10 Most Expensive Australian Visas (2026 Fees Ranked)
Updated: 18 May 2026
The most expensive Australian visas in 2026 are led by the Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143) at AUD $48,640 total, followed by the Sponsored Parent 870 at $12,140 for five years and the Partner 820/801 at $9,365. The 188 Significant Investor stream costs $8,925, and skilled subclasses 186, 189, 190 and 491 each charge $4,910, excluding migration agents, English tests and health checks.
1. Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) — AUD $48,640 Total
The Contributory Parent visa is the single most expensive visa in Australia's immigration system. At a combined total of AUD $48,640, it costs more than the median annual salary in many countries.
The fee breakdown:
- First instalment: AUD $4,990
- Second instalment: AUD $43,600 (yes, that's correct)
- Plus Assurance of Support bond (refundable after 10 years): approximately AUD $10,000-$14,000
The second instalment is payable when the Department is ready to grant the visa, so there's a gap between payments. But there's no avoiding it — skip the second payment and the visa won't be granted.
Why so expensive? The government argues that elderly parents place significant demand on Australia's healthcare and welfare systems. The contributory fee is intended to offset that cost. Whether it actually does is hotly debated.
The alternative — the non-contributory Parent visa (103) — has a much lower fee but a 30+ year wait. Most families decide the money is worth it to avoid spending decades in a queue.
2. Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) — AUD $12,140 for 5 Years
The 870 is a temporary visa that lets parents stay in Australia for up to 5 years (or 3 years for the cheaper option). It's not permanent residency — it's essentially a long-stay visitor visa with a premium price tag.
Fee breakdown:
- 3-year visa: AUD $5,735
- 5-year visa: AUD $12,140
- Sponsorship application fee: AUD $420
- No Medicare access — must hold private health insurance
For a temporary visa with no work rights and no pathway to PR, AUD $12,140 is steep. But for families who can't wait 30 years for the 103 or afford the $48,640 for the 143, the 870 fills a gap.
You can apply for a second 870 after the first expires, but the total stay is capped at 10 years. After that, you'd need to transition to another visa or leave Australia.
3. Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) — AUD $9,365
Love is expensive in Australia. The Partner visa costs AUD $9,365 — and that's just the government fee. Add migration agent fees, relationship evidence preparation, police checks, and health examinations, and the true cost often exceeds AUD $15,000.
What you're paying for:
- Combined application covering both the temporary (820) and permanent (801) stages
- Single fee covers both stages
- No second instalment
- Processing typically takes 16-24 months
The Partner visa fee has increased significantly over the past decade. In 2014, it was around AUD $4,000. The near-doubling reflects both indexation and government policy decisions.
If you're planning a partner visa application, budget for the extras: professional photos of your relationship, statutory declarations from friends and family, financial records, communication records, and potentially a registered migration agent. See the complete fee schedule for current rates.
4. Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188 SIV) — AUD $8,925
Although the BIIP program closed to new applicants in July 2024, it's worth mentioning because some applications lodged before closure are still being processed. The Significant Investor stream carried a fee of AUD $8,925 — plus the small matter of investing AUD $5 million in compliant investments.
Total real cost:
- Application fee: AUD $8,925
- Required investment: AUD $5,000,000 (must be maintained for the visa's duration)
- Compliance and advisory fees: AUD $50,000-$100,000+
- Total outlay: north of AUD $5,100,000
The investment had to be placed in compliant managed funds, venture capital, and balancing investments. Many SIV holders found the compliance requirements exhausting — annual reviews, fund switches, and reporting obligations added ongoing costs.
This visa is now one of the Australian visas that no longer exist, but existing holders continue through the system.
5. Skilled Visas — Subclass 186/189/190/491 — AUD $4,910
Australia's main skilled migration visas all share the same application fee: AUD $4,910. But the total cost is much higher.
Real costs for skilled migration:
- Application fee: AUD $4,910
- Skills assessment: AUD $500-$3,000+ depending on the assessing body
- English test (IELTS/PTE/etc.): AUD $300-$400
- Police clearances (each country lived in 12+ months): AUD $50-$200 each
- Health examination: AUD $400-$800
- Migration agent fees: AUD $3,000-$8,000+
- Additional applicant fees: AUD $2,455 per adult, AUD $1,230 per child
A skilled visa application for a family of four with an agent can easily exceed AUD $20,000 all-in. And that's before you factor in the cost of gaining enough points — professional year programs (AUD $10,000+), NAATI credentialing (AUD $3,000+), or state nomination fees.
For a full breakdown, see our 2026 visa fees guide.
6. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) — AUD $4,600
The 485 fee effectively doubled in recent years, jumping to AUD $4,600 from March 2026. For graduates who've just spent $60,000-$150,000 on an Australian degree, it's another financial hit.
Hidden costs:
- Application fee: AUD $4,600
- Health insurance: AUD $500-$1,500 per year
- Health examination: AUD $400-$800
- Police clearance: AUD $50-$100
- Additional applicants add significant fees
The 485 gives you 2-4 years of post-study work rights, which is enough time to gain Australian work experience and potentially transition to employer sponsorship or skilled migration. But the upfront cost is a barrier for many international graduates already burdened with education debts.
7. Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482 SID) — AUD $3,210
The SID visa replaced the old TSS 482 in December 2024 and carries a base application fee of AUD $3,210. The employer also pays a nomination fee, but that's the employer's cost (at least in theory — some employers pass it on).
Real costs for the applicant:
- Application fee: AUD $3,210
- Skills assessment (if required): AUD $500-$3,000
- English test: AUD $300-$400
- Health examination: AUD $400-$800
- Police clearances: AUD $50-$200 each
- Additional family members: substantial additional fees
Some employers cover the entire cost as part of the sponsorship arrangement, but there's no legal requirement for them to do so. Make sure you understand who's paying what before accepting a sponsored position.
8. Student Visa (Subclass 500) — AUD $2,000
The Student visa fee doubled from AUD $710 to AUD $1,600 in mid-2024, then increased again to AUD $2,000. The government explicitly designed this increase to reduce the volume of student visa applications — and it worked. Applications dropped significantly.
The real cost of studying in Australia:
- Visa fee: AUD $2,000
- Tuition fees: AUD $20,000-$50,000 per year depending on course and institution
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): AUD $500-$2,500 per year
- Living costs: AUD $24,505+ per year (the amount you must prove you have)
- Total for a 2-year master's degree: easily AUD $80,000-$150,000
Australia remains one of the most expensive countries in the world for international education. The visa fee itself is a small fraction of the total cost, but the doubling sent a clear signal about the government's priorities.
With the student cap set at 295,000 new commencements per year, competition for places has intensified.
9. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462) — AUD $640
At AUD $640, the Working Holiday visa isn't cheap for a temporary visa — especially compared to equivalent programs in other countries. New Zealand's working holiday visa costs NZD $455, Canada's is CAD $338, and many European programs are under $100.
What you get for $640:
- 12 months of work and travel rights
- Ability to extend for second and third years (with additional fees of AUD $640 each time)
- Work in any occupation
- Access to Australia's minimum wage of AUD $24.10/hr
Over three years, a working holidaymaker pays AUD $1,920 in visa fees alone. Add flights, health insurance, and initial settlement costs, and you're looking at AUD $5,000+ before you earn your first dollar.
The good news? At $24.10/hour, you can earn that back in about 4-5 weeks of full-time work. Check our WHV 417 guide for the complete breakdown.
10. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) — AUD $200 (But It Adds Up)
The standard Visitor visa costs AUD $200 per application, which doesn't sound like much until you consider how often frequent visitors need to reapply.
When costs mount:
- Each application: AUD $200
- Frequent business visitors applying 2-3 times per year: AUD $400-$600
- Families applying together (each person needs their own visa): AUD $200 per person
- A family of four visiting once: AUD $800
For comparison, the eVisitor (651) is free and the ETA (601) costs just AUD $20 — but neither is available to all nationalities. If you're from a country that requires a Visitor 600, you're paying significantly more for the same outcome.
The Real Cost Nobody Talks About: Ancillary Expenses
Every visa listed above has additional costs that the official fee schedule doesn't mention:
| Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Migration agent | AUD $1,500 - $10,000+ |
| English language test | AUD $300 - $400 |
| Skills assessment | AUD $500 - $3,000 |
| Health examination | AUD $400 - $800 |
| Police clearance (per country) | AUD $50 - $200 |
| Document translation | AUD $50 - $200 per document |
| Biometrics | AUD $0 - $80 |
| Professional photographs | AUD $20 - $50 |
A migration agent's fees alone can double the total cost of many visas. For complex applications (Partner, Skilled, Business), a good agent is often worth the investment — but for simple eVisitor or ETA applications, you almost certainly don't need one.
Can You Get a Fee Waiver?
In limited circumstances, yes. The Department can waive application fees for:
- Protection visa (866) applicants in severe financial hardship
- Some humanitarian visa applicants
- Certain cases where the Minister exercises personal discretion
For all mainstream visa categories — skilled, family, visitor, student — there are no fee waivers. You pay or you don't apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Australian visa fees refundable if I'm refused?
No. Australian visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. If your visa is refused, you lose the entire application fee. This makes it even more important to ensure you meet all criteria before applying — check the top reasons visas are refused to avoid common mistakes.
Why did the Student visa fee double?
The government doubled the fee in 2024 as part of a broader strategy to reduce international student numbers and curb what it called "non-genuine" student applications. The fee increase, combined with the 295,000 student cap and the switch from GTE to GS testing, has significantly reduced application volumes.
Do additional family members pay full fees?
It depends on the visa. For most skilled and temporary visas, additional adult applicants pay approximately 50% of the main applicant's fee, and children under 18 pay approximately 25%. For Partner visas, only the primary applicant pays — dependent children may incur additional charges.
Is it cheaper to apply without a migration agent?
Yes, but that's not always the smart move. For straightforward visas like the eVisitor or WHV, you definitely don't need an agent. For complex applications like skilled migration or Partner visas with complications, a good agent can mean the difference between approval and a costly refusal.
