Visa costs
Australian visa fees in 2026
The base application charges from 1 July 2026 — by visa subclass — and the extra costs most people forget to budget for.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed July 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Student (500)
- A$2,500
- Skills in Demand (482)
- A$4,015
- Skilled Independent (189)
- A$6,135
- Partner (820/801, 309/100)
- A$11,710
- Fees effective from
- 1 July 2026
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
The Department of Home Affairs re-indexes its Visa Application Charges (VACs) every year on 1 July, and the 1 July 2026 round brought some of the largest increases in years — the Student visa up about 25%, the Partner visa up about 25%, and the skilled visas over the A$6,000 mark. Below are the current base charges for a primary applicant, followed by the costs that don't show up on the fee schedule but still hit your budget.
Base application charges from 1 July 2026
| Visa | Subclass | Base charge (primary) |
|---|---|---|
| Student | 500 | A$2,500 |
| Skills in Demand | 482 | A$4,015 |
| Temporary Graduate | 485 | A$5,750 |
| Skilled Independent | 189 | A$6,135 |
| Skilled Nominated | 190 | A$6,140 |
| Skilled Work Regional | 491 | A$6,140 |
| Regional Employer Sponsored | 494 | A$6,140 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme | 186 | A$6,140 |
| National Innovation | 858 | A$6,235 |
| Contributory Parent | 143 | A$4,040 first instalment* |
| Partner (onshore) | 820/801 | A$11,710 |
| Partner (offshore) | 309/100 | A$11,710 |
*Contributory parent visas also carry a large second instalment (well over A$40,000 per applicant) payable before grant — the single biggest cost in the family stream. Check the current amount on the official estimator.
The costs that aren't on the fee schedule
The application charge is often not the biggest number. Depending on your pathway, budget also for:
- Additional applicants — each partner, dependant or child you include adds a further charge.
- Skills assessment — required for every points-tested skilled visa; fees vary by assessing authority.
- English test — IELTS, PTE, OET and others each charge a sitting fee, and you may sit more than once.
- Health, police & biometrics — medical examinations, police clearances from every country you've lived in, and biometrics.
- Employer costs (sponsored routes) — nomination charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, paid by the sponsoring employer.
- Professional fees — a registered migration agent's fee for preparing and lodging your case.
Two rules that save applicants money
- Lodgement date locks the fee. Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 are charged under the old schedule; those lodged on or after are charged the new, higher amount. When you lodge can matter as much as the fee itself.
- The charge isn't refunded on refusal. A refused application generally means the VAC is gone — so it pays to confirm you meet the criteria and to lodge a decision-ready application rather than a hopeful one. See what happens if you're refused.
Related: How to migrate to Australia · Points calculator · Processing times · All visa guides
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Questions we get asked first
How much does an Australian visa cost in 2026?
It depends entirely on the visa. From 1 July 2026 the base application charge for a primary applicant ranges from A$2,500 for a standard Student visa (subclass 500), to A$4,015 for the employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa (482), to A$6,135–A$6,140 for the permanent skilled visas (189/190/491/494/186), up to A$11,710 for a Partner visa. Family members you include cost extra, and some visas have a large second instalment. Government charges are only part of the true cost — skills assessments, English tests, medicals, police checks and professional fees add to it.
Did Australian visa fees go up on 1 July 2026?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs indexes visa application charges annually, and from 1 July 2026 most charges rose significantly — the Student visa increased about 25% to A$2,500, the Partner visa rose about 25% to A$11,710, the 189 Skilled Independent rose to A$6,135, and the 482 base charge rose to A$4,015. Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed under the old fee schedule; the new fees apply to applications lodged on or after that date.
Is the visa application charge refundable if my visa is refused?
Generally no. The Visa Application Charge (VAC) pays for the assessment of your application, not the grant of the visa — so if your application is refused, the charge is usually not refunded. That is one of the strongest reasons to lodge a complete, decision-ready application the first time rather than a rushed one, and to confirm you actually meet the criteria before you pay.
Are there other costs beyond the visa fee?
Almost always. Depending on the visa you may also pay for a skills assessment (often several hundred dollars), an English test, a health examination, police clearances from each country you've lived in, biometrics, document translation, and — for skilled and employer-sponsored routes — nomination and levy costs paid by the employer. Professional fees for a registered migration agent are separate again. Budget for the whole journey, not just the government charge.
How much does it cost to include my partner and children?
Each additional applicant added to your application attracts a further charge, which varies by visa. For many skilled and employer-sponsored visas the additional-applicant charge for a partner or adult dependant is similar to a large fraction of the base charge, with a lower charge for a child under 18. Because the totals add up quickly, it's worth confirming exactly who to include and when.
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