Visa fees just rose about 25% (1 July 2026)
Home Affairs raised most Australian visa application charges on 1 July 2026, well above the usual annual CPI adjustment. Skilled, partner, student, and graduate visas are all affected. Salary thresholds for 482 nominations also increased.
Official source ↗On 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs increased visa application charges across almost every category. The change was legislated under Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00874). Unlike previous years — where fees rose 2–5% in line with CPI — this year most charges rose around 25% in a single step.
What changed (primary applicant, base charge)
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: $4,910 → $6,135
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: $4,865 → $6,140
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional: $4,865 → $6,140
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: $3,210 → $4,015
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination: $4,770 → $6,140
- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate: $2,235 → $5,750 (this visa was also doubled in March 2026)
- Subclass 500 Student: $2,000 → $2,500 (ASEAN passport holders pay $2,050; Pacific-regional pay $745)
- Subclass 820/801 Partner (onshore): $9,095 → $11,710
- Subclass 309/100 Partner (offshore): $9,095 → $11,710
- Subclass 600 Visitor: $200 → $250
- Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage: $11,710
Additional applicant charges (for partners and children included in the same application) also rose proportionally. Second instalments and payment surcharges are separate.
Salary thresholds for employer-sponsored visas
Alongside the fee changes, the salary floor for Subclass 482 nominations rose:
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $76,515 → $79,499
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $141,210 → $146,717
These thresholds are the minimum salary at which an employer can sponsor an overseas worker on a 482 visa. If a nomination is lodged on or after 1 July 2026, the position must be paid at or above the new floor.
Which fee applies to your application
The Home Affairs charge is set by the date your application is received, not the date you started preparing it. If you lodged before 1 July 2026, you paid the old rate. If you lodge on or after 1 July 2026, the new rate applies — regardless of when you gathered your documents.
Where to verify your exact fee
Fees can vary based on onshore/offshore status, passport country (Pacific-regional and ASEAN concessions apply on some visas), included family members, and specific streams. The most reliable check is the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator.
Note
This is a summary of the published Home Affairs changes. It is general information, not migration advice. If your circumstances are complex, or you are unsure whether to lodge before or after a fee change, consult a registered MARA agent.