Nigerians aiming to study in Australia could soon be hit with visa application fees exceeding ₦2 million, as the Australian government considers a significant increase in student visa costs.
The current student visa fee stands at AUD$1,600 (about ₦2,054,480 at today’s exchange rate), already a steep jump from the previous AUD$710 after a 125% hike introduced in July 2024.
Now, with Australia’s federal election approaching on May 3, both major political parties are proposing further increases. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has outlined a plan to raise fees to AUD$5,000 for students applying to Australia’s top-tier Group of Eight (Go8) universities, and AUD$2,500 for all other institutions.
If enacted, these changes would make Australia the most expensive country in the world for student visa applicants. The proposed policy is expected to generate around AUD$760 million over four years from international students.
The proposals have drawn sharp criticism from education stakeholders. English Australia, representing English language colleges, pointed out that Australia’s current visa fee is already double that of the UK, four times that of the U.S., and nearly ten times higher than Canada’s.
Critics argue the hikes will create a financial burden for international students and damage Australia’s competitiveness in the global education sector. Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), emphasized that short-term courses are especially affected and has called for discounted fees for such programs to encourage enrollment recovery.
However, Education Minister Kay Gallagher defended the move, describing it as a “sensible measure” reflecting the high value of an Australian education.
As the federal election nears, student visa policy has become a central political issue. The Labour Party has promised a more balanced approach, emphasizing consultation with education stakeholders and fiscal responsibility, while the Coalition’s aggressive proposal signals a potential shift in Australia’s international education landscape.
