Visa Fees Have Increased from 1 July 2026 – Are You Prepared?

Planning to study, work, migrate, sponsor someone, visit family, or apply for a partner visa in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government has increased visa application charges across several major visa categories. These changes may affect students, skilled workers, employers, families, visitors and temporary visa holders.

Before lodging your application, it is important to understand the new costs and plan your budget carefully.

New Visa Application Charges at a Glance

Who Should Pay Attention to These Changes?

Students

If you are planning to study in Australia, the Student Visa fee has increased to $2,500. This should be factored into your study and migration budget before lodging your application.

Graduates

Temporary Graduate Visa applicants may now pay up to $5,750, depending on the stream. Choosing the correct stream and preparing a complete application is more important than ever.

Skilled Applicants

Skilled visa applicants applying under subclasses 189, 190, 491, 186 or 494 should prepare for a higher base application charge of approximately $6,140.

Employers & Sponsored Workers

For employer-sponsored pathways, including the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482, increased costs should be considered early during sponsorship planning.

Couples & Families

Partner and Prospective Marriage Visa applicants now face a fee of $11,710, making early preparation and strong supporting evidence essential.

Visitors & Working Holiday Makers

Visitor, Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visa applicants should also check the updated fees before applying, as charges have increased across these categories.

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Remember: Visa Fees Are Only One Part of the Cost

The visa application charge is not always the final cost.

Depending on your visa type, you may also need to budget for:

1. Health examinations
2. Police clearances
3. Skills assessments
4. English language tests
5. Biometrics
6. Translation or certification of documents
7. Additional applicant or dependant charges

These costs can add up quickly, especially for family applications or skilled migration pathways.

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Why You Should Plan Before You Apply

With higher visa fees now in place, applicants should avoid rushing into an application without checking their eligibility first.

Before lodging, it is important to know:

– Whether you meet the visa criteria
– Which visa pathway suits your situation
– What documents are required
– How much the full application may cost
– Whether there are any risks in your case

A well-prepared application can reduce delays, avoid unnecessary expenses and improve your chances of a smoother process.

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Speak to VOG Migration Before You Lodge

At Vision Overseas Group, our migration team can assist you with eligibility checks, visa strategy, document preparation and application guidance across student, skilled, employer-sponsored, partner, visitor and other Australian visa pathways.

Plan properly before you apply.

📞 03 9000 0555
📧 info@vog.com.au
🌐 www.vog.com.au