The extensive hike in study visa fees, which went from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 on July 1, 2024, has caused the Indian government to voice concerns to Australian authorities. International students who plan to study in Australia, especially those from India, are predicted to face financial difficulties as a result of this significant increase.
The issue has been discussed with the appropriate Australian authorities, and the Indian government is still bringing up and investigating issues pertaining to Indian students studying in Australia, according to Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs.
A vital component of India and Australia’s bilateral relationship, which includes academic, people-to-people, and commercial relationships, is their partnership in education. The partnership has encountered obstacles as a result of an increase in Indian students studying in Australia, notwithstanding some recent successful measures. Although 15% of all overseas students in Australia are Indian, several Australian colleges have historically excluded Indian students because of their poor academic records and high visa rejection rates. Stricter visa procedures, savings requirements, and recent increases in visa fees have all contributed to a decline in Indian applicants.
The ‘Genuine Student’ criterion, greater financial requirements, tighter English language standards, decreased post-study employment rights, and higher visa fees are only a few of the policy changes that the Australian government has applied. With a 56% decrease in visas granted to Indian students between October 2023 and August 2024, these modifications have caused a precipitous reduction in student visa applications from India. The Indian government is attempting to resolve these issues and promote laws that are more conducive to the needs of students.
John Southwell, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade, stressed in a recent interview that all people may access high-quality education in Australia and that any modifications are made to guarantee the highest possible standard of instruction.
