Lower Australian student visa fees now apply to Solomon Islands applicants

Australia has lowered student visa application charges for eligible applicants from selected Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, a group that includes Solomon Islands passport holders. The change affects the Student visa (Subclass 500), for which the standard application charge is AUD 2,500 — roughly Sh215,000 — for the main applicant. Kenya is not among the countries reported as benefiting.

Key facts

• Visa affected: Australia's Student visa (Subclass 500).
• Standard charge: AUD 2,500 (about Sh215,000) for the main applicant; eligible applicants may pay less.
• Eligible countries: 23 in total — 10 in Southeast Asia, 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. The Solomon Islands is included; Kenya is not.
• Courses covered: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and certain Non-Award courses are also included.
• How it is applied: through Australia's online ImmiAccount platform, with no separate request required.
• Start date: no start date for the reduced fees is given.

Who qualifies for the lower fee?

The concession covers eligible passport holders from the listed Southeast Asian countries — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — together with Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as well as Timor-Leste.

Eligibility depends on Australian immigration rules and the applicant's passport details, so students should check whether they qualify before making any financial commitments. Qualifying family members included in an application may also benefit, subject to the applicable conditions.

Which courses are covered?

The reduced charges also apply to eligible applicants enrolling in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), which help international students improve their English, particularly those preparing for further study in Australia. Certain Non-Award courses are included as well; these generally let students take specific studies without pursuing a formal Australian qualification.

How is the reduction applied?

Eligible applicants do not need to make a separate request. The reduction is applied through Australia's online ImmiAccount platform, which uses passport information to establish eligibility.

Does the lower fee guarantee a visa?

No. A reduced fee does not guarantee approval: applicants must still meet Australia's immigration requirements, provide the necessary documents and satisfy the conditions for their intended course.

What about students from countries not on the list?

Kenyan students are not on the reported list and should not assume they qualify for the reduced fee. They should budget for the applicable visa fee alongside tuition, accommodation, travel, health insurance and other living costs, and confirm the current fee and eligibility conditions with Australia's Department of Home Affairs before applying, since immigration fees and policies may change.

What this means for travellers

Solomon Islands passport holders planning to study in Australia fall within the eligible group and should check their own passport details and course type against Australia's immigration rules before paying. No separate discount request is needed — the reduction is applied when the application is lodged through ImmiAccount.

The source gives no date for when the reduced charges take effect or how large the discount is, so applicants should confirm the fee that applies to them before making financial commitments.