If you’re planning a move to Australia, one of the first things you’ll want to nail down is the Australian visa application price. Fees vary widely depending on the visa subclass you’re applying for, and they tend to increase every financial year, so what you saw quoted last year may already be outdated.
At Simon Mander Consulting, we’ve spent over 22 years helping skilled workers, families, and businesses navigate the Australian immigration system. One question we hear constantly is: "How much will my visa actually cost?" The answer depends on several factors, and it’s rarely just one fee. Between base application charges, nomination costs, and additional applicant fees, the total can add up quickly if you’re not prepared.
This guide breaks down six key fees you should know about in 2026, so you can budget properly and avoid surprises during your application. We’ll cover everything from skilled migration and employer-sponsored visas to partner visas and visitor visas, along with payment methods and recent updates from the Department of Home Affairs.
1. Migration agent professional fees
When you hire a registered migration agent (RMA), you’re paying for their professional knowledge, time, and legal responsibility over your application. This fee is separate from every government charge and is set entirely by the agent or firm you choose to work with.
What this fee covers
Migration agent fees typically cover case assessment and strategy, preparation of all forms and supporting documents, communication with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf, and representation if your application is questioned or refused. Some agents also include unlimited consultation time within their service package, while others charge per hour or per task.
The scope of work varies significantly. A straightforward visitor visa requires far less preparation than a subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa or a subclass 820/801 partner visa, so the fee reflects that complexity and workload.
When you pay it
Most migration agents ask for a deposit upfront before starting any work, with the remaining balance due at set milestones, such as before lodgement or upon visa grant. Some firms require full payment before lodgement with no installment option.
Always get a written fee agreement before you pay anything. This should clearly outline what’s included, what’s not, and under what conditions a refund applies.
You should also confirm whether the quoted fee covers disbursements such as document translation or courier costs, since these third-party expenses are sometimes billed separately and can add up.
What changes the price in 2026
The total Australian visa application price you pay a migration agent depends on several factors: visa subclass complexity, the number of applicants in your family unit, and whether your case involves a refusal, appeal, or discretionary waiver. Agents registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) must follow a strict code of conduct, but there is no government-mandated fee schedule, so professional fees vary widely between firms and between states.
2. Department of Home Affairs visa application charge
The Department of Home Affairs sets a mandatory fee called the Visa Application Charge (VAC), and this is the core government fee you must pay to have your application assessed. No migration agent can waive or discount it.
What this fee covers
This fee covers the cost of processing your application by a Home Affairs case officer. It does not guarantee a grant; it pays for the assessment work only. The VAC varies significantly by visa subclass, as shown in the approximate 2025-26 figures below.
| Visa Subclass | Base VAC (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Subclass 600 (Visitor) | $190 |
| Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) | $3,115 |
| Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) | $4,770 |
| Subclass 820/801 (Partner) | $8,850 |
When you pay it
You pay the VAC at lodgement through the ImmiAccount portal using a credit or debit card. Home Affairs does not accept cash, and your application does not enter the processing queue until full payment is confirmed.
If your visa is refused, the Department of Home Affairs does not refund the VAC in most cases, which is why lodging a well-prepared application matters.
What changes the price in 2026
The Australian visa application price set by the Department increases on 1 July each financial year, indexed to the Consumer Price Index. Fees rose again for 2025-26 across most subclasses, so always verify the current charge on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you lodge.
3. Extra applicant charges and second installment fees
When you add family members to your visa application, each person typically attracts their own charge on top of the base VAC. These additional applicant fees can significantly increase your total budget, particularly for partner and employer-sponsored visas where dependants are common.
What this fee covers
Each secondary applicant, such as a spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child, triggers a separate fee calculated as a percentage of the primary applicant’s VAC. For some visas, like the subclass 820/801 partner visa, this can add thousands of dollars to your total cost. Certain permanent residency visas also carry a second installment fee, which covers access to Medicare and health services and is payable only after your visa is granted.
When you pay it
You pay additional applicant charges at lodgement, alongside the primary VAC through ImmiAccount. The second installment, however, is not payable until the Department of Home Affairs confirms your visa grant and formally requests it, so plan for it as a separate budget item.
Missing the second installment payment can delay your visa being formally granted, even after approval in principle.
