Australia's Immigration Numbers Hit Record High, International Student Visa Fees Increased Significantly | WPN World People News

To curb record-breaking immigration numbers and ease the housing market strain, Australia suddenly announced on the 1st of the month a 125% increase in student visa application fees, while also prohibiting students holding stay visas and temporary graduate visas from applying for student visas within the country. This has dealt a heavy blow to international students.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil stated in a declaration, "From July 1st, student visa application fees will increase from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. The changes coming into effect today will help restore the integrity of our international education system, creating a fairer, smaller, and more beneficial immigration system for Australia."

Official data released by Australia in March showed that in the year ending September 30, 2023, net immigration increased by 60%, reaching a record 548,800 people. The current student visa fee in the United States is approximately USD 185, and in Canada, it is approximately CAD 150. After the increase, Australia's student visa fees have become the highest among major study-abroad destinations.

Other immigration-related policies previously announced and now in effect include: shortening temporary graduate visas and lowering the age limit for work visa applications; closing loopholes that allowed students and other temporary visa holders to extend their stay indefinitely; raising the English proficiency requirements for international students;

increasing the required savings amount for international students from AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710; and raising the income threshold for temporary skilled migrants from AUD 70,000 to AUD 73,150.