Australia Hikes Student Visa Fees by 25%, Spares ELICOS: What It Means for Indian Students

This development comes as India continues to be a major source of international students for Australia. Latest figures show that Indian nationals comprised roughly 17 per cent of Australia's international student population, with over 120,000 students enrolled in the country.

ELICOS Sector Gets a Partial Reprieve

Amidst these changes, the Australian government has made a noteworthy distinction for students pursuing English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students, or ELICOS. While most student visa applicants will face the full 25 per cent hike, ELICOS students will see a separate, comparatively lower fee set at $2,050.

This means that while their fee also nudges up marginally from the previous $2,000, they are largely spared the substantial increase applied to other categories. Every other student category will be paying the full $2,500.

Understanding ELICOS and the Exemption

So, what exactly is ELICOS? These are short, intensive English-language courses designed for international students in Australia. They can be standalone programmes or, more commonly, serve as a bridge course before students embark on a full degree or diploma.

The government's rationale for the lower fee is rooted in the shorter duration of these courses. Unlike a two- or three-year degree, ELICOS programmes can run for just a few weeks or months. Officials have stated that the reduced fee “recognises the shorter length of ELICOS and Non-Award study programs.”

Essentially, the argument that a student paying for a few weeks of English classes shouldn't face the same visa fee as someone enrolling in a multi-year academic programme was accepted. Industry bodies had even pushed for a larger cut, citing falling enrolments, but the government ultimately opted for a modest increase while avoiding the full 25 per cent hike for this sector.

For Indian students considering their study options in Australia, these new fee structures will certainly be a key factor in their planning and budgeting for future academic pursuits.

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