You are here: / / Visa Application Fee increases from July 2026

  • Visa Application Fee increases from July 2026

VISA APPLICATION FEE INCREASES FROM 1ST JULY 2026

The Department of Home Affairs increased visa application charges (VAC) for most visa subclasses for applications made on or after 1 July 2026. This page lists the government fees for every Australian visa, together with the other costs to budget for, such as sponsorship fees, levies, bonds and review fees.

Related: Upcoming Immigration Changes 2026

The first table shows the most common visas and how much their fees increased. The complete list of visa charges for 2026-27 follows below it.

Visa TypePre July feeFrom 1 July 2026
Student and Guardian (Subclass 500 & 590)$2,000$2,500
General Skilled Migration (Subclass 189, 190, 491, 494)$4,910$6,135 (189) / $6,140 (190, 491, 494)
Graduate Temporary (Subclass 485)$4,600 (from 1 March 2026, previously $2,300)$5,750
Partner (Subclass 300, 820/801, 309/100)$9,365$11,710
Parent (Contributory) first instalment - The Second Visa Application charge for the Contributory Parent visa (143 visa) will remain the same$445 to $5,040$555 to $6,300
TSS – STSOL (Subclass 482) - Now namely: SID (Subclass 482)$3,210$4,015
TSS – MLTSSL (Subclass 482) - Now namely: SID (Subclass 482)$3,210$4,015
ENS/RSMS (Subclass 186, 187)$4,910$6,140
Business Migration (Subclass 188A, 188B)$10,000Closed to new applicants
Significant Investor Visa (SIV) (188C)$14,670Closed to new applicants
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – applying onshore$500$630 (plus $700 STAC if it applies)
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – applying offshore$200$250
Citizenship Application (By Conferral)$575$595
Bridging Visa B (BVB, Subclass 020)$190$575
Resident Return Visa (RRV, Subclass 155)$490$1,475

Complete list of Australian visa application charges from 1 July 2026

The table below lists the visa application charge (VAC) for the main applicant and for each family member included in the same application. Charges are in Australian dollars and apply to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Some visas have a second instalment that is paid before the visa is granted, and some charge an extra fee when the applicant does not have functional English.

