Islamabad, Oct 4: Australian Study Visa Harder to Obtain After Recent Changes in Immigration Rules
The number of international student visa applications to Australia has dropped significantly, following a government effort to reduce the country’s migrant intake.
In August 2024, 15,270 applications were lodged from overseas, compared to 30,703 in August 2023—a 50% decrease. Similarly, July saw 18,697 applications, down from 36,207 the previous year.
This decline coincides with a substantial rise in student visa application fees, which doubled from 710 AUD (487.4 USD) to 1,600 AUD (1,098.4 USD) as of July 1, 2024.
Additionally, the government has capped new international student enrollments at 270,000 by 2025 as part of broader measures to address Australia’s record-high migrant intake.
Applications from key source countries have been notably affected. Indian student visa applications dropped by 66.4% between July and August 2024, while applications from the Philippines and Pakistan also fell sharply, by over 80%.
Conversely, applications from China, Australia’s largest source of international students, saw a smaller decline of less than 10%.
Australian Study Visa Harder a peak body representing higher education institutions, warned that the student cap could cost the country billions of dollars and result in significant job losses within the higher education sector.
