The Australian Government has increased the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500, effective from 1 July 2026.
The increase affects thousands of international students planning to study in Australia. While tuition fees and living expenses remain major costs, the higher government visa application charge means students should now budget more carefully before lodging their visa application.
Apart from the visa application fee, students also need to consider Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), tuition fees, medical examinations and other application-related expenses.
The following visa application charges apply from 1 July 2026.
|
Applicant |
Visa Application Charge |
|---|---|
|
Primary Applicant |
AUD 2,500 |
|
Additional Applicant (18 years and over) |
AUD 1,530 |
|
Additional Applicant (Under 18 years) |
AUD 500 |
|
Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC) |
AUD 700 |
Applicants should always check the latest visa charges before lodging their application, as government fees may change over time.
Australia has increased Student Visa application charges several times in recent years.
|
Date |
Primary Applicant Fee |
|---|---|
|
Before 1 July 2024 |
AUD 710 |
|
From 1 July 2024 |
AUD 1,600 |
|
From 1 July 2025 |
AUD 2,000 |
|
From 1 July 2026 |
AUD 2,500 |
The latest increase represents an additional AUD 500 for the primary applicant compared with the previous fee.
Example 1 – Single Student
|
Applicant |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Primary Applicant |
AUD 2,500 |
Total Government Charge: AUD 2,500
Example 2 – Student and Spouse
|
Applicant |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Primary Applicant |
AUD 2,500 |
|
Spouse (18+) |
AUD 1,530 |
Total Government Charge: AUD 4,030
Example 3 – Student, Spouse and One Child
|
Applicant |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Primary Applicant |
AUD 2,500 |
|
Spouse |
AUD 1,530 |
|
Child |
AUD 500 |
Total Government Charge: AUD 4,530
These examples include only the government visa application charges. Additional expenses will also apply depending on the applicant's circumstances.
The Student Visa application charge is only one part of the overall cost of studying in Australia.
Students should also budget for:
Understanding the total cost before lodging a visa application can help students prepare financially for their studies in Australia.
Most Student Visa applicants are required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their studies in Australia.
OSHC helps cover the cost of medical treatment and hospital care while studying in Australia and forms an important part of the Student Visa application.
As government visa application charges continue to increase, students should compare OSHC policies before purchasing a policy to ensure they choose suitable cover for their visa requirements and budget.
If you are looking to reduce your overall study costs, you may also wish to explore the cheapest OSHC in Australia before selecting your policy.
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government also introduced a separate Student visa application charge for certain English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) applicants.
Students enrolling in stand-alone English language courses should carefully check the applicable visa application charge before lodging their Student visa application, as the fee may differ depending on the course type and individual circumstances.
Applicants should always verify the latest visa charges using the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Pricing Estimator before submitting their application.
The increase in the Student Visa application fee means international students should carefully plan their education budget before applying.
Apart from tuition fees, students should also budget for:
Preparing a realistic budget before travelling to Australia can help students avoid financial stress during their studies.
Selecting the right Overseas Student Health Cover is an important part of the Student Visa application process.
Although all approved OSHC providers satisfy Student Visa health insurance requirements, policies may differ in areas such as:
Students should compare these features before purchasing a policy rather than selecting a provider based only on price.
Students can compare Allianz OSHC, Bupa OSHC, Medibank OSHC, NIB OSHC, and AHM OSHC before deciding which policy best suits their individual needs. Each provider offers different policy features, pricing, waiting periods and member benefits, so comparing policies before purchasing is recommended.
Students can also compare OSHC policies from Australia's leading providers in one place before making a decision.
Many Student Visa refusals or delays occur because applicants overlook important requirements.
Before lodging your application, make sure you:
Careful preparation can help avoid unnecessary delays and requests for further information.
The primary Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee is AUD 2,500.
An additional applicant aged 18 years or over pays AUD 1,530.
An additional applicant under 18 years of age pays AUD 500.
Yes. Most Student Visa applicants are required to maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay in Australia.
Students can choose from approved Australian OSHC providers. Before purchasing a policy, it is recommended that students compare available options based on cover, benefits and cost.
Students can compare Overseas Student Health Cover policies from Australia's leading providers before selecting the policy that best suits their needs.
The increase in the Student Visa application fee to AUD 2,500 means that international students should carefully budget for all costs associated with studying in Australia.
Apart from the government visa application charge, students should also consider tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and Overseas Student Health Cover.
Students looking to reduce their overall study costs may also wish to compare the cheapest OSHC in Australia before purchasing a policy.