Australian visa fees increase from 1 July 2026

If you’re planning to apply for an Australian visa, it’s about to cost more. As it does most years, the Department of Home Affairs has lifted visa application charges (VACs) across most visa categories from 1 July 2026 through annual indexation — but 2026 has been an unusually eventful year for migration costs, with some categories seeing large, unannounced increases well outside the normal cycle.

For anyone who hasn’t lodged yet, the timing matters. Visa application charges are locked in based on the date the Department receives your complete, paid application, not when you started preparing it. If your application wasn’t submitted before 30 June, you’re now paying the new rate.

What’s changed

Here’s a summary of the key changes reported for the 2026–27 financial year:

Visa	Previous Fee	New Fee (from 1 July 2026)
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)	$4,600 (from 1 March 2026)	$5,750
Student Visa (Subclass 500)*	$2,000	$2,500*
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309)*	$9,365	$11,710*
General Skilled Migration (189/190/491/494)*	$4,910	$6,135+*
Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482)*	~$3,200	$4,015*
Bridging Visa B*	$190	$575*
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600 – Tourist)*	$200	$250*

*These figures are provided for general reference only. Visa fees can change at any time — sometimes at short notice, and in some cases the charge for your circumstances may differ even on the same day depending on the pathway, applicant location, and number of applicants. Always confirm the exact charge that applies to you using the Official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge, since a small miscalculation on a high-value application can be an expensive mistake.

The 485 Graduate Visa: the standout increase of 2026

No category illustrates how fast things can move better than the Temporary Graduate visa. On 1 March 2026 — outside the usual 1 July cycle and with no advance warning — its application charge was doubled from $2,300 to $4,600. That was the third increase to this visa in just over a year, making Australia’s post-study work visa one of the most expensive of its kind in the world.

Secondary applicants were hit too: the charge for a partner or dependant aged 18 and over rose to $2,300, and for a child under 18 to around $1,150. For international graduates weighing up whether a 485 pathway still makes financial sense, this is a materially different cost calculation than it was a year ago.

Skilled visa salary thresholds have also risen

Fee increases aren’t the only change landing on 1 July. Employer-sponsored visa salary thresholds have gone up too, through the standard annual indexation process:

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) have risen from $76,515 to $79,499, applying to Subclass 482 (Core Skills Stream), Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) and Subclass 494.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) has increased from $141,210 to $146,717, applying to Subclass 482 Specialist Skills Stream nominations.

Any nomination lodged from 1 July must meet the new threshold or the relevant annual market salary rate — whichever is higher.

Why this is happening now

Three things are converging on the same date this year, which is part of why 2026 feels different from a typical annual indexation cycle:

Standard annual indexation — most visa application charges are reviewed each 1 July, usually by a modest amount (around 3% this year).
Targeted policy increases — some subclasses, like the 485, have seen deliberate, larger increases tied to government revenue and international education policy, separate from routine indexation.
Payday super — from the same date, employers must pay superannuation at the same time as wages rather than quarterly, adding a separate cash-flow pressure for businesses that also sponsor visa holders.

What this means for you

Whether you’re an individual applicant, a family applying together, or an employer managing sponsorships, a few things are worth keeping in mind:

Visa application charges are non-refundable, regardless of outcome — an incomplete or ineligible application at the new, higher price point is a costlier mistake than it used to be.
Family and multi-applicant applications feel these increases most — a skilled visa application with a partner and children can already run past $13,000 in government charges alone, before any professional or ancillary costs.
Employers sponsoring skilled workers now need to check nominations against the new salary thresholds, not just the new fees.
Changes to specific subclasses can happen at any time, not just on 1 July — as the 485’s mid-year fee doubling in March showed.

Not sure how the new fees affect your visa pathway?

A registered migration agent can help you understand your options, get your application right the first time, and avoid paying a non-refundable fee twice.

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Frequently asked questions

If I lodged my application before 1 July, do I pay the old fee?

Yes. The charge that applies is the one in effect on the date the Department received your complete, paid application — not the date you started preparing it.

Are visa application charges refundable if my visa is refused?

No. Visa application charges are non-refundable regardless of outcome, including refusals, withdrawals, and incorrectly lodged applications. The only general exception is a processing error by the Department.

Will fees increase again before the next financial year?

It’s possible. The 485 visa’s fee was doubled in March 2026, outside the usual 1 July cycle, showing the Department can and will make targeted changes at short notice.

Where can I check the exact current fee for my visa?

The Department of Home Affairs publishes a Visa Pricing Estimator on its official website, which is the most reliable source for exact, up-to-date charges for your specific circumstances.

Disclaimer: This disclaimer applies to all content published on ImmigrationAU.com.au and its associated social media channels. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon for making any visa or migration decisions. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the material may not reflect the most current regulations. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified Australian lawyer before submitting any applications.