What changes the price in 2026
Like the base VAC, extra applicant charges are indexed annually on 1 July. The total Australian visa application price for a family unit applying under the subclass 186 or 482 can be several times higher than for a single applicant, so confirm all secondary fees on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you lodge.
4. Skills assessments and English tests
Before you lodge most skilled migration visas, you need a skills assessment and proof of English language proficiency. These fees sit completely outside the government’s Visa Application Charge and often catch applicants off guard when they first start budgeting.
What this fee covers
A skills assessment confirms your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. The assessing authority and fee depend on your field:
- ANMAC (registered nurses): approx. AUD $430
- Engineers Australia (engineering roles): approx. AUD $780
- VETASSESS (various trades and professions): approx. AUD $800
English tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT each carry a separate sitting fee of roughly AUD $330 to AUD $420 per attempt, paid directly to the test provider.
When you pay it
You pay the skills assessment fee directly to the assessing authority, not through ImmiAccount, and usually several months before your planned lodgement date since processing can take six to twelve weeks. English test fees go directly to the test provider when you register for your sitting.
Allow at least three to four months for your skills assessment to clear before you plan to lodge your visa application.
What changes the price in 2026
Each assessing body sets its own fee schedule independently, and most have raised charges over the past two financial years. When calculating your total Australian visa application price, factor in potential re-sitting costs if your English test score falls short on the first attempt.
5. Biometrics collection fee in the Philippines
If you’re applying from the Philippines, the Department of Home Affairs may require you to provide biometric data as part of your application. This data is collected at an approved Visa Application Centre (VAC), typically operated by VFS Global in Manila or Cebu.
What this fee covers
The biometrics fee covers the collection and secure transmission of your fingerprints and a digital photograph to the Department of Home Affairs. VFS Global charges a per-applicant service fee directly, separate from any government charge. Each person in your application who must submit biometrics pays this fee individually.
- Fingerprint scanning
- Digital photograph capture
- Secure data transmission to the Department
When you pay it
You pay this fee in person at the VFS Global centre when you attend your scheduled appointment. The Department sends a formal request after lodgement, so this cost arrives after you lodge your application, not before. Book your appointment promptly once you receive the request to avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Missing the biometrics deadline specified by the Department can put your application on hold.
What changes the price in 2026
VFS Global sets its own fee schedule independently of the Australian government’s annual indexation cycle. When calculating your total Australian visa application price, count this fee for every applicant in your family unit, as it multiplies across dependants quickly.
Check the VFS Global Philippines website directly for the most current biometrics collection fee before you finalize your budget, since charges can update at any point during the year without advance notice from the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Health checks and police certificates
Most permanent and long-stay temporary visa applications require you to complete an immigration health examination and provide a national police clearance certificate. These are mandatory character and health requirements, not optional extras, and both carry direct costs.
What this fee covers
Your health check must be completed at a Panel Physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs, and the fee covers a medical examination, chest X-ray, and any required blood tests. Costs vary by provider and examination type but typically range from AUD $250 to AUD $450 per adult applicant in the Philippines. A police clearance certificate from the Philippine National Police (PNP) or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also carries a processing fee, generally low but still a required line item in your budget.
When you pay it
You pay the Panel Physician directly at your appointment, and you pay clearance fees at the issuing government office. Both payments happen after lodgement, once the Department formally requests these documents through your ImmiAccount.
Budget for every applicant in your family unit, since both health checks and police certificates are required per person, not per application.
What changes the price in 2026
Panel Physicians set their own fee schedules independently, so costs can shift at any time. When calculating your total Australian visa application price, include health and clearance costs for each dependant, since they multiply fast across a larger family group.
Your next steps
Understanding the full Australian visa application price before you lodge puts you in a much stronger position than most applicants. The six fees covered in this guide, from the Department of Home Affairs VAC through to health checks and biometrics, each represent a real cost that you need to plan for well before your lodgement date.
Start by identifying your target visa subclass and checking the current VAC on the Department of Home Affairs website, since fees update every 1 July. Then work outward: list every person in your application, confirm which assessments and tests apply to your occupation, and build a complete budget line by line.
If you want a clear, personalized cost estimate before you commit to anything, the team at Simon Mander Consulting can help. With over 22 years of experience, we have guided thousands of applicants through every stage of the process. Get in touch with Simon Mander Consulting to discuss your situation today.