The Australian government increased visa application charges (VACs) from 1 July 2025 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
While most visa application charges increased by 3%, the Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas experienced a more significant fee hike, increasing from $1,600 to $2,000 for primary applicants.
A summary of the changes for some common visa types is included below:
Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$3,115 | $3,210 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$3,115 | $3,210 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$780 | $805 |
|
Nomination |
$330 | $330 |
|
SAF Levy |
$1,800 per year of visa if turnover > $10 mil (otherwise $1,200) | $1,800 per year of visa if turnover > $10 mil (otherwise $1,200) |
Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 400) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$415 | $430 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$415 | $430 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$105 | $110 |
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$4,770 | $4,910 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$2,385 | $2,455 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$1,190 | $1,230 |
|
Nomination |
$540 | $540 |
|
SAF Levy |
$5,000 if company turnover > $10 mil (otherwise $3,000) | $5,000 if company turnover > $10 mil (otherwise $3,000) |
Partner (Subclass 820 / 801) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$9,095 | $9,365 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$4,550 | $4,685 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$2,280 | $2,345 |
Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$4,765 | $4,910 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$2,385 | $2,455 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$1,195 | $1,230 |
Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$4,770 | $4,910 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$2,385 | $2,455 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$1,190 | $1,230 |
National Innovation (Subclass 858) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$4,840 | $4,985 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$2,425 | $2,495 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$1,210 | $1,250 |
Resident Return (Subclass 155) visas
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$475 | $490 |
Student (Subclass 500) visas (note this can vary depending on stream)
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$1,600 | $2,000 |
|
Additional applicant charge (>18) |
$1,190 | $1,225 |
|
Additional applicant charge (<18) |
$390 | $400 |
Visitor (Subclass 600) visas (in the tourist stream)
Type |
VAC (pre 1 July 2025) |
VAC (from 1 July 2025) |
|
Base application charge |
$195 | $200 |
Any questions?
For the current list of VAC’s, please refer to the Department’s website. The above fees do not include professional fees, and you can also refer to our cost calculator to obtain a better understanding of the overall fees that may apply to a particular visa application. For further information, or a quote for services, feel free to contact our experienced team by email at [email protected] or by phone at +61 3 9016 0484.
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