Australia to Raise Student Visa Fees by 25% from July 2026, Including New ELICOS Charges
Australia will increase its Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 starting July 1, 2026, marking a 25% rise following a previous hike in 2025. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) fee will also rise from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750. Additionally, a new fee of AUD 2,050 applies to students under the ELICOS category. These changes are part of Australia's broader migration policy aimed at managing international student numbers and education sustainability, impacting many Indian students planning to study there.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is neutral (35/100). Lens Score 30/100 — low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- indiatoday— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- ndtv— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
AI Analysis
The articles present the fee increases as government policy decisions within Australia's migration framework, reflecting official positions without partisan commentary. They include perspectives on the impact for international students, especially Indians, without attributing blame or praise. The coverage focuses on factual reporting of policy changes and their implications, representing government rationale and student concerns neutrally.
The overall tone is neutral to slightly concerned, emphasizing the financial impact on prospective international students. While the fee hikes are presented as part of policy measures, the articles highlight increased costs and risks for students, suggesting a cautious sentiment without overt negativity or approval.
How 2 sources covered this story
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.