Student Visa (Subclass 500) Price Increase: What It Means for Applicants

Each year on 1 July, the Australian Government applies indexation to visa application charges (VACs) across its entire visa program. The 2023 increase to the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application charge represented a meaningful cost increase for international students and their families. This guide explains the change, its context, and what it means for prospective applicants.

The July 2023 Fee Increase

Effective 1 July 2023, the base application charge for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) increased to AUD $710 for the primary applicant. This represented an increase from the previous charge of AUD $650 - a rise of AUD $60, or approximately 9.2%. Additional family members applying on the same application also saw proportional increases.

The increase was part of a broader round of visa fee indexation that affected most Australian visa types. The Government noted that visa application charges had not kept pace with the cost of processing applications and that the increase was intended to ensure the visa program remained financially sustainable.

Why Visa Application Charges Are Indexed

Australian visa application charges are indexed annually to reflect changes in the cost of processing applications. The indexation rate is tied to a measure of government service costs. While annual indexation is not unusual, the 2023 increase was larger than in some previous years, reflecting the broader inflationary environment.

The Department of Home Affairs publishes the current visa application charges on its website. Because charges are updated annually, always verify the current fee directly from the Department rather than relying on third-party sources (including this article) for exact amounts at the time of your application.

The Full Cost of a Student Visa Application

The visa application charge is only one component of the cost of obtaining an Australian student visa. The full cost picture includes:

• Visa application charge: AUD $710 per primary applicant (as at July 2023 - check current rates)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): AUD $600-$750 per year for a single student; more for accompanying family members
• English language test: IELTS costs approximately AUD $375-$400 per sitting; TOEFL and PTE Academic have similar costs
• Genuine Student statement preparation: Time cost; some applicants use professional support services
• Document certification and translation: AUD $50-$200 depending on the volume of documents and languages involved
• Skills assessment (if applicable): AUD $200-$800 depending on the assessing body and qualification type

Total upfront costs for a primary applicant applying for a standard one-year student visa typically range from AUD $1,700 to AUD $2,500, before tuition fees and living costs.

What Is Not Included in the Visa Application Charge

Some students confuse the visa application charge with the cost of a MARA-registered migration agent's assistance. These are separate costs. A migration agent's professional fee - which covers reviewing your application, ensuring it meets all requirements, managing correspondence with the Department, and providing strategic advice - is in addition to the government visa application charge.

While using a migration agent is not mandatory, research consistently shows that well-prepared applications lodged with professional guidance have higher approval rates and fewer delays than self-lodged applications. Given the non-refundable nature of the application charge, investing in professional assistance is often financially prudent.