Visa Main applicant Partner or adult (18 and over) Child (under 18) Second instalment and notes
Partner and family visas
Partner visa (onshore, subclass 820/801) $11,710 $5,860 $2,935 One fee covers both stages
Partner visa (offshore, subclass 309/100) $11,710 $5,860 $2,935 One fee covers both stages
Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) $11,710 $5,860 $2,935 Lower fee later for the 820/801
Partner visa 820/801 after holding a 300 visa (married before the 300 ends) $1,955 $980 $485
Partner visa 820/801 for a former 300 visa holder $2,475 $1,235 $625
Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) $6,300 $2,125 $1,065 Second instalment $43,600 per person
Contributory Parent visa (143) for 173 visa holders $555 $280 $135 Second instalment $19,420 per person
Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173) $4,245 $2,125 $1,065 Second instalment $29,130 per person
Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) $6,300 $3,145 $1,580 Second instalment $43,600 per person
Contributory Aged Parent visa (864) for 884 visa holders $555 $280 $135 Second instalment $19,420 per person
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) $6,300 $3,145 $1,580 Second instalment $29,130 (dependent child $2,095)
Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) $6,600 $3,300 $1,655 Second instalment $2,065 per person
Parent visa (subclass 103) $6,600 $3,300 $1,655 Second instalment $2,065 per person
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) $1,515 N/A N/A Second instalment $4,855 (3 years) or $10,925 (5 years); sponsor fee $420
Child visa (subclass 101) $4,040 $2,020 $1,015
Child visa (subclass 802) $4,040 $2,020 $1,015 Nil if supported by a state welfare authority
Adoption visa (subclass 102) $4,040 $2,020 $1,015
Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) $4,040 $2,020 $1,015
Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117 and 837) $2,475 $1,235 $625
Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115 and 835) $6,600 $3,300 $1,655 Second instalment $2,065 per person
Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 114 and 838) $6,600 $3,300 $1,655 Second instalment $2,065 per person
Carer visa (subclass 116 and 836) $2,720 $1,365 $680 Second instalment $2,065 per person
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461) $1,330 $675 $325
Skilled and graduate visas
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) $6,135 $3,070 $1,540 Second instalment $4,885 per adult without functional English
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535 Second instalment $4,885 per adult without functional English
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) $630 $315 $160
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) $630 $315 $160
National Innovation visa (subclass 858) $6,235 $3,120 $1,560 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), first 485 $5,750 $2,875 $1,450 Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Education Work streams
Temporary Graduate visa (485), second Post-Higher Education Work stream $2,265 $1,140 $575 For regional graduates
Employer sponsored and work visas
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), all streams $4,015 $4,015 $1,005 Plus $700 per person if the STAC applies
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535 Second instalment $9,800 main / $4,890 secondary if no functional English
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187), Transition stream $6,140 $3,070 $1,535 Only for eligible transitional applicants
Short Stay Specialist visa (subclass 400) $535 $535 $135
Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408), all streams $535 $535 $135 Plus $700 per person if the STAC applies
Training visa (subclass 407) $535 $535 $135 Plus $700 per person if the STAC applies
International Relations visa (subclass 403), most streams $470 $470 $120
International Relations visa (403), PALM stream $365 $355 $85
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), first visa $840 N/A N/A
Working Holiday visa (417), second or third visa $1,000 N/A N/A
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), first visa $840 N/A N/A
Work and Holiday visa (462), second or third visa $1,000 N/A N/A
Student visas
Student visa (subclass 500), most courses $2,500 $1,530 $500 Plus $700 per person if the STAC applies. From 2 October 2026 most new applicants can no longer include a partner or children (details)
Student visa (500), ELICOS or non-award courses $2,050 $1,255 $410 Plus $700 per person if the STAC applies
Student visa (500), postgraduate research $2,500 N/A N/A
Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) $2,500 N/A $500 Plus $700 if the STAC applies
Visitor and medical visas
Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream applying outside Australia $250 N/A N/A Each person applies separately
Visitor visa (600), Tourist stream applying in Australia $630 N/A N/A Plus $700 if the STAC applies
Visitor visa (600), Sponsored Family stream $250 N/A N/A
Visitor visa (600), Business Visitor stream $250 N/A N/A
Visitor visa (600), Frequent Traveller stream $1,845 N/A N/A
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) Nil N/A N/A A service charge applies to the online application
eVisitor (subclass 651) Nil N/A N/A
Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602), applying in Australia $480 $240 $120 Nil if applying outside Australia
Returning, bridging and other visas
Resident Return visa (subclass 155 and 157) $1,475 N/A N/A Plus $80 for a paper application
Provisional Resident Return visa (subclass 159) $245 $125 $60
Bridging visa B (subclass 020) $575 N/A N/A
Bridging visas A, C and E Nil N/A N/A
Former Resident visa (subclass 151) $6,005 $3,000 $1,500 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English
Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405) $635 $320 $155 Second instalment $12,990 per person
Retirement visa (subclass 410) $625 $315 $155 Only for partners of current or former 410 holders
Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) $345 $85 $85
Protection visa (subclass 866), Temporary Protection (785), SHEV (790) $50 N/A N/A
Business and investment visas
Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188), extension streams $1,505 $760 $380 The 188 program is closed to new applicants
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) $4,375 $2,195 $1,090 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English
State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner (892) or Investor (893) $2,890 $1,445 $720 Second instalment $4,890 per adult without functional English

Other government fees and costs to budget for

The visa application charge is often not the only cost. Employers, sponsors and applicants may also need to pay the fees below.

