The Australian Department of Home Affairs increased Student Visa Application Charges by 25% effective 1 July 2026, impacting all new student visa applications worldwide.
Quick Answer
Australia increased the Student Visa (Subclass 500) fee from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026; a 25% increase. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) rose to AUD 5,750. A separate lower tier of AUD 2,050 applies to ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses) students only. These new fees apply to all applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
If you are a Pakistani student planning to study in Australia, you need to update your budget before you apply. Effective 1 July 2026, the Australian Government has raised Visa Application Charges (VACs) for student visa categories by up to 25 per cent. At FFA Consultants, we have put together a clear breakdown of every change that directly affects students; so you can plan with full confidence.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs reviews Visa Application Charges annually as part of its standard Consumer Price Index (CPI) indexation process. The July 2026 round also includes structural changes designed to manage the quality and volume of international student applications. The government has simultaneously introduced a separate, lower fee tier specifically for ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) applicants, acknowledging that language students should not bear the full weight of the increase.
For Pakistani students aspiring to study in Australia, this is not just a headline; it is a real cost that must be factored into your application budget from day one.
The following table shows the student-relevant visa subclasses affected by the July 2026 fee update. These are the only categories we cover at FFA Consultants:
| Visa Subclass / Type | Previous Fee (Before July 2026) | New Fee (From 1 July 2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | AUD 2,000 | AUD 2,500 | +25% |
| ELICOS Student Visa (Subclass 500 – ELICOS Tier) | AUD 2,000 | AUD 2,050 | +2.5% |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | AUD 4,600 | AUD 5,750 | +25% |
Note: The ELICOS tier (AUD 2,050) applies only to students enrolled in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. Standard degree, diploma and vocational education students are subject to the full AUD 2,500 fee. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) applies after completing a degree; it is the post-study work visa that allows graduates to remain in Australia and work.
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) fee has gone up by AUD 500. At current exchange rates, this is approximately PKR 230,000 in additional cost that must now be included in your total application budget. This is a one-time government fee; it is not a tuition fee and is not refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.
The following categories of students are directly impacted by this change:
If you submitted your application and made your payment before 1 July 2026, the old fee applies to you. The new fees are triggered by the date your payment is received; not the date you started your application.
These changes are already in effect as of today, 1 July 2026. Here is your immediate action checklist:
The short answer is yes; and here is why. The visa fee increase is a one-time government charge. It does not change what an Australian qualification delivers in terms of career value, earning potential, and immigration pathways. Australia still offers:
The additional AUD 500 in visa fees, spread across a 2 to 4 year degree, amounts to roughly AUD 125 to AUD 250 per year of your education. In the context of what an Australian degree unlocks, this remains a worthwhile investment for the right student.
At FFA Consultants, we help you make this decision with full information; the real costs, realistic timelines, scholarship possibilities, and the right university for your academic profile. A 30-minute consultation with our team costs nothing and could save you considerable time, money and uncertainty.
The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) fee is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026. This is up from AUD 2,000; a 25% increase. For ELICOS (English language course) students only, a lower tier of AUD 2,050 applies.
Yes. Effective 1 July 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs increased Visa Application Charges across major visa categories. The Student Visa (Subclass 500) rose by 25% to AUD 2,500. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) rose to AUD 5,750.
Yes. The fee is determined by the date your payment is received and processed by DOHA. If you paid before 1 July 2026, the previous fee of AUD 2,000 applies. If you pay on or after 1 July 2026, you pay AUD 2,500.
At current exchange rates, AUD 2,500 is approximately PKR 460,000 to PKR 490,000 depending on the rate on the day of payment. This is approximately PKR 230,000 more than the previous fee of AUD 2,000.
Yes. FFA Consultants; Future Flight Abroad Consultants, based in Hafizabad, Pakistan; provides complete end-to-end Australia student visa guidance including university shortlisting, document preparation, IELTS or PTE coaching, and visa application support. Contact us for a free consultation.
Our consultants at FFA Consultants, Hafizabad, will help you plan your budget accurately, select the right university, prepare your IELTS or PTE score, and ensure your visa application is submitted correctly the first time — at no consultation cost.
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