Australia: Labour Party plans visa fees hike for international students

Australia’s ruling Labour Party has announced fresh plans to raise international students’ visa fees to A$2,000 if returned to office.

According to Reuters on Tuesday, the move is part of a broader strategy to manage immigration and generate revenue from the country’s booming education sector.

A statement by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the proposed increase, which is up from the current A$1,600, is expected to generate A$760 million over four years.

The announcement forms part of Labour’s fiscal plan ahead of Saturday’s federal election.

“We think that is a sensible measure that really prizes the value of studying here in Australia,” Gallagher told reporters.

The move followed a significant fee hike in July last year, when the government more than doubled student visa costs from A$710 to A$1,600.

The conservative opposition has gone further, pledging to raise the fee to A$2,500 for most applicants and up to A$5,000 for those applying to top-tier Group of Eight universities.

Data showed that Australia’s international education sector has seen rapid growth, with nearly 200,000 international students arriving in February 2025 alone — a 12.1 percent increase from the previous year and 7.3 percent above pre-pandemic levels.

However, the influx has contributed to rising net migration and growing pressure on housing.

Australia: Labour Party plans visa fees hike for international students