Fee or cost Amount Who pays More information
Standard business sponsorship (482, 494 and 186 employers) $420 Employer
Nomination fee, Skills in Demand 482 $330 Employer
Nomination fee, 186 and 494 $540 Employer
Temporary activity sponsorship (407, 408) $420 Sponsor
Nomination fee, 407 and 408 $170 Sponsor
Skilling Australians Fund levy, 482 visa $1,200 per year (turnover under $10 million) or $1,800 per year ($10 million or more) Employer Details
Skilling Australians Fund levy, 186 and 494 visas $3,000 (turnover under $10 million) or $5,000 ($10 million or more), paid once Employer Details
Family sponsor application, Sponsored Parent (870) $420 Sponsor Details
Assurance of Support bond, contributory parent visas (143, 864) $10,000 for the main applicant plus $4,000 for each other adult, held for 10 years Assurer (refundable) Details
Assurance of Support bond, other parent and relative visas (103, 804, 114, 838, 115, 835) $5,000 for the main applicant plus $2,000 for each other adult, held for 2 or 4 years Assurer (refundable) Details
Subsequent temporary application charge (STAC) $700 per person Applicant Payable for some temporary visas lodged in Australia
Non-internet application charge $80 Applicant For paper applications where this applies
Card, PayPal and UnionPay surcharges Nil from 1 October 2026 Applicant Home Affairs no longer adds a payment surcharge
ART review, migration decisions $3,727 (a 50% reduction to $1,863.50 is possible for severe financial hardship) Applicant Details
ART review, protection decisions $2,293, only payable if the review is unsuccessful Applicant Details
Federal Circuit and Family Court, migration application $4,180 (reduced fee $2,090) Applicant Details
Australian citizenship by conferral $595 Applicant Details
Australian citizenship by descent $380 Applicant Details
Evidence of Australian citizenship $290 Applicant Details
Health examinations in Australia About $350 per person, paid to the clinic Applicant
English language test About $150 to $400 depending on the test and country (some tests in Australia cost more) Applicant
AFP national police check About $56 for a standard digital check Applicant
Skills assessment Varies by assessing authority and occupation Applicant Details

How Australian visa fees work

  • Base application charge: paid by the main applicant when the application is lodged.
  • Additional applicant charge: paid for each partner, child or other family member included in the same application. There is a separate rate for people 18 and over and for children under 18.
  • Second instalment: some visas (contributory parent visas, other parent and relative visas, and adult applicants without functional English for many skilled and business visas) have a second payment that is requested before the visa is granted.
  • Subsequent temporary application charge (STAC): $700 per person may apply when you lodge certain temporary visas in Australia, for example student, visitor, 408, 407 and 482 visas.
  • Indexation: most charges are reviewed and increased on 1 July each year, so the fee that applies is the one in force on the day you lodge.
  • No payment surcharge: from 1 October 2026 there is no surcharge for paying by card, PayPal or UnionPay.
  • Refunds: the visa application charge is generally not refunded if the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn, so it is worth checking eligibility carefully before lodging.
  • Professional fees: government charges do not include migration agent or lawyer fees. See our fees or book a consultation for a quote.

Visa fees FAQ

Most visa application charges increased on 1 July 2026. For example, partner visas rose from $9,365 to $11,710, the 189 visa from $4,910 to $6,135, and the 482 visa from $3,210 to $4,015.

No. The second instalment is requested by the Department of Home Affairs once the application is ready to be decided, and the visa is granted after it is paid.

Each family member included in your application pays the additional applicant charge shown in the table. For example, for an 820/801 partner visa the main applicant pays $11,710, each additional adult $5,860 and each child $2,935.

No. Sponsorship fees, nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund levy must be paid by the employer and cannot be passed on to the sponsored worker.

Fees depend on your visa, your family members and your circumstances. Our Registered Migration Agents can confirm the total cost before you apply. Call us on 03 9521 7577 or book a consultation.

Fees last checked against the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing table in October 2026. Fees can change, so please confirm the current amount before lodging.

Credit-card Credit-card Current visa fees

Related guides

If you would like to find out more about your visa options and evaluate which pathway to take, please contact us on 03 9521 7577 or book an appointment

Recent News

Australian Study Requirement: RPL, Overlapping Courses and Time Offshore

Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update

Student visa changes from 2 October 2026

After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026

What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You

Tasks of the position and nominated occupationAssessing genuineness – 482 TSS visa