Australia’s Visa Prices in 2026
Australia’s visa system underwent its most dramatic fee overhaul in years on 1 July 2026, when the Department of Home Affairs raised charges across nearly every visa category by roughly 25% — about eight times the size of the usual annual CPI-linked adjustment — with some categories climbing far more steeply still. For prospective students, skilled workers, partners, and visitors alike, this single regulatory change has meaningfully reshaped the cost of moving to, studying in, or reuniting with family in Australia.
This report breaks down the latest Australia visa fee statistics for 2026, covering the confirmed post-1 July charges across every major visa subclass, the magnitude of increases by category, additional applicant and second-instalment charges, and the salary thresholds that now accompany employer-sponsored visas. Whether you’re a prospective migrant budgeting for an application, an employer sponsoring a worker, or simply researching how Australia’s immigration costs compare to recent years, this article lays out the fullest, most current picture using the official Department of Home Affairs fee schedule.
Interesting Facts About Australia’s Visa Prices in 2026
| Interesting Fact | Data (From 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis for the Fee Increase | Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00874) |
| Average Increase Across Most Visa Categories | ~25% — roughly 8x the usual annual adjustment |
| Largest Single Percentage Increase | Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), roughly 200% within a single year |
| Skilled Visa Fee (189/190/491/494/186), Primary Applicant | $6,135 to $6,140, up from $4,910 |
| Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), Primary Applicant | $4,015, up from $3,210 |
| Partner Visa (820/801), Combined Fee | $11,710 |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | $2,500 |
| Bridging Visa B Increase | +203%, from $190 to $575 |
| Resident Return Visa Increase | +201%, from $490 to $1,475 |
| Standard Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) | $250, up from $200 |
| Transition Window This Year | None — new fees applied immediately with no grace period |
| Subclass 482 Core Skills Minimum Salary Threshold | AUD $79,423 per year |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1, effective 1 July 2026; Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026.
The clearest theme in 2026’s Australia visa fee statistics is just how far this year’s increase departed from the routine, modest adjustments Home Affairs has applied in previous years. Rather than the typical 2-5% CPI-linked increase, the Department raised most visa application charges by roughly 25% in a single move — and for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa specifically, fees have effectively tripled within twelve months, first doubling from $1,895 to $4,600 in March 2026, then rising a further 25% to $5,750 on 1 July. This makes 2026 a genuine outlier year in Australia’s immigration fee history, rather than a continuation of the incremental pattern applicants had grown accustomed to.
The second major theme is the complete absence of any transition or grace period this year. In previous fee-increase cycles, applicants typically had advance notice and a window to lodge under the old fee schedule before a new one took effect. For 2026, Home Affairs applied the new charges immediately from 1 July, with the fee determined strictly by the date an application is received, not when documents were prepared, an agent was engaged, or an English test was completed. This procedural detail has real financial consequences: an applicant who submitted an incomplete application just before the deadline and received a refusal would need to pay the full new, higher fee again to relodge — a costly trap for anyone who rushed a submission to beat the deadline.
Skilled Migration Visa Fees 2026
| Visa Subclass | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Previous Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 (Skilled Independent) | $6,135 | $4,910 | +25% |
| 190 (Skilled Nominated) | $6,135–$6,140 | $4,910 | +25% |
| 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | $6,135–$6,140 | $4,910 | +25% |
| 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) | $6,135–$6,140 | $4,910 | +25% |
| 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) | $6,135–$6,140 | $4,910 | +25% |
| Second Instalment (Adult, No Functional English) | $5,090 per applicant | — | — |
| Second Instalment (Child, No Functional English) | $1,275 per applicant | — | — |
| Additional Applicant (Partner, Subclass 189) | $2,320 | — | — |
| Additional Applicant (Child, Subclass 189) | $1,160 | — | — |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1, effective 1 July 2026.
The core points-tested and employer-sponsored permanent skilled visas — Subclasses 189, 190, 491, 494, and 186 — all moved to a harmonised base charge of $6,135 to $6,140 for the primary applicant, up from $4,910 previously, a 25% increase consistent with the broader pattern applied across most mainstream visa categories. For families applying together, costs escalate quickly: adding an adult partner to a Subclass 189 application costs a further $2,320, and each child adds $1,160, meaning a family of four could face combined base charges well above $10,000 before accounting for any additional costs.
