What changed
From 1 July 2026 the Student Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the primary applicant on a Subclass 500 visa increased from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500. This follows an earlier rise from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2025, making Australia's student visa among the most expensive to apply for globally.
Who is affected and exemptions
Applicants holding passports from ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and applicants for independent ELICOS and non-award courses continue to pay the previous charge plus an annual Consumer Price Index adjustment, rather than the new AUD 2,500 amount. India is not an ASEAN country, so Indian students pay the full AUD 2,500.
What it means for students
Indian students planning to apply from mid-2026 onwards should budget an additional AUD 500 for the visa application alone, on top of tuition, living-cost evidence and travel funds. The charge is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.