Australia Visa Fees from 1 July 2026: The New Cost of PR, Work, Study and Visitor Visas

From 1 July 2026, Home Affairs raised the first instalment of the visa application charge by 25 per cent for most Australian visas. A main applicant now pays AUD 6,135 for a Skilled Independent (189) visa, AUD 6,140 for a 190, 491 or 186, AUD 4,015 for a 482, AUD 5,750 for a 485, AUD 2,500 for a Student visa, AUD 250 for a Visitor visa lodged outside Australia and AUD 11,710 for a Partner visa. This guide shows what changed, what a family pays and what the charge leaves out. The full list is in our Australia visa fee table.

What Changed and When

Skilled Permanent and Provisional Visas

*Payable by adults assessed as not having functional English. Only the main applicant pays the base charge. For a 189 family of four with two children, the first instalment is AUD 12,285 (our arithmetic: 6,135 + 3,070 + 1,540 + 1,540).

The timing matters too. The SkillSelect round on 15 October 2026 invited 20,000 expressions of interest for the 189. For 2026-27 the Skilled Independent planning level is 21,090 places, up from 16,900, while the Regional category falls from 33,000 to 14,110. Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 sets the processing order for the 186, 189, 190, 191 and 491 (replacing Direction 119), Direction 121 covers the 482 and Direction 120 covers the 858. Those Directions order applications by sector and location, not by the charge paid. See our 2026-27 program guide.

Work Visas: 482 and 485

The Skills in Demand (482) visa costs AUD 4,015 for the main applicant, AUD 4,015 for each additional adult and AUD 1,005 for each child, the same for Core Skills, Specialist Skills and labour agreement streams. It was AUD 3,210 before 1 July 2026. A family of four pays AUD 10,040 (our arithmetic). Employer nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund levy are separate, and we have not verified them. See our 482 guide.

The 485 Temporary Graduate visa costs AUD 5,750 for the main applicant, AUD 2,875 for each additional adult and AUD 1,450 for each child, in both the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams. A Second Post-Higher Education Work application costs AUD 2,265. See our graduate visa page and 485 guide for Indian graduates.

Study Visas

The Student visa (500) costs AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, AUD 1,530 for each additional adult and AUD 500 for each child. ELICOS and non-award courses are AUD 2,050. The Student Guardian (590) visa is AUD 2,500. Because most students cannot include family from 2 October 2026, the additional applicant charges now matter mainly to exempt groups. See our guide to the October 2026 student rules.

Visitor and Partner Visas

The Visitor visa (600) costs AUD 250 for Tourist, Business Visitor and Sponsored Family applications lodged outside Australia, and every person, including children on a passport, lodges a separate application. A Tourist application lodged in Australia costs AUD 630 and may attract the AUD 700 subsequent temporary application charge. The Frequent Traveller stream costs AUD 1,845, but is open only to passport holders of China, listed Southeast Asian countries and Timor-Leste, so Indian citizens cannot use it. See our visitor visa page.

The Partner visa (820/801 and 309/100) and the Prospective Marriage visa (300) cost AUD 11,710 for the main applicant, AUD 5,860 for an additional adult and AUD 2,935 for a child. The Partner charge was AUD 9,365 before 1 July 2026. See our family visas page.

What the Application Charge Leaves Out

• Second instalment. Some visas add a second instalment, as in the table above.
• Subsequent temporary application charge (STAC). AUD 700 per person for certain temporary applications made in Australia.
• Other costs. Home Affairs notes health checks, police certificates and biometrics are extra.
• Payment date. The charge in force on the date Home Affairs receives your application applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Australian 189 visa fee in 2026?

For applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 the first instalment is AUD 6,135 for the main applicant, AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,540 for each under 18. Adults assessed as not having functional English also pay a second instalment of AUD 4,885.

Did the 485 Temporary Graduate visa fee double?

Yes. Regulations that commenced on 1 March 2026 lifted the initial charge from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600, with Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders excluded. The 1 July 2026 increase then took it to AUD 5,750 for the main applicant.

Do family members pay the same as the main applicant?

No, except on the 482. Only the main applicant pays the base charge. On the 189, 190, 491 and 186 an additional adult pays AUD 3,070 and a child about half that. On the 482 an additional adult pays AUD 4,015 and a child AUD 1,005. Visitor visa applicants each lodge a separate application.

What is the subsequent temporary application charge?

It is AUD 700 per person on the 407, 408, 482, 500, 590 and 600 when you apply from inside Australia and earlier held certain temporary visas. It is not charged to people outside Australia or to a first substantive temporary application made in Australia.

Are credit card surcharges still charged?

No. Home Affairs says it ceased applying surcharges on all card, PayPal and UnionPay payments from 1 October 2026. Check that your card limit covers the full charge before you pay.

Which price applies if charges rise after I lodge?

The charge depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. If a price increase falls between lodging and receipt, you must pay the new charge.