Australia Student Visa Fee Update 2026 for Nepali Students

What Is the Australia Visa Rate for Nepali Students in 2026?

The Australia student visa fee for most Nepali students is AUD 2,500, which is about Rs 2.3 lakh.

Many students in Nepal say “visa rate” when they mean this fee. It is the amount you pay Australia’s Department of Home Affairs when you apply for the Student visa (subclass 500). The Home Affairs Student visa page lists it as “from AUD 2,500” for the main applicant.

The rupee amount moves with the exchange rate, so check it with our AUD to Rs forex converter before you pay. If by “visa rate” you mean your chance of approval, read our Australia visa success rate page.

This post covers only the fee. For the full journey, start with our guide to study in Australia from Nepal.

What Changed in the Student Visa Fee on 1 July 2026?

On 1 July 2026, the main fee went up by AUD 500, from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500.

That is about Rs 45 thousand more for a student from Nepal. The government’s explanation of the new rules confirms the old and new amounts. Charges for other family members in an application went up too.

The fee can change again. The same document says yearly price increases linked to inflation will continue. Other visa charges rose on the same day, including the Temporary Graduate (485) visa you may apply for after study, which went up to AUD 5,750.

Do All Nepali Students Pay the Same Student Visa Fee?

No, the fee depends on your type of course, but most Nepali students pay AUD 2,500.

Bachelor’s, master’s and diploma students come under “all other students” in the Home Affairs visa pricing table. The lower rate is for students whose visa is based on an English course (ELICOS) or a non-award course, which gives no formal qualification.

Citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and some ASEAN countries get a lower price. A Nepali passport is not on those lists, so that lower price does not apply to you. A scholarship from your university does not change the visa fee either. Our Australia scholarships page shows what scholarships can cover.

How Much Do You Pay if Family Applies With You?

Each family member in the application adds AUD 1,530 if aged 18 or over, or AUD 500 if under 18, but most students can no longer include family.

In rupees, that is about Rs 1.4 lakh for an adult and about Rs 45 thousand for a child. These are the rates in the pricing table for most students. Research students should check their own total, as the table lists them differently.

Since 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants cannot include a partner or children. Family can’t be added after the visa is granted. The Home Affairs family members page lists who is exempt, such as PhD students. If you are married, read our Australia student visa with spouse or dependants guide before you pay a college deposit.

What Other Costs Come With the Visa Application?

The visa fee does not include your health check, police report, biometrics, health cover, tuition or living costs.

Home Affairs says you may also pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. Its estimator leaves these out, so add them to your budget yourself. Here is where each cost goes for a student in Nepal:

You also need to show money for the visa, which is different from paying a fee. That means AUD 29,710 for a year of living costs, about Rs 27 lakh, plus first-year tuition and AUD 2,000 for travel. Our guides to Australia student visa financial documents and the cost to study in Australia explain the rest.

How Do You Pay the Visa Fee From Nepal?

You pay online in Australian dollars when you lodge the visa application through ImmiAccount, the Home Affairs online account.

“Lodge” just means submit. Home Affairs takes card, PayPal and UnionPay payments. Since 1 October 2026, it no longer adds a surcharge to these payments, so you won’t pay extra to Home Affairs for using them.

Before you start, follow these steps:

1. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator to see your exact charge.
2. Ask your bank in Nepal whether your card allows foreign payments of this size.
3. Check your daily limit and available funds, as the Home Affairs fees page advises.
4. Get your documents ready first, using the steps in our how to apply for Australia guide.

The price depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. If the price rises before that date, you must pay the new amount. Your bank may also add its own exchange costs, so ask about these first.

Is the Visa Fee Refunded if Your Visa Is Refused?

Usually no, because Home Affairs does not normally refund the fee if your visa is refused or you withdraw.

The Home Affairs refunds page says this clearly. The fee pays for assessing your application, whatever the result. If you apply again after a refusal, plan for a new AUD 2,500, which is another Rs 2.3 lakh or so.

Don’t cancel or reverse a card payment to get your money back. Home Affairs warns that this can make your application invalid and leave you with a debt to the Australian government.

A strong first application is the best way to protect this money. Our guide to Australia student visa rejection reasons shows the common mistakes to avoid.

Does the Higher Fee Change Your Visa Chances or Requirements?

No, the 1 July 2026 change raised only the price, so paying more does not make approval easier or harder.

Your application is still judged on your documents, money, English and the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. University admission and English scores did not change because of the fee.

A separate change did start on 2 October 2026, and it covers family members and applying from inside Australia. Our guide to Australia student visa rules for 2026 explains it. For the full list of what you need, see the Australia student visa requirements page.

When Do You Pay the Extra AUD 700 Charge?

You don’t pay the extra AUD 700 when you apply from Nepal, as it can apply only to some applications made inside Australia.

This is the subsequent temporary application charge, and it is about Rs 64 thousand. Home Affairs works it out from each person’s visa history. It does not apply if you are outside Australia when you apply.

This matters later if you need more time or change your plans. Since 2 October 2026, most people can’t apply for a Student visa from inside Australia unless an exemption applies. So read our guide to changing course or college in Australia before you switch, and choose your course carefully from the start.

Should the Higher Fee Change Your Plan to Study in Australia?

For most Nepali families it should not, because the extra AUD 500 is a small part of the first-year cost.

Compare it with the AUD 29,710 you must show for one year of living costs, before tuition. The fee matters most for your timing. Keep AUD 2,500 ready before you lodge. If your family plans a loan, read our education loan process in Nepal guide early.

If you are still deciding on a country, our Australia vs Canada vs UK vs USA comparison can help. Goreto counselors can also check your budget and documents before you pay. You can talk to a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branches.