Australia Remains Top Choice for Indian Students Despite Increased Visa Fees
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Starting July 1, 2025, Australia has revised its student visa application fee to AUD 2,000 (approximately INR 1.12 lakh) up from AUD 1,600 making it the highest among English-speaking countries. Despite this change, education experts and consultants believe Indian students will continue to favour Australia for higher education due to the country's unmatched value proposition.
鈥淔or students already budgeting AUD 55,000 to AUD 85,000 annually for their education and living, this AUD 400 hike is likely to impact their decision significantly,鈥� said Saurabh Aurora, Founder and CEO of University Living.
Why Students Still Prefer Australia Irrespective of The Student Visa Hike?
Students are increasingly prioritising return on investment, including academic quality, post-study work rights, lifestyle and long-term career prospects, over a one-time increase in visa fees.
Australia's Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international graduates to stay and work for 2 to 6 years, depending on their level of qualification. Universities such as Melbourne, Monash, and UNSW remain leading choices for Indian students due to their global reputation and strong graduate outcomes.
Read Next: Australia Increases Student Visa Fee by 25% to AUD 2,000
Emerging Alternatives, Yet Australia Still In Leading
Countries like Germany, France, Italy, Spain and New Zealand are gaining traction among Indian students offering affordable tuition fee, unique cultural experiences and promising post study work opportunities
Germany, for instance, saw a 38% surge in Indian enrolments between 2021 to 2023 and is projected to triple by 2030.
Even with rising competition, Australia remains a dominant position. According to the March 2025 IDP Education Survey, 28% of Indian students ranked Australia as their top study destination ahead of the US (22%) UK (21%) and Canada (13%)
鈥淒espite the higher costs, Indian families see Australia as a worthwhile investment, offering strong academic infrastructure, safety and force study career potential shared Piyush Kumar,鈥� Regional Director at IDP Education.
Cost of Studying in Australia in 2025
| Expense Category | Annual Range (AUD) | Annual Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa, biometrics, and health checks | 2,200 - 2,300 | 1.23 - 1.29 lakh |
| Undergraduate Tuition | 20,000 - 40,000 | 11.2 - 22.4 lakh |
| Postgraduate Tuition | 22,000 - 50,000 | 12.3 - 28 lakh |
| High-Demand Programs (MBA, Medicine) | Up to 100,000 | 56 lakh |
| Living Expenses | 17,000 - 26,000 | 9.5 - 14.6 lakh |
| Travel, Insurance, Books & Miscellaneous | 3,000 - 5,000 | 1.7 - 2.8 lakh |
Several top universities have increased international tuition fees by 5% to 7% in 2025. Yet, many institutions continue to offer merit based scholarships, ranging from AUD 2,500 to 10,000 annually, with some providing up to 50% or even full tuition waivers.
Postgraduate students focused on research may also benefit from fully funded scholarships, including tuition, living expenses and academic support.
Read Next: Australia Launches Interim Tertiary Education Commission to Build Future-Ready Workforce
Financial Concerns Remain, But Student Support Grows
According to IDP's Global Student Survey:
- 66% of students cited financial concerns as their top worry
- 55% said scholarships influence their choice
- 54% look for part time work opportunities
- 47% mentioned visa difficulties as a concern
- 43% highlighted housing costs
- 39% struggle to balance study and work
Despite these concerns, Australia's holistic support for international students combined with long term benefits continue to reassure aspiring learners from India and beyond.
Student Visa Fee Comparison (2025)
- Australia: AUD 2,000 (INR 1.12 lakh)
- UK: GBP 490 (INR 57,133)
- US F1 visa: USD 185 (INR 15,780)
- Canada: CAD 150 (INR 9,415)
Read Next: Australia Welcomes 450,000 Indian Tourists Amid Easier Visa and Flight Access
