Aug 31, 2026 – 6.54pmThe Albanese government’s more than tripling of visa application fees for foreign students has helped push visa costs to become the budget’s fastest-growing source of tax revenue, with more than $6 billion to be raised this year.Treasury documents obtained by The Australian Financial Review under freedom of information laws reveal that department officials believe the student visa fee increases – three rises in as many years to $2500 per application – have a minuscule impact on the number of students applying.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Labor’s $2500 foreign student fee has become a budget ‘cash cow’
Visa payments are Australia’s fastest-growing tax, driven by a tripling of charges to foreign students. But they’re having little impact on application numbers.
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