Australian Visa Fees 2026: Complete Schedule

Skilled Visa Fees

Skilled visa applications, current as at 1 July 2026 (indicative; verify current): (1) Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: primary AUD ~6,135; partner AUD ~3,070; child AUD ~1,540 per child. The 189 New Zealand stream is charged separately at AUD ~850; (2) Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: primary AUD ~6,140; partner AUD ~3,070; child AUD ~1,535 per child; (3) Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional: primary AUD ~6,140; partner AUD ~3,070; child AUD ~1,535 per child; (4) Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional): primary AUD ~430 (transition fee), partner AUD ~210, child AUD ~110; (5) Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa: primary AUD ~6,235; partner AUD ~3,120; child AUD ~1,560; (6) Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent: same structure; (7) Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment: primary AUD ~9,710-21,605 depending on stream; (8) Subclass 132 Business Talent: primary AUD ~7,855 (now closed to new applications). Additional skilled visa-related charges: (1) Skills assessment fees — varies by authority (covered elsewhere); (2) English test fees — varies by test; (3) Skills assessment renewal — typically not free; (4) Document verification fees — embedded in some assessments. State nomination fees: (1) Some states charge nomination application fees — typically AUD 0-500. NSW nomination AUD 0; Victoria AUD ~300; Queensland AUD ~0; WA AUD ~0; SA AUD ~0; ACT AUD ~0; Tasmania AUD ~0; NT AUD ~0. Verify current state-specific charges.

Employer-Sponsored Visa Fees

Employer-sponsored visa applications, current as at 1 July 2026: (1) Subclass 482 Skill in Demand (SID, formerly TSS): a single charge applies across all streams — there is no longer a Short-Term versus Medium-Term price split. Primary AUD ~4,015; partner AUD ~4,015; child AUD ~1,005; (2) Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS): primary AUD ~6,140; partner AUD ~3,070; child AUD ~1,535; (3) Subclass 187 RSMS (closed to new applications, transitioned to 186 Labour Agreement stream); (4) Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional): primary AUD ~6,140; same family structure. Additional employer-sponsored charges: (1) Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) application fee: AUD ~420 plus AUD ~150 per year; (2) Nomination application fee — depends on stream: (a) Subclass 482 nomination — AUD ~370 plus AUD ~3,000-5,000 SAF (Skilling Australians Fund) levy depending on small business or large business and visa duration; (b) Subclass 186 nomination — AUD ~540 plus SAF levy AUD 3,000-5,000; (3) Labour Market Testing typically embedded in nomination — no separate fee; (4) Various concession applications — fees vary. SAF levy is substantial additional cost. Small businesses (under AUD 10M annual turnover) pay AUD 1,200 per year of visa for 482; AUD 3,000 one-off for 186. Large businesses AUD 1,800/year for 482; AUD 5,000 one-off for 186. Employer typically pays SAF levy.

Family Visa Fees

Family visa applications, current as at 1 July 2026: (1) Subclass 820/801 Partner (Onshore): one combined VAC of AUD ~11,710 covers both stages — the 820 temporary stage carries no separate charge of its own, and the 801 permanent stage attracts no further VAC; (2) Subclass 309/100 Partner (Offshore): the same single combined VAC of AUD ~11,710 covers both stages; (3) Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage: AUD ~11,710; (4) Additional applicants on partner and PMV applications: AUD ~5,860 per applicant aged 18 and over, AUD ~2,935 per applicant under 18; (5) Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary): first instalment AUD ~1,515, then a second instalment of AUD ~4,855 for a visa of up to 3 years (AUD ~6,370 total) or AUD ~10,925 for 5 years (AUD ~12,440 total); (6) Subclass 143 Contributory Parent: first VAC AUD ~6,300 + second VAC AUD ~43,600 per applicant. Total per applicant ~AUD 49,900; (7) Subclass 173 Contributory Parent Temporary: charged as a lower first instalment with the balance payable on the subsequent 143 application — verify current 173 rates directly with Home Affairs; (8) Subclass 103 Parent (non-contributory): primary AUD ~6,600 plus a second instalment of AUD ~2,065; massive queue makes practical timing 30+ years; (9) Subclass 804 Aged Parent: similarly massive queue — verify current rates. Additional applicants are charged at the per-applicant rates set out above rather than being covered by the primary charge. Plus Assurance of Support (AOS) bond for parent visas — AUD 10,000-14,000 cash bond per applicant typically; refundable after specified period.

