Australia Visa Fees & Charges 2026: What You Need to Budget For

• by Admin

The cost of an Australian visa is not always limited to the main Visa Application Charge. Depending on the visa and your circumstances, you may also need to budget for additional applicants, medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and professional fees.

The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates visa charges, so applicants should check the current government pricing information before lodging.

What Is the Visa Application Charge?

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is the government charge associated with a visa application.

Depending on the visa, there may be:

• A base application charge
• Additional applicant charges
• A second instalment
• A subsequent temporary application charge
• Payment surcharges

The amount varies significantly between visa subclasses.

Why There Is No Single “Australia Visa Cost”?

Someone applying for a Visitor Visa does not face the same government charges as someone applying for a Partner, Parent or skilled permanent visa.
The total can also change according to:

• Number of applicants
• Applicant age
• Visa subclass
• Onshore or offshore circumstances
• Previous temporary visa history
• Whether health examinations are required
• Whether police certificates are required
• Whether professional assistance is used

That is why a calculator or current government pricing check is more reliable than an old article listing fixed prices.

Main Categories of Australian Visa Costs

Additional Applicants Can Change the Total

A family application should not be calculated by simply multiplying the main applicant's fee by the number of people.

Different visa subclasses have different rules for additional applicants.

For example, the charge applicable to an adult family member may differ from that applicable to a child.

Before budgeting for a family application, identify:

• Main applicant
• Partner
• Dependent children
• Their ages
• The exact visa subclass

Second Instalment Charges

Some Australian visas involve a second instalment.

This creates an important distinction between:

Amount required when applying

and

Total government charges associated with the visa.

Applicants should understand both before making financial plans.

Medical Examination Costs

Health examinations are separate from the Visa Application Charge.

If medical examinations are required, the cost is normally paid directly to the approved medical provider.

The amount can vary according to:

• Country
• Provider
• Applicant age
• Type of examination
• Additional tests requested

Police Certificates and Other Supporting Costs

Police certificates can also add to the total application budget.

Other possible expenses include:

• Certified copies
• Document translation
• English-language testing
• Skills assessments
• Professional registration
• Skills verification
• Courier or administrative expenses

These are not normally included in the headline visa charge.

Payment Surcharges

The payment method can affect the amount ultimately charged.

Home Affairs publishes applicable payment surcharge information, so applicants should check the current Department guidance immediately before payment rather than relying on an old fee table.

Professional Migration Agent Fees

If you engage a migration agent, that is a separate professional expense.

Ask for a written agreement explaining:

• Professional fee
• Government charges
• Third-party expenses
• Additional work
• Refund conditions
• What happens if the Department requests further information

If you are comparing professional assistance, you can also [understand what migration agents actually do during a visa application] 

Why Old Visa Fee Tables Can Be Misleading?

Visa charges can change.

A page published two or three years ago may contain figures that no longer apply.

For this reason, the website should treat the Department's current pricing information as the final authority and use calculators for planning rather than presenting old figures as permanent prices.

How to Build Your Total Visa Budget?

Use this formula:

• Government application charges
• Additional applicant charges
• Second instalment, if applicable
• Medical examinations
• Police certificates
• Biometrics, if applicable
• Translation/certification
• Skills assessment, where applicable
• Professional fees

Estimated migration budget

Mistake 1: Looking only at the main VAC
Additional charges may apply.

Mistake 2: Forgetting family members
A family application can have several separate cost components.

Mistake 3: Ignoring health and character costs
These are separate from government visa charges.

Mistake 4: Using an outdated fee table
Always verify current pricing.

Mistake 5: Confusing professional fees with government charges
The two should appear separately in any quote.

Planning a Skilled Migration Budget?

The cost of skilled migration can include a skills assessment, English testing and other preparation expenses before the visa application itself.

You can review the Australian skills assessment process and likely preparation requirements.

Planning your Australian visa application?

Calculate the likely government and supporting costs before you commit to your application strategy.

[Contact Reach Immigration for a personalised cost and visa assessment]