For employers · 186 · 494 · Costs
186 and 494 visa cost for employers
The 186 and the regional 494 put most of the government charges on the employer, and some of them cannot be passed on. This page sets out the employer's bill for each visa, from the Home Affairs charges and the Migration Regulations, and who pays what.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed on 11 November 2026 · Check the OMARA register
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - 186 nomination
- A$540 or nil (regional)
- 494 nomination
- Nil
- SAF levy (one-off)
- A$3,000 or A$5,000
- Visa charge
- A$6,140, either side
The migration agent that other migration agents learn from. WIDEN is an OMARA-approved CPD provider — our training is rated ★4.8 by 40+ registered migration agents.
About the CPD →The 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Nomination: A$540 for Direct Entry. For Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement stream nominations, A$540 unless the position is in regional Australia, where no fee is payable (Migration Regulations reg 5.37).
- SAF levy: one-off, A$3,000 for a business with annual turnover under A$10 million, A$5,000 otherwise, paid when the nomination is lodged.
- Visa charge: A$6,140 for the main applicant, A$3,070 for each additional adult and A$1,535 for each child under 18. Either side can pay it.
Nominating your own 482 worker: 186 employer guide.
The 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
- Sponsorship: A$420 if the business is not already an approved standard business sponsor; approval lasts five years.
- Nomination: nil (legislative instrument LIN 19/215, item 6).
- SAF levy: one-off, A$3,000 or A$5,000 depending on turnover.
- Visa charge: A$6,140 for the main applicant, A$3,070 for each additional adult, A$1,535 for each child. Either side can pay it.
- Regional Certifying Body: the nomination needs the body's advice on the salary and the position; some bodies charge for it, so ask yours.
Side by side (employer's government charges)
| Charge | 186 | 494 |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | — | A$420 if not a sponsor |
| Nomination | A$540 (nil: regional TRT or LA) | Nil |
| SAF levy, turnover under A$10m | A$3,000 | A$3,000 |
| SAF levy, other | A$5,000 | A$5,000 |
| Visa (main applicant), either side | A$6,140 | A$6,140 |
Government charges only. Professional fees, skills assessments, English tests and health checks are separate. Whether a postcode is regional: is my city regional?
What cannot be passed on to the worker
The nomination charge, the SAF levy, the sponsorship charge and agent fees for those steps are the employer's. Recovering them from the worker, through deductions, a bond or a third party, breaches the sponsorship obligations and can be an offence. Only the visa charge can be paid by the worker. The levy is refunded only in limited cases: SAF levy refunds.
Know the full cost before you nominate
In a sponsor consultation Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536, registered since 2015) confirms which stream and fees apply to your position and location, whether the worker qualifies, and what the nomination needs, and gives you a written fee quote if you want WIDEN to lodge it. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes or A$550 for 60 minutes, credited in full if you engage the practice. No outcome can be promised.
In other currencies: A$330 is about US$225, €205 or £170; A$550 is about US$380, €340 or £285 (approximate, November 2026).
General information, not migration advice. Charges from the Home Affairs cost of sponsoring page and pricing service, Migration Regulations reg 5.37 and LIN 19/215, checked November 2026.
Not sure which visa fits you?
Answer three questions. An automated guide points you to the route that usually applies. General information only.
Book 30 minutes with Keshab.
Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), reads your situation with you and tells you which route fits, what it costs and what happens next.
Video consultation. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes, credited in full if you go ahead. Advice on your own case is given in the consultation, and you leave it with a clear plan in writing.
What you get
- 30 minutes (A$330) or 60 minutes (A$550) by video with a registered migration agent, Keshab Chapagain, MARN 1576536.
- A written summary of your options and next steps after the session.
- What to bring: ABN, what the business does, the role and salary, the candidate’s CV and current visa.
- Prefer no call? The sponsorship readiness check is done in writing, A$550.
Book an employer sponsorship consultation — A$330 inc. GST, credited In writing, no call — A$550
Need 60 minutes, or bringing a partner, employer or documents to go through? Extended consultation, A$550 inc. GST.
MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
Questions we get asked first
How much does a 186 visa cost the employer?
The employer pays the nomination charge (A$540, or nil for a Temporary Residence Transition or Labour Agreement position in regional Australia) and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, A$3,000 one-off if turnover is under A$10 million or A$5,000 otherwise. The visa charge (A$6,140 for the main applicant) can be paid by either side.
How much does a 494 visa cost the employer?
There is no nomination charge for a 494. The employer pays the SAF levy (A$3,000 or A$5,000 one-off) and, if not already a sponsor, A$420 for standard business sponsorship. The visa charge (A$6,140 for the main applicant) can be paid by either side.
Can the employer recover these costs from the worker?
No. The nomination charge, the SAF levy, sponsorship costs and agent fees for those steps cannot be recovered from the worker, directly, through deductions or through anyone else. The visa charge is different: either side can pay it.
Is the 186 nomination fee nil in regional Australia?
For a Temporary Residence Transition or Labour Agreement stream nomination where the position is in regional Australia, Migration Regulations reg 5.37 sets no fee. For Direct Entry it is A$540 wherever the position is.
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