What an Australian visa really costs in 2026–27
Government fees jumped around 25% on 1 July 2026. The full price list, the costs nobody budgets for, and why mistakes are dearer than ever.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published6 min read
On 1 July 2026 the government lifted visa application charges by roughly 25% across most of the program. A partner visa is now $11,710, a Skilled Independent (189) is $6,135, the Skills in Demand (482) is $4,015 and a student visa is $2,500. Fees are paid per application and are not refunded if you are refused.
The 2026–27 price list
| Visa | Was | From 1 Jul 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Partner (820/801, 309/100, 300) | $9,365 | $11,710 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | $4,910 | $6,135 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) / Regional (491) | $4,910 | $6,140 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | $4,910 | $6,140 |
| Skills in Demand (482) | $3,210 | $4,015 |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | $4,600 | $5,750 |
| Student (500) | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| Working Holiday (417/462) | $670 | $840 |
| Visitor (600) | $200 | $250 |
Source: Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026. Additional charges apply for family members included in an application, and income thresholds for sponsored work visas were indexed the same day: the Core Skills Income Threshold is now $79,499 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold $146,717.
The costs nobody budgets for
The application charge is rarely the whole bill. Depending on your pathway, allow for a skills assessment (several hundred to well over a thousand dollars depending on the assessing authority), an English test (roughly $400 a sitting), health examinations for each applicant, police checks for each country you have lived in, and translation of documents. None of these are optional where they apply, and several expire, so sequencing them wrong means paying twice.
Why mistakes now cost more than ever
Every figure above is per application, not per outcome. A refusal takes the fee with it, and can push you into a tribunal review at $3,727, or into the section 48 bar that limits what you can lodge next from inside Australia. At 2026–27 prices, a refused partner application followed by a review and a fresh application can pass $27,000 in government fees alone. The cheapest visa strategy is the application that is right the first time.
When fees change
Visa application charges are adjusted on 1 July each year, and this year's rise was far larger than routine indexation. If you are close to ready in the first half of a year, lodging before 30 June can save real money. Thresholds like the CSIT and SSIT index on the same date, which can also change whether a sponsored role qualifies at all.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
Do I get a refund if my visa is refused?
No. Visa application charges are payable per application and are not refunded on refusal, which is the main financial argument for lodging a decision-ready application.
When do Australian visa fees change?
On 1 July each year. The 2026 change was much larger than usual, around 25% across most visa types.
Are there extra charges for family members?
Yes. Each additional applicant included in the application attracts their own charge, and some visas also carry second instalments, most significantly the contributory parent visas.
What non-government costs should I budget for?
Skills assessment, English testing, health examinations, police checks and document translation, depending on the pathway. Several of these expire, so timing matters.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.