Australian Visa Fees 2026: Complete Schedule

Skilled Visa Fees

Skilled visa application charges, in force from 1 July 2026 under Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994: (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), Regional Provisional stream, standard rate: primary AUD 630; partner AUD 315; child AUD 160 (a lower rate applies to eligible Pacific-regional passport holders, and the Hong Kong stream carries the same charge as the 189); (5) Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa: primary AUD 6,235; partner AUD 3,120; child AUD 1,560; (6) Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent — check the current charge on the visa's own Home Affairs page, as it is not itemised in the standard schedule used for this table; (7) Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment and Subclass 132 Business Talent both closed to new applications on 31 July 2024 as part of the wind-down of the Business Innovation and Investment Program; applications lodged before that date continue to be processed. 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 for skilled visas vary by jurisdiction and program: Queensland's skilled nomination carries no separate application fee, while Western Australia charges a non-refundable AUD 200 application fee. Other states publish their own current nomination fees on their state migration websites — check the relevant state or territory site before budgeting for a specific figure.

Employer-Sponsored Visa Fees

Employer-sponsored visa applications, current as at 1 July 2026: (1) Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024): 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 into the 186); (4) Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional): primary AUD 6,140; same family structure. Additional employer-sponsored charges, separate from the visa application charge above: (1) Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) application fee: AUD 420, one-off, with the approval valid for 5 years; (2) Nomination application fee: AUD 330 for a 482 nomination and AUD 540 for a 186 nomination, per position nominated; (3) Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — a separate, substantial charge paid upfront at nomination: for the 482, AUD 1,200 per year of the nominated period for a small business (annual turnover under AUD 10 million) or AUD 1,800 per year for a larger business; for the 186, a one-off AUD 3,000 (small business) or AUD 5,000 (larger business). The SAF levy is the employer's legal responsibility and cannot be recovered from the sponsored worker; (4) Labour Market Testing is typically embedded in the nomination assessment, with no separate government fee.

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. Exception: an applicant who already held a Prospective Marriage (300) visa and is now applying for the 820/801 after marrying pays only AUD 1,955, not the full charge; (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, and it must be lodged offshore; (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: a separate visa with its own charge structure that sits ahead of a later 143 application — the combined total across both applications is not the same as applying for the 143 directly, so check current 173 and 143 rates directly with Home Affairs before comparing the two pathways; (8) Subclass 103 Parent (non-contributory): primary AUD 6,600 plus a second instalment of AUD 2,065; Home Affairs' own published queue estimates put practical waiting times at well over a decade; (9) Subclass 804 Aged Parent: similarly long queue — check current Home Affairs processing-time estimates. Additional applicants are charged at the per-applicant rates set out above rather than being covered by the primary charge. Parent visa sponsors may also need to provide an Assurance of Support — a bond that can be forfeited if the assured person claims certain welfare payments during the assurance period; the current bond amounts and assurance period are set by Services Australia, so check its Assurance of Support page for the figure that applies to your visa.

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 535 (a lower AUD 440 rate applies to eligible Pacific-regional passport holders); (4) Subclass 408 Temporary Activity: the standard charge is AUD 535, but several specified streams (for example, some government-agreement and invited-participant categories) attract lower charges from AUD 110 up to AUD 440, or no charge — the rate depends on the specific stream and is set out on the visa's own Home Affairs page; (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: no visa application charge under the Migration Regulations; a separate AUD 20 service fee applies when lodging through the Australian ETA mobile app; (9) Subclass 651 eVisitor (for eligible European and other passport holders): no charge. Additional considerations: (1) Working Holiday Maker tax is separate from the visa fee — the working holiday maker tax rate applies from the first dollar earned, with the general rate set out on the ATO's website; check current rates before budgeting; (2) Some visas have post-grant fees — change of conditions applications, for example; VEVO checks themselves are free; (3) Visa label fees are 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 3,727 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 are indexed annually on 1 July; (2) the increase from 1 July 2026 was a uniform rise of roughly 25% across most visa application charges — larger than a typical CPI-linked adjustment, so don't assume the historical pattern will hold for the next indexation round; (3) the Contributory Parent second instalment has historically moved by a different amount again. 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. If you lodge an Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) migration review and it succeeds, half of the ART fee is refunded; the other half, and the original visa application charge, are not. Plan financially assuming 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.