Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass: Complete 2026 Guide

At VJ Consulting and Education, we work with applicants across a wide range of visa subclasses and know that understanding the true cost of an Australian visa — beyond the base application fee — is one of the first and most important steps in planning a successful migration pathway.

#How much does it cost an employer to sponsor a work visa?

Employer sponsorship in Australia involves three separate fee components, and the total is substantially higher than most employers anticipate. A sponsorship application (to become an approved sponsor) costs $420 for standard business sponsors. The nomination application — which ties a specific role to a specific worker — costs $330 for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa under the Core Skills stream. The visa application itself is paid by the applicant, though employers sometimes cover it as part of a package.

However, the largest cost is the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which is mandatory and non-refundable:

For a two-year nomination, a large employer pays $3,600 in SAF levy alone — before nomination fees or agent costs.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much does it cost an employer to sponsor a work visa in Australia?

The full cost breakdown for an employer sponsoring a worker on a Subclass 482 visa — assuming a standard business and a two-year Core Skills nomination — looks like this: In VJ Consulting and Education's experience, employers are often surprised by the cumulative cost when nomination, sponsorship, and SAF Levy obligations are tallied together, making early-stage budget planning with a registered migration agent an advisable step before any hiring decision is finalised.

These figures exclude the employee's own visa application charge ($3,640 for a primary 482 applicant). Employers who cover that cost as well should budget $7,000–$10,000+ all-in. Renewals attract a fresh SAF levy — there is no discount for ongoing sponsorship.

Tip: Once an employer is already an approved standard business sponsor, the $420 sponsorship fee does not need to be paid again for subsequent nominations.

→ Deep Dive: Total Cost of Immigrating to Australia

#How much does a 189 visa cost?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa carries a base application charge of $4,640 for a primary applicant in 2025–26, with additional charges for secondary applicants added on top.

A couple applying together pays $6,960; a family of four (two adults, two children) pays $9,280 — before skills assessment, English testing, health checks, and police clearances. Those additional disbursements typically add $3,000–$5,000 to the total cost.

Note that the 189 operates on an invitation-only basis via SkillSelect. As at 30 April 2025, 99.7% of the 16,900 annual places had already been consumed — competition for invitations is intense.

→ Deep Dive: 189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Cost

#How much does a 482 visa cost an employer?

The employer's direct cost for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa nomination is $330 for the nomination application fee, plus the SAF levy calculated on nomination duration:

The employee pays the visa application charge — currently $3,640 for a primary applicant aged 18 or over — but the employer is legally prohibited from recovering that cost from the worker. Employers who pass sponsorship or nomination costs to employees are in breach of the Migration Act.

One of our clients, a software engineer on a 482, described being asked by a previous employer to "reimburse" SAF levy costs — a practice our team confirmed was unlawful.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much does a 485 visa cost?

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa doubled in cost overnight on 1 March 2026. The fee moved from $2,300 to $4,600 with no advance notice to applicants or institutions.

One of our clients, who had been checking fees the day before lodging, found themselves paying double the amount they had budgeted. A migration consultant we work with noted that the policy signal is deliberate: the government is narrowing the 485 pathway toward graduates who fill genuine shortages, particularly in regional areas.

→ Deep Dive: Total Cost of Immigrating to Australia

#How much does an 820 visa cost?

The Subclass 820/801 Onshore Partner visa is a two-stage grant (temporary 820, then permanent 801) priced as a single combined application fee of $8,850 for the primary applicant. Among the applicants VJCE has assisted with onshore partner visas, the two-stage fee structure — where the full grant fee is collected at the 820 stage — is one of the most commonly misunderstood cost aspects, and clarifying this upfront helps applicants avoid unexpected financial pressure during what is already a lengthy process.

This fee is paid once at the time of lodgement — there is no second payment when the 801 permanent visa is granted. However, total partner visa costs go well beyond the application charge: biometrics, health examinations, police clearances, relationship evidence gathering, and agent fees typically add another $3,000–$7,000 depending on complexity.

