How Much Does It Cost to Move to Australia from India?

Visa application charges

The single biggest upfront cost is the visa application charge paid to the Department of Home Affairs. These fees index annually on 1 July, so check the current schedule before you lodge.

| Visa subclass | Base charge (AUD) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 4,910 | 2,70,050 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4,910 | 2,70,050 |
| Skilled Work Regional (491) | 4,910 | 2,70,050 |
| Skills in Demand (482) | 3,210 | 1,76,550 |
| Student (500) | 2,000 | 1,10,000 |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | 4,600 | 2,53,000 |
| Partner — offshore (309/100) | 9,365 | 5,15,075 |

Adding family members increases the bill. On skilled visas, expect AUD 2,455 (INR 1,35,025) per additional adult and AUD 1,230 (INR 67,650) per child under 18. Use Migratio's visa cost calculator for a quick estimate.

Second Visa Application Charge (partner visas). If the main applicant or their partner does not have functional English at decision time, a second VAC of approximately AUD 4,890 (INR 2,68,950) applies. You can avoid it by passing an approved English test before the decision.

Skills assessment fees

Skilled migration pathways (subclass 189, 190, 491, or 482) require a positive skills assessment before you can lodge. The assessing body and fees depend on your occupation.

| Assessing body | Typical occupations | Fee range (AUD) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers Australia (CDR) | Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) | 1,050–1,575 | 57,750–86,625 |
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | IT professionals, software engineers, data analysts | ~550 | ~30,250 |
| VETASSESS | Trade and non-trade occupations across 350+ roles | ~1,240 | ~68,200 |
| ANMAC | Nurses and midwives | ~600 | ~33,000 |
| CPA / CA ANZ | Accountants | ~580 | ~31,900 |

Indian engineers typically use the CDR pathway through Engineers Australia — three career episodes, a summary statement, and academic transcripts. IT professionals go through ACS. Processing takes 6 to 16 weeks. See our skills assessment guide for details.

English testing costs

Indian citizens must sit an approved English language test for most visa subclasses — no passport exemption applies.

| Test | Fee (approx. INR) | Fee (approx. AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 17,000–19,000 | 309–345 |
| PTE Academic | 15,900 | 289 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16,900 | 307 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 18,000–20,000 | 327–364 |

PTE Academic is popular among Indian applicants because results arrive within 48 hours. IELTS remains the most widely accepted. Most skilled visas require Competent English (IELTS 6.0 per band). Higher scores add points — 7.0 adds 10, and 8.0 adds 20. Budget for two attempts.

Health exams and police clearances

### Health examination

All visa applicants must attend a panel-approved clinic. In India, Bupa Medical Visa Services operates panel clinics in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

Expect to pay AUD 350 to AUD 500 (INR 19,250 to INR 27,500) per person for a medical exam and chest X-ray. Results go directly to Home Affairs.

### Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Indian applicants need a PCC issued through the Passport Seva Kendra. Apply on the Passport Seva portal and attend an appointment at your nearest PSK. The fee is INR 500 (approximately AUD 9). Processing is often same-day if police verification is complete, but allow two to four weeks otherwise. If you have lived in another country for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, you need police certificates from those countries too.

Document attestation costs (MEA)

Indian educational documents typically need attestation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before Australian assessing bodies accept them. The chain runs: issuing university, then state Home Department or HRD department, then the MEA.

MEA e-attestation fees are modest — approximately INR 50 per document. Most applicants use agents to manage state-level verification, adding INR 1,000 to INR 3,000 per document. Budget INR 3,000 to INR 10,000 (AUD 55 to AUD 182) total. Allow two to four weeks. See our India document authentication guide for the step-by-step process.

VFS Global and biometrics

Australian visa applications from India go through VFS Global centres for biometrics. Service charges are typically AUD 42 to AUD 55 (INR 2,310 to INR 3,025) per applicant. Centres operate in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and other cities.

Travel costs

A one-way flight from India to Australia typically costs INR 40,000 to INR 80,000 (AUD 727 to AUD 1,455). Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai are at the premium end; one-stop routes via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Colombo cost less. Book three to six months ahead for the best fares.

Budget INR 3,000 to INR 8,000 per person for one-way travel insurance.

Shipping and freight

How much you bring determines this cost. Most Indian movers choose one of three options.

Excess baggage only. Packing light? Checked luggage plus a shipped box or two may suffice. Sending a 30 kg box via parcel post costs roughly INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 (AUD 145 to AUD 273).

Shared container (groupage). You share a container with other customers. Expect INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000 (AUD 2,727 to AUD 5,455) for 100 to 200 cubic feet. Transit time is 6 to 10 weeks from major Indian ports.

Full container. For a full household, a 20-foot container runs INR 3,50,000 to INR 6,00,000 (AUD 6,364 to AUD 10,909).

Personal effects owned and used for 12+ months are generally exempt from customs duty and GST. New items may attract duty. Keep receipts.

Initial settlement costs

Your first month requires a cash buffer for bond, rent, and living expenses. Costs vary by city. The areas below are popular Indian settlement suburbs.

| Expense | Sydney / Parramatta (AUD) | Melbourne / Wyndham (AUD) | Perth / Canning Vale (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental bond (4 weeks) | 2,200–3,200 | 1,600–2,400 | 1,400–2,200 |
| Rent in advance (2 weeks) | 1,100–1,600 | 800–1,200 | 700–1,100 |
| Groceries (first month) | 400–600 | 350–500 | 350–500 |
| Public transport (monthly) | 200–250 | 170–220 | 150–200 |
| Mobile plan (monthly) | 30–60 | 30–60 | 30–60 |
| Subtotal (AUD) | 3,930–5,710 | 2,950–4,380 | 2,630–4,060 |
| Subtotal (INR) | 2,16,150–3,14,050 | 1,62,250–2,40,900 | 1,44,650–2,23,300 |

Bond amounts are based on median rents for a two-bedroom apartment. Your actual cost depends on location and whether you share. For a full guide to housing, banking, and everyday life, see our settling in Australia guide.

