Australia Student Visa New Rules Affecting Indian Students

Australia Immigration News for International Students

Recently, Australia has announced several changes in the student visa requirements for international students. Being the second-largest international student community, Indian students are going to be impacted. The following are some of the major immigration changes for international students.

1. Increased International Student Cap in 2026: Australia announced that it will increase the number of international student enrolments in 2026. From 2,70,000 enrollments, the cap is increased to 2,95,000. Public universities in Australia will be permitted to accept up to 1,45,000 international students and private universities can admit up to 30,000 students. Indian students will be impacted by this change as more seats will be available for them.

2. Increased Australian Student Visa Fee: In July 2025, the Australian government increased the student visa fee to 2,000. Earlier, this fee used to range from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. According to the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), English Australia, and the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), these hikes have made Australia’s student visa fees the highest in the world. The visa fee hike in Australia will impact short-term study programs for international students.

3. Mandatory Requirement of Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): It is now mandatory for international applicants to submit Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) while applying for the student visa. It is also mentioned in the document checklist toolkit provided by the Australian government. A CoE is provided to international students after they are accepted into an Australian university and they pay the required fees. Earlier, students used to get the Letter of Offer. However, now the Letter of Offer will be replaced by a Confirmation of Enrollment, as per Australia’s immigration rules for international students.

4. Requirement of Genuine Student (GS): As per the Australian new rules for international students, it is mandatory to submit a Genuine Student (GS). This means that all international applicants must answer a few questions during their online application form to showcase their main aim to study in Australia. This requirement is also stated in the document checklist toolkit.

5. Increased Financial Requirements: For international applications, the minimum savings requirement has increased in Australia. Now applicants are required to showcase a minimum of AUD 29,710, first-year tuition fee expenses, and money for the airfare.

6. New Acceptable English Language Tests: Some of the new English language tests acceptable in Australia include the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General), LanguageCert Academic, and the Michigan English Test (MET). Moreover, any English proficiency test that is taken online will not be accepted for an Australian student visa.

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What is the Checklist for Australian Visa Application 2025?

Every international student needs to prepare for the Australian student visa as per the documents checklist toolkit. The following are the documents required by international students.