Australia Considers ₦2 Million Visa Fee: Nigerian Students May Face Tougher Costs

Nigerian students eyeing Australia for their studies may soon face visa application fees of over ₦2 million, as the Australian government weighs another hike in student visa charges. The current fee of AUD$1,600, implemented in July 2024, could jump to AUD$2,000 (₦2.05 million), according to proposals from the ruling Labor Party ahead of the May 3 federal election.

This increase, expected to raise AUD$760 million over four years, is part of a broader effort to fund campaign promises. But it may not stop there. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has proposed even steeper hikes of AUD$5,000 (₦5.13 million) for applicants to Australia’s elite Group of Eight (Go8) universities, and AUD$2,500 for others.

If approved, Australia would become the world’s most expensive country for student visa applicants a major concern for Nigerian students, who already face steep financial hurdles.

Industry backlash has been swift. The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and English Australia warn that such fees risk making Australia less attractive compared to countries like Canada, the U.S., or the UK, where visa fees are significantly lower. IEAA CEO Phil Honeywood has called for a discounted fee structure for short-term courses to help struggling institutions attract more students.

Still, Education Minister Katy Gallagher has defended the move, saying it reflects the value of an Australian education.

With the election just days away, the future cost of studying in Australia hangs in the balance and Nigerian students are watching closely.