Fee increase for international students part of July 1 migration reforms

As of 1 July 2024, the fee for international student visas will increase from $710 to $1,600.

This increase reflects the increasing value of education in Australia and the Albanese Government’s commitment to restoring integrity in the international education sector.

The increase will also help fund a number of important initiatives in education and migration, including: 

• Measures recommended by the Universities Accord including making HECS fairer, paid prac and FEE-Free Uni Ready courses
• Measures in the Vocational Education and Training sector including financial support for apprentices and their employers, and
• The ongoing implementation of the Migration Strategy. 

Alongside this change, a number of previously announced elements of the Migration Strategy also come into effect, including:

• Increasing the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $70,000 to $73,150 based on annual indexation, the second increase under this Government after it was frozen for a decade at $53,900
• Shortening the duration of Temporary Graduate Visas and reducing the age eligibility
• Ending ‘visa hopping’ by closing the loopholes that allow students and other temporary visa holders to continuously extend their stay in Australia, in some cases indefinitely  
• Enhancing mobility for temporary skilled migrants to reduce exploitation and drive productivity, by extending the amount of time temporary skilled migrants can remain in Australia between employer sponsors from 60 days to 180 days 
• Implementing the Strengthening Employer Compliance Bill 2023 to provide new criminal measures against employers engaging in the exploitation of migrants
• Introducing the Workplace Justice Visa Pilot to enable temporary visa holders to remain in Australia for a short period when pursuing workplace justice.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor:

“Australia has a world-class education sector, one that draws international students from around the globe – so we need to make sure all students are getting the quality of education they pay for.

“We are continuing our work to weed out the unscrupulous providers who are looking to take advantage of international students.

“Most providers do the right thing and are in the business of education and training for the right reasons. They will benefit from the removal of non-genuine actors, who undermine integrity and trust in VET.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

“International education is an incredibly important national asset and we need to ensure its integrity and quality. 

“These changes will strengthen integrity in the international education system and help to fund important reforms recommended by the Universities Accord, including making HECS fairer, paid prac and expanding FEE-Free Uni Ready courses.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil: 

“When we came to government we inherited a migration system that was broken and dysfunctional, and an international education system which was being compromised by rorts and exploitation. 

“Reform was essential, after a decade of neglect under the former government. 

“This sector has the power to drive growth and opportunity for our country, but to get there, we’ve got to work with quality providers to clean it up.

“The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles: 

“Our reforms will help vulnerable workers speak up, while we crack down on employers doing the wrong thing.  

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering higher wages for skilled migrants and Australians after a decade of the former Liberal Government deliberately keeping wages low.”