Concern as Australia hikes student fees again but ASEAN exemption wins praise

Australia has implemented a substantial 25% increase in international student visa fees, raising the non-refundable application cost from A$2,000 to A$2,500. However, in a strategic move to strengthen regional relationships, students from Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been exempted from this hike. They will instead face an inflation-adjusted increase of A$50, bringing their fee to A$2,050.

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A reduced visa fee rate for students from ASEAN nations reflects the importance Australia places on welcoming high-quality students from South-east Asia.

This decision aligns with Australia's broader efforts to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia, as highlighted by Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill. He stated that a reduced visa fee rate for ASEAN students reflects the importance Australia places on welcoming high-quality students from the region. "Australia and ASEAN nations share deep, abiding bonds and it’s important that our young people spend time in their formative years getting to know each other and building lifelong bonds," Hill said.

The fee increase comes as the Australian government seeks to manage a surge in migration following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the latest in a series of hikes, with fees having already risen from A$710 to A$1,600 in July 2024 and then to A$2,000 in July 2025. Australia's international student visa fees are now the highest globally, significantly exceeding those in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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Australia and ASEAN nations share deep, abiding bonds and it’s important that our young people spend time in their formative years getting to know each other and building lifelong bonds.

Despite the higher costs, Australia's international education sector, a major export earner worth A$55 billion in 2025, is expected to remain robust. Educational consultancies like AUG Student Services, with decades of experience, believe the fee increase will not deter applicants, particularly from ASEAN countries. Nicole Chong of AUG noted that the modest increase for ASEAN students demonstrates Australia's commitment to maintaining a strong educational relationship with the region. Australia currently hosts approximately 681,000 foreign students, with significant numbers from China, India, Nepal, and Vietnam.

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The hike is just 2.5 per cent, or A$50, from the previous A$2,000. This shows the Australian government’s determination to maintain a strong educational relationship with ASEAN.