Increased Fees for Australian Visas: A New Challenge for Tunisian Students and Professionals
For Tunisian students, young graduates, and professionals considering Australia as a study or expatriation destination, the cost has just increased. As of July 1, 2026, Canberra has raised the fees for several categories of visas, with some increases exceeding 200%. This development reminds us that access to major international destinations is becoming increasingly expensive.
Australia: A Growing Destination for Tunisians
Although Australia still attracts fewer Tunisians compared to traditional destinations like France, Canada, or Germany, the country is gaining visibility among certain qualified profiles, such as engineers, researchers, technology specialists, healthcare professionals, or students seeking to pursue their education in an English-speaking environment.
Increased Costs for Students and Professionals
For these candidates, the cost of the Australian project has just increased. The student visa now costs 2,500 Australian dollars, up from 2,000 dollars previously, representing a 25% increase. This increase adds to other necessary expenses for settling in, such as university fees, accommodation, health insurance, transportation, and daily living costs. Australia is indeed one of the developed countries where expenses are high, particularly in major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, where the housing market exerts significant pressure on budgets.
More Expensive Visas for Several Categories
The increase does not only affect students. The Australian government has revised the tariffs for several categories of visas since the beginning of July. The most significant increase affects the resident return visa, which now costs 1,475 Australian dollars, up from 490 dollars, representing a 201% increase. This document allows permanent residents to travel outside the country and return without losing their status. Additionally, the permanent partner visa has increased by 25%, reaching 11,710 Australian dollars. The working holiday visa now costs 840 dollars for the first year and 1,000 dollars for the second year, representing a potential increase of up to 49% depending on the period concerned.
A New Reality for Tunisian Students and Professionals
In fact, for a Tunisian student, for example, the choice of destination now depends on several criteria, including the quality of universities, job prospects, the possibility of obtaining a durable status, and the overall cost of settling in. Australia remains attractive due to its job market, need for skills in several sectors, and the quality of its university system. However, the increase in fees may push some candidates to compare more with other destinations like Canada, Europe, or certain Asian countries.
A Political Will to Regulate Migration Flows
Moreover, these changes are not trivial. They reflect the Australian government's political will to better regulate migration flows, following a significant increase in international arrivals in recent years.
Summary of Fee Increases
To better visualize the evolution of tariffs, here is a summary of the main increases:
| Type of Visa | Old Fee | New Fee (as of July 1, 2026) | Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Return Visa (subclass 155/157) | 490 AUD | 1,475 AUD | +201% |
| Permanent Partner Visa (subclasses 820/801) | 9,635 AUD | 11,710 AUD | +25% |
| Student Visa (subclass 500) | 2,000 AUD | 2,500 AUD | +25% |
| Working Holiday Visa - first year (subclass 417) | 670 AUD | 840 AUD | +25% |
| Working Holiday Visa - second year (subclass 417) | 670 AUD | 1,000 AUD | +49% |