A frequently overlooked cost within the skilled visa category is the second instalment charge, which applies specifically to applicants aged 18 or over who do not demonstrate “functional English” at the time of visa grant, adding $5,090 per adult applicant (and $1,275 for an under-18 dependent) to cover government-provided English tuition after arrival. This charge is not paid at lodgement, catching some applicants by surprise later in the process, though it does not apply to the majority of applicants who hold qualifying English test results such as IELTS or PTE scores at the time of their initial application.
Employer-Sponsored and Temporary Work Visa Fees 2026
| Visa Subclass | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Previous Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 482 (Skills in Demand), Primary Applicant | $4,015 | $3,210 | +25% |
| 482, Secondary Applicant (18+) | $4,015 | — | — |
| 482, Secondary Applicant (Under 18) | $1,005 | — | — |
| 482 Nomination Fee (Employer-Paid) | $330 | $330 | Unchanged |
| Standard Business Sponsorship Fee | $420 | $420 | Unchanged |
| 482 Core Skills Minimum Salary Threshold | AUD $79,423/year | — | — |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | AUD $146,576/year | — | — |
| 407 (Training Visa) | Increased in line with the broader ~25% pattern | — | — |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1; Subclass 482 salary threshold guidance, effective 1 July 2026.
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa — Australia’s primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa — rose to $4,015 for the primary applicant, up from $3,210, with secondary applicants aged 18 and over charged the identical $4,015 rate. Notably, the separate nomination fee ($330) and Standard Business Sponsorship fee ($420), both paid by the sponsoring employer rather than the visa applicant, were left unchanged in this round of increases, meaning the direct cost impact of the July changes falls almost entirely on applicants and their sponsoring employer’s overall wage bill rather than the administrative sponsorship fees themselves.
Beyond the visa application charge itself, employers sponsoring workers under the Core Skills stream must now meet a minimum salary threshold of AUD $79,423 per year, while the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, applicable to higher-earning specialist nominations, rose to AUD $146,576. Employers who had already prepared nominations using the previous salary figures were explicitly advised to review employment contracts before lodgement, since a nomination submitted below the new threshold risks refusal regardless of when salary negotiations with the prospective employee originally took place.
Student, Graduate, and Working Holiday Visa Fees 2026
| Visa Subclass | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 500 (Student Visa) | $2,500 | Up roughly 25% from the prior fee |
| Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (Student) | +$700 | Applies after 2+ prior student visas held onshore |
| 485 (Temporary Graduate) | $5,750 | Up from $4,600 (which had already doubled from $1,895 in March 2026) |
| 485 Combined 12-Month Increase | ~200% | Largest single increase of any visa category |
| 417/462 (Working Holiday) | Increased in line with the broader ~25% pattern | — |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1, effective 1 July 2026.
Student visa (Subclass 500) applicants now face a base charge of $2,500, roughly a 25% increase consistent with the broader fee schedule adjustment. Students who have already held two or more student visas and are applying for a further one while still in Australia face an additional Subsequent Temporary Application Charge of $700, layered directly on top of the standard $2,500 base fee — a provision specifically targeting extended, multi-visa study pathways rather than a typical single-course enrolment.
By far the most dramatic single change in this year’s fee schedule affects the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, used by international students transitioning into post-study work rights. This visa’s fee first doubled from $1,895 to $4,600 in March 2026, then rose a further 25% to $5,750 on 1 July — a combined increase of roughly 200% within a single twelve-month period. For students who built a multi-year study-to-graduate-work financial plan around the original $1,895 figure, this represents a genuinely significant, largely unanticipated budget shock arriving at precisely the point in their migration journey when many have the least remaining financial flexibility.
Partner, Family, and Citizenship Visa Fees 2026
| Visa Category | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Partner Visa (820/801, Combined) | $11,710 | Single VAC covers both temporary and permanent stages |
| Prospective Marriage Visa (300) | $11,710 | Same fee structure as partner visa |
| Bridging Visa B | $575 | Up from $190 (+203%) |
| Resident Return Visa (155/157) | $1,475 | Up from $490 (+201%) |
| Contributory Parent Visas | Over $50,000 | Highest fee category in the entire schedule |
| Second Instalment (Partner Visa, If Applicable) | Applies separately | Payable before grant, alongside the primary VAC |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1, effective 1 July 2026.
