Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support this disallowance motion. The Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2024 provide for the regular indexation of visa application fees and for a one-off increase in the fee for student visas from $710 to $1,600. This increase reflects the increasing value of education in Australia and reflects the Albanese government's commitment to restoring integrity in the international education sector.

The increase will also help fund a number of important initiatives in education and migration, including measures recommended by the Universities Accord: making HECS fairer and delivering paid prac and fee-free uni-ready courses. Measures in the vocational education and training sector include financial support for apprentices and their employers and the ongoing implementation of the migration strategy.