The real cost of an Australian visa application
The headline fee on a visa application is rarely what you end up spending. By the time you factor in skills assessments, English tests, medical exams, police checks, biometrics, and migration agent fees, total costs for a single skilled visa can easily reach $8,000-$15,000. The visa cost calculator above shows the official Department of Home Affairs charge, but this section explains the extras almost every applicant has to budget for.
Visa application charges can be a major part of an application budget. From 1 July 2026, the 189 Skilled Independent visa starts at $6,135 for the primary applicant, while the standard combined 820/801 or 309/100 partner visa charge starts at $11,710. Home Affairs changes charges from time to time, so confirm the amount that applies on the date the Department receives your application.
Department of Home Affairs application charges (from 1 July 2026)
| Visa subclass | Main applicant | Partner | Child under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent (points tested) | $6,135 | $3,070 | $1,540 |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
| 491 Skilled Regional | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
| 482 Skills in Demand | $4,015 | $4,015 | $1,005 |
| 485 Temporary Graduate (primary streams) | $5,750 | $2,875 | $1,450 |
| 500 Student (all other students) | $2,500 | $1,530 | $500 |
| 820/801 Partner (standard combined application) | $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
| 309/100 Partner (standard combined application) | $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
| 417 First Working Holiday | $840 | n/a | n/a |
Source: Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing table, effective 1 July 2026. Some applicants may qualify for a concession or exemption.
The hidden costs you also need to pay
- Skills assessment: $500-$2,500 depending on profession (ACS, EA, VETASSESS, AHPRA, TRA)
- English test: IELTS $410, PTE Academic $395, TOEFL iBT $425. May need to retake if scores drop or expire
- Health examinations: $300-$500 per adult for the standard panel exam (chest x-ray + medical exam). Children $200-$300
- Police checks: $42 from AFP (Australia) plus $30-$200 each for every country you have lived in 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Biometrics: $108 per person (if required, not all countries)
- Document certification and translations: $20-$80 per document, especially for non-English documents
- NAATI certified translations: $20-$50 per page for foreign-language documents
- Photo: $15-$25 for passport-style photos
- Migration agent (optional): $2,500-$8,000 for a standard skilled visa application; $4,000-$12,000 for partner visas
- Sponsor costs (employer visas): SBS fee, nomination fee, Skilling Australians Fund levy - usually paid by employer but sometimes passed to employee in complex arrangements
Frequently asked questions
Can I include my family in one application?
Yes, for most visa categories. The "secondary applicant" charge for a partner or child is significantly cheaper than a separate application. You can also add family members at the time of grant in some cases. However, some visa types (notably 482 short-term and certain regional visas) have restrictions on dependants - check the specific subclass.
When do fees actually go up?
Every 1 July. Typical increases are 5-10% per year, although large increases (over 20%) happened for some visa classes in recent years. If you can lodge before 1 July, you lock in the lower fee. The fee is paid at lodgement; once paid, it does not change even if you apply for a bridging visa or wait years for a decision.
Can I get a refund if my visa is refused?
Generally no. The visa application charge is non-refundable in almost all cases. The exceptions are: if the Department withdraws the application before processing, if you withdraw before assessment starts (sometimes), or if you successfully appeal the decision. For partner visas, fee refunds are sometimes available if the relationship ends before the permanent stage is decided.
Do I need a migration agent?
Not legally - you can do most applications yourself through ImmiAccount. Use an agent if your case is complex (refusals, character issues, complex relationships, unusual qualifications, employer sponsorship arrangements). Use a MARA-registered agent only - unregistered "consultants" cannot legally give immigration advice in Australia. Migration agent fees are not refundable if your visa is refused, so check fee agreements carefully.
Are visa fees tax deductible?
Generally no. Visa application charges and migration agent fees are personal expenses, not income-producing. The narrow exception is employer-sponsored visas where the employer pays - those costs are deductible to the employer. Some related expenses might be deductible if linked to your work (e.g. continued professional registration), but the visa fee itself is not.
What is the Australian Government Charge ("VAC")?
The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is the official term for the fee you pay to lodge your visa application. It is generally payable at lodgement and may not be refundable. The VAC has two parts for some visas: a first instalment paid at lodgement and a second instalment paid before grant. For a standard subclass 143 Contributory Parent application, Home Affairs lists a $43,600 second instalment for an applicant who does not meet one of the specified reduced-charge conditions.
What this calculator doesn't include
- Employer sponsorship costs like the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy ($1,200-$5,000+)
- Bridging visa application charges if you lodge after your previous visa expired
- Settlement costs after grant like flights, shipping, initial accommodation
- OVHC/OSHC premiums required to satisfy visa conditions
- Higher-rate VACs for applicants applying offshore who switch to onshore mid-process
- Discretionary fee reductions in cases of severe hardship - rarely granted
For the official, current fees, the DHA Visa Pricing Estimator is updated whenever fees change.