Lori Meadows
Australia's Student Visa application fee has increased over the years, with the Australian Government aiming to balance the demand for international students with infrastructure and housing pressures. As of July 2024, the base application fee for a primary applicant is AUD 1600, with additional fees for subsequent applicants and extensions. Students must also factor in payment surcharges for credit card or PayPal usage. This article will outline the current fees for a Student Visa application in Australia and provide insight into the potential costs and requirements for international students seeking to study in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Visa Application Fee (Primary Holder) | AUD $710 |
| Additional Application Fee Charge (18 years and above) | AUD $530 |
| Additional Application Fee Charge (Under 18 years) | AUD $175 |
| Subsequent Surcharge Application Fee (if previously held a visa) | AUD $700 per applicant |
| Visa Application Charge (From 1 July 2024) | AUD $1,600 |
| Additional Applicants (18 years or above) | AUD $1,190 |
| Additional Applicants (Under 18 years) | AUD $390 |
| First Extension Application Fee | AUD $1,600 |
| Subsequent Temporary Extension Fee | AUD $700 per application |
| Payment Surcharges | Additional fees for credit card or PayPal |
| Visa Application Fee (From 1 July 2025) | AUD $2,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Student visa fees for primary applicants
As of 1 July 2023, the Australian Home Affairs department has set the student visa application fee for primary holders at AUD $710, up from AUD $650. This fee is for a primary applicant and does not include any additional charges for secondary applicants or dependents.
If any primary holder or secondary holder is currently in Australia and has held a visa before, a Subsequent Surcharge Application Fee of AUD $700 per applicant may apply.
In addition to the visa application fee, you may also be required to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your application. The amount you pay depends on how long your visa is valid for.
If you are already in Australia and wish to extend your stay on a Student Visa, you may apply for an extension. The application fee for this is AUD $524. Similarly, if you are already in Australia on another visa and wish to switch to a Student Visa, the application fee is also AUD $524.
It is important to note that visa fees are subject to change, and you should always refer to the official government website for the most up-to-date information.
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Additional application fees for those under/over 18
The student visa application fee for Australia varies depending on the age of the applicant. As of July 1, 2024, the base application fee for primary applicants is AUD 1,600. Additional applicants aged 18 or above are required to pay AUD 1,190, while additional applicants under 18 years of age must pay AUD 390.
Prior to this increase, the fees were lower. As of July 1, 2023, the base application fee for a primary holder was AUD 710. For an additional applicant aged 18 or above, the fee was AUD 530, while for an additional applicant under 18 years of age, the fee was AUD 175.
It is important to note that these fees may be subject to change, and there may be additional surcharges or fees depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant. For instance, if the primary or secondary holder is in Australia and has previously held a visa, a subsequent surcharge application fee of AUD 700 per applicant may apply. Additionally, payment surcharges may be incurred if paying via credit card or PayPal.
To ensure you have the most up-to-date information on visa fees and any additional charges, it is recommended to refer to the official website of the Australian Home Affairs department.
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Subsequent surcharge fees
The subsequent surcharge application fee for an Australian student visa is AUD $700 per applicant. This applies if any primary or secondary holder is currently in Australia and has held a visa previously. This is a temporary application charge that applies to certain temporary visas and must be paid by each person included in the application. It is based on the individual visa history of each applicant.
This surcharge fee is separate from the primary student visa application fee, which, as of 01/07/2023, is AUD $710 for a primary holder. There are also additional application fee charges depending on the age of the applicant. For applicants aged 18 years and above, the fee is AUD $530, while applicants under 18 years of age are charged AUD $175.
It is important to note that the subsequent surcharge application fee is not a one-time payment and applies to each applicant within a student visa application who has previously held a visa in Australia. This means that if there are multiple applicants who meet these criteria, each of them will be required to pay the AUD $700 fee.
To avoid any unexpected costs, it is recommended that applicants carefully review the visa pricing table and determine the total cost of their student visa application, including any applicable surcharge fees. This will ensure they are fully aware of the financial requirements before initiating the application process.
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Payment methods and surcharges
The student visa application fee for Australia varies depending on the type of applicant and the date of application. As of 1 July 2024, the base application charge for primary applicants is AUD 1,600. Additional applicants aged 18 years or above are required to pay AUD 1,190, while additional applicants under 18 years old need to pay AUD 390. These charges have seen significant adjustments over the years, with the primary applicant fee more than doubling from AUD 710 before July 2024.
First extensions for student visas also cost AUD 1,600, while subsequent temporary extensions attract an extra AUD 700 per application. Applicants are advised to lodge their visa applications as early as possible and ensure that their applications are complete and valid. Incomplete applications, including those missing documents or containing incorrect information, may lead to longer processing times or even refusal. Visa fees are non-refundable in the event of a refusal.
Payment surcharges may apply depending on the chosen payment method. Applicants paying via credit card or PayPal will need to pay additional fees. It is important to note that the Australian government does not refund visa application charges for students already in Australia who subsequently apply for a new visa due to changes in their course level or type.
The Australian government previously offered a refund incentive for offshore student visa holders to encourage their return to the country between 19 January and 19 March 2022. This initiative aimed to address workforce shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Visa refunds
Generally, the visa application charge is not refunded, even if your visa application is refused or withdrawn. However, there have been instances of the Australian government offering refunds as incentives. For example, in 2022, any student visa holder who was offshore and travelled to Australia between 19 January and 19 March 2022 was eligible for a refund of their visa application charge.
If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you can apply through the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Refund Portal. You will need to create an account and provide the following information:
- Family name
- Given name
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Email address
- Password
Once your account is created, you will receive a confirmation email. After validating your email, you will be redirected to a login page. Once logged in, you will be taken to a page titled "Visa application charge refunds for students and working holiday makers". Read the information on this page and click "Submit New Request". After submitting your request, you will receive another confirmation email regarding your application.
If your refund request is approved, the money will be transferred back to your nominated bank account. If your request is refused, you can apply for a review within 21 days of the refusal.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 1st, 2024, the base application charge for a Student Visa (subclass 500) is AUD 1,600 for primary applicants. Additional applicants aged 18 and above will need to pay AUD 1,190, while those under 18 years old will pay AUD 390.
Yes, applicants are required to pay additional fees when paying via credit card or PayPal. Additionally, if you are already in Australia and have previously held a visa, a Subsequent Surcharge Application Fee of AUD 700 per applicant may apply.
The payment methods accepted when applying for an Australian student visa are not readily available. However, it is stated that additional fees will be incurred if you pay via credit card or PayPal.
Yes, Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants are exempt from the student visa application charge. Additionally, students who were already offshore and travelled to Australia between January 19th and March 19th, 2022, were eligible for a refund of their visa application charge.