Many applicants in partner visa waiting groups report significant processing delays of 18–36+ months for the 820 temporary stage, meaning the real cost includes an extended period of temporary status.

→ Deep Dive: Total Cost of Immigrating to Australia

#How much does a subclass 300 visa cost?

The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa carries a government application fee of $8,850 for the primary applicant — the same base charge as the offshore partner visa series. Secondary applicants aged 18 or over pay $4,430; those under 18 pay $2,215.

The Subclass 300 is an offshore-only visa, meaning the applicant must be outside Australia at both lodgement and grant. It grants a 9-month stay to allow the couple to marry, after which the holder can apply for the Subclass 820 (onshore) partner visa. Keep in mind that the 300 fee is not credited toward any subsequent partner visa application — it is a separate, standalone cost.

Tip: If the couple intends to marry quickly after arrival, lodging directly for a Subclass 309 offshore partner visa may avoid paying the 300 fee twice.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much does a visitor visa subclass 600 cost?

The Subclass 600 Visitor visa is one of Australia's most affordable entry pathways, with fees starting at $190 for the Tourist stream (applied online from outside Australia).

Fees can increase significantly if the application requires additional assessment — for example, if the applicant has a complex immigration history or requires a review of financial ties to their home country. A Subclass 600 does not provide work rights, so visitors who work illegally on this visa face serious consequences including bans on future applications.

Tip: Applicants from certain countries (including some in Southeast Asia and Africa) may face longer processing times and higher evidence requirements, regardless of the fee paid.

#How much does 190 cost?

The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa costs $4,640 for a primary applicant — identical to the 189 base fee. Secondary applicant charges follow the same schedule:

The 190 requires a state or territory nomination, which itself may involve a state application fee ranging from $0 to $300 depending on the jurisdiction. Total pre-visa costs (skills assessment, English test, health, police clearances) are broadly similar to the 189 pathway, typically $3,000–$5,000 on top of the visa charge.

The practical advantage of the 190 over the 189 is that nomination provides 5 additional points, making it accessible at lower base scores. However, states can impose additional conditions, including residency requirements, that affect post-grant planning.

→ Deep Dive: 189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Cost

#What is the new visa fee for Australia 2026?

The most significant fee change in 2026 was the doubling of the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa from $2,300 to $4,600, effective 1 March 2026. Other major skilled and partner visa fees were also adjusted upward as part of the annual indexation:

The 485 increase stands out as a policy-driven change, not routine indexation. All other increases reflect the standard annual CPI-linked adjustment applied each July.

#How much does it cost to appeal a visa refusal in Australia?

Appealing a visa refusal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — which replaced the AAT — costs $3,600 for the tribunal filing fee in most visa refusal cases. This is the government charge only; legal representation adds significantly to the total. VJ Consulting agents generally advise clients to carefully weigh the tribunal filing fee against the realistic merits of an appeal, as the overall cost of review can be significantly higher once professional representation and preparation time are factored in.

One of our clients who pursued a judicial review of a student visa refusal paid $3,600 for the ART stage, then a further $4,025 to file in the Federal Circuit Court — before a single hour of lawyer time was billed. Total out-of-pocket costs for contested visa appeals regularly exceed $20,000.

Tip: The ART fee may be waived or reduced in cases of genuine financial hardship — it is worth requesting a fee reduction at the time of filing.

→ Deep Dive: Visa Refusal and Appeals

#How much bank balance is required for an Australia tourist visa from the Philippines?

There is no fixed minimum bank balance mandated by the Department of Home Affairs, but in practice, Filipino applicants for a Subclass 600 Visitor visa are expected to demonstrate funds sufficient to cover the entire trip — typically assessed as AUD 5,000–AUD 10,000 in accessible savings for a standard two-to-four week visit.

