Applying for a partner visa is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make during your migration journey. The partner visa Australia cost starts with a base application fee of several thousand dollars, but that number rarely tells the full story. Once you factor in dependent applicant charges, medical examinations, police certificates, and processing surcharges, the total can climb significantly higher than most people expect.
At Simon Mander Consulting, we’ve helped thousands of couples through the partner visa process over more than 22 years in migration law. One of the most common questions we hear is simply: how much will this actually cost? It’s a fair question, and one that deserves a straightforward, detailed answer rather than vague estimates.
This guide breaks down every fee associated with the 2026 partner visa application, from the government charges for subclasses 820/801, 309/100, and 300 to the smaller costs that add up fast. By the end, you’ll have a realistic picture of your total spend so you can plan and budget with confidence.
Why partner visa costs matter before you lodge
Partner visa Australia cost is not a number you want to discover after you’ve already committed to lodging. The Department of Home Affairs collects the full application fee upfront, and in most cases, that fee is non-refundable once processing has started. Knowing what you’ll spend before you lodge lets you budget accurately and avoid delays caused by insufficient funds at a critical stage.
The partner visa fee is one of the few immigration costs you cannot recover if your circumstances change after lodgment.
The fee is locked in at lodgment
When you submit your application, the government charge is fixed at the date of lodgment, not the date of visa grant. Fees increase every July 1 under the annual indexation schedule, so timing your application before that date can save you a meaningful amount of money.
Lodging before June 30 (AEST) locks in the current year’s fee, even if the Department takes months or years to process your case. If you miss that window, you pay the new, higher rate regardless of when you started preparing your documents.
Who you include changes the total significantly
Every person you add to your application carries a separate charge on top of the primary applicant fee. Dependent children and secondary applicants each trigger their own additional fee, which means a family of four can see the total climb well above the base rate before a single document is lodged. Before you submit, confirm exactly who is included.
Common applicants added to partner visa applications include:
- Dependent children under 18 years old
- Dependent children aged 18 to 23 still in full-time study
- Other dependents who meet Home Affairs eligibility criteria
2026 government fees by visa subclass
The partner visa Australia cost varies depending on which subclass applies to your situation. The fees below reflect the rates set by the Department of Home Affairs effective July 1, 2025, and apply through June 30, 2026. A new indexation increase takes effect on July 1, 2026, so lodging before that date locks in the lower rate.
Fees listed here are for the primary applicant only. Dependent applicants carry separate charges covered in the next section.
Fee table by subclass
The three main partner visa pathways each carry the same primary applicant charge, which simplifies your initial calculation.
| Visa Subclass | Pathway | Primary Applicant Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 820 / 801 | Onshore partner | $10,695 |
| 309 / 100 | Offshore partner | $10,695 |
| 300 | Prospective marriage | $10,695 |
Confirming the current rate before you lodge
Fees change on a fixed annual schedule, so always verify the exact figure on the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing page before you submit. The published rate at the time of your lodgment date is the amount the Department will collect, regardless of what any third-party source states.
Dependent applicant fees and common scenarios
Every dependent you include in your application adds a separate charge on top of the primary applicant fee. These additional costs represent a significant portion of the total partner visa Australia cost, particularly for families with multiple children or adult dependents still in full-time study.
Adding even one dependent child to your application can push your total government fee above $13,500.
Dependent applicant fee schedule
The Department of Home Affairs sets a fixed charge for each dependent added to the application. These rates apply across all three partner visa subclasses and are subject to the same July 1 annual indexation as the primary fee.
| Dependent Type | Additional Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Dependent child (under 18, or 18-23 in full-time study) | $2,840 |
| Additional applicant over 18 | $5,350 |
Common scenarios and what you’ll pay
If you’re applying as a couple with no children, your total government fee is $10,695. Add one dependent child and that rises to $13,535. A couple with two children would pay $16,375 before any other costs enter the picture.
Your specific family composition drives the final number, so confirm every eligible dependent before you lodge. Missing a dependent at lodgment can complicate their addition later.
Extra costs beyond the visa charge
The government application fee is the largest single expense, but the partner visa Australia cost extends further once you account for mandatory health and character checks. These additional expenses are separate from what you pay to the Department of Home Affairs, and you typically arrange and pay for them directly with third-party providers.
Budget an additional $1,000 to $2,500 per adult applicant to cover medical and police clearance requirements.
Medical examinations
Every applicant, including dependents, must complete a health examination conducted by a Department-approved panel physician. Costs vary by location and the scope of tests required, but expect to pay $300 to $500 per adult and somewhat less for children. Some applicants require chest X-rays or additional tests, which push the total higher.
Police certificates
You need a police clearance certificate from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more since turning 16. Each country sets its own fee and processing time. Australian Federal Police checks cost approximately $42, while overseas certificates vary widely. If you have lived in multiple countries, these costs can accumulate quickly, so request them early in your preparation.
Credit card surcharge
The Department of Home Affairs charges a 1.4% surcharge on payments made by credit or debit card through ImmiAccount. On a $10,695 fee, that adds roughly $150 to your total.
When you pay, how you pay, and refund rules
The partner visa Australia cost is collected at the point of lodgment through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal. You pay the full fee before the Department begins processing your case, which means your funds need to be ready before you submit a single document.
Payment method and surcharges
ImmiAccount accepts credit cards, debit cards, and BPAY for Australian bank account holders. Credit and debit card transactions carry a 1.4% surcharge applied automatically at checkout. If you are paying from overseas, confirm with your bank that international transactions to Australian government portals are enabled, as some banks block these by default.
Refund rules you need to know
Refunds on partner visa applications are strictly limited. If the Department has not started processing your application, a refund may be possible in some circumstances. Once processing begins, the fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome. Withdrawing your application after processing starts means you lose the full amount paid.
Never lodge before you are genuinely ready, because recovering the government fee after processing begins is rarely possible.
The only exception applies if the Department refuses to accept your application due to a validity issue before processing commences.
Next steps
You now have a complete picture of the partner visa Australia cost, from the base government fee of $10,695 through to dependent charges, medical exams, police certificates, and payment surcharges. Use this breakdown to build a realistic budget before you lodge, not after. Every dollar you account for now reduces the chance of a delay or a surprise at a stage when you can least afford one.
Timing matters as much as the numbers. Lodging before June 30 each year locks in the current fee rate and protects you from the next indexation increase. Get your police clearances ordered early, book your medical examinations through an approved panel physician, and confirm exactly who you are including as dependents before you submit.
If you want guidance specific to your situation, speak with an experienced Australian migration agent at Simon Mander Consulting. We can help you plan your application from the first step to visa grant.
Fee credited toward your visa process if you proceed