Major Update for International Students 1 July 2025

Student Visa Fee Increase

Starting 1 July 2025, the Student Visa (subclass 500) and Guardian Visa (Sc 590) application fee increased to AUD $2,000. Secondary applicants (e.g. spouses, children) will pay $1,225 or $400 respectively.

Eligible students from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste may receive reduced or waived fees under government concessions. Always confirm the latest charges via the https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator 

Important Update: Student Visa Processing Priorities (Lodged Outside Australia)

Under Ministerial Direction No. 111, the Australian Government has introduced priority levels for assessing student visa applications lodged from offshore:

• Priority 1 – High: Faster processing
  
• Priority 2 – Standard: Regular processing
  

Your processing priority level does not affect the outcome of your visa application—only how quickly it’s processed.

Priority 1 Includes:

• School sector students and short-term exchange participants
  
• Standalone ELICOS students
  
• TAFE students (including select CDU programs)
  
• Students in recognised pilot training
  
• PhD and postgraduate research students
  
• DFAT, Defence, and government scholarship holders
  
• Students in transnational education programs
  
• Applicants from Pacific & Timor-Leste
  
• Applicants with a child under 18 as a dependent
  

Priority 2 Includes:

• Higher Ed and VET students whose providers have reached their prioritisation cap
  
• All other applicants who don’t meet the Priority 1 criteria, including subsequent entrants without a minor dependent
  

Tip for applicants: Contact your education provider or use the Immigration checklist tool https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-tool 

Student Demand Is Falling – Know the Context

Tighter visa policies and rising fees have coincided with significant drops in student visa lodgements and approvals:

• ELICOS visa grants dropped by almost 50% year-on-year
  
• Overall study visa grants fell nearly 30%
  
• Visa applications for the first half of FY 2024/25 dropped 37% year-on-year, reflecting the impact of financial and policy shifts
  
• Approval rates for ELICOS fell to ~75%
  

Which highlights that the government has intensified its review of applications and strengthened the approval process.

Visa Application Tips for Success

With the highest student visa application fees in the world and increased scrutiny on applications, it’s more important than ever to ensure your application is complete and accurate. Here’s how:

1. Submit Complete Documentation
   
   • Submit a comprehensive GS letter explaining your reasons for studying in Australia, and how the course help you in the future – justify the expense associated with study and travel to Australia
   • Attach financial evidence, identity documents, and any relevant documents supporting your application
   • Translate all non-English documents with certified English translations
     
2. Check All Personal Information
   
   • Your name, birthdate, and passport details must match exactly
   • List any previous names or aliases
     
3. Prepare Health and Character Checks Early
   
   • Submit police clearance and health exams before lodging, where required
     
     
4. Apply Early
   
   • Lodge your application months in advance to account for processing lags
     

If you wish to check the general timeframes for visa processing visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times 

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