Following Australia’s strict Zero Migration and Zero Immigration policy during the Covid years of 2020-2022 , the year 2023 saw a huge inflow of visitors, including students and highly skilled professionals to Australia. In 2023 alone, 6 lakh visitors came to Australia under various categories, according to Australian Consul General in Mumbai Paul Murphy.  

In just 1.5 years, over 250,000 Indians went to study in Australia. 

“In 2023, 6,00,000 visitors came to Australia under various categories, including 1,24,829 Indian students. By April 2024, 1,16,610 students from India came to Australia to study, of which 73,489 are pursuing higher education,” said Murphy.

In a span of 18 years, between 2005 and 2013, 2.5 lakh students from India came to Australia for higher studies. But in the last 1.5 years, over 2 lakh Indian students came to Australia, the Consul General said.

He said, “Indians, especially students, have great respect for Australia because they beautifully preserve cultural heritage and easily mingle  in the mainstream. In Canberra, you feel that you are living in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, or Ahmedabad due to Indian cultural centres and eating outlets.”

Why did Australia double visa fees?

Murphy asserted that the increase in worldwide student’s visa fees is to manage the huge inflow of students to Australia.

Australia filters out the best talent and students build their careers in the country, he said. To ensure placement of students and prevent them from being misguided, a list of accredited universities has also been prepared.

Murphy assured that underprivileged and talented Indian students will soon get to study at top Australian universities in India.  Notably, Wollongong University will enrol 50 students, while Deakin University will admit 300 students at their campus in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.

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Australia doubles visa fees; to impact Indian students