Student pathway costs

A subclass 500 student visa leads to a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, giving you time to gain local work experience and build points for a skilled visa.

Tuition fees. Annual tuition varies by institution and course:

| Course type | Annual tuition (AUD) | Approx. INR per year |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational / TAFE diploma | 8,000–15,000 | 4,40,000–8,25,000 |
| Bachelor's degree | 25,000–45,000 | 13,75,000–24,75,000 |
| Master's degree (coursework) | 30,000–55,000 | 16,50,000–30,25,000 |
| Master's degree (research) | 28,000–50,000 | 15,40,000–27,50,000 |

Living costs. Home Affairs requires student visa applicants to show at least AUD 29,710 (INR 16,34,050) per year for living costs, plus return airfare and dependant costs. Actual expenses in major cities run AUD 22,000 to AUD 30,000 (INR 12,10,000 to INR 16,50,000) per year for a single student.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Mandatory for the duration of your student visa. Expect AUD 500 to AUD 700 (INR 27,500 to INR 38,500) per year.

All-in, a two-year master's in a metro area could cost AUD 90,000 to AUD 1,40,000 (INR 49,50,000 to INR 77,00,000).

Migration agent fees

If you use a MARA-registered migration agent, expect to pay AUD 2,000 to AUD 8,000 (INR 1,10,000 to INR 4,40,000) depending on visa complexity. Student applications sit at the low end; skilled visa cases with CDR preparation or partner visas with complex evidence requirements are higher.

Given high competition in points-tested rounds and the cost of a failed application, many Indian applicants find the investment worthwhile. Compare quotes through Migratio's agent directory — free for applicants. For partner visa cases, see partner visa specialists. Read our guide to choosing an agent before you commit.

Total budget summary

| Pathway | Estimated total (INR) | Estimated total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled visa (single, no agent) | 5,00,000–8,50,000 | 9,100–15,450 |
| Skilled visa (single, with agent) | 6,50,000–12,50,000 | 11,800–22,700 |
| Skilled visa (couple, with agent) | 9,00,000–17,00,000 | 16,350–30,900 |
| Partner visa (couple, with agent) | 8,00,000–15,00,000 | 14,550–27,270 |
| Student pathway (2-year master's, single) | 49,50,000–77,00,000 | 90,000–1,40,000 |

These ranges include visa charges, assessments, health and police checks, English testing, flights, modest shipping, and first-month settlement costs. The student pathway total includes tuition and two years of living expenses. Ongoing costs after month one are not included.

Saving tips:

- Check your points first. Use Migratio's points calculator before paying for a skills assessment — there is no refund if your occupation is not on the list.
- Prepare documents carefully. Re-assessment fees apply if your CDR or ACS application is rejected.
- Test early. Retakes cost INR 15,900 to INR 19,000 each.
- Book flights midweek and outside peak seasons for the lowest fares.
- Ship light. Selling furniture in India and buying secondhand in Australia is often cheaper than a container.
- Start MEA attestation early. Rush fees through private agents add unnecessary cost.

Next steps

1. Review the visa options available to Indian citizens and identify which subclass fits your situation.
2. Use Migratio's points calculator to estimate your skilled-migration score.
3. Get your Indian documents ready — MEA attestation, PCC from Passport Seva Kendra, certified copies.
4. Book your IELTS or PTE test early — extra points matter in competitive invitation rounds.
5. Read our guide to choosing a migration agent.
6. Browse MARA-registered agents on Migratio and request quotes — free for applicants.
7. Start settlement planning so you hit the ground running.

Related resources

- India to Australia — 2026 Overview
- Visa Options for Indian Citizens Moving to Australia
- India Document Authentication for Australian Visas
- Settling in Australia from India
- How to Choose a Migration Agent
- What Is a Skills Assessment?
- Find a Skilled Visa Agent

How much does a skilled visa cost from India to Australia?

A skilled visa (subclass 189 or 190) application charge is set by Home Affairs and updates annually on 1 July. Add skills assessment fees (AUD 550 to AUD 1,575 depending on the assessing body), English test fees (approximately INR 17,000 for IELTS), health checks, and police clearances.

How much money do I need to show for an Australian student visa?

You need to demonstrate access to funds covering tuition fees plus approximately AUD 29,710 per year for living costs (as of 2026), plus return airfare and school fees if you have dependants. The exact figure depends on your course and family situation.

Is the cost of living in Australia affordable on an Indian salary?

Australian wages are significantly higher than Indian wages. A skilled worker can expect AUD 70,000 to AUD 120,000+ annually depending on occupation and location. However, rent, groceries, and transport are also higher. Most Indian migrants report a net improvement in purchasing power.

Are migration agent fees worth it?

Agent fees vary by complexity, typically AUD 2,000 to AUD 8,000. Given the high refusal rates for some visa categories and the cost of a failed application, many Indian applicants find the investment worthwhile for skilled and partner visas. Compare quotes from MARA-registered agents on Migratio for free.

Do I need to pay the second VAC for a partner visa?

The second Visa Application Charge applies if the main applicant or their partner does not have functional English at the time of visa decision. Passing an English test before the decision avoids this charge, which can be substantial.