your circumstances with the Visa Pricing Estimator.
A subsequent-application charge and second-instalment charges may apply to some applicants, including those adding family members or applying onshore in certain circumstances. Your total will depend on your specific situation.
How the fee got here
The application charge has climbed steeply and repeatedly since late 2023.
| Effective date | Standard subclass 500 fee |
|---|---|
| Before Oct 2023 | A$710 |
| 1 July 2024 | A$1,600 |
| 1 July 2025 | A$2,000 |
| 1 July 2026 | A$2,500 |
That is a 252% increase in under three years. The July 2026 rise formed part of a broader lift across most Australian visa categories, with many charges raised around 25% in a single step — well above the usual 2–5% indexation.
What it means for students
The practical impact is straightforward, and it lands before you know the outcome of your application.
The fee is payable at lodgement and is not refunded if your visa is refused. With refusal rates elevated under the Genuine Student (GS) framework and Evidence Level tightening, a weak or rushed application now risks A$2,500 rather than A$2,000. The case for lodging a complete, well-evidenced application the first time is stronger than ever.
For a prospective student comparing destinations, the application charge is now a material line item — but still small next to tuition and living costs. The bigger effect is signalling: a third consecutive hike reinforces the perception that Australia is tightening the door on international students. That perception, more than the dollar figure, is what sector bodies have warned about.
If you are budgeting, treat A$2,500 as the floor for a standard single applicant and check the Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact category before you plan around it.
Does the increase apply to you?
- Applied before 1 July 2026 — you paid the previous A$2,000 charge; the new fee does not apply retrospectively.
- Applying now — the A$2,500 standard charge (or your reduced-rate category) applies.
- Already onshore renewing or applying for a further student visa — the standard charge applies unless a reduced rate covers your passport or course type.
For more on how tightening policy is reshaping student visa outcomes, see our visa data insights.
A note on advice
This article explains a published Department of Home Affairs pricing change. It is not legal or migration advice, and individual circumstances vary. For a decision about your own application, consult a registered migration agent (MARA-registered) or the Department of Home Affairs directly.
Data sources: Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing · Visa Pricing Estimator · ICEF Monitor — visa fee hike analysis