Partner visa applicants face one of the steepest absolute dollar figures in the entire fee schedule, with the combined charge for the Subclass 820/801 (onshore) or 309/100 (offshore) pathway now reaching $11,710 — importantly, this single Visa Application Charge covers both the temporary and permanent stages of the partner visa process, meaning no additional base fee is payable when the visa progresses from temporary to permanent status, though a separate second instalment charge can still apply depending on individual circumstances. The Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300) carries an identical fee structure.
Two smaller but proportionally striking increases affected the Bridging Visa B, which rose 203% from $190 to $575, and the Resident Return Visa, up 201% from $490 to $1,475 — both increases far exceeding the roughly 25% applied to most mainstream categories. At the very top of Australia’s visa fee spectrum, Contributory Parent visas remain priced at over $50,000, continuing to represent by far the most expensive standard visa pathway available, reflecting the significant, long-term cost to public health and aged-care systems that this visa category is specifically designed to offset through its application charge.
Visitor and Short-Stay Visa Fees 2026
| Visa Type | Fee From 1 July 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 600 (Standard Visitor) | $250 | Up from $200 |
| eVisitor (Subclass 651) | Free | Eligible European passport holders only |
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) | $20 | Technically a “service charge,” not a formal VAC |
| Frequent Traveller Stream (Subclass 600) | $1,065 | Grants a 10-year visa, stays up to 3 months per visit |
| Subclass 600, Offshore/Onshore Split | Clarified for 2026 | Applies to non-Pacific applicant streams specifically |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Migration Regulations Schedule 1, effective 1 July 2026.
For short-term visitors, Australia maintains a genuinely tiered pricing structure depending on nationality and travel frequency. The standard Subclass 600 Visitor visa rose modestly to $250, up from $200, while eligible travelers from participating European countries can still access the completely free eVisitor visa, and other eligible passport holders can use the low-cost $20 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) — a fee the Department itself describes as a “service charge” rather than a formal Visa Application Charge, a distinction that carries little practical difference for the traveler’s wallet. For business travelers making repeated visits, the Frequent Traveller stream, priced at $1,065, grants a full 10-year visa with stays of up to three months per visit, a genuinely cost-effective option compared to repeatedly applying for standard single-entry visitor visas.
Visa Fees and Access by Country of Nationality 2026
| Nationality Group | Visitor Visa Pathway | Fee | Working Holiday Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU countries, UK, and select European nations | eVisitor (Subclass 651) | Free | 417 (uncapped/reciprocal) — UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands |
| USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei | ETA (Subclass 601) | $20 | 417 for Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan; 462 (capped) for USA |
| India | Subclass 600 (Visitor) | $250 | 462 (Work and Holiday) — capped at 1,000 places/year, allocated by ballot |
| China | Subclass 600 (Visitor) | $250 | 462 (Work and Holiday), capped/quota-based |
| Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, most African, South American, and Middle Eastern nations | Subclass 600 (Visitor) | $250 | 462 where a bilateral arrangement exists (e.g., Indonesia, Vietnam); otherwise not eligible |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, eVisitor, ETA and Visitor Visa nationality eligibility lists; Subclass 462 Work and Holiday country arrangements, 2026.
While the base Visa Application Charge for most skilled, student, and partner visas is genuinely uniform regardless of nationality — an Indian, Chinese, British, or American applicant pays the identical $6,135 for a Subclass 189, for example — short-stay and working holiday access varies substantially by passport, and this is where country of origin has a real, direct effect on both cost and eligibility. Citizens of EU countries and the UK can enter on the completely free eVisitor, while nationals of the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries pay just $20 for an ETA. By contrast, Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Pakistani, Nigerian, Brazilian, Russian, and South African citizens — along with most other nationalities worldwide — are not eligible for either concession and must apply for the full $250 Subclass 600 Visitor visa, a considerably more expensive and document-intensive process.
