Australian Student Visa Fee: What It Actually Costs in 2026
Many applicants assume the headline visa fee is the only cost, or that every family member costs the same to add. Neither is true. Paying the fee doesn’t guarantee your visa will be approved — it’s non-refundable whatever the outcome — and dependent charges aren’t a flat repeat of the base fee. Get the breakdown wrong and you’ll either under-budget or overpay your own estimate before you’ve even lodged.
Simon Mander — Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0318058) — 23+ years experience in Australian migration law.
What the Australian student visa fee covers
The Subclass 500 visa application charge is a government fee paid to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge your application. It covers the administrative cost of assessing your application — document review, eligibility checks, and coordination of health and character verification. It does not cover the visa itself, and it is non-refundable regardless of whether your application is approved, refused, or withdrawn.
Current Subclass 500 visa fees
Based on the Department’s own Visa Pricing Estimator, the current charges are:
| Applicant | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $2,000 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over | $1,225 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | $400 |
This is the detail that catches people out: dependent charges are lower than the primary fee, not equal to it. A family of three — one primary applicant, one adult dependent, one child — comes to $3,625 in visa charges alone, not $6,000 as a flat per-person assumption might suggest. Run your own exact figure through the Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator before you budget, since charges can be revised.
What the fee does not include
The visa application charge is only one part of your real total cost. Budget separately for:
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — a mandatory requirement for the full duration of your visa, purchased through an approved Australian provider. Cost varies by provider, course length, and whether dependents are included.
- Health examinations — required through an approved panel physician. Cost depends on location and which tests are required.
- English test fees — if your course requires proof of English proficiency, the test itself (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, etc.) is paid directly to the test provider, not the Department.
- Police clearance certificates — cost and process vary by issuing country.
- Document translation and credential assessment, where relevant.
- Professional migration advice, if you choose to engage a Registered Migration Agent.
None of these are bundled into the government charge. Treat them as separate, real costs from the start rather than discovering them partway through your application.
Fee exemptions
Certain applicants may qualify for a reduced or waived fee — this can depend on citizenship, government sponsorship, or the nature of your study arrangement. Exemption categories and eligibility can change, so confirm your specific situation directly with the Department of Home Affairs or a Registered Migration Agent before you lodge, rather than assuming an exemption applies.
How payment works
The fee is paid through ImmiAccount at the time of lodgement, calculated automatically based on the number and age of applicants included on the application. Review the payment summary carefully before confirming — once paid and submitted, the fee cannot be refunded, including if you withdraw the application or it’s refused.
Common mistakes that cause problems at this stage
- Assuming an adult dependent costs the same as the primary applicant, and budgeting incorrectly as a result.
- Listing the wrong number of dependents, which can trigger a request for further information or affect the validity of the application.
- Lodging without confirming exemption eligibility first, when an exemption may have applied.
- Treating OSHC, medical exams, and English test costs as optional extras rather than firm, separate budget items.
Related guides
- Australian Visa Application Fee Guide
- 485 Visa Australia: Temporary Graduate Visa Guide
- Skilled Visa Australia
- Immigration Consultant Australia: Registered Migration Agent Services
- Australia Immigration Agency: Simon Mander Consulting
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Australian student visa fee?
The primary applicant fee for a Subclass 500 visa is AUD $2,000. Additional applicants aged 18 or over are charged $1,225 each, and additional applicants under 18 are charged $400 each.
How much does it cost to include family members on my application?
An adult dependent (18 or over) costs $1,225, and a child dependent (under 18) costs $400 — both lower than the primary applicant’s $2,000 fee, not the same amount.
Does paying the visa fee guarantee my application will be approved?
No. The fee covers the cost of assessing your application and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome, whether your visa is approved, refused, or you withdraw your application.
What else do I need to budget for besides the visa fee?
Overseas Student Health Cover, health examinations, English test fees, police clearance certificates, and any professional migration advice are all separate from the visa application charge and need to be budgeted independently.
Can I get an exemption from the student visa fee?
Some applicants may qualify for a reduced or exempt fee depending on citizenship, sponsorship, or study arrangement. Exemption rules can change, so confirm your eligibility directly with the Department of Home Affairs or a Registered Migration Agent before lodging.