Student and Working Holiday Visa Fees

Education and short-term visa fees, current as at 1 July 2026: (1) Subclass 500 Student visa: primary AUD ~2,500 for higher education (AUD ~2,050 for ELICOS and non-award courses); additional applicant aged 18+ AUD ~1,530; child AUD ~500; (2) Subclass 485 Graduate Visa: primary AUD ~5,750; additional applicant aged 18+ AUD ~2,875; child AUD ~1,450; (3) Subclass 407 Training visa: primary AUD ~430; (4) Subclass 408 Temporary Activity: AUD ~430; (5) Subclass 417 Working Holiday: AUD 840 for a first visa, AUD 1,000 for a second or third; (6) Subclass 462 Work and Holiday: AUD 840 for a first visa, AUD 1,000 for a second or third (AUD 690 for Pacific-regional passport holders); (7) Subclass 600 Visitor: AUD ~250 for the offshore Tourist stream, AUD ~630 if applying onshore, and AUD ~1,845 for the Frequent Traveller stream; (8) Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority: AUD 20 service fee; (9) Subclass 651 eVisitor (EU countries): no charge; (10) Subclass 651-equivalent visitor visas: varied. Additional considerations: (1) Working Holiday Maker tax — separate from visa fee. Taxation at 15% on first AUD 45,000 with subsequent rates. Substantial financial consideration; (2) Some visas have post-grant fees — VEVO checks, change of conditions, etc.; (3) Visa label fees — generally not charged for electronic visa grants.

Compliance, Review, and Additional Charges

Beyond visa application charges, various compliance and review fees: (1) ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) review fees: typically AUD ~3,374 for migration review; (2) Department reconsideration applications: various; (3) Health examinations — AUD 300-500 per applicant; complex cases higher; (4) Police clearance fees — varies by country, generally AUD 50-150 per country; (5) NAATI translation services — AUD 50-150 per document; (6) Document apostille/legalisation — AUD 50-200 per document; (7) Sponsor undertakings, deeds, and supporting documentation — variable. Indexation: (1) Most visa fees indexed annually 1 July; (2) Indexation rate varies — typically 2-5% increase per year; (3) Contributory Parent VAC indexed differently — substantial annual increase historically. Plan migration timing considering potential fee increases. Lodging before 1 July sometimes saves on indexation. Strategic considerations: (1) Visa fees are substantial but typically smaller component than full migration cost (agent fees, professional services, settlement often larger); (2) Visa fee schedule changes occur periodically including new visa subclasses, restructured fees, government policy changes; (3) Always verify current fees at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodgement. For applicants navigating complex visa pathway with multiple potential applications, professional migration advice that includes accurate current fee scoping provides better budget planning. Migratio is Australia's marketplace for finding and comparing MARA-registered migration agents. Migratio matches applicants with MARA-registered agents who provide current fee guidance for your specific pathway. Submit your brief if you need detailed fee scoping for your migration plan.

Are fees really refunded if visa refused?

Generally no — visa application charges are not refundable on refusal. ART fees are refunded if you win the review. Plan financially assuming all fees are sunk costs once paid. This is why visa application preparation quality matters substantially.

Can I pay visa fees in instalments?

Generally not — visa application charges typically paid in full at lodgement. Contributory Parent visa structure allows staggered payment (first VAC at lodgement, second VAC at decision time years later). Most other visas full payment at lodgement.

Is there a visa fee concession for low income or specific circumstances?

Very limited concessions. Some specific humanitarian and refugee pathways have different fee structures. Family violence partner visa continuation has specific provisions. Most skilled, family, and employer-sponsored applications charge standard fees regardless of applicant circumstances.

Do I pay if I just check my visa status (VEVO)?

No — VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) is free for visa holders to check own visa details. Employer VEVO checks are also free. No charge for accessing your own visa information.

When are fees next likely to increase?

Most fees indexed annually on 1 July. Verify current rates at application time. Significant policy changes can also restructure fees outside annual indexation. Track Department announcements for material changes affecting your planned pathway.