What matters as much as the balance amount is the pattern of funds: a lump sum deposited shortly before the application will attract scrutiny. Officers look for:

• Bank statements covering at least three to six months
• Consistent salary credits or business income
• Absence of large unexplained deposits immediately before lodgement
• Property ownership, employment letters, or family ties that support return intention

One of our clients from the Philippines, a nurse applying for a tourist visa, was initially concerned her savings of AUD 7,500 were insufficient. Her application was approved without issue because her six-month bank history showed stable income and she provided an employment letter confirming approved leave.

Tip: Funds held in a term deposit or shared family account can be used, but must be accompanied by documentation proving access.

#How much is a visa to Australia from the Philippines?

Filipino nationals applying for an Australian visitor visa pay the same government fee as all other nationalities — $190 for an online offshore Subclass 600 Tourist stream application. There is no country-specific surcharge on the government fee itself.

The practical costs — health checks, biometrics, document preparation — add another $200–$500 for a visitor visa. Filipino applicants for skilled migration visas should also budget for an IELTS or PTE test ($370–$435) and a skills assessment ($500–$1,200 depending on the assessing body).

Many of our Filipino clients report that the Subclass 820/801 partner visa pathway is the most common route, particularly for those already in Australia on student or work visas.

#What is the visa fee for Australia from Pakistan?

Pakistani nationals pay the same government-set application fee as all other nationalities. For the most common visa types:

Pakistani applicants frequently ask about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for student visa holders. One of our clients from Pakistan, currently in the UK on a Post-Study Work visa, was comparing OSHC providers before lodging her Subclass 500 application — OSHC costs range from approximately $550 to $750 per year depending on the provider and level of cover.

Tip: English language testing (IELTS or PTE) is an additional cost of $370–$435, and skilled migration applicants will also need a skills assessment, typically $500–$1,200.

→ Deep Dive: Skills Assessment: Cost, Time & Which Body

#How much is a visa from Malaysia to Australia?

Malaysian nationals pay standard Australian government visa fees with no country-specific loading. The Subclass 600 Visitor visa costs $190 online; skilled and partner visa fees mirror those paid by all other nationalities.

Malaysian applicants have historically been among the stronger cohorts for skilled migration, given high rates of English proficiency and recognised qualification standards. Malaysian citizens do not require a tourist visa for stays under three months under certain electronic travel authority arrangements — it is worth checking current eligibility before paying the Subclass 600 fee.

Tip: Malaysian applicants for skilled visas should confirm whether their qualification was awarded by an institution whose assessments are recognised without additional bridging requirements.

#How much does it cost to get a partner visa subclass 820/801?

The Subclass 820/801 Onshore Partner visa is one of Australia's most expensive visa pathways, with a government fee of $8,850 for the primary applicant at lodgement. This single payment covers both the temporary 820 and permanent 801 stages.

Processing times for the 820 temporary stage are currently 18 to 36 months or longer in many cases, which adds the indirect cost of maintaining temporary status while waiting. There is a substantial group of Filipino applicants waiting on 820 decisions — our team regularly assists clients through this extended period.

One applicant we assisted with her partner visa application noted the cost "felt enormous but manageable once broken up across the preparation period" — the key is starting evidence collection early to avoid paying rush fees for certified translations.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much does the 189 visa cost?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa government fee is $4,640 for the primary applicant. This is consistent with the 190 and 491 fees — all three skilled stream permanent visas share the same application charge structure.

At 30 April 2025, 16,844 out of 16,900 places for the year had already been consumed, leaving just 56 places with 7,354 applications on hand. This illustrates the fundamental challenge: the fee is just one part of the cost — the opportunity cost of waiting for an invitation can span years.

→ Deep Dive: 189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Cost

#How much is the fee for subclass 309 100?

