Fees and Charges · 2026-27

Australian visa costs

The government charges for the visas we practise in, stated with the additional-applicant amounts and the employer-side costs separated out — every figure verified against the Department of Home Affairs, and re-verified each July when charges index.

Charges as at 1 July 2026 · source: Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing

Partner and fiancé visas

One combined charge covers both the temporary and permanent stages of a partner visa.

Charge Main applicant Each 18+ Each under 18
Partner (820/801 onshore, or 309/100 offshore) $11,710 $5,860 $2,935
300 Prospective Marriage $11,710 $5,860 $2,935
Partner visa after a 300 (reduced charge) The main partner charge was paid at the 300 stage. $1,955 $980 $485

Points-tested skilled visas

Charge Main applicant Each 18+ Each under 18
189 Skilled Independent $6,135 $3,070 $1,540
190 Skilled Nominated Some states charge their own nomination processing fee. $6,140 $3,070 $1,535
491 Skilled Work Regional Additional charges apply per accompanying family member. $6,140 - -

Employer sponsored visas

Employer-side charges (sponsorship, nomination, and the Skilling Australians Fund levy) sit with the sponsor and cannot lawfully be passed to the visa applicant.

Charge Main applicant Each 18+ Each under 18
482 Skills in Demand (visa application) $4,015 $4,015 $1,005
482 nomination (employer) Varies with stream, nomination period, and sponsor turnover. from $1,530 - -
186 ENS (visa application) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535
186 nomination (employer) Smaller-turnover sponsor rate. $3,540 - -
494 Regional (visa application) $6,140 $3,070 $1,535
494 nomination (employer) Smaller-turnover sponsor rate. $3,330 - -
Standard Business Sponsorship (employer) $420 - -

Students

Charge Main applicant Each 18+ Each under 18
500 Student $2,500 - -

Review (Administrative Review Tribunal)

50% of the fee paid is refunded where the decision is set aside or varied, or the matter is remitted to the Department.

Charge Main applicant Each 18+ Each under 18
Migration decision review $3,727 - -
Character-related review (standard fee) $1,195 - -

The costs beyond the government charge

Most pathways carry costs the pricing table does not show: a skills assessment where one is required (each assessing authority sets its own fee — the current ranges are on our authority pages), English test fees, health examinations, police certificates, and certified translation. Budgeting a pathway properly means budgeting the sequence, not just the headline charge.

The charge that is never refunded is the visa application charge itself: a refusal spends it in full. That is the financial case for preparation — and if a refusal must be contested, the Tribunal's own statistics show how outcomes actually run, with half the review fee refunded where the review succeeds.

Get the full cost of your pathway, not just the fee

We map the complete sequence for your pathway — assessment, sponsorship, nomination, visa — with the charges at each step, and quote our own fees fixed where the scope allows, before work begins.

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Common questions

How much does an Australian visa cost in 2026-27?
It depends entirely on the subclass. As at 1 July 2026, the combined partner visa charge is $11,710 for the main applicant, the 189 Skilled Independent visa is $6,135, the 190 and 491 are $6,140, the 482 Skills in Demand visa application is $4,015, and the 500 student visa is $2,500. Employer-side charges such as sponsorship and nomination sit with the sponsor. The tables on this page set out each charge with the additional-applicant amounts.
When do visa fees change?
Visa application charges index on 1 July each year, and the government sometimes legislates larger changes mid-year for particular subclasses. The figures on this page are stated as at their verification date and re-verified each July; always confirm the current charge on the Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing page before lodging, because the charge that applies is the one in force on the day you apply.
Is the partner visa fee really paid only once?
Yes. The $11,710 combined charge lodged with the 820 or 309 application covers both the temporary and the permanent (801 or 100) stages. The exception worth knowing: if you enter on a 300 Prospective Marriage visa first, the later partner visa application is charged at a reduced rate of $1,955 for the main applicant, because the substantive charge was paid at the 300 stage.
Which costs does the employer pay for a sponsored visa?
The sponsorship application ($420), the nomination charge (from $1,530 for the 482 depending on stream and period; $3,540 for the 186 and $3,330 for the 494 at smaller-turnover rates), and the Skilling Australians Fund levy are the employer's costs. It is unlawful for a sponsor to pass these to the visa applicant or recover them from salary. The visa application charge itself is usually paid by the applicant, though employers may choose to cover it.
What costs come on top of the government charge?
A skills assessment where the pathway requires one (each assessing authority sets its own fee), English test fees, health examinations, police certificates, and document translation. If a refusal is reviewed, the Administrative Review Tribunal fee is $3,727 for most migration decisions, with 50% refunded if the review succeeds. Professional fees are separate again: we quote ours fixed where the scope allows, before work begins.
Do I get the visa fee back if my application is refused?
No. The visa application charge is not refunded on refusal, which is the financial reason preparation quality matters: the charge is spent whether the application was ready or not. The one meaningful refund in the system sits at the review stage, where half the Tribunal fee is returned if the decision is set aside, varied or remitted.

Charges as at 1 July 2026, verified against the Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing and, for review fees, art.gov.au. Charges index each 1 July and can change mid-year by legislative instrument; the charge that applies is the one in force on the day of application. This page is general information, not legal advice.

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