Australian Visa Fees: Complete Schedule 2026
Updated: 16 August 2026
Australian visa fees in 2026 range from $0 (eVisitor 651) to approximately AUD $48,640 (Contributory Parent 143, both instalments combined). Charges are adjusted annually on 1 July, paid in AUD through ImmiAccount, and non-refundable if refused. Major 2026 fees: ETA 601 at $20, eVisitor 651 free, Visitor 600 from $250, Frequent Traveller at $1,845, Student 500 at $2,500, Skilled 189 at $6,135, Temporary Graduate 485 from $5,750, Partner 820/801 at $11,710, and Contributory Parent 143 at $5,040 first instalment plus $43,600 second instalment per applicant.
Quick Facts: Visa Fees
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Payment | Online through ImmiAccount at time of application |
| Methods | Visa, Mastercard, debit card, PayPal (some visas) |
| Refundable? | No — fees are non-refundable even if refused |
| Currency | Australian Dollars (AUD) |
| Adjusted | Annually on 1 July |
| Surcharges | Credit card surcharges may apply |
Visitor and Tourist Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | $20 |
| 651 | eVisitor | Free |
| 600 | Visitor (Tourist stream) | $250 |
| 600 | Visitor (Business stream) | $250 |
| 600 | Visitor (Sponsored Family stream) | $250 |
| 600 | Visitor (Frequent Traveller — 10 year) | $1,845 |
The ETA fee is a service charge rather than a traditional visa application charge. The eVisitor is genuinely free — no hidden costs.
Student Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | Student Visa | $2,500 |
| 500 | Student Visa (subsequent applicant 18+) | $530 |
| 500 | Student Visa (subsequent applicant under 18) | $175 |
| 590 | Student Guardian | $810 |
Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC)
If you've held two or more student visas and are applying for another student visa while in Australia, a Subsequent Temporary Application Charge of $700 applies on top of the base fee.
Working Holiday Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Working Holiday (first year) | $840 |
| 417 | Working Holiday (second year) | — |
| 417 | Working Holiday (third year) | — |
| 462 | Work and Holiday (first year) | $840 |
| 462 | Work and Holiday (second year) | $1,000 |
| 462 | Work and Holiday (third year) | $1,000 |
Note (subclass 462): From the 2025-26 program year, applicants from China, India, and Vietnam must register for the pre-application ballot. The ballot registration fee is AUD $25 per attempt and is separate from (and additional to) the $840 Visa Application Charge.
Each year requires a separate application and fee.
Skilled Migration Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) | Additional 18+ | Additional under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | $6,135 | — | — |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | $6,140 | — | — |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional | $6,140 | — | — |
| 191 | Permanent Residence (Regional) | $425* | $215 | $110 |
| 485 | Temporary Graduate (Post-Higher Education Work) | $5,750 | $2,300 | $1,150 |
191 figure ($425) — confirm against current Home Affairs Charges Schedule; last verified March 2026.
Second Instalment Charge
For skilled visas (189, 190), a second instalment of $5,090 applies per applicant (18+) who doesn't have functional English at the time of visa grant. Applicants under 18 who don't have functional English incur a charge of $1,275.
This is a significant additional cost. Budget for it or invest in English testing to avoid it.
Temporary Graduate (485) — March 2026 Fee Doubling
Effective 1 March 2026, under the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026, the Subclass 485 Visa Application Charge increased from $1,895 to AUD $4,600 for the primary applicant. It has since risen again — the current charge for the Post-Higher Education Work stream starts at $5,750. There is no second instalment for the 485 — the application charge is the full Department of Home Affairs cost.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) | Additional 18+ | Additional under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 | TSS (Short-term stream) | $1,455 | $1,455 | $365 |
| 482 | TSS (Medium-term stream) | $3,035 | $3,035 | $760 |
| 482 | TSS (Labour Agreement stream) | $3,035 | $3,035 | $760 |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,225 |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | $6,140 | — | — |
Nomination fee: Employers also pay a nomination fee of approximately $330 for the nomination component. This is separate from the visa application charge.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: Employers must also pay the SAF levy:
- Small business (turnover under $10M): $1,200/year (temporary) or $3,000 (permanent)
- Other business: $1,800/year (temporary) or $5,000 (permanent)
Partner and Family Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) | Additional 18+ | Additional under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 820/801 | Partner (Onshore) | $11,710 | — | — |
| 309/100 | Partner (Offshore) | $11,710 | — | — |
| 300 | Prospective Marriage | $11,710 | — | — |
| 143 | Contributory Parent (per applicant) | $5,040 first + $43,600 second = ~$48,640 | Per applicant | Per applicant |
| 173/143 | Contributory Parent (staged) | $32,675 + $19,420 | Various | Various |
| 103 | Parent | $5,280 | $2,640 | $1,325 |
| 101 | Child | $2,790 | N/A | N/A |
| 102 | Adoption | $2,790 | N/A | N/A |
Subclass 103 figures verified May 2026 (effective 1 July 2025). Confirm 101/102 ($2,790) against the current Home Affairs Charges Schedule — last verified March 2026.
Partner Visa Second Instalment
A second instalment of $3,090 applies if the main applicant doesn't demonstrate functional English at the time the permanent stage (801 or 100) is assessed. Avoid this by providing evidence of functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent, or 5+ years of study in English).