India’s case is particularly notable for 2026: the country was only recently added to the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa program, but with a strict annual cap of just 1,000 places, allocated through a competitive ballot rather than open, uncapped access — a sharp contrast to the largely unrestricted Subclass 417 arrangement enjoyed by citizens of the UK, Ireland, Canada, and several European nations. For young Indian nationals hoping to work and travel in Australia, this means the fee itself ($650, up roughly 25% in this year’s increase) is only part of the challenge; the far bigger constraint is simply winning one of the 1,000 annual ballot places against a large applicant pool.
What Australia’s Visa Fees Mean in Local Currency (India Example) 2026
| Visa Type | AUD Fee | Approximate INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 600 (Visitor) | $250 | ~₹16,600 |
| Subclass 500 (Student) | $2,500 | ~₹166,000 |
| Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) | ~$650 | ~₹43,200 |
| Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) | $4,015 | ~₹266,700 |
| Subclass 189/190 (Skilled) | $6,135–$6,140 | ~₹408,000 |
| Subclass 820/801 (Partner) | $11,710 | ~₹778,100 |
| Exchange Rate Used | 1 AUD ≈ ₹66.4 | Rates fluctuate; confirm current rate before budgeting |
Source: Currency conversion based on the mid-market AUD/INR exchange rate as of July 2026 (approximately 1 AUD = ₹66.4); rate compiled from Xe, OFX, and BookMyForex live data. Visa fees per Department of Home Affairs, effective 1 July 2026.
Since India has become Australia’s single largest source of overseas-born migrants (as detailed in our largest foreign-born group in Australia coverage), it’s worth translating these fees into a currency figure that reflects the real budgeting impact for the country’s largest applicant pool. At the current exchange rate of roughly 1 AUD to ₹66.4, the new $6,135 skilled visa fee works out to approximately ₹408,000 — a substantial sum in the context of Indian household incomes — while the $11,710 partner visa fee translates to nearly ₹778,000. These are converted at the mid-market rate only; applicants paying via international transfer or credit card typically face an additional 2% to 5% markup from banks or forex providers on top of the headline AUD figure, meaning actual out-of-pocket costs in local currency often run modestly higher than a simple mid-market conversion suggests.
Country-Specific Considerations and Total Cost Context 2026
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality-Based Fee Variation | Visa Application Charges are generally uniform regardless of nationality, though eligibility for free/reduced options (eVisitor, ETA) depends on passport |
| Total Estimated Cost, Skilled Visa Family of Four | Over $13,000 in government fees alone, per Home Affairs’ own estimator |
| Additional Non-Government Costs | Skills assessments, medical examinations, police checks, migration agent fees |
| Estimated Total Cost Range (Family of Four, All-Inclusive) | $20,000 to $25,000 |
| Fee Determination Rule | Set by the date Home Affairs receives the application, not preparation or lodgement-intent dates |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator; compiled migration industry cost analysis, 2026.
While Australia’s Visa Application Charges themselves are generally uniform regardless of an applicant’s country of origin, the practical, real-world cost of migrating to Australia varies considerably based on which country-specific requirements apply — including which nationalities qualify for the free eVisitor visa versus the low-cost ETA, and which countries have specific bilateral arrangements affecting Working Holiday visa eligibility and quotas. For families pursuing skilled migration, Home Affairs’ own official Visa Pricing Estimator now regularly produces combined government fee totals above $13,000 for a family of four applying together, a figure that reflects only the direct visa charges before accounting for the substantial additional costs of skills assessments, medical examinations, police clearance certificates, and migration agent fees — pushing realistic total migration budgets toward $20,000 to $25,000 for a comparable family application once every associated cost is included. Understanding this full cost picture matters considerably given the current scale of Australia’s immigration intake, where even modest fee increases translate into a genuinely significant aggregate cost shift across hundreds of thousands of annual applicants.
For prospective migrants weighing these costs against Australia’s broader labour market, it’s worth noting that the 482 Core Skills salary threshold of $79,423 sits well above the national minimum wage baseline, reflecting the skilled, higher-earning nature of the roles this visa pathway is designed to fill. And for those tracking how these fee changes fit within Australia’s longer migration story, the countries currently driving Australia’s overseas-born population — led by India and China — represent exactly the applicant pools now absorbing the bulk of this year’s substantial fee increases across skilled, student, and family visa categories alike.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
