Australian Visa Fee Increases Effective 1 July 2026 — What You Need to Know

Jul 01, 2026

Effective 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has updated its official visa pricing table, confirming substantial increases across a broad range of visa categories. The revised pricing structure affects international students, skilled professionals, graduates, visitors, permanent residents and families seeking to migrate or remain in Australia.

Visa application charges are determined by the date an application is received. If pricing changes occur before an application is formally received, the higher charge becomes payable. The Department directs applicants to its Visa Pricing Estimator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au to calculate total visa costs.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Department of Home Affairs has updated the Temporary Graduate Visa fees as follows:

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Post-Higher Education Work Stream $4,600 $5,750
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream $4,600 $5,750
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream — $2,265

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Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The primary applicant charge has been updated by the Department as follows:

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Higher Ed /Vocational/Schools $2,000 $2,500
English Language(ELICOS)/Non-Award $2,000 $2,050
Student Guardian (Subclass 590) $2,000 $2,500

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Visitor Visas

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Visitor (600) Tourist — offshore $200 $250
Visitor (600) Tourist — onshore $500 $630
Visitor (600) Business $200 $250
Visitor (600) Frequent Traveller $1,480 $1,845
Medical Treatment (602) $380 $480
ETA (601) $20 $20 — No change
eVisitor (651) Free Free — No change
Transit (771) Free Free — No change

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Working Holiday Visas (Subclass 417 / 462)

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
First year $670 $840
Second / Third year $670 $1,000

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Skilled & Employer-Sponsored Visas

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Skilled Independent (189) $4,910 $6,135
Skilled Nominated/Regional (190 / 491) $4,910 $6,140
Employer-Sponsored (482) $3,210 $4,015
Employer Nomination (186) $4,910 $6,140

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Partner & Family Visas

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Partner (820/801 and 309/100) $9,365 $11,710
NZ Citizen Family Relationship (461) $445 $1,330

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Bridging & Return Visas

Visa / Stream Previous Fee New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026)
Bridging Visa B (020) $190 $575
Resident Return Visa (155) $490 $1,475

Parent Visas

Parent visas allow the parent of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs offers both non-contributory (lower cost, longer wait) and contributory (higher cost, shorter wait) pathways.

Parent(103) Offshore Permanent

Previous Fee $4,990(1st instalment)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $7,345 total (2 instalments)

Aged Parent(804) Onshore Permanent

Previous Fee $4,990(1st instalment)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $7,345 total (2 instalments)

Sponsored Parent Temporary (870) --- 3 years

Previous fee $5,090

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $5,735

Sponsored Parent Temporary (870) --- 5 years

Previous Fee $10,180

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $11,470

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Contributory Parent Visas

Contributory Parent visas offer a faster processing pathway in exchange for a significantly higher application charge, paid in two instalments. The Department of Home Affairs notes fees are subject to annual indexation and applicants should confirm current charges via the Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.

Contributory Parent Temporary (173) — Offshore

Previous Fee $32,065

New Fee (from 1 July 2026) $33,285 (1st instalment only; 2nd instalment payable on 143 application)

Contributory Parent Permanent (143) — offshore

Previous Fee $47,825 total

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $51,695 total (paid in 2 instalments)

Contributory Aged Parent Temporary (884) — onshore

Previous Fee $32,065

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $33,285 (1st instalment only; 2nd instalment payable on 864 application)

Contributory Aged Parent Permanent (864) — onshore

Previous Fee $47,755 total

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $48,640 total (paid in 2 instalments)

Note: Contributory Parent visa fees are paid in two instalments. The first instalment is paid at the time of lodgement; the second (larger) instalment is paid just before the visa is granted. Fees are reviewed periodically — always confirm the current amount via the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before paying.

Carer Visas

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Carer visas allow a person to live in Australia permanently to provide care to an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition who has no reasonable access to care options in Australia. Both subclasses are permanent visas; the difference is the applicant's location at time of lodgement and decision.

Carer (116) — offshore (apply and granted outside Australia)

Previous Fee $2,175 (2nd Instalment was payable before visa grant)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $2,720 (2nd Instalment of $2,065 payable before visa grant)

Carer (836) — onshore (apply and granted inside Australia)

Previous Fee $2,175 (2nd Instalment was payable before visa grant)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $2,720 (2nd Instalment of $2,065 payable before visa grant)

Aged Dependent Relative (114) — offshore, permanent

Previous Fee AUD $5,280 (2nd Instalment payable before visa grant)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) AUD $6,600 (2nd Instalment of $2,065 payable before visa grant)

Aged Dependent Relative (838) — onshore, permanent

Previous Fee $3,945 (2nd Instalment payable before visa grant)

New Fee (from 1 Jul 2026) $6,600 (2nd Instalment of $2,065 payable before visa grant)

Note: Carer and Aged Dependent Relative visas are subject to capping and queueing. The Department of Home Affairs directs all applicants to the Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the most current fees before lodgement, as charges are reviewed annually on 1 July.

Important Reminders from the Department of Home Affairs

● All visa application charges are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the application.

● Fees are determined by the date the application is received, not the date it is prepared or submitted.

● For some visas, a lower visa cost may apply if you are an eligible citizen of a Pacific Island country, Timor-Leste or an ASEAN member country and you lodge a valid visa application.

● Additional charges apply for secondary applicants (partners and dependent children) included on the same application.

● The Department's Visa Pricing Estimator is available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au to assist applicants in calculating the full cost of their visa.

How EDMIG Consulting Can Help

With visa fees at an all-time high and all charges non-refundable, it has never been more important to get your application right the first time. At EDMIG Consulting, our team ensures your application is thorough, accurate and decision-ready before lodgement — protecting your investment and maximising your chances of success.

Disclaimer:

EDMIG Consulting has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this blog is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. All visa application charges referenced in this blog are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing table, effective 1 July 2026.

Visa application charges are subject to change by the Department of Home Affairs at any time and without prior notice. While all reasonable care has been taken in preparing this content, any errors or omissions are entirely inadvertent. EDMIG Consulting accepts no liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising as a result of reliance on information contained in this blog.

This blog is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration, legal or financial advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify all current visa fees and charges directly with the Department of Home Affairs via the official Visa Pricing Estimator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging any visa application.

For personalised immigration advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult a registered migration agent (MARA).