Is Australia becoming discriminatory towards international students?

A recent update to the Australian visa application system has raised some serious concerns. Applicants are now being asked to enter their nationality to estimate their visa application charges.

This change raises an important question: Is the government planning to introduce a new set of rules that would adjust visa fees based on the applicant’s passport?

If so, it could mark a shift towards a discriminatory system, where students from certain countries may face higher financial barriers than others. At a time when Australia should be reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming destination for international education, such moves could have lasting negative impacts.

The financial burden on international students has intensified with significant increases in visa application fees. As of July 2024, the fee for the Subclass 500 student visa more than doubled from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. Further proposals suggest raising this fee to AUD 2,000 or even AUD 5,000 for applicants to top-tier universities. 

These hikes position Australia’s visa fees among the highest globally, surpassing those of countries like the U.S. and Canada. The abrupt and substantial increases have led many students to feel exploited, with some describing the experience as being treated like “cash cows.” ​

What do you think?

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator

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