Australia's Spike in Student Visa Fees Spurs Student Outrage

Australia has increased its student visa fees from USD 710 to USD 1,600, impacting many Indians planning to study there. Student representatives warn this hike could push students towards other countries. The revenue will fund education initiatives, but the increase has been widely criticised.

Australia has more than doubled the cost of student visa fees for international students, a move that has triggered widespread outrage. The fee hike from USD 710 to USD 1,600 will impact thousands of Indian students planning to study in the country, ABC News reported on Monday.

The new fee structure, effective from July 1, aims to fund education initiatives such as reducing graduate debt, providing financial support for apprentices, and implementing the new migration strategy, according to the federal government.

''International education is a critical national asset, and we need to ensure its integrity and quality,'' stated Jason Clare, Minister for Education.

The Indian High Commission in Canberra estimated around 120,277 Indian students enrolled in Australian institutions as of August 2023, making them the second-largest group of international students in the country.

However, the decision has faced criticism. Yeganeh Soltanpour, president of the Council of International Students Australia, noted the fee increase places extra strain on international students who already struggle with high deposit costs.

Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, labeled the announcement as the ''last straw'' for a sector already hit by slow visa approvals. The change risks driving prospective students to competitors like the United Kingdom, which charges USD 900 for a student visa.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)