Defending Fairness and Inclusion in Australia’s Student Visa Policies

The NSW International Student Representative Committee (NSW ISRC) is calling on the international education community to support their petition in response to a recent Government proposal that they believe will negatively impact international students in NSW.  NSW ISRC has provided a detailed statement outlining their concerns and position: NSW ISRC statement

📢 Join us in supporting international students by signing and sharing this petition against the unfair increase of Australian student visa fees to AUD $2,000. Protect fairness, inclusivity, and Australia’s global educational standing. 🔗 https://chng.it/ppsbWZqPvT

ISANA International Education Association expresses its strong opposition to recent proposals by both major political parties to significantly increase international student visa fees.

The Labor Government’s plan to raise the Subclass 500 visa fee from AUD $1,600 to $2,000 from 1 July 2025 is deeply concerning. This follows an already substantial increase in July 2024, where fees more than doubled from AUD $710 to $1,600. Meanwhile, the Coalition has proposed an even more extreme increase, suggesting visa charges could rise to between AUD $2,500 and $5,000 — a move ISANA strongly condemns.

Both proposals signal a worrying shift that risks pricing out talented, aspirational students and sending a damaging message about Australia’s commitment to fair and inclusive international education. Such drastic fee hikes would make Australia one of the most expensive study destinations in the world, undermining our competitiveness in a globally connected sector.

ISANA is also alarmed by recent changes in the visa application system, where applicants must enter their nationality to estimate their visa charges. This raises serious concerns about the possibility of a discriminatory, passport-based pricing structure — a move that would violate the core values of equity, fairness, and non-discrimination that underpin Australia’s international education reputation.

International students are not revenue sources to be exploited. They are future leaders, innovators, and vital contributors to our economy, academic institutions, and multicultural society. Treating them as “cash cows” damages not only student wellbeing, but Australia’s global standing as a welcoming and ethical education destination.

We welcome Labor’s openness to discussion, including potential reductions in visa fees for short-term programs as outlined in the IEAA Election Platform. However, a broader, more principled reconsideration is urgently needed.

ISANA calls on the Australian Government and Opposition to:

  • Abandon further increases to student visa fees
  • Reject any discriminatory pricing based on nationality
  • Engage meaningfully with the international education sector to develop sustainable, fair, and student-focused policies.

The future of international education in Australia depends on our ability to uphold values of fairness, access, and global engagement.

Annette Kalczynska,
ISANA National President
president@isana.org.au