Contributory Parent Visa — The Big Number
The Contributory Parent visa (143) is one of the most expensive visas in the world at approximately AUD $48,640 per applicant — a $5,040 first instalment paid on lodgement, plus a $43,600 second instalment paid before grant. This is in addition to the Assurance of Support bond (approximately $10,000-$14,000 held by Services Australia for 10 years). The non-contributory parent visa (103) is cheaper but has a queue exceeding 25-30 years.
Business and Investment Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 188 | Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) | $6,685 |
| 888 | Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) | $2,590 |
| 132 | Business Talent (if still available) | $8,350 |
Bridging Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| BVA (010) | Bridging Visa A | Free (automatic) |
| BVB (020) | Bridging Visa B (travel) | $185 |
| BVC (030) | Bridging Visa C | Free (in some cases) |
| BVE (050/051) | Bridging Visa E | Free |
Other Visas
| Visa Subclass | Description | Base Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Resident Return (5 years) | $410 |
| 157 | Resident Return (3 months) | $410 |
| 444 | Special Category (NZ citizens) | Free |
| 189 | NZ Stream | Free (primary) |
Total Cost Examples
Understanding the total cost beyond just the visa fee helps you budget realistically.
Example: Skilled Migration (189) — Single Applicant
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Skills assessment | $500-$1,500 |
| English test (IELTS/PTE) | $300-$400 |
| Police clearance(s) | $50-$200 |
| Health examination | $300-$500 |
| Visa application fee | $6,135 |
| Second instalment (if no English) | $5,090 |
| Total (with English) | $7,285-$8,735 |
| Total (without English) | $12,375-$13,825 |
Example: Partner Visa (820/801) — Couple
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Police clearance(s) | $50-$200 |
| Health examination | $300-$500 |
| Relationship evidence (translations, certifications) | $100-$500 |
| Visa application fee | $11,710 |
| Second instalment (if no functional English) | $3,090 |
| Total (with English) | $12,160-$12,910 |
| Total (without English) | $15,250-$16,000 |
Example: Student Visa (500) — Single Student
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| English test | $200-$400 |
| Health examination | $300-$500 |
| OSHC (12 months) | $500-$700 |
| Visa application fee | $2,500 |
| Total | $3,500-$4,100 |
(Plus tuition fees and living costs — not visa-related but significant.)
Beyond the Schedule: How Australian Visa Fees Actually Work
The fee schedule above lists the headline charges, but the real fee picture has a few moving parts most applicants need to understand:
- Second instalment of the Visa Application Charge — Several subclasses (partner visas for applicants without functional English, contributory parent visas, prospective marriage) require a second VAC instalment paid BEFORE the visa is granted, on top of the application fee. See Second Installment Visa Application Charge: Which Visas, When You Pay, How Much.
- How you pay — ImmiAccount accepts credit/debit cards (with surcharge), PayPal, and BPAY (for Australian bank account holders). For large fees like the Contributory Parent second instalment, BPAY can save hundreds of dollars in surcharges. See How to Pay Australian Visa Fees: Cards, PayPal, BPAY, and Bank Transfer.
- Why fees go up every year — Australian visa fees are indexed annually on 1 July under Migration Regulations, with occasional larger policy-driven increases (most notably the 2024 student visa hike). See Australian Visa Fee Increase History: Every Change Since 2010 and the 2026 Rates.
Payment and Refund Information
How to Pay
Payment is made through ImmiAccount at the time of submission. The system accepts:
- Visa credit/debit cards
- Mastercard credit/debit cards
- PayPal (for some visa types)
- UnionPay (for some visa types)
Credit card surcharges may apply (typically 0.98% for Visa/Mastercard).
Refund Policy
Visa application charges are non-refundable in almost all circumstances. If your visa is refused, you do not get a refund. If you withdraw your application, you do not get a refund. The only exception is a very narrow set of circumstances involving Department error.
This makes it crucial to submit a strong, complete application the first time. A refused application costs just as much as an approved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do visa fees increase?
Fees are typically adjusted on 1 July each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Increases are usually 2-5%. If you're planning an application, lodging before 1 July avoids the increase.
Can I pay in my local currency?
No. All fees are charged in Australian Dollars. Your bank or card provider will convert at their exchange rate, which may include a foreign transaction fee.
Are there fee waivers?
Very limited. Some refugee and humanitarian visa applicants may have fees waived. Standard visa applicants — including skilled, student, partner, and tourist — do not receive waivers.
What's the most expensive Australian visa?
The Contributory Parent visa (143) at approximately AUD $48,640 per applicant ($5,040 first instalment + $43,600 second instalment). With the Assurance of Support bond, the total commitment for one parent can exceed $60,000.
Do I pay the full fee upfront for partner visas?
Yes. The $11,710 (820/801 onshore) covers both the temporary (820) and permanent (801) stages. You pay once at the beginning. The second instalment ($3,090 for non-English speakers) is paid later, at the permanent stage.
Are visa fees tax-deductible?
In most cases, no. Visa fees for personal immigration purposes are not tax-deductible in Australia. If an employer pays visa-related costs on your behalf, different rules may apply.
