The City of Perth will support calls for the Federal Government to reverse an increase to visa fees for international graduates, following a campaign by its youngest councillor.

The fee for a temporary graduate visa, which allows international students to remain in Australia after their studies, increased from $2,300 to $4,600 on March 1.

University of WA business law student Lisa Ma, who was elected to the City of Perth last year, brought a motion to the council after hearing peers talk about it on campus.

“They were very concerned about the issue, most importantly about the lack of transparency and accountability of policymaking,” Ms Ma says.

“I read an article that described international students as ATMs or cash cows; I just felt there was something not right about that.”

On Tuesday evening, councillors voted unanimously to support advocacy to reverse the fee hike.

According to the motion, it will include investigating a coordinated approach with other councils and the Australian Local Government Association.

“I’d say we’re on a good path for real advocacy and we’re doing our part here as a capital city of Western Australia,” Councillor Ma says.

“Realistically, we as councillors are very small as individuals, but as a collective group we can be very vocal about certain issues, and for the student voice to get leveraged in local government and going up to a national forum, that would eventuate in some change.”

The WA Government says international education is the state’s largest service export, contributing $3.7 billion to WA in 2024, while the City of Perth says almost 12,000 jobs were supported by international student spending.

Councillor Ma says international students contribute more than economic benefits.

“They are absolutely important, not only contributing to our economy, but also to the vibrancy and culture of our city,” she says.

“They bring not only their skills and knowledge, but also their commitment to make this place better.”

UWA International Students’ Department president Ojaswi Shresta agrees.

“International students are a part of the community here; we build friendships, connections, and communities that bring different cultures together,” she says.

Ms Shresta is keen to support Councillor Ma in her campaign.

“The priority is ensuring student voices are genuinely represented in this process, and I plan to work closely with other student groups to strengthen collaboration and keep the conversation moving forward,” she says.

“We will be writing to key decision-makers, on behalf of both myself and the UWA Student Guild president, to highlight these concerns and advocate for reconsideration.

“Overall, it’s about turning this into real action, not just talk.”

The Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.