The Subclass 309/100 Offshore Partner visa — the offshore equivalent of the 820/801 — carries a government fee of $9,095 for the primary applicant. This is slightly higher than the onshore partner visa fee:

As with the 820/801, this fee covers both the temporary 309 and permanent 100 stages in a single payment. The applicant must be outside Australia at the time of both lodgement and grant of the 309 visa. Processing times mirror the onshore stream — typically 24–36 months or more, depending on case complexity and the country of application.

Tip: Applicants who have a genuine choice between offshore and onshore lodgement should compare total costs — the onshore 820/801 is marginally cheaper in government fees.

→ Deep Dive: Total Cost of Immigrating to Australia

#How much does it cost to apply for a 482 visa?

The applicant (employee) pays the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa application charge — currently $3,640 for a primary applicant aged 18 or over. Secondary applicant fees apply on top:

A family of three (primary applicant, partner, one child under 18) pays $6,370 in visa application charges alone. Adding the employer's SAF levy (which the employee cannot legally be charged) and agent fees, the total ecosystem cost of a 482 grant is typically $15,000–$25,000 when all parties' expenses are counted.

One of our clients, a software developer in Perth, was feeling stuck in a difficult workplace situation because sponsorship transfer opportunities were scarce. Understanding that the 482 nomination and SAF levy fees are borne by the new employer — not the worker — can make it easier to negotiate a role change when the new employer is motivated to hire.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much is the 300 visa fee?

The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa government fee is $8,850 for the primary applicant. Secondary applicants aged 18 or over pay $4,430; those under 18 pay $2,215.

This is one of the more expensive visitor-category visas, reflecting its pathway function toward permanent residence. The complete cost picture for a Subclass 300 application:

Applicants should note that the Subclass 300 fee is not credited against any subsequent partner visa lodgement — couples who marry and then apply for an 820 onshore visa will pay the full $8,850 again.

#How much is a partner visa?

"Partner visa" covers four separate subclasses with different fee structures depending on whether the couple is onshore or offshore at the time of application:

All partner visa fees increased in the 2025–26 financial year. Including health, police clearances, and professional agent fees, most couples should budget $14,000–$22,000 in total expenditure across the full process.

Partner visas remain among the most documentation-intensive applications in the Australian system. Our team strongly advises against self-lodging complex partner visa cases — the cost of a refused application and an ART appeal far exceeds agent fees.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass

#How much is the visa fee for Australia for Nigerians?

Nigerian nationals pay the same government-mandated application fees as all other nationalities — there is no country-specific surcharge. For the most common visa types sought by Nigerian applicants:

In practice, Nigerian applicants for visitor and student visas may face more intensive document scrutiny and longer processing times than applicants from some other countries — a pattern our team has observed across multiple cases. Demonstrating strong ties to Nigeria (employment, property, family) and a credible purpose of visit is essential.

Tip: For student visa applicants from Nigeria, a Genuine Student assessment is now required — this involves providing a written statement and supporting evidence of study intentions. Preparation of this document is worth investing agent time in.

#How much is the visa fee for Australia in 2026?

Australia's current government visa application charges across all major categories for 2026:

The largest change in 2026 was the 485 fee doubling. All other fees reflect routine annual indexation. Fees are set in AUD and are non-refundable once the application has been lodged and received by the Department.

→ Deep Dive: Total Cost of Immigrating to Australia

#How much is an Australia visa from Kenya?

Kenyan nationals pay standard Australian government fees — the same as all other nationalities. The most common pathways for Kenyan applicants:

Kenya has a growing skilled migration community in Australia, with healthcare professionals, engineers, and IT workers well represented in both the 190 and 482 streams. A skills assessment is required for skilled visa pathways — the assessing body depends on occupation, and costs range from $500 to $1,200. English test fees (IELTS or PTE) add $370–$435.

Tip: Kenyan applicants for visitor visas should provide comprehensive financial documentation — payslips, bank statements, property titles, and an employer leave approval letter — to support their application.

→ Deep Dive: Skills Assessment: Cost, Time & Which Body

#How much does an Australian visa cost from the UK?

UK nationals enjoy a significant advantage: holders