International students left feeling like ‘cash cows’ after Albanese government raises visa fees

Surprise increase makes Australian visa application fee among most expensive in the world, as new survey finds rising costs putting prospective students off

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International students say the Australian government is making them feel like cash cows" and sending a clear message they are unwelcome after home affairs more than doubled the price of visa applications overnight.

The non-refundable visa fee rose from $710 to $1,600 without prior warning on Monday, making it one of the most expensive in the world and well in excess of competitors New Zealand (A$343), Canada (A$164), the UK (A$932) and the US (A$277).

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