Effective from Monday, 22 June 2026, the base Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Student visa (Subclass 500) has risen from AUD 710 to AUD 2,000 following the passage of amendments to the Migration Regulations late last week. Although the higher charge was first costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office during the 2025 election campaign, tertiary educators and student-recruitment agents were taken by surprise when the Government used Senate sitting hours on Friday to fast-track the instrument without debate. Social media lit up over the weekend, with a Reddit thread attracting thousands of comments from current and prospective students who now face up-front fees approaching AUD 5,000 once compulsory medicals and biometrics are added.
![Australia doubles Subclass 500 student visa fee to AUD 2,000, sparking backlash from international education sector]()
For students and sponsors trying to keep pace with these sudden changes, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The company’s Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) tracks real-time fee updates, provides step-by-step Subclass 500 guidance, and can even coordinate medical and biometrics appointments—helping applicants avoid costly missteps.
Home Affairs argues the extra revenue—estimated at AUD 190 million a year—will fund more rigorous Genuine Student assessments and expanded compliance operations recommended by last year’s Nixon Review into visa system exploitation. The Department also points to continuing strong demand: commencements are already running 12 per cent above 2025 levels. Universities Australia warns, however, that the timing could not be worse. Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have all eased work-rights rules in recent months, and peak body Chief Executive Catriona Jackson says some high-performing STEM students are already looking elsewhere. Private colleges, many of which rely on lower-income cohorts from South Asia, fear a sharp drop in enrolments for the July intake. For multinational employers, the higher charge may complicate scholarship and secondment budgets. Companies that routinely sponsor staff for master’s programmes in Australia should review their mobility policies and ensure allowances cover the new fee level. Education agents meanwhile are advising applicants to lodge before 1 July—when annual CPI indexation is due—or risk further increases.
For students and sponsors trying to keep pace with these sudden changes, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The company’s Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) tracks real-time fee updates, provides step-by-step Subclass 500 guidance, and can even coordinate medical and biometrics appointments—helping applicants avoid costly missteps.
Home Affairs argues the extra revenue—estimated at AUD 190 million a year—will fund more rigorous Genuine Student assessments and expanded compliance operations recommended by last year’s Nixon Review into visa system exploitation. The Department also points to continuing strong demand: commencements are already running 12 per cent above 2025 levels. Universities Australia warns, however, that the timing could not be worse. Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have all eased work-rights rules in recent months, and peak body Chief Executive Catriona Jackson says some high-performing STEM students are already looking elsewhere. Private colleges, many of which rely on lower-income cohorts from South Asia, fear a sharp drop in enrolments for the July intake. For multinational employers, the higher charge may complicate scholarship and secondment budgets. Companies that routinely sponsor staff for master’s programmes in Australia should review their mobility policies and ensure allowances cover the new fee level. Education agents meanwhile are advising applicants to lodge before 1 July—when annual CPI indexation is due—or risk further increases.
