Fee Increases: 25% to Over 200%
The Australian government is raising visa application fees for applications submitted from July 1, 2026, with most fees increasing by around 25%, while some visa categories are seeing significantly higher increases.
Specifically:
- Student visa (subclass 500): The fee for primary applicants is increasing from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): The fee is increasing from AUD 4,600 to AUD 5,750 — this is the third increase in less than a year.
- Skilled migration visas (189/190/491): The fee for primary applicants is increasing to between AUD 6,135 and AUD 6,140.
- Family visas (Partner visa): The base fee is now AUD 11,710.
Some categories are seeing modest percentage increases, but others are experiencing increases ranging from 25% to over 200% in a single update.
Who Is Exempt from the Fee Increases?
Not everyone will bear the full cost of these increases. International students applying for visas from ASEAN member countries will continue to pay the previous fee, with only annual CPI adjustments (small increases tied to inflation).
However, Vietnam is not included in the list of ASEAN countries receiving this exemption. Vietnamese students applying for a subclass 500 visa will have to pay AUD 2,500 from July 1, 2026.
Important Consideration: Application Submission Timing
If you submit your application before July 1, 2026, the old fee applies even if the decision is issued after that date. If you submit on or after July 1, 2026, the new fee applies — even if you began preparing your documents earlier.
This means: the date you submit your application determines the fee you pay, not the date you start preparing your documents.
Why the Increase?
This is an annual update affecting visa applicants and employers sponsoring migrant workers, including increases in visa application fees, administrative review fees, and higher income thresholds.
The Australian government states these increases are necessary to cover processing costs. However, immigration advocacy groups argue that these fee increases place additional financial burden on migrants at a time when anti-immigration sentiment is particularly high.
Other Changes from July 1, 2026
Beyond fees, Australia is also implementing:
- The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is increasing to AUD 79,423 per year.
- New restrictions on resubmitting applications in ImmiAccount: an application can only be resubmitted a maximum of three times; after that, departmental approval is required.
Who Is Most Affected?
Those facing the heaviest impact include:
- International students: A 25% fee increase is a significant amount when combined with tuition fees.
- Skilled workers: Higher visa fees coupled with increased income requirements raise the overall cost of migration.
- Family visa applicants: The AUD 11,710 base fee for a single applicant is substantial, and fees for dependent family members must be added on top.
If you are considering relocating to Australia, recalculate your budget. If you are currently preparing an application, carefully review the current fees before submitting — once you submit, the fee in effect at that time is what you will pay.