If you’re planning a move to Australia, one of the first questions you’ll face is: how much will it actually cost? The Australian visa application cost varies significantly depending on the visa subclass you apply for, and fees have continued to rise. Whether you’re applying as a skilled worker, a partner, or a business sponsor, knowing the exact figures upfront helps you budget properly and avoid surprises.
At Simon Mander Consulting, we’ve spent over 22 years helping thousands of applicants navigate Australian immigration, including the financial side of it. From our experience, many people underestimate how much visa fees differ between subclasses, or forget to account for charges like secondary applicant fees that can add thousands to the total bill.
This article breaks down the current application costs for six of the most common Australian visa types. We’ve organized everything by visa category so you can quickly find the numbers relevant to your situation. Each section covers the base fee, additional applicant charges, and key cost details you need to know before you apply.
1. Employer-sponsored work visas
Employer-sponsored visas sit among the most common pathways into Australia for skilled workers, and the Australian visa application cost for this category covers both the applicant and, in many cases, the employer. Knowing who pays what before you begin prevents last-minute budget shortfalls and avoids delays in the application process.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers three main subclasses: the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), and the Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional). Each carries different fee levels depending on whether the outcome is a temporary stay or a permanent residence grant.
Government visa application charges you will pay
The fees below reflect current charges set by the Department of Home Affairs:
| Visa Subclass | Primary Applicant | Secondary (18+) | Secondary (Under 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 482 TSS | AUD 3,115 | AUD 3,115 | AUD 780 |
| 186 ENS | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,195 |
| 494 Regional | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,195 |
A family of four applying together for a Subclass 186 visa can expect to pay over AUD 11,000 in government charges alone before a single supporting document is prepared.
Extra costs employers and applicants often miss
Employers must lodge a separate nomination application, which carries its own charge on top of the visa fee itself. You will also face costs for skills assessments, English language tests, health examinations, and police clearances, and the visa application fee covers none of them.
What changes the total cost the most
The biggest variable is family size. Adding secondary applicants aged 18 or over nearly doubles the government fee per person added. Occupation type also drives significant variation because skills assessment fees differ by assessing authority, ranging from a few hundred to well over a thousand Australian dollars.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A single applicant for a 482 visa should budget at least AUD 4,500 to AUD 6,000 in total, covering the visa charge, health checks, and English testing. A family of four pursuing a 186 visa should plan for AUD 14,000 to AUD 18,000 once all mandatory costs are included.
2. Partner visas
Partner visas represent one of the most financially demanding categories in Australian immigration, and the Australian visa application cost for this pathway ranks among the highest of any visa type. The fees apply at lodgment of the first stage, which means you need to plan for one large upfront payment before you receive any outcome.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers the Subclass 820/801 (Onshore Partner) and the Subclass 309/100 (Offshore Partner) visa streams. Both follow a two-stage process where you pay the full government charge upfront when you lodge the temporary stage.
Government visa application charges you will pay
| Visa Stream | Primary Applicant | Secondary (18+) | Secondary (Under 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 820/801 Onshore | AUD 8,850 | AUD 4,430 | AUD 2,215 |
| 309/100 Offshore | AUD 8,850 | AUD 4,430 | AUD 2,215 |
The partner visa government fee is one of the largest single charges in the entire Australian visa system.
Extra costs couples often miss
Beyond the government charge, you will need to budget for health examinations, police clearances from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, and the cost of compiling extensive relationship evidence.
What changes the total cost the most
The biggest driver is adult dependents included in the application, as each adds AUD 4,430 to your total. Migration agent fees also vary considerably based on the complexity of your relationship history and supporting documentation.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A couple applying alone should budget AUD 10,500 to AUD 13,000 in total costs. A couple with two adult dependents should plan for AUD 19,000 or more once health checks and all mandatory charges are included.
3. Student visa
The Subclass 500 Student visa covers the largest share of international arrivals studying in Australia, and the Australian visa application cost for this category is lower than most. That said, many students overlook mandatory insurance and health costs that sit on top of the government charge.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers the Subclass 500 (Student) visa, which applies to international students enrolling in registered courses at Australian schools, universities, and vocational training providers.
Government visa application charges you will pay
| Visa Subclass | Primary Applicant | Secondary (18+) | Secondary (Under 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Student | AUD 1,600 | AUD 1,600 | AUD 400 |
A student with one adult partner already faces AUD 3,200 in government fees before a single document is prepared.
Extra costs students often miss
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the full duration of your visa and scales with how long your course runs. You will also need to pay for English language testing and a health examination before lodging.
What changes the total cost the most
Course length is the biggest driver because your OSHC premium increases with every additional year of study. Adding adult dependents to your application also raises the government charge considerably for each person included.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A single student should budget AUD 2,500 to AUD 3,500 in total upfront costs. A student with a spouse and one child should plan for AUD 5,500 to AUD 7,000 before living expenses.
