Higher Australian Visa Charges in 2026: How Much Money to Set Aside

News · 2026-08-06 · 3 min read

Saving up for an employer-sponsored visa to Australia? The government fees have gone up, so check the new amounts before you apply.

The Australian Government increased application charges for almost every visa category. The change started on 1 July 2026. Any application lodged on or after that day pays the new rate.

Applied Before the Change?

Does this affect visas already lodged? No, and that is good news. If your application went in before 1 July 2026, you keep the old fee, even while the case is still being processed. Only applications lodged from 1 July 2026 onward pay the higher charges.

Visas Linked to an Employer: New Prices

Subclass 482, Skills in Demand: $4,015 (previously $3,210)
Subclass 186, Employer Nomination Scheme: $6,140
Subclass 494, Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional: $6,140

Moving with your husband, wife or children? Every extra family member has their own government charge, which is added to the amounts above.

Points-Based Skilled Visas: New Prices

Subclass 189, Skilled Independent: $6,135
Subclass 190, Skilled Nominated: $6,140
Subclass 491, Skilled Work Regional: $6,140

Study and After-Study Options

Here is what student and graduate visas now cost:

Subclass 500, Student Visa: $2,500
Subclass 590, Student Guardian: $2,500
Subclass 485, Temporary Graduate: $5,750

The Most Costly Visa of All

At $11,710, the Partner Visa is now the largest single government charge anywhere in the system.

Let's Try a Real Budget

Here is a quick example. Picture a family of three: the main applicant, a spouse and one child. Together they apply for a Skilled Independent (189) visa. Just the government charges add up to $10,745.

Other costs come on top of this, for example:

English language tests;
skills assessments;
medical exams;
police clearance certificates.

If you are applying from Indonesia and a police certificate is requested, this is the SKCK from the Indonesian National Police. Documents written in Indonesian may also need an English translation if the visa rules ask for it.

Australia Still Wants Skilled Workers

The higher fees do not change one fact: Australia is still short of skilled workers, and that demand for skilled workers isn't going anywhere. This is especially true in Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanics, Welding, Chef roles, Butchery, HVAC, Nursing, Engineering and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.

Thousands of employer-sponsored jobs are still open to qualified overseas applicants.

Where to Go From Here

Ready to explore visa sponsorship? Employer Sponsored Jobs connects skilled workers with accredited Australian employers that offer genuine sponsorship, and its recruitment and migration team helps eligible candidates find real, working pathways into Australia. If you want to work in Australia from Indonesia, browse current vacancies, register your profile, prepare an English-language CV and budget for the whole move, not just the visa.

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