4. Tourist and visitor visas
Tourist and visitor visas carry the lowest Australian visa application cost of any category covered in this article. That said, the fee differences between subclasses catch many applicants off guard, particularly when they assume every visitor pathway costs the same amount.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers the Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, the Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority), and the Subclass 651 (eVisitor). Not every nationality qualifies for the cheaper electronic options, so your passport is the first thing that determines what you will pay.
Government visa application charges you will pay
| Visa Subclass | Primary Applicant | Secondary Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| 600 Visitor | AUD 190 | AUD 190 |
| 601 ETA | AUD 20 (service charge) | AUD 20 per person |
| 651 eVisitor | Free | Free |
Your nationality determines which subclass you can apply for, and that single factor can mean paying nothing versus AUD 190 or more.
Extra costs visitors often miss
Many visitors forget to account for travel insurance and, where required, a health examination if you plan to stay longer than 12 months. Extending your stay also triggers a new application fee at the current rate.
What changes the total cost the most
Length of stay and number of travelers in your group drive the total up quickly, especially under the Subclass 600 where each person pays individually.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A single visitor using the Subclass 600 should budget AUD 300 to AUD 500 including health checks. A family of four should plan for AUD 800 to AUD 1,200 in total upfront costs.
5. Skilled migration visas
Skilled migration visas offer a pathway to permanent residency without needing an employer to sponsor you, but the Australian visa application cost for this category still represents a significant financial commitment. Understanding the fee structure before you apply helps you plan accurately from the start.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visas. Both require an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect before you receive an invitation to apply.
Government visa application charges you will pay
| Visa Subclass | Primary Applicant | Secondary (18+) | Secondary (Under 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,195 |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,195 |
A couple applying together for a Subclass 189 visa pays over AUD 7,100 in government charges before any supporting costs are added.
Extra costs skilled migrants often miss
You will need to factor in a mandatory skills assessment fee, which varies by assessing authority and occupation. English language testing, health examinations, and police clearances add further costs on top of the base government charge.
What changes the total cost the most
Skills assessment fees differ widely across occupations, ranging from a few hundred to over AUD 1,500. Adding secondary adult applicants also raises your total considerably with each person included.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A single applicant should budget AUD 7,000 to AUD 9,000 in total. A family of four should plan for AUD 14,000 to AUD 17,000 once all mandatory costs are included.
6. Parent and other family visas
Parent visas sit at the expensive end of the Australian visa application cost spectrum, with government charges that reflect long processing times and a demanding assessment process. If you plan to bring parents to Australia, you need to budget carefully because the fees here are among the highest in the entire system.
Visa types covered in this cost breakdown
This section covers the Subclass 103 (Parent), the Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent), and the Subclass 884/864 (Contributory Aged Parent) visas. The contributory stream charges significantly higher fees in exchange for faster processing times compared to the non-contributory options.
Government visa application charges you will pay
| Visa Subclass | Primary Applicant | Secondary (18+) |
|---|---|---|
| 103 Parent | AUD 4,990 | AUD 2,495 |
| 143 Contributory Parent | AUD 47,755 | AUD 23,875 |
| 884/864 Contributory Aged | AUD 47,755 | AUD 23,875 |
The Subclass 143 government fee exceeds AUD 47,000 per person, making it one of the most expensive single charges in the Australian visa system.
Extra costs families often miss
Beyond the government charge, families must cover health examinations and police clearances for each person included in the application. Certain subclasses also require an assurance of support bond, which adds a further financial obligation on top of the base visa fees.
What changes the total cost the most
The primary driver is the visa subclass you choose, as the gap between the 103 and 143 fees is substantial. Adding secondary applicants under the contributory stream can push your total well past AUD 70,000 for two people combined.
Example budget range for a single applicant and family
A single parent applying under Subclass 103 should budget AUD 6,500 to AUD 8,000 in total. A couple applying under Subclass 143 should plan for AUD 75,000 or more once health examinations and all mandatory costs are included.
Your next step
The Australian visa application cost figures in this article give you a solid starting point, but your actual total depends on factors specific to your situation: your family size, your occupation, your nationality, and the documents you need to gather. Missing even one mandatory charge can delay your application or create a budget shortfall at a critical moment.
Before you lodge anything, it helps to have an experienced migration professional review your full circumstances and confirm the complete picture. Simon Mander Consulting has helped thousands of applicants plan and budget for their Australian visa over the past 22 years. Whether you are applying for a partner visa, a skilled migration visa, or an employer-sponsored pathway, having the right advice upfront saves you time and money.
Get in touch with Simon Mander Consulting today to get clear, personalized guidance on your visa costs and next steps toward Australia.